Relocating from Hawaii to Maryland or ??? (Baltimore, Frederick: condos, townhomes, buying)

[nichon18]

My mom and I are moving from Hawaii back to the mainland and are looking at either Virginia or Maryland (and have even looked into Maryville, TN & Fayetteville, AR). We love the climate in those areas and they seem really beautiful (have been to Virginia and love Charlottesville). We are looking for a not-too-expensive town with around 50,000 or so people. Also looking into buying a townhome/condo in the $200-300k range. She is 60, I am 40 but both really young at heart and would love to be in a town with a charming downtown area (with good walking and good restaurants, of course! that potentially has access to a bigger city nearby (within an hour or so). Looking at Charlottesville/Roanoke in VA and really have no idea in Maryland (it seems pretty expensive everywhere...) but have just started to look into Hagerstown. Any other ideas?? Thanks so much!!

[Tanja M]

Sounds like you are describing Charlottesville. But you have been here, of course
Things that changed are the home prices, to (never) better.
At the moment there are about 200 condos/townhomes (min 2BR, 2BA) in the price range from 140 K (!) to ca. 230 K.

Originally Posted by nichon18

My mom and I are moving from Hawaii back to the mainland and are looking at either Virginia or Maryland (and have even looked into Maryville, TN & Fayetteville, AR). We love the climate in those areas and they seem really beautiful (have been to Virginia and love Charlottesville). We are looking for a not-too-expensive town with around 50,000 or so people. Also looking into buying a townhome/condo in the $200-300k range. She is 60, I am 40 but both really young at heart and would love to be in a town with a charming downtown area (with good walking and good restaurants, of course! that potentially has access to a bigger city nearby (within an hour or so). Looking at Charlottesville/Roanoke in VA and really have no idea in Maryland (it seems pretty expensive everywhere...) but have just started to look into Hagerstown. Any other ideas?? Thanks so much!!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Hagerstown is okay and certainly a bargain compared to its neighbor on the other side of the mountain, Frederick. Hagerstown isn't what I'd call, "vibrant," but you are very close to some really nice scenery and outdoor activities in the mountains of PA, MD, WV and VA (you can get to all of these states within 30 minutes from Hagerstown). Also very close to skiing.

Hagerstown did lose a good number of the few remaining industrial jobs earlier this year, so I don't know if there's been any noticable difference. I haven't been since the summer. I only know a few people who live there, and they all commute to Frederick to work. I know that the Hagerstown downtown is also not exactly "vibrant."

If you can afford Frederick (it might seem cheap compared to Honululu, I dunno) I know that you will LOVE its downtown. Lots of Civil War and earlier buildings still in use. It's the perfect size and has lots of different types of things. There is a pedestrian and bicycle culture there. Plus it's 1 hour to either DC or Baltimore for when you want to do city things (the MARC commuter train goes to Washington but not Baltimore, and also not on the weekends).


Marysville TN is pretty gorgeous, it is in the Smoky Mountains. It's a decent size town in its own right and you can quickly get to some of the South's more interesting and pretty cities: Chattanooga, Asheville, Knoxville and Nashville.

One question: have you been here in the summer? It can be so oppressively humid. Just wanted you to know. It's why a lot of us dream of leaving (myself included).

[tercel95]

How can you love the climate here? It gets freezing cold in the winter, and painfully humid in the summer with a brief transition period...

[nichon18]

Thanks for all the responses. Feeling a little iffy about Hagerstown now- definitely want someplace "vibrant"- even if is a little smaller. I grew up in FL so I know all about humidity. Just ready for 4 seasons again. The way you describe Frederick it sounds expensive but I will check it out. Thanks again!

[tercel95]

Just FYI in the last 6 weeks it has gone from freezing, to snowing, to 75 degrees, to snowing to 70 degrees to freezing and today it is snowing...

[Marilyn Emery]

You might want to look at some of the town closer to the bay. There are some smaller towns that are afforable. I don't know if I would call them vibrant but they definitely have alot to offer, especially if you like outdoor activities and close to Annapolis and not far from DC.

I also agree with the posts about Frederick. It has become more afforable and has a nice downtown area.

[cgordon]

Frederick. Nice place, friendly, artsy, surprisingly diverse. About an hour from both Baltimore and DC. Good restaurant scene, good shopping and groceries, lots of culture for a town of its size ...