Moving to Hagerstown

[chipmunk226]

I live in Hager's Crossing now and I like it. It's very close to a lot of shopping, technically within walking distance. But Hagerstown downtown isn't charming at all IMO if you are looking for a place to stroll and get something nice to eat or shop at little specialty stores. Hagerstown has wonderful parks and other areas of recreation, but is definitely a car type of town.

I would also look into PA and WV if your wife will be working in Hagerstown. Much cheaper as others have pointed out. We would have moved to Greencastle / Waynsboro or Martinsburg if only my husband didn't already commute 75 miles a day one way! That extra 15 miles really makes a difference in our case

With the way the housing market is now, you will get a steal in this area though. If you are planning to set permanent roots, then I would say PA or WV, but if you are looking for resale in the near (5-10 years) future, I would say you may want to bite the bullet and get a home in MD.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by chipmunk226

But Hagerstown downtown isn't charming at all IMO if you are looking for a place to stroll and get something nice to eat or shop at little specialty stores. Hagerstown has wonderful parks and other areas of recreation, but is definitely a car type of town.

Is that true?

From photos, it looks very condensed and walkable. Maybe google maps and photos I've seen are misleading though.

[clintsullivan]

I agree, I don't think downtown Hagerstown is what many would consider "charming". At least not like the idyllic vision we get when we visit tourist type towns or the downtown areas of larger cities. Ones that come to mind; Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Parts of DC, Jacksonville along the river, Asheville NC, or even the walking mall in Winchester VA. I don't think downtown Hagerstown attracts the type of residents or tourists that bring the kind of business that make these areas "friendly, walkable and safe." There are some newer true PUD's which are constructed with sidewalks, trails, schools as well as retail & services all in a small community. We don't have them like they do in other parts of the country. But there are some. This may be the kind of community you want to look for. Personally I think most will find that once you get into that type of community you might find that the particular retail & services you want aren't there and you end up paying higher HOA fees and then still getting into the car more than you originally plan.
Jefferson county has been constructing a walking/bike path which will connect many of the areas, but there aren't many residential neighborhoods which have immediate access. Downtown Shepherdstown is nice if you want more of an in town location with an 'artsy-college town' feel. There are a few newer communities just outside town with reasonable walking/biking access.

[Simmjer]

Originally Posted by chipmunk226

I live in Hager's Crossing now and I like it. It's very close to a lot of shopping, technically within walking distance. But Hagerstown downtown isn't charming at all IMO if you are looking for a place to stroll and get something nice to eat or shop at little specialty stores. Hagerstown has wonderful parks and other areas of recreation, but is definitely a car type of town.

I would also look into PA and WV if your wife will be working in Hagerstown. Much cheaper as others have pointed out. We would have moved to Greencastle / Waynsboro or Martinsburg if only my husband didn't already commute 75 miles a day one way! That extra 15 miles really makes a difference in our case

With the way the housing market is now, you will get a steal in this area though. If you are planning to set permanent roots, then I would say PA or WV, but if you are looking for resale in the near (5-10 years) future, I would say you may want to bite the bullet and get a home in MD.

Great info chipmunk! Thanks. yeah 15 added onto 75!!! that makes a huge difference. yeah so far everything is leading to PA or WV. Just will have to take tours of all the places.

[chipmunk226]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Is that true?

From photos, it looks very condensed and walkable. Maybe google maps and photos I've seen are misleading though.

Oh it is very condensed an walkable... but there really isn't much you would want to walk to Unless you fancy hair shops, barber shops, convenience type stores or quick simple local eateries.

That's one of the things I dislike about Hagerstown the most. It lacks culture. The old style architecture of some of the buildings is nostalgic, but that's about it :P

We do have a nice theater, that has a authentic Bavarian restaurant across the street... but not much else Oh and Laila's is good too. But thats it.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by chipmunk226

Oh it is very condensed an walkable... but there really isn't much you would want to walk to Unless you fancy hair shops, barber shops, convenience type stores or quick simple local eateries.

That's one of the things I dislike about Hagerstown the most. It lacks culture. The old style architecture of some of the buildings is nostalgic, but that's about it :P

We do have a nice theater, that has a authentic Bavarian restaurant across the street... but not much else Oh and Laila's is good too. But thats it.

That does sound better than 99.99% of the rest of cities of a similar size - i.e. a walk to a parking lot if you are lucky...

Actually sounds not much different than a shopping mall - i.e. local eateries, barber shops, etc. But at least you can walk out the front door and have the amenities than driving to a mall. Right?

Sounds like all the basic amenities...but yeah, I wouldn't expect large city amenities in a much smaller town though.

[htownterp]

Actually, I think there are some gems in downtown Hagerstown. The new school for the arts (only one in the state beside Baltimore), University of Maryland, University plaza downtown and their concerts, the Maryland Theater (if you haven't been there, rent the movie "Guarding Tess" with Nicolas Cage...the theater scene was filmed there). How many cities the size of Hagerstown have a symphony orchestra? Two dinner theaters/playhouses, Discovery Station children's museum, the new library coming is huge and beautiful and will be a centerpiece of South Potomac, a good number of restaurants featuring German, Afgan, Indian, Mexican/Spanish, and American style fare (Gourmet Goat, The Plum, Rubarb House, Bulls and Bears, etc), and eclectic shops too. The city park and the art museum are big city quality and beautiful, and just outside downtown.

I agree that the clientele downtown leaves much to be desired, and many buildings need improving/work. The economy really put the brakes on a lot of project down there. I think Hagerstown's biggest problem is getting young professionals to move down there and spend their time/money in the area. Right now, younger folks are more drawn to the neighborhoods outside the downtown area and near the highways.

It's no Annapolis or Frederick, but there is plenty to see/do down there if you give it a chance.

And to the OP, this is a beautiful, slow paced, friendly area, from Chambersburg on down to Martinsburg. You can't go wrong with any location you pick. Tons of things to do if you love the outdoors. I love living in this Tri-State area.....you will too.

[seamama71]

Just thought I'd mention Smithsburg, MD, just outside of Hagerstown. Nice little community; not the downtown/walkable type, but Whispering Hills has nice townhomes and single family homes. Local butcher shop and a few cute restaurants. Nice library and parks. Drive to Hagerstown or Waynesboro, PA (and even Frederick is really accessible) for big-box-type stores.

[runawaymom]

Would love (urgently) to know average utility costs (elec heat & AC), gas cooking, water/sewer, cable w/internet for Frederick MD 2br 1Bath apartment. The rental agent has "no idea". Important to know before signing a lease...
Thanks for any/all input.