Ready to try rural life; where should we go?

[Anonymous]

I responded above but am not the OP. You're just a troll.

Anonymous wrote:So you're looking for like-minded insufferable people? Yeah Easton MD or anywhere where there is "horse farming" is probably a good bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.

OP here, when you've lived in New Delhi for four years, it sure as shit will be an adventure.

God OP you sound insufferable..."look at me! I lived in India with all the natives! I'm ready for some peace and quiet!" Eww.

OP isn't the one who sounds insufferable. The bitchy responses are over the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have liberal friends in Easton MD (not super rural, but small town), Point of Rocks (probably the fewest other liberals nearby), Frostburg (schools are crap; they use parochial), and Harrisonburg VA (this would be my choice). You could also look near Ellicott City--Howard County schools are great and you'd be close to Baltimore and DC if you did want to visit a city or need medical care. I go through Middletown MD sometimes on the way to camping and visiting family, and always think it is SO CUTE.

I agree with the PPs that you need to start small, think about what you want to do with the land, and not expect any return on investment. Also note that opioid addiction is a huge issue in many of these counties--are you prepared for needles in the park, people OD'ing in the bathrooms of libraries, etc.?

We're moving to Middletown. It's a mix of neighborhoods (some new, some established) and larger properties (2+ acres). excellent schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you're looking for like-minded insufferable people? Yeah Easton MD or anywhere where there is "horse farming" is probably a good bet.

You sound bitter. My guess is that you regret your housing choice so you need to attack those who chose differently to make yourself feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi, we are a family formerly based in DC (proper) who joined the Foreign Service and have now lived overseas for 6 years. We are coming back for 2 years and have decided to have an adventure and try living on some land.

Anywhere in VA or MD is fine as long as it's near a Marc line so spouse can commute in on Mondays and come home Fridays. Two or even 3 hours out is fine.

Schools are middle and elementary - we just need good schools with enthusiastic teachers who give a crap about the kids.

We are fairly liberal and would love to find a community that isn't too conservative.

Price up to $600K but preferably lower! Somewhere between 5 and 20 acres.

Any thoughts based on those factors?

The places I've found mentioned so far are New Windsor/New Market/Frederick in Maryland (I was in Frederick this summer and it was adorable) and also Warrentown / Winchester VA and Shephardstown WV.

Thank you!

I thought liberals were suppose to be open-minded to those who are different.... no?

Some conservatives are pretty chill as long as you're not hostile whereas others don't hesitate to tell you that you're going to hell and you're a godless commie. And some rural areas don't really want to deal with you until you've been in the area 20 years. Even then, you're still the new guy. Likewise you've got liberals that are fine and other liberals who won't hesitate to tell you about your lack of wokeness.

A lot of your entertainment options depend on how near town you are. Being 10 minutes from Winchester along 522 is a different animal than being on Route 9 near Paw Paw or even out near Davis WV. But it'll be hard to live in a rural area and be disdainful of church. Most small cities in VA and WV still have an Episcopal Church of varying degrees of health, and there'll be other mainline Protestant churches you could join. Likewise, consider joining a social/service club (Lions, Elks, Moose, etc.) I hope you like HS sports as well, those are major community events.

IIRC, NOVA and I'd imagine Montgomery College/PGCC offer classes/seminars on rural living.

Rockingham (near Harrisonburg), Augusta (near Staunton), and Frederick (near Winchester) counties in VA are some of the most conservative counties in the whole state of VA. Different animal than living in western PWC.

As for heroin I thought Baltimore City had more heroin deaths than the entire rest of the state. But I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore City accounts for approximately 1/3 of opioid deaths in the state (prescription drugs, heroin, fentanyl). That's the case for overall drug overdose deaths as well.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore has a higher number of opioid and overall drug/alcohol deaths but many counties in western MD and WV have a higher per capita death rate. And OP isn't considering living in Baltimore City so issues there are not as relevant as issues in the places she does want to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, we are a family formerly based in DC (proper) who joined the Foreign Service and have now lived overseas for 6 years. We are coming back for 2 years and have decided to have an adventure and try living on some land.

Anywhere in VA or MD is fine as long as it's near a Marc line so spouse can commute in on Mondays and come home Fridays. Two or even 3 hours out is fine.

Schools are middle and elementary - we just need good schools with enthusiastic teachers who give a crap about the kids.

We are fairly liberal and would love to find a community that isn't too conservative.

Price up to $600K but preferably lower! Somewhere between 5 and 20 acres.

Any thoughts based on those factors?

The places I've found mentioned so far are New Windsor/New Market/Frederick in Maryland (I was in Frederick this summer and it was adorable) and also Warrentown / Winchester VA and Shephardstown WV.

What is DC proper? Is there DC improper (one can only imagine).

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anywhere on MARC will not be rural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You must have no friends.

They move around every couple of years. Of course they have no friends.

OP here, I just have to ask why someone would take the time to write this? I know you don't know me and all, and I won't justify my life to strangers, but for not one person but two to be nasty for no reason, I just don't get it. Is this how you want your children to behave? Is this who you're raising them to be? Try to do better.

LOL. You take DCUM far too seriously. I can see why you want to be alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rural areas don’t tend to be liberal.

yeah but everyone's nice as long as you're white and don't talk about politics.

You are astoundingly ignorant.

OP, we live on 50 acres and all the land surrounding ours is owned by family. We aren't near DC right now.

It's wonderful! I love not having neighbors on top of me. I love that I can actually see tbe stars. I love the quiet. I love the fresh air and the slower pace. When my kids were little they had so much freedom. We do have a large garden and we have livestock. It's a lot of work. But to us, it's worth every bit. The best part is having our huge family over often. Two of our kids are married and we have two grandchildren. My sisters are married with kids and grandkids. My parents and inlaws are fairly young and very healthy. We have a large pool in our backyard and a big pond. We have so much fun spending time together on our little farm. The space makes it so nice. Some of the kids camped out in the woods on our property over the weekend. There is always something for the kids to do.

I would say most people in my area lean conservative (but are not Trump supporters at all). But unlike the "tolerant liberals" in this thread, I'm ok with that. I'm very liberal but living near people who are different than I am is ok with me. I don't just talk about how great diversity is. I actually live it. The town nearest us is probably about 30% AA. We also have a large Indian and Hispanic population. Not sure why, actually. But it's wonderful. It's definitely not an all white area.

Some of you oh so tolerant, educated liberals might consider leaving your bubble occasionally.

It's great for you as a white person to be tolerant of people who support policies that greatly disadvantage minorities. How great of you. It's also ridiculous to tell minirities to "leave their bubbles." Newsflash: they're not the majority. Therefore they leave their bubbles every single day b

[Anonymous]

If I were you I would totally be living on a river or lake. This property caught my eye.

https://www.redfin.com/WV/Shepherdstown/384-Potomac-Ridge-Ln-25443/home/144129601

[Anonymous]

How about Damascus? Linganore-Bartonsville might be another option. Are you more into exburbs living, not truly rural? Plenty of that in Damascus and north of it. I think MD is pretty liberal overall, but for two years I don't think it is relevant that much. Will you and the kids be staying stateside after two years or moving? If buying, home appreciation is not good right not in more exburb/ rural area. Laytonsville is also a good option if you don't need high school for kids. I say this as there have been fights in Gaithersburg High, it was on the news. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Just to add, it will be hard to find 20 acres...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baltimore City accounts for approximately 1/3 of opioid deaths in the state (prescription drugs, heroin, fentanyl). That's the case for overall drug overdose deaths as well.

well it's bc many refuse to politely die in their own jurisdictions