what teens do in bel air md (Towson, Parkville: crime, houses)

[confusedmom2]

My family will be moving to maryland from nj due to the closure of Fort Monmouth and we are looking for a place with good High Schools, safe, and where there are things for teenagers to do beside drinking.

Can you tell me if Bel air would fit the bill? How walker friendly is it to teens?

Or is there somewhere else that would better suit us.

[carey24]

Bel Air is NOT walker friendly to anyone except to the houses in your immediate neighborhood. It is very spread out over many miles. Route 24 is one of the main roads and it is basically a highway. You cannot (or at least should not) walk on it. There is also still alot of rural land north of Bel Air.

I don't know about now, but when I was in high school (10yrs ago), all there was to do was (illegally) four-wheel or drink. It is somewhat more built up, but with malls and restaurants. I wouldn't say there is a whole lot for a teenager to do. JMO

[confusedmom2]

We were looking closer to the route 22 area. the developments we looked at were Fountain glen, saddle ridge, hunters run. those areas seem to be near shopping centers developments have sidewalk.

Were we are now there are no sidewalks, we are on a main road were car etc going flying by. Teen here are spenting the weekends drinking, racing and druging. I am now looking for some where different can you help. Is there somewhere that fits the bill?

[carey24]

That is even a less built up area than 24. You're looking at Churchville. Basically it used to be alot of farmland, now getting developed. I wouldn't say teens get into alot of trouble, but there certainly wouldn't be alot for them to do seeing as everything is so spread out. You're looking at a 10-20 min drive to the nearest grocery store. Not a whole lot around.

Perry Hall, Parkville, and Towson are a little closer to the city and have more "walkable" things to do. Unfortunately with this comes the influx of some not-so-nice city people moving into the county. But there are plently of pool halls, malls, shops close by.

Also look into Cockeysville.

I'll tell you what worked for me as a teenager to stay out of trouble. My father told me when I was 12 (because I had older friends that drove) "It doesn't matter if you participated or not, if they get in trouble and you are with them, you are as guilty as they are." In addition, he told me that if I did get arrested, for whatever reason, he would NOT come get me. And I knew he was serious. I stayed far, far away from trouble.

[Local Expert]

You may want to consider Towson. There are plenty of places to walk. It is close to the mall and there are plenty of teens in the area. Neighborhoods to consider would be Rodgers Forge, Stoneleigh, Wiltondale, Yorkleigh, West Towson, Soutland Hills. It would be about a 30 minute commute north, but if the neighborhood is worth it...

[confusedmom2]

Thank you for the information.

What your dad told you is exactly what I have said to mine. It has worked to this point and now we just want to make sure there is something or some where for him to be and do.

I understand that the development closer to the Bel air HS are some what closer to being more populated. Do you know anything about the tudar manor, glenwood estates or vineyard oak development?

[oneworld25]

I'd second Local Expert. Towson is a very desirable place to raise a family with great schools and is very walkable. However, it can be pretty expensive. Nonetheless, I highly recommend you check it out. In particularly Rodgers Fordge may prove to be fairly affordable, as it is mostly rowhomes.

[OneWayStreet]

Originally Posted by confusedmom2

Thank you for the information.

What your dad told you is exactly what I have said to mine. It has worked to this point and now we just want to make sure there is something or some where for him to be and do.

I understand that the development closer to the Bel air HS are some what closer to being more populated. Do you know anything about the tudar manor, glenwood estates or vineyard oak development?

I live very close to these areas, very nice places to raise a family. Great mix of older homes and newer homes.

I don't know what interests you and your kids, but if you don't mind driving a few miles, there are quite a few parks to check out.

Here's the catch all link:
Harford County Maryland - Parks and Recreation

Heavenly Waters Park

Rockfield Park
Bel Air, Maryland - Rockfield Park

Rocks State Park
Rocks State Park Trails

Many area schools have athletic fields too.

Best thing for you do to is visit the area and discover it for yourself.

[Regularguy123]

Welcome to MD! Life in Bel Air is either very suburban, or it can be more rural if you live just outside of BA. This has its good and bad points, the latter of course is that not much is within walking distance for anyone. However, the area schools are good, and Harford County offers numerous cultural events/outdoor activities. Most of Harford County is safe, with certain crime laden areas having been discussed in previous "threads." BA, Churchville, Forest Hill and Fallston are reasonable commutes for anyone working at either APG or the Edgewood Arsenal. Single family homes in these areas tend to be more $$ than other communities in the county.

Many years ago when the drinking age was 18 and I was a former teenager in NJ, we spent most of our weekends drinking at friends houses and driving around looking for parties. All this despite the fact that we were within walking distance of many things. Times have changed and the drinking age is 21, yet somehow kids get booze. Teen alcohol use is always bad, but fortunately, what goes on in Bel Air is nothing near what I remember seeing during the late 70's and early 80's in NJ. As with all good parents, we try to stay involved with our kids' lives, pay attention to who they hang out with, and where they go. Most of the parents I've met in the BA area have these values.

Check things out for yourself. Best of luck with your move!

[confusedmom2]

Thank you regularguy123. NJ is basicly back to the 80's era. Kids here are driving around looking for parties or making their own in wooded areas which there are alot of in my area. not much else to do nothing really within walking distance besides hang out in front of a wawa store. we are not looking for rural, suburban is fine large communities with parents that care, lots of teens and great schools is exactly what we would like.

There are to few parents around here that care to stay involved, the little extra time they have is spent on things they want to do kids are left to find their own entertainment.