Local travel: Kent County, anywhere
I know several people in Kent County that aren't going to like this post, but you've been found out. Now everyone will know Kent County is the best place to live in rural America.
Progressive Farmer tells us so. Right here in their Best Places to Live edition. Here's what they say:
By all reasoning, Kent County should be covered with homes, strip malls and "farmettes." But it's not. Not anywhere close.
Instead, Kent County is a rare holdout in the sprawl and development in this country that clearly is out of control. Kent County maintains a culture of farming, wildlife, and small towns and villages that are relatively untouched.
Some of the northern Eastern Shore county's amenities include Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge, Betterton Beach, Crumpton Antiques market and of course Chestertown, perhaps one of the prettiest towns in America. All have been talked about on this blog, so it's probably clear that, while I haven't visited every rural place in the cuuntry, I would not disagree with the magazine. Also, they have great sandwiches at the gas station in Still Pond, and excellent chicken at the Crumpton market. Good canoeing (so i hear) near Kennedyville, and that Kennedyville Inn is supposed to have great food.
Another amenity: it's not on the way to Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach, so if you live there, you might suffer traffic along 213, but you won't be trapped in your home on a Saturday in June, as you would be on Kent Island.
But there is one downside, and it's probably keeping many from crossing that lovely Chester River bridge. It's not cheap to live in Kent County. Just ask any of the county's teachers, or firefighters. You'll find many of them living across the line, near Centreville.
Kent Countians would probably be happy to have your business, and they're extremely friendly, from the Chestertown Mayor right on down. But many of them will be just as happy when you go home... so by all means, visit, look at the dairy cows, walk by the water. And then make your plans to come back next year, maybe for a whole week!
