*help* Relocating to Chambersburg PA area (2 kids) Where 2 live? (Hagerstown: best neighborhoods, for sale) - Maryland (MD) - City-Data Forum

moe79 · 10-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Hi everyone! I was wondering if you all could give me advice. My husband is taking a job in Chambersburg, PA and we will be moving to that area as soon as our house sells. We are currently in Norfolk, Va.

I have a 6 year old and a 1 year old. I am looking for a city/town that has GREAT schools, are SAFE, houses that are good sized, with a big yard, good neighborhood in the $200,000 -300,000 range.

Basically, the move is for the kids. We live in a pretty big city now and want to have the kids grow up in the best location possible. I heard Hagerstown has really good schools.... I am leaning toward there but I understand the taxes are really high...... I also would prefer not to live in the middle of no where. I would prefer the city/town to have a store selection and not have to drive really far to get it.....

ANY advice would be great!!

kdavani · 10-15-2009, 08:28 AM

sry i had to delete what i originally wrote because i somehow thought you said you were moving to MD not PA lol. i didnt realize i navigated away from the MD forum! lol

clintsullivan · 10-15-2009, 12:28 PM

Chambersburg & surrounding areas are nice. Avoid MD for a plethora of reasons. If you really want your husband to commute check out the eastern panhandle of WV.

westsideboy · 10-15-2009, 12:38 PM

Living in WV to commute the Chambersburg, PA would be unneccessary and foolish. The OP seems to want a more city style environment, so Hagerstown, MD would be the logical choice. Why commute all the way from Martinsburg?

clintsullivan · 10-15-2009, 08:11 PM

That's what I said, Chambersburg area is nice. Unless you really want to commute. Hagerstown should be avoided especially when you can live in PA.

htownterp · 10-16-2009, 05:59 AM

Chambersburg is very nice, but about half the size of Hagerstown. More shopping/dining options in Hagerstown. I wouldn't call either place "middle of nowhere".

Don't know what is so bad about MD taxes? I live in MD and my taxes are not so bad.

I wouldn't live in WV. I agree, that would be foolish in this case. I think Martinsburg is even smaller than Chambersburg but I don't know for sure.

clintsullivan · 10-16-2009, 07:29 AM

Differences between Chambersburg, PA & Hagerstown, MD:

Chambersburg has 459 homes listed for sale between $17K and $1.6M; Median=$189k; Average=$217k. Typical real estate tax on a home listed @ $200k is $2,000-$2,300. PA has a flat 3.07% income tax rate.

Hagerstown has 453 homes listed for sale between $40k and $995K; Median=$219K; Average=$251k. Typical real estate tax on a home listed @ $200k is $2,200 to $2,600. MD hits you with a bracketed tax of 4.75% for most average earners up to $150k plus 2.8% for the county.

And, not that you'd want to commute from WV, but the average real estate tax for a home at the $200k price range is $1,300 to $1,600 in Berkeley County and state income tax is graduated with rates averaging 3% to 5% on fed adjusted gross.

I'd also check crime rates (I think they are similar throughout the region), personal property tax, sales tax, utilities, utility taxes (get real phone bills from the areas to compare the hidden taxes), gas taxes/prices, state laws & regs on activities you enjoy such as hunting, farming, driving, etc.

moe79 · 10-16-2009, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the info. I have read that Chambersburg is really nice. I have read that the schools are questionable though? If we did get a house in Chambersburg, what area would we want to buy a house in? What are the best schools to go for? What are the best neighborhoods? Thanks so much everyone, I feel a little overwhelmed with our possible move!

filmsniffer · 10-19-2009, 12:27 PM

You might want to talk to 'firefightermom' - not sure of spelling - she lives right in Chambersburg, PA who posts frequently on here the MD forum.

I've went up that way a few times. Sure is pretty. Chambersburg is a small town by most standards, but growing.

dmickey · 10-20-2009, 02:22 PM

I used to live in/around Chambersburg. We lived on Criders Church Road. Nice area. Farmland in front and behind us. At the time, we lived near my aunt and uncle (now deceased.) Not that far a drive to the grocery store (Sunnyland.) Not that far into town either. Also near Shatzer's Orchards store. All in all I enjoyed my stay there. If your family is into target shooting, there is Chambersburg Rod and Gun (where they hold the Franklin County fair each year.) The club also has a nice fishing pond on club grounds. Used to catch the heck out of bluegills and some bass as well.