If you must stay in close proximity to Frederick (in Maryland), and want good schools. I'd suggest Washington County, as someone else said, specifically Boonsboro. Boonsboro has blue ribbon schools. If you and your wife do not like Boonsboro, I'd also suggest Smithsburg as a second recommendation.
California would have sucked, other than the nice weather. Maryland isn't all bad, the majority of the state is pretty nice. There are certain bad places like other states have, Baltimore is one of the bad areas in Maryland. Taxes suck, and so do the firearm laws.
If you're not opposed to a commute, I'd live outside of Baltimore. I guess that may just be my opinion though. The only places I go in Baltimore are Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, or the Inner Harbor, otherwise I try not to venture too far into Baltimore. Welcome by the way.
if the Mossberg bolt action 802 plinkster, is anything like the semi auto 702 my wife has, you can't beat it for the price. she has less than $150 in it between the rifle and scope. she has shot the bullseye out of a few targets with it. the 702 was $107, and i'm thinking the 802 was $137 at...
Mossberg Plinkster 702/802 you can get it for around $100 at Wal-mart. My wife has one with a Simmons scope ($36) on it, once it was shot in, she can pretty much hit the same spot every shot.
I'm a member of NARGC, and my wife is as well. We joined because its the closest to where we live, roughly 10 minutes, and we can shoot anything but 50bmg, or full auto. I guess it depends on what your looking for, we like some of the other things the club offers as well. Guests can get in for...