Hagerstown, MD - where to look, where to avoid?

Hi, all:  A year or two ago everyone was helpful in this thread when DD#2 moved to the Indy area.

This year, DD#2 is moving to the Hagerstown, MD area with her significant other, who is getting promoted / transferred to the Amazon location there.  This is on pretty short notice, unfortunately.  He is getting a moving bonus and a couple days' per diem for temporary lodging to find a place to live.

They will need an apartment for 2 there; as reasonably priced as possible for someplace that's not a dump, and hopefully within tolerable driving distance of the Amazon warehouse.

Does anybody have any suggestions or warnings I can share?  Neither of them knows much of anything about the area.

Thanks in advance!

[edit]  I believe he'll be on the west side of town, between 70 and 81.

I'm not that familiar with Hagerstown other than knowing where the Harbor Freight and the emergency veterinary clinic is, unfortunately. I think we may have a member in that area if I'm not mistaken.

Hagerstown isn't that big, and it might be worth looking at the surrounding small towns as well for a place to live.

Edit: According to the all-seeing Google, the Amazon warehouse is near the airport at the north end of town, between I-81 and US11. Looks like it's a bit closer to 11.

In reply to BoxheadTim :

Thanks!  There are several Amazon places around town.  The one he will be in is newer, and its just west of the downtown area, not the one near the airport.

In reply to Duke :

Ah, didn't realise that there were more than one. If it's the one on Wesel Blvd, that's close to the Harbor Freight and I know the area a little bit. I'd still consider looking West (and potentially South/Southwest) of town as it might be easier to do a short trip on 81 than trying to drive through Hagerstown. A lot of this depends on how far they want to travel.

BoxheadTim said:

In reply to Duke :

Ah, didn't realise that there were more than one. If it's the one on Wesel Blvd, that's close to the Harbor Freight and I know the area a little bit. I'd still consider looking West (and potentially South/Southwest) of town as it might be easier to do a short trip on 81 than trying to drive through Hagerstown. A lot of this depends on how far they want to travel.

Yes, it's one of the locations on Wesel, I believe.

I agree, somewhere west of town would be ideal, but apartment availability seems very thin that way.  Thanks for your advice.

In reply to Duke :

Yeah, I would expect most of that area either being houses or duplexes.

I've got some friends up that way, I'll check and see if they have any input

I don't know the area other than its in Maryland but a few miles North and you are in Peensylvania and a few miles SW and you are in West Virginia.  I suspect the greatest apt availability is in the actual town which is Maryland.  But, what it leads me to wonder is, are there any known benefits from living in one state over the other (MD, PA, WV.)  Anything like radically different taxes. 

As car guys we might think of things like vehicle inspections vs no vehicle inspections.  Often, people will seak out the "good schools" and those good schools ususally cost a lot in taxes.  As renters with no kids in school, rent prices might get cheaper as you head to the "low quality school" areas.  

Part of the problem is that there are a bunch of areas around there where the schools aren't the only low quality part.

Martinsburg/Falling Water has seen a lot of new housing recently, but it's mostly townhouses and single family homes from what I can see.

make sure to stop and eat at Hempen Hill BBQ, absolutely fantastic food and their oooey gooeys for dessert are to die for. We typically go down once a year to the hagerstown raceway for the flat track bike races. 

Outside of that, I won't be much help 

In reply to Mr_Asa :

Thanks!  I appreciate all input.

I work down in Hagerstown and live over the border on the Pennsylvania side.  My commute from the north side of Hagerstown puts me over the border in less than 5 minutes, so don't be afraid to look out of state in WV and PA along with MD itself.  Waynesboro, Greencastle, and Chambersburg are all good areas in PA to search.  If they want to stay in the Hagerstown area the best general suggestion I can give for a rental is go as far from Rt40 as your budget and commute time allows.  The 70/81 interchange can be a prime spot for accidents from time to time, especially when the weather isn't just bright and sunny.  There is plenty of shopping and chain stores in the area, with Hagerstown being the largest of the neighboring towns.

As for things to see and do the C&O Canal is close by with miles of trails to walk or bike, and the Appalacian trail isn't far to the east.  Harpers Ferry is a nice old town to the south.  A few area breweries to check out would be Cushwa, Roy Pitz, and GearHouse.  

If you have some other questions let me know! It seems I'm the most local thus far.

Cheeks said:

make sure to stop and eat at Hempen Hill BBQ, absolutely fantastic food and their oooey gooeys for dessert are to die for. We typically go down once a year to the hagerstown raceway for the flat track bike races. 

Outside of that, I won't be much help 

Unfortunately, Hempen Hill BBQ closed down during the pandemic. :(

In reply to Nitroracer (Forum Supporter) :

Excellent, thank you!

PA has waaay higher gas prices and our roads suck. But, we can at least carry guns on our person (with a permit). MD hates guns.

South Hagerstown is where to stay away from, the federal prison is tougher than Lorton or Laurel. Shepherdstown, WV  is the spot that I'd move to if commuting to Hageru, it's halfway to Summit Point. Closer to Hagerstown is Berkeley, WV. 

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

South Hagerstown is where to stay away from, the federal prison is tougher than Lorton or Laurel. Shepherdstown, WV  is the spot that I'd move to if commuting to Hageru, it's halfway to Summit Point. Closer to Hagerstown is Berkeley, WV. 

Have to agree here.  Lots of Hagerstown is spill off from Baltimore where the riff raff have moved out a ways.  

OK, thanks, folks.

I would assume they're trying to keep the commute reasonable; 20 minutes or so.  But I'll recommend they stay north of town.

Nitroracer (Forum Supporter) said:

Cheeks said:

make sure to stop and eat at Hempen Hill BBQ, absolutely fantastic food and their oooey gooeys for dessert are to die for. We typically go down once a year to the hagerstown raceway for the flat track bike races. 

Outside of that, I won't be much help 

Unfortunately, Hempen Hill BBQ closed down during the pandemic. :(

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

that is terrible news!

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

South Hagerstown is where to stay away from, the federal prison is tougher than Lorton or Laurel. Shepherdstown, WV  is the spot that I'd move to if commuting to Hageru, it's halfway to Summit Point. Closer to Hagerstown is Berkeley, WV. 

I assume you're talking about Berkeley County, WV (which includes Martinsburg and Falling Water) and not Berkeley Springs, WV (which is in Morgan County) - the latter is IMHO a bit too far if one is looking for a short commute. It's at least 35 minutes each way from downtown Berkeley Springs to the Harbor Freight I mentioned above as I know from experience.

Berkeley County should be a much easier commute, depending on how close to 81 you are. But keep in mind that there are some rough areas in Berkeley County as well.

My mother in law lives just to the east in Smithsburg. Lots of more country settings very nearby with farmland surrounding and Mennonite population. 

What kind of surroundings to they want?

Apexcarver said:

My mother in law lives just to the east in Smithsburg. Lots of more country settings very nearby with farmland surrounding and Mennonite population.

What kind of surroundings to they want?

They're twentysomethings, just moving in together, no kids.  They seem to want something on the suburban side, relatively modern, relatively typical.  They really only need a 1BR apartment, but I'm finding it easier to find 2BR places and the price difference is not large.

In reply to BoxheadTim :

A rough Berkeley is enjoyable every once and again

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to BoxheadTim :

A rough Berkeley is enjoyable every once and again

But you wouldn't want to live it every day.

The esson on 40 just off 70 sells ethanol fee gas for.the same.price as e10. 

sorry I have no knowledge about living there