Mid 20s single male moving to Hagerstown MD (Baltimore, Columbia: crime, transfer)

[WesH13]

So, I've been reading up about Hagerstown MD and I haven't seen a lot of good things...

My story: I'm a single, 24 year old professional male, and my job is now transferring me from Harrisburg PA to Hagerstown MD. I am trying to decide where I want to live, and from what I've read, Hagerstown has essentially no night life at all for young people. Does anyone who lives in the area have any different experiences or advice? I've heard that Frederick has better night life, and am starting to consider living there and commuting to work. Are there any other neighboring cities that are good for young people? If there is anyone in their 20s currently living there maybe they would like to share their experience in Hagerstown?

I've also heard really bad things regarding crime, among other things, so input on those aspects are welcome as well!

I just don't want to move down there and hate where I live ha.

[westsideboy]

I don't know too much about Hagerstown's night life, but I can say Frederick is about 25 miles east, and more firmly in the metro sphere of influence. There downtown is more gentrified, but not being a "night life" guy, I don't really know what "scenes" are there....as people complain about Frederick too.

If you can afford it, it sounds like moving further east would be better. Washington County, MD is still a mostly rural area, although suburbanites are now a major component of the population, and Hagerstown qualifies as a small city/big town depending on your POV.

[WesH13]

I can afford it, but not very comfortably. Whereas I can easily afford Hagerstown and will be able to put a lot more money into savings.. Plus commuting is not very appealing to me, I already work long hours as it is. But at the same time I really don't want to give up having a social life.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by WesH13

I can afford it, but not very comfortably. Whereas I can easily afford Hagerstown and will be able to put a lot more money into savings.. Plus commuting is not very appealing to me, I already work long hours as it is. But at the same time I really don't want to give up having a social life.

What is "social life" to you? If it is going out on weekends, you can easily live in Hagerstown and make the 30 minute drive on the weekends to Frederick for the social scene, or take another hour or so (non rush hour) and be close to DC or Baltimore.

Hagerstown isn't really that far out when you drive during non-rush hour times.

[milhouse92]

I don't much about the crime around Hagerstown, but I can't imagine it would be that bad since it's pretty rural.

However, you're probably going to be bored to tears living there, unless you like being out in the sticks. I think there's one bar there, and the outlet mall. IMHO, Frederick would be a better option. Though it's not exactly the big city, it does have more around it (bars, shopping, etc.) and a pretty cool downtown area. It's 25 miles, but it's not a bad commute - you're basically on I-70, going against traffic

Your other options would be D.C., Baltimore, or even Columbia, but they are much further away.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by milhouse92

I don't much about the crime around Hagerstown, but I can't imagine it would be that bad since it's pretty rural.

However, you're probably going to be bored to tears living there, unless you like being out in the sticks. I think there's one bar there, and the outlet mall. IMHO, Frederick would be a better option. Though it's not exactly the big city, it does have more around it (bars, shopping, etc.) and a pretty cool downtown area. It's 25 miles, but it's not a bad commute - you're basically on I-70, going against traffic

Your other options would be D.C., Baltimore, or even Columbia, but they are much further away.

Hagerstown city limits has some bad areas. Drugs, blight, crime, some it violent are endemic in some of the neighborhoods. I am pretty sure most of the town is OK, and some parts quite nice. Of course, most of the county is rural/ex-urban so you don't have to live in Hagerstown proper at all.

[cjmeck]

My younger brother is your age. If I was talking to him, I'd tell him to choose Frederick. Frederick puts you closer to more activity on a day to day basis. And then your weekends might take you to the city, which wouldn't be too big of a deal from Frederick. Living in Hagerstown just puts you so far out there and I'd imagine not knowing anyone would be a very isolating experience. Some people want that quiet rural life, others not so much.

[htownterp]

I think westsideboy's comments were pretty spot on. There's some nightlife in Hagerstown and a small bar scene, good restaurants and a growing young professional crowd. Frederick is bigger and has much more of the nightlife, young population, and is a close drive. Yeah there's crime but its predominately concentrated in certain areas and is most likely drug related (as it is in most cities) and not random violent acts. I'd live in Hagerstown and party in Frederick/DC.

[bufflove]

I'd think that if you want to go out 3-4 days a week then living in Frederick would make sense. On the other hand, if you just want to go out 1 night a week or every once in a while then living near the job would probably make sense and then you'd drive to Frederick/Balt/DC as needed. It sounds like you want to go out quite regularly, so if I were you I'd live in Frederick.

[WesH13]

Thanks everyone who replied, I think I am going to go with Frederick, since I don't know anyone there. I believe its good advice to live in Hagerstown and go to Frederick/DC wherever on the weekends, but without knowing people and having a place to stay I would rather live closer to where I'm going out so that I don't have to worry about drinking and driving and can have an easier time meeting people. Maybe in a year or two I can move closer to work once I have created a good social network in Frederick and have people to visit and hang out with.