Thinking of moving to Cumberland

[Tyrone]

My girlfirnd and I live in Arlington, VA and hate it. In our search for other places that offer uniqueness, no traffic, and a more balanced lifestyle, we came accross Cumberland. I would like to get more insider information about the place. Is it a good place to live? Is it safe? Is there a variety of things to do, if so, what? What is downtown like?

[Janine]

It's a small rural town. There isn't much to choose from in the way of shopping or restaurants and there are also 3 major prisons located nearby. Also the population is very Republican, not like in Rich Republican but ignorant redneck Republican. Look up the story on Joseph Darby, the whistleblower at Abu Grahaib and how he was treated by his home town. If you are basing your interest on the Wash Post article, be advised that some of those people are leaving town and attempting to unload their properties at a much higher price than they paid.

[Tyrone]

Thanks for the info. It is unfortunate this community's politics cannot be more moderate. Cumberland seemed like a unique mountain city.

[Lisa]

I've lived in Cumberland most of my life with a short stint in Tennessee. I love it here. Janine is correct that there is not much shopping here but most of us head to Hagerstown and Frederick for big shopping excursions. They are an easy drive and only 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours away. Other than being right about the shopping I was very impressed with the review of Janine. There is a heavy republican population but plenty of democrats to go around. "Moderate" is exactly the term I would have used for the political climate. We don't like to think of ourselves as uneducated. We have two colleges that many of us have attended for at least one degree. It is a low crime and low traffic area. The downtown area is experiencing a renaissance and leaning toward the arts. There are numerous galleries and several theatres on or around the downtown Cumberland Mall. We have two prisons in the area, one state and one federal. As for the third that Janine was talking about I guess she means the county jail but I would hope that every area has that. The prisons were the attempt of several politicians to bring "industry" to our area. They don't really cause any trouble for us but they provide an opportunity for people form the outside to look down on the area. It is a small town with small town friendliness and helpfulness. The scenery is beautiful and the downtown buildings are unique. A few are available for renovation. I think you should come for a visit. Plean to see the canal area and plan to be here for Friday and Saturday nights on the downtown mall where you can hear local talent and meet people as "Friday after Five" runs all summer and is small town at it's best.

[Graham]

Moving from Arlington is gonna be a huge change. There's about a 40,000 dollar difference in median household income. Also, depending on what kind of job you're looking for, you won't have much selection. Maybe look for something more central Maryland like Annapolis. Less drastic change, unique/historical, still has traffic but not nearly as bad as nova traffic. And there are plenty of jobs available

[Douglas]

I've lived near Cumberland since 1994. Most of these people have never read a serious book in their lives yet they think they know everything about everything. If you happen to have your own opinions, apart from the herd-mentality of dumbed-down TV watchers--don't expect to make any friends around here. And don't expect to find any actual art aside from flattering self-portraits of church steeples and mountains. These people never met a war they didn't like. It's like Munich Germany in the 1930s except everybody is smug and quite about their fascism--if not outright proud of it. And the churches are all Rapture-Fundamentalist: even the big denominations.

[friend]

You might prefer Morgantown,West Virginia which is currently booming.

[Mark]

My father lives in Cumberland and I visit as often as I can. I lived there in the late 70's and find that I miss it tremendously. It is beautiful and there are many very intelligent people there. The scenary is magnificant and you are very wrong about the religions. Move to Norfolk...the Looney Baptists are here. Saint Peter and Pauls Catholic church is beautiful and St. Thomas Lutheran Church has very rare stained glass. I think you need to learn a little bit more about your city instead of being an elitist.

Douglas wrote:

I've lived near Cumberland since 1994. Most of these people have never read a serious book in their lives yet they think they know everything about everything. If you happen to have your own opinions, apart from the herd-mentality of dumbed-down TV watchers--don't expect to make any friends around here. And don't expect to find any actual art aside from flattering self-portraits of church steeples and mountains. These people never met a war they didn't like. It's like Munich Germany in the 1930s except everybody is smug and quite about their fascism--if not outright proud of it. And the churches are all Rapture-Fundamentalist: even the big denominations.

[Lacy]

i am up here from Baltimore on a job lasting 18 months- its the pitts!The poeple are more on the poor side and they act like rednecks even though if the "typical republican" were to come out here they would totally disown them. I wouls say they are about 50 years behind here and I do have froends who are born and bred here- but they are very country and so i would say it took them the 30 years they have been alive to get accustomed to here. Long story short there is zero going on here- no jobs- no social activity- no shopping - not even an air condidioned movie theater! DON't move here!

[skyblue2]

Cumberland is a very nice place to live and raise children,IF you can find the right employment. That is the most negative aspect of this area. Most people here have to commute to Hagerstown or further for decent and better paying jobs. There are plenty of Repubs and Dems here,and since when would that affect where you live? But Cumberland has its positives: Yep,we arent DC or Baltimore,but then again,who needs murder,rape,burglary EVERY day in their town.

[Lacy]

There are a huge amount of sex offenders in this small area- look it up in the registry and you may be in for a suprise- not to mention there are murders and robberies very often as well. I def, would not raise kids here.

[skyblue2]

Wow,Lacy,I'm a bit surprised by your comments. Do you think Baltimore is a safe place to raise children?just wondering. There can be no comparison in the violence in Baltimore and Cumberland. Every town has problems,but others have MORE. I raised a son here and he's just fine. Typically,how your children turn out has more to do with their upbringing than the area you live in. As for sex offenders,you can find those in EVERY town in the U.S. if you look hard enough.

[skyblue2]

So,Tyrone,where did you move to?:) Its been over a year!

[Mark]

I'll just finish up with one thing. I love Cumberland and if able, would love to move there after retiring from the military. As I said, my father lives and works there, and I love visiting it every chance I get. I love the smell of clean air in the morning, the friendliness of the people...it's just enjoyable.
That being said, Cumberland has it's problems...it's just that it is smaller in size, so the problems are magnified compared to Baltimore where it is large and the infrastructure is better suited to deal with it. Also, in many of the small surrounding
towns, or what use to be considered towns...on the outskirts, there is poverty...quite a bit, but these are the hard working blue collar workers.
That being said...I love it there and would love to move back. Whenever able, I try to get back.

[John]

Yep, skyblue2 is exactly right. Cumberland really is a nice place, if you can find a good job. Good jobs are just really hard to come by which is why most people commute out of Cumberland to work.

There is definitely very little shopping, most people drive the hour to Hagerstown or Altoona. Night life is decent most of the time, but it certainly isn't like a big city with major night clubs or anything like that.

You will have your share of Rep's around here, but that certainly doesn't mean you won't find any Democrats either (I am a Democrat as are roughly half the people I know). But I don't know why anyone would base moving somewhere based on the political parties, but that's just me.

Lacy, you are absolutely crazy about the crime in Cumberland. Look up the facts. "Murders and robberies very often..." ??? Cumberland averages a murder of 1 per year. I wouldn't say that is bad for a city of 20,000+

[Kathy]

Lacy, I don't know what Cumberland you live in, but it can't be in Maryland. I've lived here all my life and the movie theatres are air conditioned! That is too funny!

Then you speak of the murders? There have been maybe 5 or 6 that I can think of in the last 15 years.

Shopping is a problem and so are the lack of jobs. We do have prisons here and that is bringing some problems with it. With the economy in the shape it is right now I don't expect jobs to be popping up any time soon. As for raising a family here, you couldn't ask for better. It is a beautiful town....give us a try!

[Lacy]

Kathy i live near to Pucnin's and i wen to the AMC last month= there were ceiling fans and no AC- i kiid you not.

[Lacy]

Pucini's sorry.

[Transplant from philly]

I came to Cumberland in 1971, I would not move away for million dollars. I have found this town to be the best to bring up my son in, the friendliest place to meet people, & one of the most beautiful places to see. Churches, steeples, autumn leaves,Friday after 5 music, theatre, Rocky gap Lodge,Deep creek Lake ,Not to mention deer in your back yard, foxes & occasionally bears too ! Itis good to have a safe feeling of going to bed & not worrying that I forgot to lock my door the night before& waking up & everything is there !!!Sure we are a little behind all the big city woes. When I moved here Heroin was bad in Philly & burbs, It has reached here after 35 years but not of epidemic proportions. Kids who are hooked stemmed from peer pressure. Those who have a good foundation go & do well in life. Colleges are excellent! Allegany college of Md & Frostburg State university offer the best education to those who chose to be educated.
Give me Cumberland any day over City living...
Lacy,friends are a dime a dozen. People treat you the way they are treated.I really don't get where you are coming from...but if you ever venture out of this great cozy town & see what the rest of the world is like, perhaps you will appreciate what a lovely place this really is to live.

[Transplant from philly]

Please everyone who reads this, I urge you to get registered to vote ! Oct 14 is the last day to register We need a change. Not everyone in this town is Rebublican.Can you honestly say you are any better off than you were 8 years ago when the Bush regime started ???
Please vote for change, Vote for Obama. hopefully he will be the man to come in & clean up the mess this country is in !
I'm a democrat & proud of it !