Relo to Maryland for a job in PA (Baltimore, Germantown: sales, high crime)

[Libragirl1968]

Does anyone have any information about a good place to move in North Maryland? I am putting off accepting a job in Chambersburg, PA until I can find some information about towns in MD that are near there. So far, by doing some research I've looked into Hagerstown, and Frederick. Neither one of them is really thrilling me but maybe I'm missing something. The job is a two year contract so its not forever, but it is two years. I would like there to be some kind of nightlife or entertainment outlet and good elementary schools as I have a child. That way I can have a social life and she can get a decent education. I am also looking for some place that is fairly diverse not all of one culture or race vs. another. I know I'm probably looking for nirvana but I need to ask. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This could be the decision maker. Thanks everyone

[North Beach Person]

You also could look at Thurmont and Taneytown, plus a few others around there whose names escape me right now. These would all be small towns. I have to tell you that your cost of living will be higher in MD-sales tax on more items (both states are 6%), higher state income tax, higher property prices/rents, generally higher food prices. MD does have better roads and in most cases better governmental services. School systems in that border area are probably equivalent although MD is way ahead of PA in the "standardized testing all the time" arena. In general, and this is my opinion only as a native of PA and a transplant to MD almost 30 years ago, I believe that overall the public school systems in PA are better and without a doubt the PA state university system is better and a much better financial deal than that of MD's. I have had kids in state universities in both states.

I don't know what you mean by "diverse" but rural areas in this area (PA, MD, WVA, VA, NY, OH) generally tend to be predominately white. In MD the closer you get to the DC or Baltimore metro areas the more diversity you will find.

[firefightermom]

I moved to Chambersburg last year from Germantown, MD and we love it. We are extremely happy with my son's elementary school, and I think the town has tons of amenities...new YMCA, community parks, pool, etc.

The area is not very diverse, but as NB Person said above, most of the MD towns near here aren't either. If you are looking for party central, you won't find it here, but Hagerstown would offer more. Frederick would offer even more, I would think. We didn't intend to cross out of MD, but when we saw that housing prices dropped another $50K or so, we decided it was well worth it!

[WannaComeHome]

The towns out there aren't too bad, but.. if you live in MD and work in PA, won't you be stuck paying income tax to both states???? ewwww

[trying2moveup]

Frederick, IMHO, has more to offer (and more "diversity") than Hagerstown - I also think it may be a closer commute to Chambersburg. but I lived in Frederick for 8 years so I'm biased.

I also went to college in Carlisle (Pa). May I ask why you are looking at Maryland? PA schools generally have a great reputation. Chambersburg is closer to Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, Harrisburg (probably the "big city" around there) and any commute north from Frederick or Hagerstown is going to be timely, even if traffic is not that heavy (pure distance). Working in one state - if there is snow or school closings, etc - and your there and she is back here. . . just something to consider (probably on the mind as we're forecasted to get 10 inches here in PG county, MD tonight).

[Pedro2008]

I have the same question some other posters have

Why are you looking to live in Maryland (tax hell) and work

in PA?

Chambersburg is cool

Good schools, restaurants, shopping, parks etc...

[Libragirl1968]

Actually I don't know anything about either area, just trying to get a feel for both really. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I know that the taxes are high in MD but the tax here is 10%. Property tax is lower but food and everything else is taxed at 10% so the 6% thing doesn't really alarm me too much. I really just want some feed back about both areas. From what I've seen online Harrisburg doesn't seem like a very good area. Seems like there might be a high crime rate. Does anyone know anything about the schools in that area? I guess I'll have to give Chambersburg a second look.

[North Beach Person]

Harrisburg and Chambersburg are two different animals. Capital city with well defined bad areas vs. small city (PA does classes of cities and towns, I've been away so long I forget the breakpoints for them) of around 20,000 or so and 50,000 total surrounding area (US Census). They're really not that close. Don't know where you're from but be aware this area is predominately rural overall. PA sales tax is 6%, as mentioned, and exempts most groceries and clothes. The municipalities and townships in PA do have some oddball EMS taxes and personal property taxes and some have an income tax. Electric costs in PA are lower than MD, gas prices about the same, food prices generally lower, rents are lower. PA has a yearly safety inspection for cars and some areas have air pollution inspections. MD has a one time safety inspection and bi-yearly air pollution test. If buying, home prices in PA generally lower but taxes higher in relation to property value than MD. PA income tax is a flat 3.07% while MD starts at 2% and tops out at 6.25%. In MD each County has a "piggy-back" income tax, most are 50% of your state rate. Mine combined is 7.25%.

[firefightermom]

We live in a township just outside of Chbg, and just had our cars inspected...cost about $26 each. Registration for one year was $36 I think. No air pollution test required. There is no tax on clothing or food. Sales tax is 6% for other stuff, like toiletries, junk at Walmart.

Harrisburg is about an hour north and since it's the state cap is much bigger. I've only been there once. Crime here is much less, most of the stuff in the paper is drunk driving, theft, and disorderly conduct. Check out the local paper Home - Chambersburg Public Opinion. It's much more rural here...there is farmland all around me and best farmer's markets I've ever been to. There's a Christmas parade. A Memorial Day parade. Lots of small town stuff. People know their neighbors by name. We're glad we moved and will never go back to MD. We're much happier here.

[Libragirl1968]

Thank you so much for the great information. This definitely makes the decision a little easier.