Questions on Oakland, MD (Cumberland, Frostburg: ski resort, fit in, sales)

[wvrose]

Hi,
Does anyone out there live in Oakland, MD? I want to learn more about it. I was there briefly many years ago. I loved the area at the time. I know it is high in the mountains and gets lots of snow and very cold. I love the small town feel of it. could you tell me more about it? Population, are folks there generally friendly and helpful? In some places people just don't take an interest in their neighbors and aren't friendly. How about Sales tax, stores, hospital, parks, recreation, etc. Just anything you want to share with me.
thanks so much, wvrose
ps. if you like my post, would you give it a + rating, thanks,

[mandyh]

Oakland is a nice little town. With Deep Creek Lake & the Whisp Ski resort next door it tends to get a bit touristy. It can also be expensive depending on where you live. I prefer northern Garrett Co. because of that. In general the people are nice and helpful. If you get out into the farming comunity it might take a while before you fit in. You know, like, if you buy the old Winebrenner farm be prepared to hear it called that for the next 20yrs. Ha! Ha! . Friendsville, Frostburg and Grantsville are nice to. Garrett Co. has a lot of Mennonite and Amish living there. Garrett Co. and Allegany Co. tend to be conservative (R) compared to the rest of Maryland (D).

As far as parks go, Garrett Co is mostly park. State forest and a lot of little parks mixed in. The World White Water Chapionships have been held there on the Savage River. There is also a rails to trails system just north of Frostburg.

If you are in northern Garrett Co the taxes are low. The sales tax is 5%. There is a hospital in Oakland and in Cumberland. Sacred Heart in Cumb. ranks high in the state. There are 4 seasons