Reviews & Comments
Chestertown, MD
Chestertown = Retirement Community -
7/15/2013I have lived in Queen Anne's county most of my life, which is on the other side of the river from Chestertown. When I was younger, I remember ice cream shoppes, music stores, bakeries and clothing boutiques on high street. Boy has it changed! Just because a large college campus is located smack dab in the middle of the town doesn't mean it offers much for the younger generation. The majority fo the classic stores are now closed and many are boarded up or for sale. Everything closes at 4:30, and are rarely open on Sunday. The farmer's market which used to be large and where many got their produce is now scant with only a few vendors selling something worth buying. (used denim "butt" purses do not count!) Though right now the unemployment rate is at about 7% (not bad) poverty here is on view. The schools on the Kent side of the town are awful- Great Schools gave them an overall rating of 3 / 10 this year, while Queen Anne's received an 8 / 10, #4 out of the top Maryland public school districts. These towns are literally a bridge apart! It's hard to start and keep a business here, it is a tourist town and not much makes it easy for locals. Taxes are high, property and utilities are expensive. Food is expensive. We vacationed in Hawaii for our honeymoon where people were gasping at cereal prices, $5.00 for a box... it's about on par with Chestertown. Now that Bay Bridge toll has gone up to $6.00 it gets harder to escape the retirement-town vibe that is Chestertown. I moved back here after college because of what I remembered from when I was younger, only to find it barren and boring. I'd rather my children not grow up here, so we are looking to relocate. If you are looking to retire and have great river views- and have the money to afford it, then look no further! But, if you are a young couple or are looking to raise a family, look elsewhere.