Is York County Becoming Marylandized? What About Adams County?
Cats: Adams County, Maryland, Pennsylvania, York County|I think what he means is that there has been an influx of Marylanders migrating north to Pennsylvania, primarily York and Adams counties, mainly due to Carroll County’s moratorium on new housing starts. But also because the economy allowed it. Remember, before gas prices shot up, people could afford the commute south to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Now they can’t. In fact, they are selling their SUVs. And you can bet that fewer people are buying houses north of the state line.
As Klotz rightly points out, the more mountains then the more sparse the population. That’s probably why Adams and York counties are the least populated - though fastest growing - counties in the state. But what does this have to do with tourism? Well, nothing, really. But if you’re visiting Adams County any time soon you can leave thanking your lucky stars you don’t live here even if you DID enjoy your 400th trip to the most famous battlefield on earth.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Thanks for your thoughts building off of mine. I think your analysis is right on, especially about the consequences for “bedroom communities” that primarily house commuters.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Hate to say it, but my father and I just moved up from Westminster to Gettysburg for just that reason. We rented a farm down there for 30 years and when the landlord died and the estate sold all three of his farms, we were tossed on the streets. We couldn’t afford a house in Maryland at all, so it’s up here that we came. Didn’t realize that Marylander’s weren’t really wanted here though.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Crystal, first, thanks for your comment. But I really don’t understand how you got that Marylanders aren’t welcome in Gettysburg from this blog post. It doesn’t say anything even close to that.
Being from Texas, I’ve never experienced anything but a friendly nod from people in this area. I don’t think anyone around here has a problem with you moving to Gettysburg if this is where you want to make your home.
October 16th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Oh I didn’t mean your blog specifically, I apologize. I mean the general attitude I’ve noticed in Gettysburg about Marylander’s migrating up here. I’ve had family that has lived in Orrtanna for years, and considering all of the tourists that go through Gettysburg regularly, I don’t know why some people take issue with us Marylander’s moving up here.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Part of the reason that you might see resistance to the Marylanders is taxes. Look at the homes that were built in Hanover and the Pigeon hills. They were built on farm land and the new houses are not typical houses for the area. They stick out like a sore thumb. But more importantly, they raised taxes. Mcmansions do that everywhere they go. But it’s not just the houses; it’s the fact that with the influx of people moving in the tax base changed and more tax dollars are needed that raised everyone’s taxes and for the folks that have lived here all their lives that is a big thing. I see my grandparents who are on a fixed budget dealing with a lot more taxes simply because of the influx of residents. And, more importantly, those residents are not becoming a part of the community. They are here simply to sleep. They eat, shop, and play in Maryland….so no new revenues and no new friends, just new taxes….Is it right, no; is it a fact? Yes. To change the mindset of the natives, the new residents would have to become a part of the tight community…..just my thoughts
October 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Crystal, thanks for the clarification. Everywhere I’ve ever been there have been people who didn’t want change or didn’t welcome newcomers. I used to edit a community newspaper in Texas for one of the fastest growing small towns in the state. The attitude of a large majority of homeowners there, most of whom had moved to the town themselves within the past 10 years, was the city needed to maintain strict zoning laws in order to keep out the other people moving in. They wanted free admission to paradise, but they wanted the gates to close behind them.
I don’t know how that applies to your situation, but I understand where you’re coming from. I have not experienced that, though. It may be because my wife is originally from this area and so there are some roots planted.
Again, thanks for the comments on the subject.
Native, your case makes sense. No one likes to see their taxes go up. New homes always put a strain on municipal services, which causes everyone’s taxes to go up. That’s a simple fact and a reality we all have to live with. Unfortunately (or, fortunately, if you will), property rights does not allow local governments much leeway in shutting people out.