Bel Air, MD - what's it like?

[TRW22]

I grew up in Bel Air in the 60's and 70's. Great place to live and I have fond memories of it. Now that Fort Monmouth is closing, I'm heading back soon and would have no problem living in Bel Air again.

Biggest change I have noticed is downtown. Used to have a Woolworths and a two screen theater on main street. Local "head" shop was named the "Electric Banana." Lee's Outdoors is gone and the Safeway is now Looneys pub. It was like Mayberry back in the 60's.

The only things that haven't changed are the 7-11s are still where they were in the 60's and the stationary store is still in its original location. Kunkels is still there. The bakery is also still in the same location and still serves the rum raisin donuts I remember so well. Wakefield and Homestead schools still look the same as does Southhampton middle school. Harford mall opened a few years before I left and was a big deal then. It is now kinda small and dated looking. Traffic patterns in town are all screwed up. Main street used to be two-way traffic and there is now a huge parking garage where my girlfriends house used to be in town.

My dad worked at Edgewood Arsenal and we lived in Wakefield meadows. The school system was (assume it still is) excellent.

[OneWayStreet]

Originally Posted by TRW22

I grew up in Bel Air in the 60's and 70's. Great place to live and I have fond memories of it. Now that Fort Monmouth is closing, I'm heading back soon and would have no problem living in Bel Air again.

Biggest change I have noticed is downtown. Used to have a Woolworths and a two screen theater on main street. Local "head" shop was named the "Electric Banana." Lee's Outdoors is gone and the Safeway is now Looneys pub. It was like Mayberry back in the 60's.

The only things that haven't changed are the 7-11s are still where they were in the 60's and the stationary store is still in its original location. Kunkels is still there. The bakery is also still in the same location and still serves the rum raisin donuts I remember so well. Wakefield and Homestead schools still look the same as does Southhampton middle school. Harford mall opened a few years before I left and was a big deal then. It is now kinda small and dated looking. Traffic patterns in town are all screwed up. Main street used to be two-way traffic and there is now a huge parking garage where my girlfriends house used to be in town.

My dad worked at Edgewood Arsenal and we lived in Wakefield meadows. The school system was (assume it still is) excellent.

Wow, you hit the nail right on the head. Lots of other changes too since the 70's.

BTW, I currently live in Wakefield Meadows and am about to relocate.

[xopeachymomo]

You all forgot to mention Wawa, the greatest place on Earth.