Tell me about Salisbury (Easton, Ocean City: high crime, school, colleges)

[bluesguy]

My wife and I are researching retirement destinations, heading that way in the next couple of years.

Now looking at Salisbury for housing affordability, proximity to water (river, ocean, bay, lake), and cultural amenities, like lifelong learning, restaurants, libraries, art galleries, live music, etc. Also we'd like to be able to access outdoor activities close by, like hiking, biking, kayaking. We realize some parts of Salisbury have high crime, so those areas are off our radar. Racial diversity is a plus for us (not going to start a political thread, just stating our preferences). And we hear good things about healthcare and PRMC.

Is anyone living there now who would be willing to share their perspectives on life in Salisbury?

[North Beach Person]

With Salisbury being a college town you might want to check out Berlin, Denton, Trappe, Fruitland. But none of them will have your "must haves".

With your wish list of "amenities" St. Michael's might be more to your liking.

The Eastern shore is RURAL and except for towns, like St. Michael's, that cater to wealthy retiree tourists and weekend residents you won't see many art galleries or live music events (except at the County Fairs and Ocean City at festival time). Libraries will be the typical small town lending type although many do have internet access. Libraries might also have some art exhibits (state grant funded).

There are several wildlife refuges/Natural Resources Management Areas on the Shore so your hiking would be taken care of. But be aware that those areas are also open to hunting much of the year. Kayaking could be done on the rivers and the Bay but the river kayaking won't be white water and the Bay can turn nasty in a minute, we have ocean kayaks for it.

The biggest festival is likely the Waterfowl Festival in Easton https://tourtalbot.org/event/waterfowl-festival/, although Ocean City has several like Sun Fest https://ococean.com/events and the ever popular Senior Week in June where graduating high school students get so drunk they throw up on the Boardwalk before being arrested for public drunkeness.

[skeddy]

check out Berlin for sure. "America's coolest small town", --- 10 minutes to the beach

[bluesguy]

Thanks for the replies! Just a clarification....

When I say "live music", I don't mean huge coliseums as you'd have in a major city. Just something cool in a bar or restaurant. As you can tell from my handle, I'm a blues lover and actually play out.

I realize that Salisbury is in Delmarva, which is mostly rural. However, we lived in Lancaster PA, which is in the middle of Amish country and "rural". But there were lots of cultural amenities like the ones I listed -- art galleries, libraries, live music. etc. Just wondering if Salisbury would afford some of the same things.

Thanks again!

[DaveinMtAiry]

I don't have any first hand experience but if you are comfortable in Lancaster seems Salisbury would be similar. The entire eastern shore has a large Latin community as many came there for the work the farms and chicken processing provides.

[Digger 68]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

I don't have any first hand experience but if you are comfortable in Lancaster seems Salisbury would be similar. The entire eastern shore has a large Latin community as many came there for the work the farms and chicken processing provides.

And quite a few Africans......

I have stayed quite on this, but the OP will have more options in Lancaster than Salisbury.

[james777]

Lancaster, PA has been revived and gentrified, and has a few colleges fueling the cultural activities. Salisbury remains a farming community. As suggested above, you should take a good look at the Easton/St Michaels area for the atmosphere and amenities you seek.