True Maryland Native--Informal Poll (Baltimore, Bethesda: home, school, college)

[ShellyK]

I was born in NJ (don't tease! I escaped! ) and moved to Frederick MD as a kid. I grew up in Frederick and hated it with every fiber of my being. Then it was this bumpkin redneck place. Now it's VERY different. Like a different country even!

I moved to Baltimore for a few years (ok, 7 years). Baltimore is a very interesting place. I don't think there is any other place anywhere that's quite like it. That is good and bad. However, a few years of being afraid to go outside(we didn't exactly live in a fabulous area) to our yards, we had to move.

Now we live in Cumberland. Like most people have said, it does feel like a different state. I feel a little silly because I hated Frederick as a kid for being bumpkin and redneck. Now I live in a city that is VERY similar to what Frederick was!

My husband still commutes to Baltimore from Cumberland. Yes he is crazy.

As for leaving, I don't know. DC is where the jobs are. The metro area (and these days that extends as far west as Hagerstown and as far east as Kent Island...maybe more) is where all my family is. I don't see myself leaving. While I'm not overjoyed with my state, is there any perfect state?

[suzinMD]

I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Anyone who has ever gone to OC or the DE beaches has most likley rode through my town. I was born at Easton Hospital, went to school at Colonel Richardson Jr and Sr high..married and have lived within a 25 mile radious of Easton my entire 52 years of life. Now that hubby and I are getting to retirement age, I think we will move to Florida, get fat on Orange Juice and suntanned by the pool..LOL

[palynew]

My parents were both born in D.C.- that's probably more rare! Anyway, I too was born in D.C. but raised in Montgomery County.

I will be relocating to Texas in the near future and I am thoroughly depressed about this. All of my family is in D.C., MD, or VA...we just don't find it necessary to leave, I will be the first. How am I going to live without crabs?

[marcnelsonjr]

Born at South Baltimore General and grew up in Brooklyn/Brooklyn Park.

Went to high school in Parkville in Baltimore County.

Married a Parkville girl and brought her back to Brooklyn, but now we're trying to move out to Cumberland - all we need is a job!

[Pedro2008]

I was born at Kimbrough Army Hospital on Fort Meade when they used to deliver babies...

Grew up in Bladensburg - lived in the apartments across from Capitol Plaza and went to school at Rogers Heights Elementary

Just before Junior High, my family bought a house in Laurel and I went to Macarthur Junior and then Arundel High

I went to college at Penn State and then after 10 years of living overseas, I relocated back to Laurel and that is where I am now and have no plans on leaving

[jsdory]

I have been in Maryland for 20 years. Southern Maryland for 13 years of my life and Montgomery County for the next 7 years .. This is a great area (Central MD). Southern MD lacks diversity. It is very White/Black, and has always been... though has been changing over the recent years. If you do not like religious, cultural, and racial diversity in Montgomery County or Prince Georges County for that matter, then this is not for you. From some of the posts that I have been reading, it seems many people like living in small towns with people that look like themselves, which is great for them. You can find that in MD as well... just go an hour outside of DC and 30 mins Northeast or Northwest outside of Baltimore. I have been itching for a change to NY/NJ Area. I love the city- so at some point, I will most likely move 3-4 hrs northeast of here.

[Y-Man]

Grew up in Annapolis, stayed in Annapolis, will probably die in Annapolis.

[jonjj]

For a city it's size, I am surprised by the amount of crime occuring in Annapolis. A friend of mine was just robbed on the street there last week and another friend who lives outside DC had his car stolen there. What is up with that???? Sorry I got off target but reading the posts led me to that thought. I am now a Maryland native at this point having been here 25 years.

[kevin21403]

I was born in St. Mary's County in the late 1970's. Family has been in St. Mary's for 300 years. Moved to College Park to attend University of MD in 1997. Moved to Charleston, SC for one year in 1999 after graduating from college. Realized that MD wasnt so bad of a place to live and moved to Annapolis in 2000. Still in Annapolis and trying to buy a place on Kent Island.

The crime in Annapolis has gotten worse in the past year or so. In May, I saw someone shoot themselves in the foot after firing off shots randomly in downtown Annapolis. A friend was mugged and beaten badly around midnight in a 7-11 parking lot in Bay Ridge. I realized in the past few months that it's time to get out of Annapolis.

[expgc]

Originally Posted by palynew

My parents were both born in D.C.- that's probably more rare! Anyway, I too was born in D.C. but raised in Montgomery County.

I will be relocating to Texas in the near future and I am thoroughly depressed about this. All of my family is in D.C., MD, or VA...we just don't find it necessary to leave, I will be the first. How am I going to live without crabs?

Its not easy to live without crabs down here. I have to get back to MD every once in a while to get a fix. I've been in Texas for 14 years and would never consider living in MD again. North Texas is a great place to live! Good Luck!