Want to know about Salisbury, MD (Baltimore, Ocean City: transplants, sales, real estate)

[marknf]

We currently live in Fayetteville, AR and have two young children. A job opportunity is available in Salisbury. Is it family oriented? How are the schools? What is the crime rate like? What is traffic like? Is it a progressive, liberal or conservative town? Is it flat, hilly or other? Any trees or mostly agricultural land? Thanks!

[KatOne]

Hi.

Salisbury is ok. They have Salisbury State University and Perdue Farms has its big chicken processing plant there. Crime is a little higher than I would be comfortable with and I'm not sure what the schools are like. You should do some more research. I grew up near Centreville in Queen Anne's County and those schools are good. So are Talbot county schools... But I can't speak for the lower shore.

Ocean City, Maryland is about a 30 minute drive from there. It's a fun summer destination for families and beach-goers. Can make traffic on 50 a little sticky on the weekends though.

My parents are wild about Berlin, Maryland. It's just outside of Ocean City. Maybe you could commute the 35 minutes to Salisbury and live in Berlin? Just a thought! There are some qaint little village towns on the shore that might be more appealing and safer than Salisbury. But may also be more expensive. The Shore has been discovered as a wonderful place to retire, therefore driving up property values/taxes.

Most of the Shore tends to lean more conservative compared to the rest of the state of Maryland. It has more of a Southern, church-on-Sundays community feel than I've encountered elsewhere in the Baltimore/DC Metro area. It is also still mostly rural/agricultural - a lot of chicken farms thanks to the burgeoning poultry industry and the aforementioned Frank Perdue.

Overall, I really enjoyed growing up on the Shore. Being so close to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic is wonderful and the atmosphere is relaxed. People are friendly; although it may take them a while to warm up to 'transplants' depending on where you choose to live. Some folks have grown weary from the increased beach traffic and population growth over the last 10 years, my parents included.

Good luck!

[jsmill]

Salisbury is a conservative town, the landscape is very flat, but it is the most populous town on the Eastern Shore. Traffic on US 50 from Memorial Day thru Labor Day is rough, otherwise not bad.

The things I like about the area: there is minor league baseball team (Delmarva Shorebirds), the beach is close (45 min), there are many state parks, canoeing on the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill (not snowy or hilly), birding at Prime Hook and Bombay Hook in Delaware, and overall an easier slower pace of life, espec. compared to Baltimore and DC.

If you can, try to visit first before you make the move.

[Ex-Ithacan]

I would tend to agree with KatOne. Working in Salisbury would be finr, but I'd be concerned about the crime and schools. There are quite a few towns not too far away which would be a great place to raise a family. And the big bonus is the proximity to the Atlantic beaches (OC & Delaware). As a different possibilty, you might even want to look at Delaware. I would bet the cost of living there is cheaper, and there's no sales tax (not sure about personal income tax or property tax rates). I think there are some Delaware towns fairly close to Salibury too.

[mdswines]

Well, my wife and I have lived here for 7 years. It's an ok place to live but the crime is indeed pretty high. This year has seen a dramatic increase in shootings. They're all isolated in one general area, but the city isn't all that big anyway.

We live in a very nice, family-oriented neighborhood and we had our house broken into about 4 years ago. My wife also had her car broken into while parked at her downtown office. Apparently, some crak addicts had been going around breaking into cars and stealing any money/change they could find. (at least, that was what the SPD said)

Also, just this past week, my wife and I were leaving the grocery store when an obviously drug-addicted/crazy woman gave us the bird for no reason and shouted obsenities at us while calling my wife a *****. We laughed at her and told her that Jesus loves her.

We're looking to move within the next year.

Good luck with your decision.

[oncesir]

Unfortunately Salisbury does have a lot of crime for such a small town. One other thing to consider is the housing market. Most homes are rather pricey due to the recent influx of retirees and those wanting to live close to the beach. The lifestyle is laid back but if you are used to having access to "city" conveniences with lots to do then you may want to rethink things. Other than you basic restaurants, shopping, and a few parks there isnt much more to do. The beach is nice during the summer, but, for some, the traffic and people will make that more of a hassle. If you do take the job, look into small towns like Willards, Pittsville, Parsonsburg, Powellville. All of these are small towns with an extremely safe track record. All are very rural and peaceful but will demand a premium price. Good luck!

[bjnolan]

I have lived in Salisbury my whole life. I have moved due to other schooling, but Salisbury is truely a great place to live. Like any other town, Salisbury has its crime, but only in the places you would assume there to be crime. If you plan on living in these areas, then it probably wouldnt be best to rasie a family. On the other hand, there many great neighborhoods, with water front views, or even out in the fields. The surrounding areas have little to nothing to offer, espcially for children, and the school commute can be rough on them. Those areas are mostly farm land, and are about 20-25 min away from most basic needs like the food store, police department, and the closest hospital which is in Salisbury. The land is pretty much flat, but there are many wooded areas. Many of the now open fields were cleared of trees for farming. There are 3 private schools in the area as well. Salisbury School, Worchester prep, and St. Fransis de sales. I went through the public school system about 3 years ago, and found nothing wrong with the education. Salisbury has a great amount of culture. There are brazilian, Caribbean, Japanese, Indian, and many other types of restaurants, all with resonable prices, and amazing tastes. Salisbury is only about 2 hours away from the Nations Capital, and 30 min from the beach. There are many things for kids to do, many Parks and Rec. sports are offered for all ages. Like any town, if you look for trouble, you are bound to find it, but if stear clear, then you are sure to be fine. Salisbury is a great place, and if not to live, it is definatly worth the visit!

[seschris]

No offense but we need to be honest on these boards. Salisbury, MD is not a great place to live. There is nothing for kids to do because there are no recreation parks and activities unless you can afford the newly built sports arena in Fruitland (for certain people) or the karate place's that have sprung up. Transplants are treated like suspects and there are no jobs to support all the new homes being built everywhere. In the rural areas all you smell is chicken manure in the summer time. The largest industry is poultry and not everyone can stomach those Perdue plants (which pay horrible). This is the ideal community for retirees or people that are independently wealthy...but for anyone who has to work for a living and doesn't have their own business or family to get them a job thru nepotism....Salisbury ain't the place. Just being honest...I've been there and done that...I'm out.

[oncesir]

Originally Posted by bjnolan

I have lived in Salisbury my whole life. I have moved due to other schooling, but Salisbury is truely a great place to live. Like any other town, Salisbury has its crime, but only in the places you would assume there to be crime. If you plan on living in these areas, then it probably wouldnt be best to rasie a family. Salisbury is only about 2 hours away from the Nations Capital, and 30 min from the beach. There are many things for kids to do, many Parks and Rec. sports are offered for all ages. Like any town, if you look for trouble, you are bound to find it, but if stear clear, then you are sure to be fine. Salisbury is a great place, and if not to live, it is definatly worth the visit!

I definitely disagree about the crime only being in certain areas of Salisbury. Salisbury is small so criminals dont have to drive as far to commit their crimes. I myself wouldnt live in Salisbury. Young adult and adult activities other than the zoo and a few parks are lacking IMHO. The crime rate is pathetic for such a small area and is directly related to the poor job market and rising real estate prices. If you move here my rule of thumb is, work in Salisbury, live elsewhere. Good luck!!

[sbyman]

what is wrong with Salisbury? I have lived in several locations throughout and you all talk like it has the same situation as Baltimore. It's not. Crime is nothing here. Wow someone steals your purse or something. I mean that is no big deal.