Relocating to Patuxent River via U. S. Navy

[NavyWife08]

My husband just got orders to NAS Patuxent River. I have two sons, 5 and 3, and a dog. We wil be living in military housing. We are coming from Miami, FL (which Im soo sick of). I would greatly appreciate any and all information about this area. The schools, shopping (Im a major shopaholic), organic foods (Im a vegetarian). How far is everything from NAS Pax? Is there anything to do? Am I going to hate it or love it? Im form Virginia Beach, VA.
Everything you all can tell me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[MMDad]

My husband just got orders to NAS Patuxent River. I have two sons, 5 and 3, and a dog. We wil be living in military housing. We are coming from Miami, FL (which Im soo sick of). I would greatly appreciate any and all information about this area. The schools, shopping (Im a major shopaholic), organic foods (Im a vegetarian). How far is everything from NAS Pax? Is there anything to do? Am I going to hate it or love it? Im form Virginia Beach, VA.
Everything you all can tell me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I don't know where to start. Get ready for culture shock! You'll get a ton of advice here, but take it all with a grain of salt. Ignore the really negative people. It's not that bad. Just look at the total response you get, and try to average it out.

I have a 6 YO and a 4 YO, and I've decided to raise them here. That means I trust the schools, the crime rate is low enough, and there are enough amenities.

Good luck!

 

[aps45819]

(Im a major shopaholic)
Thank you!

Your husband will enjoy it here.

 

[onebdzee]

My husband just got orders to NAS Patuxent River. I have two sons, 5 and 3, and a dog. We wil be living in military housing. We are coming from Miami, FL (which Im soo sick of). I would greatly appreciate any and all information about this area. The schools, shopping (Im a major shopaholic), organic foods (Im a vegetarian). How far is everything from NAS Pax? Is there anything to do? Am I going to hate it or love it? Im form Virginia Beach, VA.
Everything you all can tell me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Welcome neighbor ....I'm from Poquoson!

Schools: If your going to be in base housing, I think the school that you 5 yr old will be in is Green Holly Elem....They might have a pre-k program set up there by now(for your 3 yr old when he turns 4) just ask them and they will point you in the right direction

Shopping: Waldorf has the mall(45 mins from the base) there is also one in Annapolis(1.5 hrs approx) and Fredericksburg(1.5 hrs approx)....other than that we have most of the chain retail stores(WalMart, Target, Food Lion, Giant, etc)

Lots to do....Lots to see....if you can't find anything in this county to do, go to the next one over(either direction)

 

[Pandora]

Shopping: Waldorf has the mall(45 mins from the base) there is also one in Annapolis(1.5 hrs approx) and Fredericksburg(1.5 hrs approx)....other than that we have most of the chain retail stores(WalMart, Target, Food Lion, Giant, etc)

You should only go to the mall during daylight hours and remember your safety rules.

1. Look like you have a place to go

2. Always have your keys in your hand

3. Be aware of your surroundings

4. Park close to an entrance

 

[onebdzee]

You should only go to the mall during daylight hours and remember your safety rules.

1. Look like you have a place to go

2. Always have your keys in your hand

3. Be aware of your surroundings

4. Park close to an entrance

I personally do all my shopping down here in the county or online

I really do not like the mall or shopping for that matter

 

[aps45819]

I really do not like the mall or shopping for that matter

 

[MMDad]

You should only go to the mall during daylight hours and remember your safety rules.

1. Look like you have a place to go

2. Always have your keys in your hand

3. Be aware of your surroundings

4. Park close to an entrance

Even better, don't go to Waldorf, unless you hire Camily as a body guard. She knows all of the cops and thugs, and she is a whiz with a blade.

The better choice is to hit Annapolis. It's not that much further, but it is that much better.

 

[vraiblonde]

Your husband will enjoy it here.

Welcome, NavyWife If you like the city, you're not going to like southern Maryland. If you enjoy (or can learn to enjoy) a rural-esque area where everyone knows everyone else, you'll be happy here.

Some malcontent will surely get on here and tell you how unfriendly the residents are, but this is hooey. People are very friendly, from the military people to the folks who've never been out of the county in their lives.

What you WILL go crazy for is the fantastic farmer's markets. And you're just in time because they'll all be starting up for the season in the next few weeks.
http://somd.com/mp/food/farmersmarket/index.php

 

[sinwagon]

Welcome, NavyWife If you like the city, you're not going to like southern Maryland. If you enjoy (or can learn to enjoy) a rural-esque area where everyone knows everyone else, you'll be happy here.

Some malcontent will surely get on here and tell you how unfriendly the residents are, but this is hooey. People are very friendly, from the military people to the folks who've never been out of the county in their lives.

What you WILL go crazy for is the fantastic farmer's markets. And you're just in time because they'll all be starting up for the season in the next few weeks.
http://somd.com/mp/food/farmersmarket/index.php

And lets not forget the sport community, whether it be little league baseball, football, soccer etc. they are a great group of people! We also have concerts right here in Solomons, youth days blah blah blah.

I love it here! There is always something going on! I think the St. Mary's & Calvert County fairs are the best! But it is much more laid back in Southern Maryland, slower pace, peaceful!

 

[onebdzee]

I'm not UnMiStAkEbLy UnEeK for nothing, ya know

 

[dustin]

Try to get the base housing which is off base. Each condo thingy has a garage. Somebody help me out what's the name of that place? ...that is if you want a garage...

You might have to be put on a waiting list. Call base housing and ask them for info. They may have pet restrictions as well.

Organic...There are produce stands here and there that sell fresh veggies. I think that's about that extent of it....

 

[CoastieWife86]

Try to get the base housing which is off base. Each condo thingy has a garage. Somebody help me out what's the name of that place? ...that is if you want a garage...

You might have to be put on a waiting list. Call base housing and ask them for info. They may have pet restrictions as well.

Organic...There are produce stands here and there that sell fresh veggies. I think that's about that extent of it....

Conrad Heights! One of my friends lives there, and she LOVES it!

Welcome to the area...I've only been here about a month, and it is a big difference from both VA beach and Miami... It's nice though, I love the small town atmosphere... Everything I need (for the most part) is here..We go to the mall occasionally, but that's more for just to get out of the house, than for things I need... We have alot of the things that are in the malls, including a JC Penney, Belk, and Old Navy... PM me if you have any questions..I've probably asked them all!!!

 

[moon5leg]

Try to get the base housing which is off base. Each condo thingy has a garage. Somebody help me out what's the name of that place? ...that is if you want a garage...

You might have to be put on a waiting list. Call base housing and ask them for info. They may have pet restrictions as well.

Organic...There are produce stands here and there that sell fresh veggies. I think that's about that extent of it....

The off-base housing on Willows Road is called Glenn Forest. Like Dustin said, it is pretty nice, driveways and garages and all. Looks more like a normal townhome community than base housing.

 

[mAlice]

The off-base housing on Willows Road is called Glenn Forest.

We lived there for about six months while our house was being built.

We decided to stay because it's quiet and the crime rate is low. Good place for our daughter to grow up. The schools are so-so, so make the best of it or home school. I'm from FL and would take Miami any day, but I don't mind living here. When FB retired from the Navy, he got an offer he couldn't refuse, so we're still here. The money he has made put us in a position to put our child through college, which she has yet to take us up on. However, she now has a great job on the base as well.

Not tons to do locally, but everything you want to do is within 2 hours. DC, Baltimore, Annapolis. If you're into boating, you'll love the summers here. Gardening is very rewarding here. Lot's of history here, so you won't be lacking for things to learn about the area.

Their are people who hate it here, but I get the impression they'd be unhappy anywhere they landed.

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Welcome, you will be in for a bit of a cultural shock,...

the good thing is that you are only 4.5 hours from Va. Beach..........


I'm from Va. Beach originally also....

 

[AK-74me]

Don't need to know Spanish to live here either.

 

[khall1195]

Schools: If your going to be in base housing, I think the school that you 5 yr old will be in is Green Holly Elem....They might have a pre-k program set up there by now(for your 3 yr old when he turns 4) just ask them and they will point you in the right direction

Not all base housing is that school. I live in Conrad Heights (I think it SUCKS, but it could be worse, so I deal with it). CH and Lovell Court go to Green Holly, Chafee Court is Lexington Park. Here is a link to the housing on base: http://www.lincolnmilitary.com/patuxentriver/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 The pictures are all officer housing. I don't know, what rank are you? We don't like it here all that much community wise, but we came from Lemoore, CA, and got quite used to the way of life out there. It's really what you make of it.

Welcome to the base. Feel free to email me if you have other questions I might be able to help with.

 

[Bustem' Down]

I hope you like the country. Me, I'm just glad I'm transferring to Norfolk soon.

 

[justbeachy]

Welcome to somd. I moved here from Alexandria VA a little over a year ago.my BF and I fell in love with this place while visiting my brother. Lots to do here mostly outdoors. Solomons is nice for shopping & walking around. There is also the Marine Museum. I hope you like it here.