True Maryland Native--Informal Poll (Baltimore, Columbia: transplants, apartments, houses)

[kjg1963]

I know Maryland is full of transplants. Just curious about how many people on this forum were raised in Maryland and actually still live in Maryland. I'm a lifelong Marylander. Born at Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, lived in the apartments behind Shakey's at University and Riggs until I was 4 and then lived on New Hampshire Ave between Piney Branch and Quebec until I was 19. I went to Langley Park/McCormick Elementary, Buck Lodge Junior High and graduated from High Point High School as did my mother as part of the first graduating class in the late 50's. I got a job in Rosslyn, Virginia when I was 18 and decided I wanted to be closer to work and get away from my parents. I moved to Leesburg, Virginia for a year and then to Vienna, Virginia for another year. Came back to Maryland. I've lived in Ellicott City, Riverdale, Hyattsville, Beltsville, and pretty much settled in Laurel for the last 12 years.

Who else out there is a true Marylander? If you want to give a little history, that's cool. Who knows, some of us mighta been childhood friends!

[pythagras]

I have closer ties to Virginia. However, I have very strong Maryland connections.

My wife is a Marylander. Born in Glen Burnie, moved all around, and now we're back to be near her family.

My mom is also from Glen Burnie. My grandmother lives in Baltimore, with family throughout the region. So I've always had exposure to the Baltimore region. I was raised an Orioles fan and "Baltimore" was my concept of a big city for a long time.I may have been in the region for 1-2 weeks out of the year for any given year.

As a place Baltimore always both frightened and fascinated me. I know and greatly respect several very hard-working "blue collar" types from Baltimore (and places like Glen Burnie). I have great respect for these folks. I think they represent the "old heart" of the city when industry was prevelant and working class folks worked very hard for there families.

Now a days I hear my wife talk about "Glen Burnouts" and the like. Perhaps (very likely) its because I was a child, but I remember Baltimore, Brooklyn, and Glen Burnie being safer more family friendly places. Now they seem to have all just decayed. Mostly these memories focus around Brooklyn and GB being better places once upon a time. Baltimore has always been a little scary to me.

[mom2boys37]

Been here all my life when Western Howard County was full of farms and open air. I live in Frederick now and I lived in Frederick before it was full of traffic jams, idiots, and unkind people. Where I went to high school, it was considered a hick school..now people are putting up houses anywhere they can just so their children can go there. Ellicott City was another part of my roots, now if you don't know a foreign language, don't bother moving there. sorry if i offend anyone, but its the truth. I am going to make my kids roots somewhere other than Maryland.

[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?

[mom2boys37]

I would still like it if it wasn't for the attitude that Maryland is so well known for now.

[macroy]

Wasn't born here. But grew up in Montgomery Village, Bethesda, then Potomac. Whitman Graduate and went to UMD for college. Resided in Columbia then back to Potomac - and now live in Ellicott City.

Someone mentioned attitude... while that's not inaccurate, its also not isolated to the MD area. But the entire NE US is the same way.... a lot of "look at how well I'm doing" types. Which is fine..... cause there are a lot of nice people too. I've been looking to move out west for years.. not because I don't like MD or DC... but I'm drawn to better weather areas as I like to be outdoors. However, I don't think you'll find a better public school system in general than this area.... or based on my comparisons and qualifications, I haven't' found one in the areas I've been looking.

[zipty22]

I was born in Washington D.C. but was raised in Montgomery county Maryland. I moved to Laurel in 2005 and I don't plan on moving out of the state because I like Maryland and both my wife and I have family that live here as well. My Dad came up to the area from Texas to go to Howard University in 1964 and my Mom came up after college at about 1969 for work. I was born in 1971 and my parents had moved to an apartment in Silver Spring at the time.

[westsideboy]

I was born and raised in Allegany County as were my parents, grandparents, great-grand parents, and so on back to the first settlers of the county. I love my home county and feel fortunate to live here. As for the downstate area, I like to visit, but I would not be happy there.

[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.

[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.