Cumberland / Morgantown (Frostburg, Oakland: rentals, how much, houses)

[Tiger Beer]

Thought I'd concentrate on these two. Just visited both, and quite liked both of them.

CUMBERLAND: Didn't get a good chance to explore it, due to time constraints. But did get off right downtown, and saw all of the older buildings, the street (or two) that didn't allow traffic, etc. Loved all the hills all around, that gave a nice feel to the downtown all around. Wish I could have explored more of the town, and saw what was all around.

MORGANTOWN: This one I saw a lot more newer developments on many exit ramps well before coming into the downtown area. Seemed like the town must be growing by large margins, with many new constructions, etc. Also, got right downtown, and definitely a large college town.

I missed Frostburg though, curious if it's somewhat of a mix between Cumberland and Morgantown, with it's college town. All in all, a great area of the country, with a ton of scenery and hills. Feel free to add anything else on them.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Morgantown's economy seems to have grown in the last 15 years (I've only been a few times). It's an economic engine for the state. It's a nice place but my idea of a "nice college town" is one with a much SMALLER college. Next time take a hike at Cooper's Rock State Forest east of Morgantown - GORGEOUS.

Frostburg is a much smaller place, pretty much just the "main drag" and some outlying shopping areas near the interstate. I like it too. The presence of the college, I think, allows for the establishments to have a bit of a more younger feel, which I appreciate, since I'm "youngish."

A four-year college of some size would be to Cumberland's benefit. Even without, it's definitely the nicest-looking town in Maryland. After years of trying to convince my wife to move there with half-baked business ideas that would probably never work, I've quit, and resigned to keeping our relocation there as a long-term goal. It's hard to make a living there, or anywhere that isn't in the metro areas, unfortunately. The natural beauty is just hard to say to no to.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

Morgantown's economy seems to have grown in the last 15 years (I've only been a few times). It's an economic engine for the state. It's a nice place but my idea of a "nice college town" is one with a much SMALLER college. Next time take a hike at Cooper's Rock State Forest east of Morgantown - GORGEOUS.

Frostburg is a much smaller place, pretty much just the "main drag" and some outlying shopping areas near the interstate. I like it too. The presence of the college, I think, allows for the establishments to have a bit of a more younger feel, which I appreciate, since I'm "youngish."

A four-year college of some size would be to Cumberland's benefit. Even without, it's definitely the nicest-looking town in Maryland. After years of trying to convince my wife to move there with half-baked business ideas that would probably never work, I've quit, and resigned to keeping our relocation there as a long-term goal. It's hard to make a living there, or anywhere that isn't in the metro areas, unfortunately. The natural beauty is just hard to say to no to.

It does seem like Morgantown's university takes up most of the population. I kind of felt everyone walking around downtown, were pretty much ALL university students. Which made me think, the university is propbably the biggest employer by large margins. Might be an interesting employer to look for work, anyways.

I certainly agree about the natural beauty of the area. With how much a city like Asheville is attracting people from across the U.S., it's a bit surprising that similar cities like Cumberland or Morgantown couldn't easily do the same. That being said, Morgantown is growing so much, it actually might.

Cumberland, with all that beauty, seems kind of stuck economically.

[westsideboy]

I will be brief since I have rambled ad naseum about Cumberland's problems as I see them compared to towns of similar location and geography. Check my posting history for more.

Frostburg....is sorta like Cumberland and Morgantown. Like Morgantown, the College is the engine of development, and the city about doubles in size when school is in session. Geographically, Frostburg is different, literally on the side of a big mountain and exposed to harsh winds and lots of snow, Morgantown and Cumberland are sheltered somewhat by being in valleys.

Frostburg is also small, so you don't quite hit the "critical mass" of a college town like Morgantown in terms of community growth, or a diverse "scene." Frostburg is about 1/2 college rentals, 1/2 "overpriced" houses on the outskirts of town where home owners live. It is worth a drive through and stop for lunch, at least.

[sobo16]

Tiger: next time you're in that area, take U.S. 219 south from I-68 through McHenry and the Deep Creek Lake area into Oakland, MD. The lake area is becoming touristy, but it's always beautiful, and you would probably like downtown Oakland.