Cecil County (Baltimore, Frederick, Edgewood: low income, appointed, sales)

[restlessinmn]

We are considering Cecil County, specifically, the Elkton area because of a possible job opportunity. Can someone please explain what Cecil County is like. I have elementary school children - so top schools are #1 priority. So far, the test scores that I've seen are discouraging. Having lived in Connecticut and now in Minnesota, I am worried that my kid's education will suffer.

It looks as though heading over the state border to PA might be a better choice?

Can anyone offer some insight???

[Soonami]

Calvert Elementary is one of the best public elementary schools in the state. Rising Sun Middle and High Schools are similarily acclaimed. These schools offer a very good education. I would not consider moving to Pa, as you will definitely be disappointed when compared to the schools I just mentioned. I would definitely choose a home in the Calvert school district if at all possible, the best of which would be the Rising Sun/Fair Hill area around rte. 273.

Some very good private schools are close in Delaware and Pennsylvania if you find CC public schools inadequate.

Cecil County is very quiet and almost comically rural, but it has been quickly expanding. Homes with very large lots can still be purchased for a fraction of what the would cost in Connecticut. There admittedly isn't much to do, but shopping isn't too far of a drive away, and just around Elkton, there is a large movie theatre, Walmart Superstore, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday, many sports recreation fields, etc.

Philadelphia is around 1 hours drive away, NYC is less than 3, Baltimore is around 45 mins, and DC 1.5 hours away, so you aren't very far from metropolitan areas. Being so close all these major cities will offer you opportunities to take in all each of these cities has too offer in a day trip.

People in CC are decidedly simple. There is a reputation for racism and reactionary politics, but for the most part that is the past of the area and not the present. Many inhabitants are new residents so they have no part of this legacy and want to rise above it so there is less intolerance now than just 5 years ago. However, be warned that CC is a very conservative community, one of the few strongly republican areas in the state.

In CC you are close enough to the things that matter, still have the option of good schools, affordable housing, open areas, and good outdoor recreation.

[pkoons]

Look through the archives to see my report on Elkton schools - focuses on elementary schools so it's best for young kids. Soonami's comments seem to be spot-on. Good luck!

[Mike from back east]

On a trip back east just two weeks ago, we spent a day driving around that area looking for the metropolis of Cather's Corner, where supposedly Father's family hailed from 100 years ago. Cather's Corner shows up on Mapquest, and by Mapquest and ADC street maps, its just a bend in the road with a few houses, below Rising Sun, MD. But we rode around for an hour or more looking for it. The area is rural, lots of farming still going on. I stopped and asked for directions and the folks were friendly.

I used to fish up that way as a kid, about 40 years ago. There should be great freshwater fishing up behind Conowingo Dam, on the Susquehanna River. There is great saltwater fishing where the river empties out in the Chesapeake Bay - described by the late great newspaperman H. L. Mencken as the "worlds greatest protein factory."

At the mouth of the river, on the north side, is Perryville, a quaint town, but note carefully that the MARC Penn Line trains stop here and take you to Baltimore, BWI airport, and to DC, where you can get the entire DC subway system (including National Airport) without the hassle of driving, and driving in the region is a bad or worse as anything you'll see up north.

MARC train site is: http://www.mtamaryland.com/index.cfm It shows 4 trips each morning heading south and one in the evening heading south. Coming north, there is one AM train and 5 PM trains. The same set of tracks belong to Amtrak, with stops in Aberdeen, MD, Newark, DE (probably closest to Cecil County?) and Wilmington, Seaford and Dover, DE.

At the mouth of the river, south side, is Havre de Grace, a spendid burg with great seafood, shops and many interesting events.

Something to consider, and this is very important. If your husband works in Elkton, MD, you are so close to Delaware that this is where I'd look first. Why? Delaware has NO sales tax and very low income taxes, which saves you much money. Per cnn money, MD is 17th for state/local tax burden at 10.3% a year. While DE comes in at 48th spot, at 8.0% a year. MD sales tax is 5% and DE is zero.

In Delaware you have access to all the boating, fishing and rail travel features along the Amtrak corridor. Amtrak stops at BWI and can get you to National Airport via DC Union Station and Metro Subway. There are large airports in Philadelphia and Wilmington, both cities served by Amtrak but not sure of local connections to those airports. I'd suggest you try the DE forum and see what those locals have to say.

s/Mike

[restlessinmn]

I looked at Calvert and the test scores look pretty great. Very comparable to our current school. Thank you for that tip. I didn't realize that the schools were under a county board of education. I was only looking at the city of Elkton.

Can someone offer some insight as to why the property and violent crime rates are higher than the national average in Elkton? Even Rising Sun has average for both property and violent crime. I would think that a such a rural area would have very low crime or atleast low violent crime.

I personally like smaller, walkable communities. Would there be any towns in the area that would have a true downtown area with the post office, library, etc...? I miss being able to walk to the market and the local coffee shop. Of course being able to do it without fearing for my safety is a must. On the net, Chesapeake City and North East look like they would be small, walkable towns but it's hard to say from a web page. Also, the schools in those areas are mediocre.

mikefrombackeast - I don't know if DE would fit us because I've heard that the public schools there are worse than MD. I agree that it would be cheaper to live there but not cheap enough to be able to make up for having to send the kids to private school.

[EmJake]

I was born and raised in Havre de Grace. We call ourselves "River Rats" because HdG is on the Susquehanna River which is at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay Housing is pricey; gang-related crime is on the rise, but it's a great day trip to see the waterfront, walk along the boardwalk, and perhaps sample some Bomboy's homemade candy or ice cream. Lots of churches, all faiths. Lovely and just a 30 minute car ride from Elkton. I live in Elkton. I can walk to the elementary, middle, and high schools. Also, can walk to the free public (very modern) library. There's also a Christian Academy for private education. One mile to the DE state line and tax free shopping at COSTCO and the sophisticated Christiana Mall. Elkton does have a new Super WalMart and quite a few banking choices, as well a Credit Union for eligible clients. Elkton has a good and expanding hospital. Elkton also has a terrific volunteer fire and ambulance service. Easy on/off access to major highways including I-95 and Route 40. Airports: we use PHL, BWI, JFK,
ILG, and when motivated will drive to Dulles or Newark. Federal government jobs Cecil-Harford County residents work at include Aberdeen Proving Ground and several Veteran Administration hospitals. John Hopkins is a slight one hour drive. Summary: Elkton is a great place to live for medical services, employment opportunities, housing, small community personality. We are considering relocation to SC, but it's tough to leave DE tax free shopping!

[teleblazer]

[quote=restlessinmn]I looked at Calvert and the test scores look pretty great. Very comparable to our current school. Thank you for that tip. I didn't realize that the schools were under a county board of education. I was only looking at the city of Elkton.

I personally like smaller, walkable communities. Would there be any towns in the area that would have a true downtown area with the post office, library, etc...? I miss being able to walk to the market and the local coffee shop. Of course being able to do it without fearing for my safety is a must. On the net, Chesapeake City and North East look like they would be small, walkable towns but it's hard to say from a web page. Also, the schools in those areas are mediocre.

************

I've found the crime to be very low here in Calvert County. In fact most people are shocked when something news worthy actually happens here. The most problematic county seems to be PG (Prince George's) in the 5 years I've been paying close attention. If you're really fixed on Elkton it's quite a good distance from Calvert County so this may not be the best opportunity for you but I'll boast about the county anyways

The schools here are excellent, in fact they just built (well last year) a brand new High school just down the street from my current home and there's Plum Point Elementary and Plum Point Middle schools which are around the corner in the other direction.

You may find Prince Frederick a "walk around" town, with heritage brick buildings, and a post office. They are building a brand new library at the present time. I've considered this place one of the safest I've lived in since my days in the deep south. The neighbors are great, in fact I've come home to find the house had been left unlocked on multiple occassions and you don't event think twice about your stuff. It's just peace and quiet and if you want the hustle and bustle of the city you drive 45-60 minutes to get to it.

John
removed

[md1234]

Best schools would be Montgomery County or Harford County. Some areas of Baltimore County would be OK also. Dont let them talk you into Cecil County, without visiting the area first. If you are redneck you will love it. If you like a little sophistication you will hate it. Depends on your outlook. There isnt much money in the county, which is why housing is still so cheap. It is under-developed, which seems to be changing now. The plus about it is the schools are smaller, and it is a cheaper area to live in. The down about it, 45 minutes to the closest "real" city (baltimore, philly), a lot of poverty, a lot of nicer neighborhoods inhibited with sec 8 housing, and lot of white trash.

Pick your poison, personally I would rather spend the extra 50k on a house to live in Bel Air, or Northern Baltimore County.

My Two Cents.

[md1234]

Oh,

Bel Air has a downtown community, but will be expensive. Harve De Grace has a downtown community, but again expensive and the schools arent anywhere near the level of Bel Air's. Stay away from route 40 communities. Aberdeen, Edgewood, Joppatown, Harve De Grace, Perryville, North East, Elkton. These areas typically have lower income levels, hence more crime, etc. The crime really isnt bad except for when you get closer to Baltimore (HDG/EDG/ABER/JOPPA). If you must live in Cecil County, pick Southern Chesapeake City. Very small tourist town. Everything within walking distance. Doesnt have a red light. North East has a downtown, but you would need to live there to be walking distance to it. Has very busy rt 40 running between some of the communities and downtown. Timberbrook is one of the bigger communities in Norh East, with new townhouses going for 190-200k, 5 year old townhouses going for 150-170k. The problem with this development is about 1/3-1/4 rent (with a good portion getting poverty discounts) which ruins the area.
Some real beverly hillbillies in the area...

For my money the best bet would be Forrest Hill, Fallston, Bel Air, Churchville, Kingsville, Abingdon.

[restlessinmn]

Originally Posted by teleblazer

If you're really fixed on Elkton it's quite a good distance from Calvert County so this may not be the best opportunity for you but I'll boast about the county anyways

I was referring to Calvert Elementary school in Cecil County not Calvert County.