Anybody from around Hagerstown, MD?

[trof]

We're kinda, sorta, maybe thinking about moving to the area.

[oneighty]

1. I have passed through there number of times

And always wondered why would anyone live here. But then they do not suffer from continuous hurrycanes. How did you make out Trof?

180

[trof]

6. Dennis was no menace.

At least not for us.

[madmom]

2. I was born and raised in....

Cumberland about an hour west of there. Haven't lived there in about 30 years. My parents and son and his family live in the area and I have to say honestly if I had to pick between there and NW Ohio(where I live now) I would pick there. I really hate Ohio! and every thing it stands for.

[madinmaryland]

7. That's where I grew up.

(NW - Ohio - Ada) Left there over twenty years ago, and they are still represented by Oxley! I've been in Maryland just over a year and really like it (except for our Governer "bobby bighair").

Hagerstown & Frederick are quite red. Also known for Klan activity (mostly underground these days), but that does say something about the area.

[Zuni]

8. It isn't that bad

if there is a "klan" up there, it is probably more like 5 drunk rednecks having a costume party. For the most part, it isn't too bad

[MountainLaurel]

3. Isn't Hagerstown

Home to the guard unit Lynndie England was in? It was either there or Cumberland.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. I sometimes play in an orchestra there...

It's about 1.5 hours from Washington DC, in a pretty red area, though that could change. There's some beautiful country surrounding the town, but it's rapidly being developed. It won't be 20 years before Washington DC, Rockville, Frederick, and Hagerstown are one big blob.

[SeanQuinn]

5. The Mets have a A-ball affiliate there.

The Hagerstown Sun. Take the family out to a game, and it'll be a fun night. That's all I know.

[seemunkee]

9. Why there?

Don't know Hagerstown. You will be near some nice recreation areas. Catoctin mt, the C&O canal, Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, and the Appalachian Trail. Frederick has all your big box shopping covered along with some a nice boutique,antique, and restaurant area. Shepherdstown WV is nice little town with good restaurants and shopping also.
It is a pretty red area though.

[trof]

10. Short answer: 500 miles to Boston and no hurricanes.

The long answer:
Our daughter and family live in Boston and we'd like to be closer.
We're now 1500 miles away. A 7 1/2 - 8 hour drive would be nice.
Due to cost of living in MA and cold/snow/ice we can't/don't-want-to settle up there. Climate and COL in the MD panhandle look like something we could deal with.

This hurricane sh*t is getting OLD. We still haven't fully recovered from Ivan. Luckily we dodged the Dennis bullet, but, like most down here, when it hit 4 and was headed straight for us, we vamoosed.

[seemunkee]

12. You'll still get snow and ice in Hagerstown

Maybe not as much but it will be there. DC is kind of a dividing line between rain/snow/sleet. It's a real mixed bag. Generally north of Montgomery County you will get the snow and ice instead of the rain.

It's not an 8 hour drive to Boston from there. My son is in school there and it takes about 10+ depending on traffic.

[trof]

14. Just did it in a little less than 8 hours. Here's how:

From Boston:
Masspike to Taconic Parkway. (no trucks allowed on Taconic)
Taconic to I-84W to Scranton & I-81S to Hagerstown.
499 miles. One pit stop.

I avoid driving on interstates in CN like the plague.
Those drivers are nuts.
I usually do 10% over the posted speed limit.
Never been stopped at those speeds.

[seemunkee]

15. REALLY?

I'll have to try that. I usually go straight up the 95 corridor and stop to see my brother in Mamaroneck. The hell with my bro, he can come see me.

[trof]

16. I-95 = TruckWorld

The Taconic is a little wind-ee, but very little traffic until you get close to I-84. Posted at 55, but I did 65 and a few cars passed me. Never saw a cop.

Masspike is posted at 65, but you'll get run over if you stick to that. Prepare to do 75+ if you like the fast lane. Toll from Rt. 128/I-95 to Taconic was about $2.35?

Worst part of I-84 is from Scranton down to where it crosses I-80. Lots of trucks and construction. After that it's pretty much clear sailing.

Years ago a state trooper told me that speed cops will usually spot you 10% over the speed limit.
NOT 10 MPH, 10 PER CENT.
Just don't be in-your-face about it. If you see a cop, back off to the limit until you're out of his sight.
In a 65 zone, I do 72. Never had a problem.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

18. I've done it in less than 8 hours too-you just have to drive off peak

times. MD is a beautiful state, and has a cheaper cost of living than Boston. Western MD, however, gets a lot more snow than the rest of MD.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

11. We have several friends there

They're quite angry with Bush. They love it there, and we always enjoy visiting them. It's a beautiful area and quite close to DC and Civil War battlefields (if that interests you). One friend is a prominent internist in town, and I can recommend him highly for your medical care!

[trof]

17. Thanks. A good doc is something we'd need.

We may stay here and move inland a bit.
Just kicking the idea around right now.

[Burma Jones]

13. I'm a little south of Hagerstown

It's at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 81, so there's work. I think it's less red than most parts of Alabama, but more red than most of Maryland. You're close to DC, Pittsburgh and B-more. You're close to a lot of great hiking and camping in MD and WV. If you've been to places like Lebanon or Carlisle in Pennsylvania, you'll have a pretty good idea of what Hagerstown is like.

[MountainLaurel]

19. Have you X-posted in the MD forum?

That might be your best bet.

[trof]

20. Now why didn't I think of that?

thanks

[MountainLaurel]

21. I have occasional moments of clarity

You happened to benefit from today's.

B-)