Who is leaving Maryland?? (Baltimore, Hagerstown: section 8, real estate, fingerprints)

[Boog]

Is there anyone else considering leaving Maryland.. seems to be more reasons to do so these days... have you already left? are you considering leaving?? if so .. why and where are you going??? My family has been here since pre-revolutionary war days but it may be time for my wife (BSRN) and myself to leave and take my business with us.. ... am I the only one who has had enough?? Seems to be alot of people on this board looking to move to MD.. Just wondering who is leaving... thanks

[Tesaje]

I plan to leave in about 3 years after I retire. My reasons are personal. I just want to go back west where I grew up. After I retire, I'll have no particular reason to stay here. I don't dislike it here, I just like the west better.

[nlblueyes]

I moved back to the Baltimore region about 2 1/2 yrs ago after having been away in NC for 5 yrs. I am ready to go back to NC.. I grew up in southern DE. I have found since being back that I just enjoy small town, slower pace of life, less crime a better place for me. I work in the criminal justice field so I am aware of crime regardless of where I live.

[Floridahater]

I left MD years ago and I would never return now. It is simply too crowded, expensive and there is an increase in crime and gang activity. I saw the same pattern in CA. I would never live in MD now, no way!!

[dodge boy]

I have lived in Hagerstown for nearly 50 years, my family has been here for generations. We are leaving as soon as possible, maybe by Thanksgiving, certainly by Christmas. I have seen the demise of this once nice little town. The past few years have seen an influx of welfare dependent, obnoxious people along with the problems that accompany them. I believe these people have come from the metro areas of the state with the approval/encouragement of local officials. The majority of inner city Hagerstown is now Section 8 housing. The drugs and crime are out of control. The local prison complex releases prisoners who will then often remain in Hagerstown. Local and county officials take care of themselves at the expense of the community, if they're not making money in real estate, it's because they're not smart enough. Where there once was one or two shady neighborhoods, now there are one or two nice neighborhoods where a decent person would be able to live. Outside if the city are large developments of ugly, crackerjack box overpriced houses. The good jobs have all left. The final straw was the second burglary we had in a two year period. The first was investigated by the Maryland State Police and they did a credible job, the second incident was "handled" by the Hagerstown police. They spent about 15 minutes talking with us after we called them. We showed them specific things that would possibly have fingerprints, we gave them names of people who may have information and they did nothing, zero. This was not a pumpkin stolen from the porch, this was thousands of dollars of heirloom stuff and they could not have been any less interested. They said they will call if they find any thing. They don't know what's missing and won't return a call. This town has become a drug and gang infested ghetto. Yes, I'm leaving Maryland and I'm furious, this was my home that they ruined.

[MikeK]

As soon as I can. For personal reasons we have to stay for now. Many of the same things cited above - congestion, high cost of living and it looks like record tax increases coming soon. I never heard O'Malley mention reduced spending - just bleed us dry like he did Baltimore. I'm sure he'll do the same for crime as he did there also. I realize it went down slightly, but there were also reports of the police 'adjusting' the statistics. I've lived here all my life and the area has a lot to offer and used to be a nice place to live.

One of the reasons I joined was to get more information on places we may want to relocate to. NC, SC and TN seem the most likely at this point.

Any hope of political change is remote. MD always has been a democratically controlled state, but nowhere near as liberal as it's gotten in the past 30 years. Not that it would make any difference but the state has thrown away it's electoral votes too.

[Boog]

hi everyone... thanks for responding... I was beginning to wonder if i was the only one who feels that this is no longer the place for them.. maybe ever generation feels that their (City, state, country) is "going to hell in a hand basket".. but I believe Maryland is going in a direction that I dont agree with and not really interested in living with.. we have always been pretty much a one party tax and spend state but things seem to be getting completely out of control with our current leadership... I really dont want to live in a mini CA or NY/NJ. ie.. high taxes, high cost of living, high population density,high crime etc... let alone the open door illegal alien aid policy and sanctuary state status..
anyway.. just interested if anyone else feels the same.. all part of the decision process I guess.. anyway.. thanks again for responding

[expgc]

My family is pre-revolution as well. I was born and raised in PG county. I got out of there in 1975 as I could see even in those days that trouble was coming.

[sundaze]

I'm leaving. I do like Maryland and have lived here all of my adult life. However other family members have moved to Raleigh, N.C. and I want to be with my family. I think Raleigh will be a new adventure also. I believe there are good people and good experiences everywhere, if one looks for them.

[jonjj]

I love Maryland and Baltimore but plan on leaving when I retire only because I inherited some land in northern Wisconsin. In the years I have been here, I have witnessed the opposite: both Baltimore and DC have improved quite a bit from 20 years ago. For those who use crime as an issue, that has always been a problem since I have lived here but that is a problem everywhere. There is no where to run to. Even in northern Wisconsin where I plan on moving, folks complain about crime increases. So, I will stay put and use my zen to find my peace of mind.