Harbor Liveabords

pfd103 · March 28th, 2012, 06:40 PM

My wife and I have been toying with the idea of living aboard a sailboat for several years now, and it seems like we've got a window of opportunity in the next few years. If things go well, we could possibly be on a boat as soon as the spring of 2014 or 2015. The slight catch is that we now have a baby. We've researched raising children on boats for more than a year now, and it's something we're interested in trying out. Right now we're only intending to liveaboard for 5-7 years, moving back to land for the middle and high school years.

So the question is...If we live aboard with a child, can they attend Baltimore City public schools? Does Baltimore City recognize liveaboards as city residents (there are hundreds in the harbor right now...so they really should)?

Baltimore City itself has so little information available online (on this subject), so I thought I'd reach out to everyone to see if someone can provide a little insight.

Aoures · March 28th, 2012, 08:33 PM

If you live on a boat, where would you pay your local taxes, including your property tax? If it's Baltimore City, then I wold assume that the child should be able to attend Baltimore City schools.

pfd103 · March 28th, 2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aoures

If you live on a boat, where would you pay your local taxes, including your property tax? If it's Baltimore City, then I wold assume that the child should be able to attend Baltimore City schools.

Technically, I'm not sure you pay any property taxes...though the marina does (and you pay them slip fees).

KLynch · March 29th, 2012, 12:22 AM

If you can make the marina your address, you should be good to go. Address is really all they check with school residency issues.

30 Floors Up · April 2nd, 2012, 07:01 PM

Given the number of young children who drown in unfenced in pools, I would be more concerned about getting the child to school age than what school he/she goes to. I have to wonder, just how safe is it to raise a tot on a boat? I'm always reading about them drowning in pools and even the bath tub.

smokeybandit · April 3rd, 2012, 01:33 AM

A child that young is always as safe as his parents let him be, whether on a boat or in the desert.

pfd103 · April 3rd, 2012, 01:54 PM

Drowning is a major concern for children that can't swim. It's much less of a concern when they're good swimmers. We're not looking at moving aboard until our son is 2-3ish, so this should be somewhat minimized (not to say it's not a concern at all...it is).

Technology helps out as well...They make a watch that sounds an alarm on the boat (and on the watch) if it hits water. Lifeline netting, life jackets, and teaching are the way to go though!

paytonc · April 9th, 2012, 07:14 PM

Your address would be that of the marina (with a box #), which is safely on land. You would use that address for school registration, voting, etc.

I'd be less concerned with the kid falling off the boat -- that you can put up guards for -- and a little more concerned with docks and areas that are beyond your control. With a handle starting with PFD, though, I'm sure you'll do a good job teaching the little monster

k25150 · April 12th, 2012, 05:20 PM

I'd be more concerned with the city schools than your kid falling off the boat.

Dirk Ironside · April 12th, 2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k25150

I'd be more concerned with the city schools than your kid falling off the boat.

Agreed, Does the Harborview Marina put you in the Thomas Johnson Elementary District? That might be your best bet even if it is a little pricier...

March 28th, 2012, 06:40 PM	#1
pfd103 Bmore Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,242 Likes (Received): 5	Harbor Liveabords My wife and I have been toying with the idea of living aboard a sailboat for several years now, and it seems like we've got a window of opportunity in the next few years. If things go well, we could possibly be on a boat as soon as the spring of 2014 or 2015. The slight catch is that we now have a baby. We've researched raising children on boats for more than a year now, and it's something we're interested in trying out. Right now we're only intending to liveaboard for 5-7 years, moving back to land for the middle and high school years. So the question is...If we live aboard with a child, can they attend Baltimore City public schools? Does Baltimore City recognize liveaboards as city residents (there are hundreds in the harbor right now...so they really should)? Baltimore City itself has so little information available online (on this subject), so I thought I'd reach out to everyone to see if someone can provide a little insight. __________________ Bmore Interested on the web www.BmoreInterested.com

March 29th, 2012, 12:22 AM	#4
KLynch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Baltimore Posts: 1,280 Likes (Received): 18	If you can make the marina your address, you should be good to go. Address is really all they check with school residency issues. __________________ www.SouthBMore.com All Things South Baltimore @SouthBmore1

April 2nd, 2012, 07:01 PM	#5
30 Floors Up (-8 Floors Down) = X Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,292 Likes (Received): 23	Given the number of young children who drown in unfenced in pools, I would be more concerned about getting the child to school age than what school he/she goes to. I have to wonder, just how safe is it to raise a tot on a boat? I'm always reading about them drowning in pools and even the bath tub. Last edited by 30 Floors Up; April 2nd, 2012 at 08:40 PM.

April 3rd, 2012, 01:54 PM	#7
pfd103 Bmore Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,242 Likes (Received): 5	Drowning is a major concern for children that can't swim. It's much less of a concern when they're good swimmers. We're not looking at moving aboard until our son is 2-3ish, so this should be somewhat minimized (not to say it's not a concern at all...it is). Technology helps out as well...They make a watch that sounds an alarm on the boat (and on the watch) if it hits water. Lifeline netting, life jackets, and teaching are the way to go though! __________________ Bmore Interested on the web www.BmoreInterested.com

April 9th, 2012, 07:14 PM	#8
paytonc Pragmatist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DC Posts: 433 Likes (Received): 0	Your address would be that of the marina (with a box #), which is safely on land. You would use that address for school registration, voting, etc. I'd be less concerned with the kid falling off the boat -- that you can put up guards for -- and a little more concerned with docks and areas that are beyond your control. With a handle starting with PFD, though, I'm sure you'll do a good job teaching the little monster __________________ http://westnorth.com

March 28th, 2012, 08:33 PM	#2
Aoures Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Likes (Received): 0	If you live on a boat, where would you pay your local taxes, including your property tax? If it's Baltimore City, then I wold assume that the child should be able to attend Baltimore City schools.

April 3rd, 2012, 01:33 AM	#6
smokeybandit Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 115 Likes (Received): 0	A child that young is always as safe as his parents let him be, whether on a boat or in the desert.

April 12th, 2012, 05:20 PM	#9
k25150 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,631 Likes (Received): 21	I'd be more concerned with the city schools than your kid falling off the boat.

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