Religion in Cecil County (Elkton, North East) (Havre de Grace, Perryville: appointed, houses)

[CastleAdam]

Hi All:

My family has just returned from looking at homes in North East and Elkton. We've been pleasantly surprised by how nice the "Elk Neck" area is that is part of Elkton and North East. Given that I am Jewish and my wife is Roman Catholic, does anyone see any problems in that area or is religion not a big deal? We are hardly religious.

[d96t01]

No problems at all! Wonderful area out this way

[CastleAdam]

I love to hear the "no problem at all" response. We really liked the area. Thank You!

[cecil chick]

My husband is Jewish and I disagree that there is no religious prejudice in Cecil County. There are very few Jews in Cecil County and no synagogues-- you have to go to Wilmington. Even if you are mostly a cultural Jew like my husband is, rather than very religious, you will not get a warm and fuzzy response in Cecil County.

In fact, just a week ago the local newspaper published a letter to the editor from a local man, who often writes on 'religious' topics, stating that everyone should vote only for Christians for all elected government offices, from local to national level!!! There is a Baptist pastor of a large church near Perryville, not far from where you are looking at houses, who routinely holds candidate forums and demands that candidates hue his religious/political line: anti-abortion, Christian prayer in schools, and anti-gambling. The church got very involved in lobbying against the slots referendum a year or so ago.

Rising Sun in the county was the last stronghold of the Klan in Maryland, and there was a KKK guy convicted of threatening violence about 10 years ago in the county.

There are much more tolerant places to live. Look at Harford County. Around Havre de Grace, just over the Susquehanna bridge from Cecil County, is a lovely area. The town has restaurants, museums, waterfront parks, etc. The schools are also MUCH better in Harford County. Cecil County has one of the lowest college degree rates in the state: 16 percent in the last census and about 19 percent estimated now due to newcomers from other areas. If you have a college degree, you will be a rarity in Cecil County "social circles.'

Cecil County is not my primary residence-- we have a waterfront retirement/weekend house here--but we have been here for 16 years and know the county and its culture very well. I'd suggest you look elsewhere for a primary residence.

[CastleAdam]

I am disappointed that religion may end up being an issue. I am not a practicing jew and do not need synagogoues in the area. Maybe I should have narrowed my request for information? We are specifically looking at raising our family through Elk Neck Elementary and then possibly private schools. The houses surrounding the school are absolutely gorgeous and it seems like the perfect place to raise a family. I am hoping that this may truly be utopia even if adjacent areas in Cecil are less tolerant. Any thoughts?

[add2]

Do not be disappointed. We currently live in Patriots Glen in Elkton,Maryland. There is such a diverse group of people living in that community. All very tolerate of each others religious and cultural backgrounds. Despite the above posters comment many are very well educated. The neighborhood has been hit hard by the economy so there are some great deals!

[CastleAdam]

add2, thanks for the reassurance. Hearing about Patriots Glen is comforting; it looks like a fabulous community to live in. Do you think the housing market in Elkton will find a bottom soon? Why has the area been hit so hard?

[d96t01]

Lots of growth and new people coming into the area. We love it!!!

[d96t01]

There is a synagogoue in HGD, which is right over the bridge here from Cecil, and a catholic church in NE and another in Elkton.

[CastleAdam]

Thanks for the info and the warm welcome of all us 'new' people.