Considering Moving to Dunkirk--Opinions Please?

[cissp]

I've been looking at large properties (at least 5 bedrooms) in Calvert and AA counties for the past month, and two of them I looked at yesterday were very promising. Both are in Dunkirk, one in Calvert Estates, and the other in the Old Hundred community. I know opinions differ, and you know what they say about them, but I would like to hear from folks about their thoughts on Dunkirk and the surrounding areas. I am mainly interested in the schools, because that is the main reason we're trying to move in the first place. We have one child starting high school in September and the other kindergarten. Obviously we'd also like to know about things such as crime, traffic, what the commuting options are (I work in the Fort Meade/Annapolis Junction area), shopping, and any other areas you might like to point out.

Thanks!

 

[lak]

Your oldest would attend Northern HS. Excellent school. Administration, teachers, and staff are wonderful and caring people.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Dunkirk Your getting closer to Marlow Heights, lol, wont have as far to drive to the Steak in a Sack for get togethers.

 

[BillNSOMD]

Dunkirk area nice area , traffic can be a bear in the mornings going towards DC , and evenings coming home but not that bad. Schools are great I have several neighbors who teach in the county, and I hear from parents and students nothing but good things.
Crime is on the rise mainly because of the straight line down RT 4 the crooks and thugs from PG and DC have been hitting some of the banks and stores along RT4 there in Dunkirk over the past several months , some car break ins but for the most part its good area to live in. Lots of big homes in the area lots on the market. Commute to FT Meade is not bad you just few minutes from Rt 4 and Rt 301 just have to figure out the best time to leave and return. Nice park there in Dunkirk for the kids and great dog park at the same location. Couple nice little shopping centers Giant and Safeway , 3 Starbucks , little Walmart pretty much useless. All together nice area to live in

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

Schools are crappy.
Traffic is gridlocked.
Power goes out all the time.
No shopping.
Politically conservative.
Real redneck.
You won't be happy, stay put.

 

[DebBVSF]

I'm sorry, I don't agree! I have lived in Dunkirk since 1992....I LOVE it. Close enough to things, yet still country but NOT in a total redneck way. This area is a nice mixture of everybody. Regarding the schools, Northern High is a great school. My kid is a freshman there and is challenged and has a lot of fun. The elementary school will depend on which part of Dunkirk. If you go with the house in Old Hundred, then it's Windy Hill Elementary - both my kids went there, I liked it so much I got heavily involved with the PTA. If you go with the other neighborhood, I think it would be Mt Harmony. We were also there for two years prior to the re-districting and I can honestly say - it's NOT Windy Hill! I have a kid in Northern Middle, as well - a fine school!

Good luck in your search - I say go for it!!

Schools are crappy.
Traffic is gridlocked.
Power goes out all the time.
No shopping.
Politically conservative.
Real redneck.
You won't be happy, stay put.

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

I'm sorry, I don't agree! I have lived in Dunkirk since 1992....I LOVE it. Close enough to things, yet still country but NOT in a total redneck way. This area is a nice mixture of everybody. Regarding the schools, Northern High is a great school. My kid is a freshman there and is challenged and has a lot of fun. The elementary school will depend on which part of Dunkirk. If you go with the house in Old Hundred, then it's Windy Hill Elementary - both my kids went there, I liked it so much I got heavily involved with the PTA. If you go with the other neighborhood, I think it would be Mt Harmony. We were also there for two years prior to the re-districting and I can honestly say - it's NOT Windy Hill! I have a kid in Northern Middle, as well - a fine school!

Good luck in your search - I say go for it!!

Sarcasm doesn't translate well.
I find your statement about Windy Hill as compared to Mt. Harmony interesting as I had a School Board member tell me once that Windy Hill was being built so the poor, dumb Beach kids wouldn't pollute the good kids elsewhere.
The schools in actuality are better than Montgomery's by some measures.
Traffic on Rte. 4 is a pain some days.
BGE still has reliability issues but not nearly as bad as a few years ago.
The biggest complaint I hear from Montgomery transplants is the lack of shopping.
Dunkirk is considered upper income. I doubt few tobacco farmers or watermen live there. Actually I know that.
Calvert is politically conservative.

 

[Gus911]

While there are traffic days from hell on route 4, it is a dream compared to the daily nightmares in Montgomery county.

 

[DebBVSF]

My sarcasm (of which there was none intended) or yours?

I am, admittedly, defensive about WHES. Yes, there are lower income families that attend the school. Way back, they were a Title I due to the income of the families, they lost their Title I status a few years back because the income level had increased - I do not know where they stand now. When they were a Title I school, they had access to more resources available to them (the whole school, not just low income) for EDUCATION (isn't that what it's all about?). I enjoyed the mixture of students at WHES when we were there - it teaches our children valuable life lessons (just my opinion). When we were at MHES, the PTA in addition to the parents had sticks shoved so far up their butts and were so clicky they didn't like "newcomers" that were interested in volunteering their time to help the children in any way they could.

I guess what I am the most upset about is that you are stereotyping in such a diverse area that it is disgusting and distasteful for me. BTW - I see you a North Beacher? Why live there if you have such a problem with "the poor, dumb beach kids"?

BGE has made huge improvements - I haven't lost power since the week of Isabel

Calvert is country, not a Tysons Corner or any shopping district in Montgomery County.

I happen to live on an active, working farm in Dunkirk - there are several in my neck of the woods. The watermen - not in Dunkirk, there is only the Patuxent.

Politically conservative - yes, as a whole. There are liberals peppered all over the place. Pretty much true where ever you go.

I'm sure this is exactly the kind of reaction you were trying to get out of me. Have a happy day!

Sarcasm doesn't translate well.
I find your statement about Windy Hill as compared to Mt. Harmony interesting as I had a School Board member tell me once that Windy Hill was being built so the poor, dumb Beach kids wouldn't pollute the good kids elsewhere.
The schools in actuality are better than Montgomery's by some measures.
Traffic on Rte. 4 is a pain some days.
BGE still has reliability issues but not nearly as bad as a few years ago.
The biggest complaint I hear from Montgomery transplants is the lack of shopping.
Dunkirk is considered upper income. I doubt few tobacco farmers or watermen live there. Actually I know that.
Calvert is politically conservative.

 

[Rael]

Schools are crappy.
Traffic is gridlocked.
Power goes out all the time.
No shopping.
Politically conservative.
Real redneck.
You won't be happy, stay put.

I read your later post, but definitely got your sarcasm in this one before. I was going to follow yours, but decided just to say that I love it here in northern Calvert.

 

[DebBVSF]

Ok....now that I feel like a total idiot....I have slowed down and re-read everything.....May I offer a blanket apology to everyone?

I read your later post, but definitely got your sarcasm in this one before. I was going to follow yours, but decided just to say that I love it here in northern Calvert.

 

[Rael]

Ok....now that I feel like a total idiot....I have slowed down and re-read everything.....May I offer a blanket apology to everyone?

No apologies to anyone necessary. Part of the fun here I've found are the misunderstandings of sarcasm, makes it interesting.

 

[RPMDAD]

I've been looking at large properties (at least 5 bedrooms) in Calvert and AA counties for the past month, and two of them I looked at yesterday were very promising. Both are in Dunkirk, one in Calvert Estates, and the other in the Old Hundred community. I know opinions differ, and you know what they say about them, but I would like to hear from folks about their thoughts on Dunkirk and the surrounding areas. I am mainly interested in the schools, because that is the main reason we're trying to move in the first place. We have one child starting high school in September and the other kindergarten. Obviously we'd also like to know about things such as crime, traffic, what the commuting options are (I work in the Fort Meade/Annapolis Junction area), shopping, and any other areas you might like to point out.

Thanks!

Schools are excellent, my son went to Northern Middle and then Northern High for one year and is now at Huntingtown High which is also excellent. Crime rate is relatively low. Traffic on rte 4 can be bad on some mornings and also depends on what hours you work. Grocery shopping and most basic need shopping is covered in dunkirk. Mall shopping probably Annapolis Mall.

Commute 2 choices rte4 N to 301 to 97 to 32, or cut off 4 at 258 Deale then North 2 to 97 N to 32.
Is this Chuck from Potomac Sr. High School, haven't made steak in a sack get together yet, and couldnt make it the legion for the get together.
Potomac class of 1970

 

[twinoaks207]

Schools: Northern High is excellent
Windy Hill Elementary is excellent
Try to avoid Windy Hill Middle (some excellent teachers but more who are not)

Traffic: Route 4 is the only way in and out for Calvert & St. Mary's. Accidents are frequent and jam things up considerably, causing major delays.

Crime: avoid route 4 corridor - many criminal elements using it as a conduit from PG and the District. Our bank in Dunkirk has been robbed 3 times already!

Shopping: depends what you consider shopping. Closest shopping malls with major department stores are in Annapolis or Waldorf. Local area offers Kmart, Walmart, Giant, Safeway, Peebles (smaller department stores), Yankee Candle (definite plus!), Starbucks, Hallmark, Sherwin Williams paint store, florists, Radio Shack. North Beach offers small boutique-type shops, restaurants, antique shops.

To DebBVSF: there has long been an attitude on the part of many people in the county that North Beach contains many low-income/low class people. That attitude probably stems from our previous history as a "biker" town. Seems that some people are real slow to let go of their stereotypes and believe in perpetuating them with others. I'm sure that this is what that other postser was referring to with the sarcasm. Fortunately, over the past 10 years or so, that attitude is not as common as it once was although you will still find pockets of it. People who have that attitude today have not visited our beautiful little Town recently and seen all of the wonderful things going on, especially in the last 4 years with Mayor Bojokles. We have a wonderful Town beach, great restaurants, a scenic boardwalk, intriguing local shops, a thriving Farmer's Market on Friday nights, and in the Summer--movies,bands & campfires on the beach.

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

The myth about either Beach is way more interesting than the truth. It was perpetuated by the old time inbred County families and newcomers from the Metro area who weren't used to living in a blue-collar town and think they're smarter and better than the locals. The newcomers also like conformity so they don't really like to old beach houses. After Isabel a couple of people along the waterfront complained that the new houses replacing the destroyed ones all didn't look alike. Some now want to impose a $250/year/car Town fee on any resident with more than two cars.They many times become unhappy and leave. The reality is that North Beach especially is still a working class town, even with the recent demographic changes.
My 4'10" wife (she claims 5'2" but if she is then I'm 6'4" (5'10" in real numbers)) and she has never, not once, ever hesitated to walk around anywhere in North Beach, even when 8 3/4 months pregnant, at any time.
As far as bikers go, once again the myth is more interesting than the reality. Of course, Mayor Bojokles' immediate predecessor did invite the Hell's Angels to set up a clubhouse in Town. That didn't happen.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Is this Chuck from Potomac Sr. High School, haven't made steak in a sack get together yet, and couldnt make it the legion for the get together.
Potomac class of 1970

My DW is from the Class of 69, my brother from class of 68.

 

[cissp]

Thanks to everyone who has responded, and I really, really appreciate the opinions, personal insights, and experiences that you have shared with me. From what I have read of the posts, I like everything I hear, as it sounds like people in Dunkirk, and Calvert County generally, are like minded individuals. Moving my family to Montgomery County was a mistake, as the quality of the schools have not been on level with their (past) reputation. Some of the agendas the Montgomery County council has pushed through, or tried to push through, is in my personal opinion downright kooky. But they are there to represent the constituents, and obviously they are, but not people like me. I also like the fact that many people who I grew up with, went to school with, have settled in SOMD. Like I said, like minded people.

 

[cissp]

Is this Chuck from Potomac Sr. High School, haven't made steak in a sack get together yet, and couldnt make it the legion for the get together.
Potomac class of 1970

Yep, Mr. Marlow Heights 60s and 70s here, keeping the memories alive!