St. Mary's County vs Calvert County (St. Charles, Waldorf: private schools, upkeep, to live in)

[Turnerbro]

Originally Posted by GovtWorker

I work in DC, but I only have to go into the office two days a week, so the commute isn't really a factor.

I'm not really worried about a culture shock either. I've lived in the Waldorf area for a long time now and I just can't stand it anymore. Waldorf's issues have been mentioned in other threads in this forum, so I won't get into it too much, but I'm looking to get away from those issues. I'm looking to move my family away from the culture of Waldorf.

At the risk of beating a dead horse what are you issues with Waldorf? Have these issues been mentioned multiple times? Because if so I haven't seen them. I know the area is going through some demographic changes but I get the sense this isn't the only reason you want to leave.

[GovtWorker]

Originally Posted by Turnerbro

At the risk of beating a dead horse what are you issues with Waldorf? Have these issues been mentioned multiple times? Because if so I haven't seen them. I know the area is going through some demographic changes but I get the sense this isn't the only reason you want to leave.

Some issues are mentioned in the "St. Charles - A Place for Millennial Families?" thread.

Waldorf is just not a place I want my family to be anymore. There is a lot of crime, the schools are terrible, and we just don't mix well with the current culture of the area. Waldorf has changed a lot in the past 10-15 years and in my opinion, it hasn't changed for the better.

There is no sense of community anymore, the kids in the neighborhoods are rude and inconsiderate and the parents aren't any better. I want to live in a community where people actually own the house instead of rent, where people actually care about their neighborhood and the upkeep/appearance of their own home. I'd like my kids to go to schools where the teachers and students actually care about being there and learning something.

I'm hoping to find something like this in either St. Mary's or Calvert.

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by GovtWorker

Some issues are mentioned in the "St. Charles - A Place for Millennial Families?" thread.

Waldorf is just not a place I want my family to be anymore. There is a lot of crime, the schools are terrible, and we just don't mix well with the current culture of the area. Waldorf has changed a lot in the past 10-15 years and in my opinion, it hasn't changed for the better.

There is no sense of community anymore, the kids in the neighborhoods are rude and inconsiderate and the parents aren't any better. I want to live in a community where people actually own the house instead of rent, where people actually care about their neighborhood and the upkeep/appearance of their own home. I'd like my kids to go to schools where the teachers and students actually care about being there and learning something.

I'm hoping to find something like this in either St. Mary's or Calvert.

Then maybe you should consider leaving southern Maryland all together for the mid-west or deep south. I don't think your going to find any of that in Calvert or St. Mary's either.

[GovtWorker]

Originally Posted by cool rob

Then maybe you should consider leaving southern Maryland all together for the mid-west or deep south. I don't think your going to find any of that in Calvert or St. Mary's either.

I wish I could leave the area, however, my job is tied to DC and will be for the foreseeable future. I know that no areas are 100% perfect, but I was hoping to find something a little better than Waldorf.

[Turnerbro]

Originally Posted by cool rob

Then maybe you should consider leaving southern Maryland all together for the mid-west or deep south. I don't think your going to find any of that in Calvert or St. Mary's either.

He might find some of that in Frederick. I'll be honest though this is part of the argument I use whenever someone calls Maryland the south.

[slowlane3]

Originally Posted by cool rob

Some areas of Calvert and St. Mary's are no better than Waldorf. Maybe less congested, however there are a lot of neighborhoods in both of these counties that have a lot of crime as well.

Namely, the White Sands community in Calvert Co...
and the Great Mills Road area in St. Mary's Co.

[Cdshiflett]

I have to say that I am a former Air Force brat so I lived all over and close to many bases and after marrying the hubby. The same thing can be said of an area close to any base. (base housing, constant flow of military moving in or out, worn out areas) Some will tell you certain areas near the base are run down. Great Mills Road, Shangri-la area is in fact the older area. So no it is not upscale, nicer, fresh. Like I said, we've been here a year and when I first got here I was told to stay off Great Mills rd and St Mary's Square was a no no for any shopping. . Don't shop where Big Lots is located on Shangri-la. Have to say I've never encountered any problems but then I have only been out during the daylight for the most part. Am I afraid to go out at night no, but I would and do keep my wits about me and I'm aware of my surroundings. That goes for the day light hours and shopping in California, Hollywood, Leonardtown and across the river in Calvert County. There are some really nice areas south of Leonardtown so don't rule it out or in based on what we say. We live out Willows rd in one of the nice subdivisions. Takes hubby 5 minutes to get on base. I know when and where the heavy traffic flows. It's a trade off of one thing for another no mater where you end up. Decide what is more important. I wanted my hubby to be able to come home for lunch, not have to get up early just to be able to get to work on time. I wanted close the base and shopping but not be living beside a major shopping center.

[arlene1013]

Chime on on Calvert County here - - this is going to sound cynical. I think Calvert County is the better choice of the two, but, as you know, living in the DC area is always going to be a compromise.

Bad

Sense of community is non-existent where we live because the houses are so far apart.

The leadership of Calvert is embarrassingly bad - - from the parks and rec, to the school board, commissioners and police. It's more rural Alabama than suburban DC. This is where the lack of community is evident IMO....seems like folks are not vested as they should be?

Many of my neighbors think the County being highlighted on Live PD on A&E is a "good thing" for our collective reputation as a community.

Shopping and dining are mostly in Annapolis or California. We drive a lot. The citizens and commissioners are divided on development, generally. We are getting a new Teeter, however. I am really excited for this! I just want a Lowes and some better options for happy hour.

We have a nuclear plant and a soon to be operative LNG export facility (OK with me as long as neither blow up)

Good

Affordable
Good schools
Space
We have a great farmers market on Friday nights. This is the premiere social event!
Safe. We are here because it is a good place to raise kids for people who work in DC......period.
Not Waldorf (kidding)
Nicks
We have a cool-ass flag.

[GovtWorker]

Originally Posted by arlene1013

Chime on on Calvert County here - - this is going to sound cynical. I think Calvert County is the better choice of the two, but, as you know, living in the DC area is always going to be a compromise.

Bad

Sense of community is non-existent where we live because the houses are so far apart.

The leadership of Calvert is embarrassingly bad - - from the parks and rec, to the school board, commissioners and police. It's more rural Alabama than suburban DC. This is where the lack of community is evident IMO....seems like folks are not vested as they should be?

Many of my neighbors think the County being highlighted on Live PD on A&E is a "good thing" for our collective reputation as a community.

Shopping and dining are mostly in Annapolis or California. We drive a lot. The citizens and commissioners are divided on development, generally. We are getting a new Teeter, however. I am really excited for this! I just want a Lowes and some better options for happy hour.

We have a nuclear plant and a soon to be operative LNG export facility (OK with me as long as neither blow up)

Good

Affordable
Good schools
Space
We have a great farmers market on Friday nights. This is the premiere social event!
Safe. We are here because it is a good place to raise kids for people who work in DC......period.
Not Waldorf (kidding)
Nicks
We have a cool-ass flag.

That's one of the good things that I've noticed about St. Mary's- there are plenty of places to eat and grab a drink or two. Plus, there is a Lowe's, Walmart, Aldi, etc. close by.

The homes are a bit cheaper in St. Mary's and they seem to be a bit newer, although Calvert does have it's fair share of newer homes. The newer homes in the Huntingtown area are definitely more expensive than newer homes in Leonardtown.

[CeeMGee]

Hello. I moved from Waldorf to St. Mary's Mechanicsville over 20 years ago. I really love it! It open, rural and so much less congested in terms of traffic and people on top of each other like Waldorf. Hence, the crime is not that prevalent although no place is completely safe anymore. But I feel very much safe living alone on a 2 acre property. There are shops in Charlotte Hall, which is a 15 minute drive, but the majority of stores are either 25 miles north to Waldorf or 25 miles south to California or Lexington Park. Sometimes I go about 20 miles to Prince Frederick, but there aren't as many shores there, just basically the Walmart. I love St. Mary's. I also commute to DC every day. I've gotten used to it. I feel Calvert is a little closer to DC but the commute on RT 2/4 is heavier than the Rt 5 route I take.