bel air vs. havre de grace (Baltimore, Aberdeen: for rent, townhomes, neighborhood)

[ladynpnk]

I am coming to the APG due to PCS. I am coming from Ft.Campbell, KY and i'm excited about my move. I have read many posts on this website and have narrowed my search down bel air and HdG. The school system is very important to me since i have a 6yr old. Also i would like to live in a townhome for rent that is located in a cul de sac if at all possible. I am in my mid 20's with one child. I don't mind living in a quiet neighborhood but would love to have convenient access to shopping. I don't want too much of a hassle of a commute to get on post neither. If anyone could assist me with more pros and cons of these areas i would greatly appreciate it.

[Raven12]

Welcome to Maryland! I was born and raised in the Bel Air area...Graduated from Bel Air High School. I would suggest checking out the Abingdon area...known for great schools and close to everything! Ie: Shopping, Restaurants and I-95. The Bel air school district is what you want to be in. Hope this helps!

[vlorak]

bel air, hands down

[Seacrets]

Havre de Grace!
I've lived in HdG for 15 years, and both my kids have gone thru the HdG schools.
Come check out the townhomes in Grace Harbour, Bayview, Havre de Hills.
Waterfront town, plenty to do and see and only 5 miles to Aberdeen!
Big plus over BelAir, is that we're right on I95.

[DDJJ]

Hi there,
I have to agree with Seacrets, while Bel Air is great, I think one more year out and the commute, though not far in miles, will be a killer. It seems everyone is moving to Bel Air and I cannot imagine the traffic being easy once everyone gets here. Even with the road improvements. It already is kind of tough at certain times already. That's just my personal opinion, I have lived here 10 years and it has gotten more and more congested towards Bel Air. If you live in Abingdon, Riverside or Havre de Grace you have better commute options. You are right on I95, Rt40 or Rt7 so you can choose your route every morning. All these places have townhomes for rent and probably cheaper than Bel Air, too. Hope that helps.

[rubytue]

I live in Havre de Grace by zip code - between Aberdeen and HdG in location. I really like my house and neighborhood. I like to say that Aberdeen has all the shopping you *need* (Target, two grocery stores, Home Depot, pharmacies), but nothing you *want*. For fun stuff, I do go to Bel Air or White Marsh. Even with my location a few miles from the gate, it still takes me 20 minutes to get to the office, but I work pretty deep into post. My coworkers in Bel Air spend 30-40 minutes to get to the gate, I'm 10 minutes from the gate. The area between HdG and Aberdeen has pretty good school. I've heard the Oakington Elementary is "the best kept secret in Harford County" b/c APG supports the school, as that where the kids on post go. I do not have kids, so I cannot say this first hand, but I do have a couple coworkers who specifically brought their kids there, through out of district something or other.

[nsaunders]

Thanks for all your posts on these areas. I'll be relocating to Maryland next year with my kids. My ex lives in Abingdon and works near APG. I'm a techie who would prefer to be between B'more and DC but the needs of my kids will keep me located closer to dad. I'll suck up the commute.

[DDJJ]

Originally Posted by nsaunders

Thanks for all your posts on these areas. I'll be relocating to Maryland next year with my kids. My ex lives in Abingdon and works near APG. I'm a techie who would prefer to be between B'more and DC but the needs of my kids will keep me located closer to dad. I'll suck up the commute.

In that case you might look into the White Marsh area, too. It is south of Abingdon and closer to Baltimore.

[ianthomas]

Havre de Grace has more charm and a shorter commute but Bel Air has better schools and more shopping.