Our trip to the Eastern Shore (Baltimore, Annapolis: real estate, housing, condos)

[macdebbie]

We just got back last night from our trip to the Eastern Shore.

Went for a little getaway, but also to check out the area for retirement.

We really, really, liked the area. Of course I fell in love with St. Michaels, and Oxford, which we could never afford, but also liked Easton and Chestertown alot. Our thoughts are that Easton fits the bill the best.

A few practical questions....

1) How bad is the heat/humidty in the summer, i.e., how many months? I will gladly trade 6 months of cold and snow for a few months of heat.

2) We found it colder than we expected. Was the temperature over the weekend unusual, or do things not warm up like where we live in MA until May/June?

3) How is the health care in Easton, specifically the hospital? It's a larger hospital than we have here, and I am assuming it is good for basics, and then specialized care requires a drive to where - Annapolis? - like we have to drive to Boston hospitals.

4) How realistic is it that we could find a nice small house - 3 BR, 2 bath - 1700 sq ft. or so for @ 350K? We'd want to be fairly close to town, although we did drive through Easton Village, and I liked that alot (the models) though not much has been built yet.

Someone please tell me what the deal is with Cambridge. We did not make it down there, but in looking at the real estate guides, it appears housing is drastically lower there. Why??? Is it a high crime area? Which brings me to my last question.

5) How is the crime in Easton? Any gang-related problems or the like?

6) It appears there is alot going on throughout the year in the area - festivals, etc. Is that true? We realize it's a small town, but that's what we like. It's only a little smaller than where we live now (17K).

Thanks to all who helped with our trip!

[MDisBETTERthanUthink]

Hi MacDebbie-

Yes, the eastern shore is beautiful, one of those treasures that most the country doesn't realize is a treasure. (not always a bad thing hehe) I personally recommend you to make a move to the shore. Must remind you though, that most of it has slower driving patterns and most of the towns are most likely poorer than the ones near where you used to live. The people are soo friendly though and the culture is so unique.

Cambridge, MD is one of the more poorer towns on the shore. It is a half white half black town, leading many people to assume there is a high crime rate. (I have seen this on the forum in the past) The crime rate is actually really low. Go check out the demographics yourself.

But I do think your decision on Easton is the best. It is that in the middle type town. Not too poor, not too uppity. The hospitals are better there too, and the restaurants are phenomenal. Plus there is a Starbucks. If I were to move back to the shore I'd take Easton due to the Starbucks alone.

[MDisBETTERthanUthink]

Oh, and the eastern shore of MD has the least amount of snowfall in the state. Even lower than Baltimore and we know Baltimore newstations forecast more non existent snow days than real snow days that actually unfold upon our eyes.

[macdebbie]

I just checked citydata.com crime stats for Cambridge and it is 585 vs. national average of 323!!! I would consider that higher than normal, no?

Comments?

[cancan]

its probably petty crime and crime thats based in the poorist parts....drug crime that envlelops the non criminals caught in the middle of it all.

Any violent crime is probably isolated and mostly connected to drugs in the worst parts of town.


It can get down right hot here for a month or two a year....90's with near 100 percent humidity that leaves you dripping the second you walk out the door....other than that the deep heat doesnt last long. Its been fairly warm this late winter so not sure what you might have been expecting.....spring is here on the shore, grass is green , magnolias are flowering and trees are leafing out slowly.

[MikeinMD]

1) How bad is the heat/humidty in the summer, i.e., how many months? I will gladly trade 6 months of cold and snow for a few months of heat.

It can get hot and humid in the summer, temps in the 90's feels like over 100. A heat wave is usually a week or so of over 90, high humidity, etc. Its not fun, but usually doesn't last a long time. June, July, August, are where you will find the higher temps, , mid July to mid August being the worst. As long as you have AC you will be fine.

2) We found it colder than we expected. Was the temperature over the weekend unusual, or do things not warm up like where we live in MA until May/June?

Spring temps can be all over the place, the weekend was probably about normal for this time of year, maybe a little on the chilly side. It can get into the 70's this time of year but I think the average is in the 50's right now. Probably closer to and into May is when it will start getting much warmer.

3) How is the health care in Easton, specifically the hospital? It's a larger hospital than we have here, and I am assuming it is good for basics, and then specialized care requires a drive to where - Annapolis? - like we have to drive to Boston hospitals.

Being younger, I would say healthcare over all is good. Many doctors are full so you may have to ask to be accepted as a patient. The hospital has horror stories, probably like most. However it just merged with University of MD Medical System and they are planning on building a brand new one starting in the next few years. There are plenty of doctors and specialists in the area. And if you aren't happy you can always go to Annapolis or Baltimore. I have heard that the hospital has had a hard time getting more doctors and nurses, which was one reason for merging with UMMS.

4) How realistic is it that we could find a nice small house - 3 BR, 2 bath - 1700 sq ft. or so for @ 350K? We'd want to be fairly close to town, although we did drive through Easton Village, and I liked that alot (the models) though not much has been built yet.

Probably 2 years ago you might have had a little bit of an issue, but now that is probably in the average price range for a nice house, nice neighborhood of that size. I think Ryan Homes has a model in Easton Village that starts around the mid 300's. That community started off with nothing under 800k, but as things have changed they brought in more builders and now have cheaper models for sale. There are a few newer communities just build and in the process of being built, but most new housing is more cookie cutter. Easton Village is sort of an exception to that though. But there are older communities with varied housing, it all depends on what you are looking for. I would look at homesdatabase.com or championrealty.com, they seem to be the most up to date. If you see something you like post it here and I or someone can tell you what kind of area its in.

Someone please tell me what the deal is with Cambridge. We did not make it down there, but in looking at the real estate guides, it appears housing is drastically lower there. Why??? Is it a high crime area? Which brings me to my last question.

Cambridge is a poorer town, not as many jobs, and doesn't have as much of a rich population as Talbot County does to keep the area as relivent in my opinion. An example is the community center on Rt. 50 just north of Easton. When it came time to renovate it, a private doner donated millions to make that happen. A family recently offered a donation of land for a new library. I think there are more people with deep pockets that care more about Easton and Talbot Co. than Cambridge. Kind of unfortunate for Cambridge.

5) How is the crime in Easton? Any gang-related problems or the like?

Crime in Easton is fairly low except. The major problem area is the Port St/South St. area. That is where most of it happens. I have heard some rumblings of gangs, but have never experienced anything related with that. There was something a few months back about the Easton police going to LA to be trained in gang voilence. So I guess even though its a small problem at least they are looking at it seriously.

6) It appears there is alot going on throughout the year in the area - festivals, etc. Is that true? We realize it's a small town, but that's what we like. It's only a little smaller than where we live now (17K).

More and more Easton seems to have more festivals, etc. In my opinion 10-15 years ago that wasn't the case as much as it is today. But they do have parades, 4th of July festival, new years, etc. There are also block parties downtown, mainly during the summer.

[mdswines]

I would avoid Cambridge. My wife grew up there and we've been there quite often over the years. There's nothing to do. Crime is high for its size. Virtually no jobs.

Easton is much, much nicer in pretty much every way. You get what you pay for.

Good luck with your decision.

[macdebbie]

Forgot to ask -

What would my job prospects be on the Eastern Shore? I am a Financial Advisor. Worked at Smith Barney for 9 years. Left to head up the Investment Arm of a local bank - been doing that about 2 years. I really, really, don't want to have to commute to Annapolis.

Also, we love the beach. I had read that you can't really swim on the Eastern Shore due to the nettles, and of course it's not the ocean. Where do most people go to go to the beach? Ocean City MD, although I've never been, doesn't seem our style. We would want something fairly quiet, not rows and rows of condos and highrises.

[Grasonville]

1) How bad is the heat/humidty in the summer, i.e., how many months? I will gladly trade 6 months of cold and snow for a few months of heat.

2) We found it colder than we expected. Was the temperature over the weekend unusual, or do things not warm up like where we live in MA until May/June?

3) How is the health care in Easton, specifically the hospital? It's a larger hospital than we have here, and I am assuming it is good for basics, and then specialized care requires a drive to where - Annapolis? - like we have to drive to Boston hospitals.

4) How realistic is it that we could find a nice small house - 3 BR, 2 bath - 1700 sq ft. or so for @ 350K? We'd want to be fairly close to town, although we did drive through Easton Village, and I liked that alot (the models) though not much has been built yet.

Someone please tell me what the deal is with Cambridge. We did not make it down there, but in looking at the real estate guides, it appears housing is drastically lower there. Why??? Is it a high crime area? Which brings me to my last question.

5) How is the crime in Easton? Any gang-related problems or the like?

6) It appears there is alot going on throughout the year in the area - festivals, etc. Is that true? We realize it's a small town, but that's what we like. It's only a little smaller than where we live now (17K).

Thanks to all who helped with our trip!

August is the worst - but near the water is always better

ALL of Maryland is having a colder Spring than usual - the Chesapeake Bay moderates the temperatures so that it is never as cold or HOT here as elsewhere.

Should you come back to visit anytime soon - make sure and stop at Kent Narrows - lots to do and see

The Eastern Shore is a wonderful small time atmosphere - but keep it a secret - we have ENOUGH traffic over the Bay Bridge

[macdebbie]

What is there, and where is it?

We had planned to have lunch our last day at "The Narrows" (is that the same area?) but we were afraid we would be late for our flight, so we skipped it.

We didn't realize how far Dulles was from Easton.

Is BWI closer?