My husband and I moved to Havre de Grace in 2011 after the BRAC closed Fort Monmouth and relocated its operations to Aberdeen Proving Ground. I had essentially spent my entire life in one state – my childhood, my college years, the beginning of my marriage. I often describe myself as a creature of habit and comfort, so moving to a place where I had no friends or family was difficult for me. As luck would have it, I secured a job at Havre de Grace High School the summer that we moved here and worked alongside some wonderful people. However, I decided to take a career hiatus when my first child was born. It was then that my deep connection to Havre de Grace was also born. It seems as if I instantly began to meet new (and seasoned) moms, made connections, and forged meaningful friendships.
Without going into too many mundane details, it went something like this: In the early months of motherhood, I took a walk with a fellow bleary-mom that I had met in childbirth class, stopped at Concord Point Coffee (which doubles as a sanctuary for sleep-deprived moms) and struck up a conversation with a couple of other moms. Soon, I discovered story time at the library and met neighbors that I did not know I had at the community playground. I joined a Havre de Grace Mom’s group on Facebook, and crawled out of my shell to attend playdates with strangers. Some were long-time locals, their families’ histories deeply intwined with Havre de Grace. Others were newcomers, like me, having been drawn to the area because of careers, matters of the heart, or the charm of the area itself. Many of these strangers are now my dearest friends. And, like a web, through one another, we continue to weave new connections as our children grow.
Nearly 10 years as a Havre de Grace resident and almost 8 years into this motherhood gig have brought me to this conclusion – Havre de Grace is an ideal place to raise a family (or visit!). Here are just a few reasons why:
The Places – We love to visit Tydings Park, walk the Joe K Trail, take a stroll down the promenade, or hike at Susquehanna State Park. We have watched movies at the Opera House, played at Schooner’s Cove endless times, joined summer story time at the Maritime Museum, taken mom and me yoga classes, to name a few.
The Events – In pre-pandemic times, the calendar of events for Havre de Grace was chock full. From First Fridays to the Independence Day Parade to the Ice Festival, there are always family-friendly events to attend. We are looking forward to those days returning soon.
The Food – Havre de Grace has a wide selection of food and treats. From coffee to beer, macarons to donuts, crabs to burgers, and everything in between, you can find something for everyone (even your picky eater) at a local restaurant, bakery, or farmers’ market.
The Schools – Schools in Havre de Grace are well-loved by children and parents. Both public elementary schools, Meadowvale and Havre de Grace Elementary, are highly-regarded and supported by the community. My oldest is a second-grader at Havre de Grace Elementary and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The administrators and staff go above and beyond (pandemic or not!) to provide the best education for their scholars. The new high school/middle school is beautiful, and I am looking forward to having my children attend in the future (for now, I don’t even want to think about having teenagers!)
The People – You often see familiar faces. (Cue the Cheers theme song “where everybody knows your name! And they’re always glad you came…”)
There is a real sense of community that is unmatched in larger suburban towns. It’s easy to get involved with a cause or pursue a passion. There is an appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. People always seem to come together to contribute to the common good, help out a neighbor in need, and preserve the ideals that make Havre de Grace a place to live.
In short, I am grateful to call Havre de Grace my home, a sentiment I know many share. So, if you’ve just moved here, welcome! If you’ve been here for generations, thank you! If you’re considering relocating to the area (or just visiting for the day with your kids), think no more! You will not be disappointed.
-Carolyn Farwell
