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I didn't think MD had any mountainous areas? Also, from what I've read, MD has a relatively high tax burden and isn't a particularly tax friendly state for retirees. Is that not correct?
I didn't think MD had any mountainous areas? Also, from what I've read, MD has a relatively high tax burden and isn't a particularly tax friendly state for retirees. Is that not correct?
Everything west of Hagerstown, Maryland is very mountainous. Geographically and culturally, it fits in much better with WV than the rest of MD. I’m not sure about taxes in that area of the state, but typically the cost of living in MD is significantly higher overall than WV.
I didn't think MD had any mountainous areas? Also, from what I've read, MD has a relatively high tax burden and isn't a particularly tax friendly state for retirees. Is that not correct?
Western Maryland is mountainous, as mmccul explains and is just across the river from WV. That is the reason I post in this forum sometimes, the first ridge I see outside my window is Knobley Mtn. WV in Mineral County.
Maryland is not known a friendly state for taxes or retirees, but the details are more complicated. This topic comes up frequently in the MD forum, so I would suggest posting there or searching for existing threads. As for Western Maryland, you are talking about the same vibe as Northern WV and SW PA. Housing prices are cheap for most of the area, you are 2.5 hours from Baltimore, Washington, or Pittsburgh. Where I live in Cumberland, it does get hot and humid in the summer, if you head about 15-20 miles west into the Garrett County the temperatures are 10-15 degrees cooler on average. That said, Garrett County gets about 100 inches or more of snow ever year, so back to the same dilemma.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I plan to visit family in D.C in the next few weeks and hope to take a day to drive to WVA and check out areas around Petersburg, Elkins, etc. to confirm further interest. Google indicates the drive to Petersburg is about 3 hr. and Elkins about 4 hr. What areas are must-see with the limited amount of time I have?
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I plan to visit family in D.C in the next few weeks and hope to take a day to drive to WVA and check out areas around Petersburg, Elkins, etc. to confirm further interest. Google indicates the drive to Petersburg is about 3 hr. and Elkins about 4 hr. What areas are must-see with the limited amount of time I have?
Thanks!
I guess you mean communities more than touristy stuff, right?
If so, you probably want to check out some of the smaller towns around those places, or pick a rural road to get a feel for what conditions are like at different elevations. Rt. 48 (a future interstate in theory) would be a good corridor to explore. Parsons, Thomas and Davis in Tucker County are attractive options for you criteria as well and all are on Rt. 48
All, would like suggestions as to small towns for possible retirement in the WVA area to consider and visit.
I currently live near Albuquerque, NM, in a somewhat rural area in low elevation mountains at 7k ft elevation. I’d like an area with more precipitation and varied vegetation than the pinion and juniper that’s typical in my area. I was planning on retiring in Colorado, but the rapidly increasing real estate prices, the worsening drought conditions, etc. have me considering other areas. Additionally, I’d like to be closer to family that lives in the eastern part of the country.
I’m mid-60s and in excellent health, which, of course, can change. I like back country hiking and outdoor activities. Don’t hunt or fish, but enjoy kayaking and canoeing. I’m not religious and am a registered independent. I don’t plan on needing a job after retirement.
I visited Shenandoah National Park a couple of years ago and thought the area was very scenic, but I’d like a more mountainous area. I visited Western North Carolina including the Smoky Mountains National Park last year and again earlier this year and liked the area, but it seems pretty crowded relative to what I’m used to in the west, and property seems expensive although it’s still a better deal than in the west. I recognize that the mountains in WVA and WNC aren’t really comparable to the Rocky Mountains in the west, but there is more water and foliage, which is attractive to me. I’d prefer to purchase a property with 10 acres or more in a quiet, rural area. A small town within a half hour drive that has a local brew pub, grocery store, hardware store, auto parts, gas station, and possibly a family practice doctor and dentist would be ideal. Although I don’t fly much anymore, I’d like to be no more than 2 hr. away from an airport, so that I can fly out and visitors can fly in relatively easily.
Any suggested towns/areas that I should visit? I enjoy hiking the many 12k - 14k ft peaks in New Mexico and Colorado, and although these elevations aren’t present in the east, is it possible to get away from people in the mountains and on trails, or do they get a lot of use? I’m ok with snow and cold temps, so winter weather isn’t much of a factor for me.
Thanks in advance.
My situation is quite similar yours. Hopefully, we can get more comments.
I guess you mean communities more than touristy stuff, right?
If so, you probably want to check out some of the smaller towns around those places, or pick a rural road to get a feel for what conditions are like at different elevations. Rt. 48 (a future interstate in theory) would be a good corridor to explore. Parsons, Thomas and Davis in Tucker County are attractive options for you criteria as well and all are on Rt. 48
I second Thomas and Davis. I think you’ll really like it and it will fit what you’re looking for!
I was able to spend a day and from D.C. drive through parts of WV last week. I took US48 west through Moorefield, Davis, Thomas, Parsons, and into Elkins. On the return, I took US33 through Bowden and Harman, then state highway 55 through Seneca Rocks and up to Petersburg.
US48 was very scenic with the trees changing colors. With the exception of Moorefield (due to the Pilgrim processing plant) I found most of the towns pretty. Thomas is a very cute town, but small. Elkins looks to have a well developed downtown, but, unfortunately, for much of the drive, it was rainy with low clouds, so I couldn't get a feel for the surrounding topography in some of the areas.
I plan to visit again and spend more time. Are there other parts of eastern WV that I should investigate?
I was able to spend a day and from D.C. drive through parts of WV last week. I took US48 west through Moorefield, Davis, Thomas, Parsons, and into Elkins. On the return, I took US33 through Bowden and Harman, then state highway 55 through Seneca Rocks and up to Petersburg.
US48 was very scenic with the trees changing colors. With the exception of Moorefield (due to the Pilgrim processing plant) I found most of the towns pretty. Thomas is a very cute town, but small. Elkins looks to have a well developed downtown, but, unfortunately, for much of the drive, it was rainy with low clouds, so I couldn't get a feel for the surrounding topography in some of the areas.
I plan to visit again and spend more time. Are there other parts of eastern WV that I should investigate?
Thanks!
Glad you made it. Elkins is a decent enough size town for anyone. Down the road is a nice historic town - Beverly. Not sure you made it there. As far as Eastern WV I've been to Berkeley Springs a few times years ago and loved it. Harper's Ferry also looks nice.
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