From NJ Shore to Garrett County? (Cumberland: transplants, home, unemployed)

[sharon08742]

We're a middle-aged couple living at the NJ shore.
One of us has received a job offer in Garrett county that is good enough to make us very seriously consider relocating for. (We love the shore and don't want to leave it but being unemployed is no fun either.)
Neither one of us is very familiar with the area other than what we've been able to learn via the internet. Obviously Garrett county is rural and that's what's keeping us awake at night. We're active and are always on the go. We like dining out, going to bars for a cocktail, riding our motorcycles. We're definitely not the stay-at-home type and we're afraid that we're going to have to travel 100 miles from home in Garrett county to get to anywhere that's "happening".

Is the gap between the difference of living at the NJ shore and living in Garrett county too big for people like us?

Any input from those in the know would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[North Beach Person]

Hiking, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling are some of the activities you'll have available. The weather will be different, lots of snow. It is in the mountains. I moved from a similar area in WPA to the Chesapeake and had mountain withdrawal, you may have ocean withdrawal.

[westsideboy]

Garrett County is high in Appalachians and gets lots and lots of snow. Schools and some government places will close when the weather is really bad, but everywhere else will stay open and your partner will be expected to be at work.

If you can get over that you should be fine. Most of Garrett County is conservative, very rural, and populated by people that have lived there for generations. Deep Creek Lake is in the middle of the county. It is surrounded by expensive properties owned mostly by transplants. There is a bar/restaurant tourist scene around the lake. Combine the resort town with an abundance of outdoor activities and there is always something to do.

[sharon08742]

Thanks to both of you for your helpful input.
We're starting to think that the smartest thing to do is to give the new job a trial period - 3 to 6 months - before doing the complete relocation thing. I stay in NJ for that time period and then we regroup once the "trial period" is up and see where we're at.

Thanks again.

[rcran]

I'm from Northern NJ originally. I spent 22 1/2 years in the area you are thinking of moving to, please consider the following. Garrett county has 3 seasons Winter, mud season and August. The county has more "gray" days than sunshine. It has a summer population that clogs the roads, grocery stores, so on and so forth. If you want to shop you have to get on the interstate and go to Morgantown, WV, or Cumberland, Md.
Deep Creek lake has been overbuilt and overpriced. Be careful if you are considering living around the lake area, esp. with well and septic.
Be careful with the locals because it is part of the Bible belt and everybody is somebody's cousin. (no kidding) Social life, good in the summer, winter you will hibernate and best to buy an AWD car or SUV.
Great fun riding a motorcycle in the area. We still have friends we go back and see. But we now live on the eastern shore of Maryland and looking to move closer to the beach. Good local people, yes, close knit and clannish, yes. There is a population of "transplants" to make friends with, start at Brenda's Pizza and tell them Richie sent ya! Good Luck