True Maryland Native--Informal Poll (Baltimore, Columbia: house, rental, vacation)

[kjg1963]

Originally Posted by ScottinMD

I was born in Frederick and have lived here all my life. Both my parents and my grandparents were all born in Frederick. My wife was born in Montgomery County and she has at least 4 generations of of family born here.

What keeps us here is family and my job, I don't hate it here but I'm not thrilled either. If it weren't for family we would probably relocate. Maryland is just becoming too congested and I feel that the areas I am most Familiar with (Frederick, Montgomery & Howard counties) have completely lost their identities with the high level of transplants.

We probably will never leave Maryland but I would if it were a realistic option.

I'm probably still in Maryland for the same reasons. I probably won't leave either. I would, however, like to move to another region of the State. Western Maryland and the Eastern shore are so different than the Baltimore/DC corridor where I'm at now. Just relocating somewhere else in the state might feel like I've moved across the country.

[ptsum]

Born and raised in Prince George's County, born at Cheverly Hospital when it was brand-new, now called Prince George's County Hospital, grew up in East Riverdale, live for a little while in Riva for two years in Anne Arundel County, moved back to Hillside, in Prince George's County, lived in Capitol Heights, moved back to Riverdale, before they renamed it Riverdale Park, lived in Lanham, Bladensburg, Landover, Bowie, Glen Dale, and worked for over 30 years for the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission. Retired now, have a place in the Appalachian Mountains and two places in Prince George's County, and now involved in the family business. Went to school in Bradberry Heights Elementary, Capitol Heights Elementary, the old three-story building, Greenwood elementary, Maryland Park Junior High, Greenbelt Junior High,( didn't have middle schools then ) Bladensburg High School.

[G-Burg Native]

I was born at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring and raised in the Old Town area of Gaithersburg, Maryland. My parents still live in the same house I was raised in. The area has grown so much over the 30 years I have lived here. I went to Washington Grove Elementary, Gaithersburg Intermediate, and Gaithersburg High School (Graduated at the Kennedy Center). I attended Montgomery College in Rockville for one year then transfered to Towson University to graduate with my Bachelors. I lived in Towson for several years while in college.

After college I moved back home for one year then made a change and moved to Woodland Hills, California in Los Angeles County. Lived there for two and half years then realized that was no place to raise a family one day. Southern California (Los Angeles County) represented everything one shouldn't want in a community. It was dirty, had lots of crime, people had no sense of purpose and low life expectations, and it was ridiculously expensive. Lots of racism too.

Moved back to Gaithersburg and now live in Germantown. This is my home. I love being so close to Washington D.C. I always get this magical feeling when I think about it. (I know that's weird). But I remember growing up in school ever year going to D.C. for some sort of field trip. The museums here are wonderful and most are free. Going to plays at the National and Kennedy Center is the best.

Now, I've watched this area grow. I love it. I like the jobs here. I love the diversity. I dislike the traffic, that is something that needs to be worked on immediately. We need the light rail which would connect Shady Grove Metro up through Germantown and then Frederick. Builders need to bear the burden of making roads and improving roads to the huge communities they are developing. Clarksburg is ridiculous. The citites need to realize that we are not rural communities anymore and police must be beafed up to compensate. Gaithersburg crime is soaring and the city is trying to make it seem like it's no big deal.

I don't really see myself ever leaving this area or Maryland. We do have our own culture here. I love the motivation. We are very politically aware here. Go to many other parts of the country and they have no clue what's going on.

Anyway, I know this was long...but this is my home and I'm proud of it. I'll fight to keep it a nice place to live.

[bande1102]

I'm a lifelong Marylander. I grew up in North Laurel (Howard county) surrounded by tons of family. I've stayed in MD and am now raising my own family in Crofton (Anne Arundel county). I had planned to move away, but after visiting different states, I've decided to hang out here--for a while anyway.

My favorite things about Maryland are blue crabs, the cantankerous watermen, the Chesapeake, and the wild ponies of Assateague Island. I love the 4 seasons, mild for the most part but every now and again we'll get a blizzard just to keep us on our toes.

I love the history and charm of Annapolis and the grittiness of Baltimore. I still get chills when I visit Fort McHenry. I enjoy the quaintness of St Michael's and Easton and I love Deep Creek Lake. There have been many changes, true. But I think the things that annoy me the most about MD are taking place across the country.

All that being said, I do see myself moving one day. Not so much b/c I'm unhappy here, but more b/c I want to have some new experiences/see new things.

[dhelfoioracle]

Originally Posted by kjg1963

I'm suprised. I thought I'd get a few people that were born and raised here. I got one response from a Non-Marylander and one from a lifelong that doesn't like it anymore. Anyone born here and still like it?

I was born in Flordia only because my father was in the Navy at the time. Otherwise I would of been born in Maryland. My family history is I guess transplanted here. My some of my cousins were born here. I have lived here sense I was three and all three of my children have been born here. I have travel to some other states but there is no place like home for me. I love Maryland. I have lived in Anne Arundel County as a child then moved to Howard County where I live now. As far as the attidude in Maryland I don't see it anywheres but on here and the news. I don't know to many people with that much bitter attidudes. We truily have everything here. We are in the middle not to much of the south and not to much of the upper east coast. Maryland has always had transplants here just simply because of being next to DC. I don't think it's a bad thing, it gives us a first hand look at the world and gives us experiences with people from all over the world.

[LoveMiiorHateMii]

I AM A TRUE MARYLANDER by way of Washington Hospital Center in DC! I have lived in the same house since I was born in Upper Marlboro, MD...attended Maryland Public Schools...Wish I would have went to a Maryland College...and am coming back to Maryland to live my life until I die as soon as I graduate!

Oh I can't wait...PG here I come!

[RidgelyD]

Originally Posted by sobo16

I was born and raised in Anne Arundel County in Millersville, a stone's throw from Glen Burnie. I now live in Baltimore City and wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the region. While I'm not always impressed by customer service in stores and restaurants in the area, and I hate the jaywalking-without-looking habit, I have a lot of close friends here, and most of the city is unpretentious and down-to-earth. I think that is what keeps me here.

Ditto, except I split time between Millersville and GB as a kid.

[ptsum]

I grew up in the Riverdale, Hyattsville, College Park, Bladensburg, and DC area during the early and late 60s, was a teenager then, and I remember that being some of the best times of my growing years, the friends I made and still have today, at times we would get together and go down to the nightclubs and restaurants in DC and didn't have to fear anything, we were just high school and college kids enjoying life. Some of the best years of our lives and today we still as a group stay in touch with one another and talk about the old times and old loves.

[kjg1963]

Whew! I was worried when I first posted this question. There were barely any responses. I am so glad there are others out there that actually embrace their Maryland roots. I never realized how many people disliked Maryland until I joined these forums. And so many people talk about how they moved here from other places due to jobs and such, not because they really chose to and how they can't wait to leave. I feel better now. Thanks everyone for the positive responses!

[koofie]

I was born at Washington Adventist in TP and grew up in Silver Spring. Although I went to college in TN and FL, I moved back here and now live with my DH and kids in Baltimore Co. Ui love MD but hate the cost of living. I hate the traffic and the way the suburbs have spread out so that it is much harder to find "country" to see rolling hills and not subdivisions. Honestly, I would probably move except I'd hate leaving my family and there are so many things that I love like the accessibility to "mountains" and ocean, and the way everything is within 2 hours (well, not EVERYTHING, but you know).


I loved growing up here and as long as I can give a similar/better childhood for my kids I will stay here.