Exactly how transient is MD?

[ptsum]

I am a third-generation Marylander, born and raised in Prince George's County, now that's a rarity, up until May of 2005 I lived in Prince George's County and watched many changes happen, many changes, lived in Bowie for 20 years, prior to that lived in East Riverdale, Hillside, Capitol Heights, back to Riverdale, Lanham, Landover Hills, Bowie, and Glenn Dale, I still own one house in Prince George's County, however my primary residence now is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain and I get back to Prince George's County three or four times a year. Most of the transient areas are found in and around the District of Columbia, Fort Meade, Andrews Air Force Base, Robert Goddard space flight Center, US Department of Agriculture, these are people that work for the federal government or are with the military that move into these areas from other states. When you get further out away from Washington, DC, Annapolis, Baltimore, you get into the rural areas and each one of these rural areas have their own unique idiosyncrasies and will have generations who are native Marylanders and not so many transients.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

I can only imagine the pain the natives of the central part of the state must feel to see the farms and open spaces they grew up around be divided up, sold off, and inhabited by commuters, many off whom have little knowlege or interest in the character of the area. I don't know if it would drive me away or not, but it would be like watching your home be destroyed. Things change though, we must live in the present.

Amen to that! I didn't even want that Redskins Stadium in the middle of my neighborhood. I miss that farm. I remember being out for elementary school recess watching cows and horses from across the fence.

[Tom Lennox 70]

I wouldn't say anyplace in Maryland is transient though Montgomery County and Frederick County has seen a lot of transplants and population growth. Its not "transient" if people mvoe there and stay contributing to population growth.

In most of the Baltimore area (especially Dundalk and Essex), the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland many people live in the same communities for generations.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

D.C. does have a very strong identity. It is not an identity based on history, or common ancestors, or dialect, or many of the other things we normally think of. The D.C. identity is based on being the elite of government, bureacracy, and military. Income, education, bureaucratic titles, stuff like that is the measuring board of how people belong. The fact that individuals can move in or move out any time they please and still consider themselves part of the club is what attracts many people to region, and is the reason other despise it.

Overall MD is a very divided state, we were at the time of Revolution, were during the Civil War, and still are today. There are many ways to divide up the pie. Eastern Shore vs. Western Shore, Baltimore vs. Washington; Western Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Southern Maryland all have strong rural regional identities. The transient nature of a large geographic portion of the state hasn't really eroded this, if anything it has strengthened the sense of difference the other regions feel.

Small town charm, lifestyle and values can still survive in pockets of major metro areas. I get a very small town feel and menality around Dundalk, Essex, Sparrows Point and Arbutus in Baltimore County. Its still that charming small town America where people marry their high school sweethearts, work in the job as their family did for generations and never really leave home. Peopel are very friendly and say sir and ma'am which I rarely get in Arundel Mills or Towson. I guess its because with the steel mill Dundalk and Sparrows Point never really depended on the proximity of Baltimore City until recently with the loss of industrial jobs which is very regrettable. Columbia, Hunt Valley, and Arundel Mills feel especially plastic and soulless. Most of Montgomery County is either thsi way too, or it is elitist or ghetto.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

I wouldn't say anyplace in Maryland is transient though Montgomery County and Frederick County has seen a lot of transplants and population growth. Its not "transient" if people mvoe there and stay contributing to population growth.

That's certainly true that if people stay, it's not really "transient." Much of the growth in Frederick has been that way - a lot of people come here, and decide to stay.

Frederick's biggest employer is Ft. Detrick, so there is also a military presence that turns over regularly. The flipside of that, is that the civilian side of Detrick provides for long-term & stable employment, which makes a lot of people stay.

In our neighborhood, many of the residents have been here a long time. Although we've only owned here since '04, we know most of our neighbors and there is a real sense of community spirit. It doesn't feel transient in the least.

[trying2moveup]

I was born and raised here and except for going to college in Carlisle, Pa, remain here (for the present). And I'm pushing 40. I believe there are a lot of "natives" and just as many transients. As mentioned before the government is one of the biggest factors in the influx/outflux of people.

I believe that if you were NOT "born and bred" here, when you come it is just a culture shock (especially depending on how old you are at the time). People that are not originally from here almost always, in my experience, leave or really want to leave (my husband included).