Eastern Panhandle or Northern Panhandle - Best??

[Threerun]

Eastern Panhandle is definately hotter and more humid in the summer. The Shenandoah Valley can become quite a heat and humidity sink.

As far as density- Pittsburgh and surrounds are more densley populated. Here's the regional MSA numbers. Also consider that the EP kinda includes Wincehster VA and Hagerstown MD, both of which are growing and sprawling.

Hagerstown/Martinsburg- The population of the metropolitan area as of 2007 is 261,198.[

Winchester-Its population as of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates is 121,190[1]

Pittsburgh- As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,525,730 people, 1,032,596 households, and 678,085 families residing within the CSA.

Wheeling- As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 153,172 (though a July 1, 2007 estimate placed the population at 145,454).[1]

The EP is growing, and clustered developments on 1/4 acre lots have become the norm. However some of the older developments have larger tracts.

[At-Chilles]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

A side comment: As this region grows, its becoming peopled with more highly educated workers...this pushes out crime and brings about accountable government because of their non-tacit involvement.
That, in my mind, should be a prime consideration, as you seem to be coming here from another country. Good luck.

HAR! I may not be from the mid-atlantic region, but I promise you I am not from a foreign country!

I actually lived/spent a year in Pittsburgh back in 1986 after I got out of the Marine Corps for four years.

I liked it back then, as it kinda reminded me of San Francisco, with all the hills, twisty streets and old homes. Yes I do, I like Pittsburgh!


Next step is a flight into DC and then a drive through the E. Panhandle, over-on-through the W. Panhandle.


Again - Thanks for everyone's help!

[clintsullivan]

(I'm a 36 year native of Jefferson County, currently I live just outside Shepherdstown)
If you're still deciding,,, It sounds like you've described the Eastern Panhandle:
-Easy commute to DC & Baltimore.. commuter train service MARC
-Gym & fitness centers in the area
-Artsy communities; we have Shepherdstown, Berkely Springs, Sharpsburg, Boonsboro, etc.
I can't help you with a pre-1930 home on a large lot,, those can be hard to find, but my well built 1980's house is on 8 acres which I have already subdvided into three lots.

[CTMountaineer]

More to do in the Northern Panhandle... both areas are easily within 2 1/2 hours of great whitewater... DC has more women per capita than anywhere in the world.

[Orwelleaut]

Northern Panhandle. Eastern is too close to D.C. and Maryland, too close to the Northeast.

[clintsullivan]

Eastern Panhandle does have the Potomac & Shenandoah rivers for some mild whitewater fun.