Retire in Cumberland (Baltimore, Frederick, Hagerstown: for sale, rentals, houses)

[bkwriter]

I retire next year and can't afford/don't want to live in Baltimore City any longer. The top of the list is Vermont (going in a few weeks to look), Pittsburgh and Cumberland (which I've visited a lot over the decades). Lots of good info on this forum about Cumberland, except hospitals (important because I'm old and, you know). Vermont has 2 excellent medical centers (one in New Hampshire just over the line). Pittsburgh is renowned for its hospitals. Can someone fill me in about Cumberland? The plan is to retire within an hour (30 minutes is even better) of a good hospital, not a backwater. Our plan is to sell our house, decide on an area (we like mountains and cold weather; going south isn't an option) and then rent for a year before we buy. Our combined retirement income will be around $60K (which should be fine for Western Maryland).

Other questions about Cumberland: can someone point us to a good source for rentals? I've checked Craigslist and the listings are sparse (and look phony; no addresses and only 1 photo). Also, what's the internet situation? Hard to imagine it would be worse than Baltimore (unless it's dial up). Thanks in advance for your help.

[westsideboy]

I'm not a fan our local hospital...but it is relatively new, built within the last 5-10 years. They have a good reputation for heart health care, look up Dr. Mark Nelson. But other than that, I avoid it. The good news is that Morgantown is home to the WVU Ruby Medical Center/Hospital, which is quite good. It is a bit over an hour from Cumberland, closer still to Frostburg and Garrett County.

Honestly, the best way to find rentals is to look in the paper times-news.com There are some sketchy streets in town, so I would advise asking me (or anyone else familiar with the area) about the neighborhoods in question before you rent.

[bkwriter]

Thanks! Maybe closer to Morgantown is the answer. Or in, although I've been underwhelmed by that town on a few visits. Not many rentals listed in the Times-News, at least right now.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by bkwriter

The top of the list is Vermont (going in a few weeks to look), Pittsburgh and Cumberland (which I've visited a lot over the decades).

On the negative side about Vermont is that it taxes Social Security income. It is also rated one of the worst states for the treatment of retiree income, with a high income tax rate. New Hampshire is somewhat better as it does not tax Social Security or other retirement income, and it has no sales tax. I rely on Kiplinger's for information.

Otherwise, I agree that it is good to locate near good medical facilites.

[LudditeMan]

Don't retire in MD, don't do it man..

Retire in PA, it's the best place to retire since no tax on your retirement.

[bkwriter]

What if I move to a place in PA with high property taxes? It's not really that cut-and-dried, is it? NH doesn't have an income tax, but the property taxes can be brutal. Yeah, Vermont is a high-tax state. But maybe you get something in return. For one thing, it's Vermont, not frigging (for example) Delaware (or Hanover, PA, where my parents retired because retirement income wasn't taxed; what a dump). I live in Baltimore City now, pay something like 2 1/2 times the property tax of surrounding counties. But the trade-off is, I don't live in one of the (boring) surrounding counties. Bottom line, I'm not opposed to taxes. End of rant.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by bkwriter

Thanks! Maybe closer to Morgantown is the answer. Or in, although I've been underwhelmed by that town on a few visits. Not many rentals listed in the Times-News, at least right now.

Northern Garrett County is a good option if you want to be closer to Ruby in Morgantown, but still stay in Maryland. There are little towns like Grantsville if you want a town setting, and of course, plenty of rural, wooded areas.

I don't know very much about the small towns on I-68 between the WV line and Morgantown. As always, living or driving regularly though Garrett County requires comfort driving in the snow, but if VT is also on your list, I am guessing you are OK with it.

Also, you probably should gather a variety of opinions on the hospital in Cumberland (WMHS) before writing the city off completely. I'm not a fan of the hospital, but that's just me.

[htownterp]

Why don't you check out Hancock in Washington County? It's in the valley of the mountains and close to healthcare in Hagerstown/Frederick. Cheap housing, gaining a reputation as an art and recreation community.

[diamondeye]

You might wish to consider right across the river in Ridgeley, West Virginia. It's lower taxes all around, within a stone's throw of downtown Cumberland, but far enough out of town that you're not dealing with Cumberland's social problems. Plus, a few minutes drive out there are some larger lots as opposed to houses right on top of each other, much more privacy. Also, the houses are generally a few decades newer, i.e., more ranchers/ramblers, etc.

[bkwriter]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll make it a point to stop in Ridgely. I've been to Hancock.It's really small, didn't see a lot of houses for sale. I like the proximity to the C&O Trail, though (ditto Cumberland).