SperlingViews - Cumberland, Maryland

Don't move here because the governor and state legislature raise all types of taxes including Business taxes. Also the other reason to discourage people to move here is this Property Taxes the local government wants to raise Property taxes by 35 to 40 percent in which if you want to buy a house it will cost more to pay property taxes on the side of your mortgage. You will have less money every month if anyone moves here. You'll buy less food. Take less or no vacations. You'll put less money in the bank because the government is taking more money out of your pay check if you work for somebody. One more thing to discourage anyone moving this City has vandalism, breakins, people that disrespect you, Illegal Drugs, assault, and so on.[read more...]

For a more accurate view of Cumberland, search zipcode 21502--Cumberland is scattered over several hills and creek beds, and the zip more accurately reflects the whole than searching the city name (city limits) only. Some locals like to say, "To get to Cumberland from Baltimore, get on Interstate 70 West and go back a hundred years." That's not quite fair, but there is some truth in it. UPS: Old, small-town feel, charming local steam railroad and C & O canal attract tourists, Friday evenings downtown in the summer with live music and lots of people to meet and watch. DOWNS: Corrupt local government, crumbling infrastructure, extreme provincialism, drive an hour for shopping (Country Club Mall is a Wal-Mart anchored joke). The health system is the area's largest employer. Great place to retire. Summers are hot and short, winters are long and raw (mostly clammy and cold, with the occasional big snowfall). Expect an Appalachian snapshot in terms of people, economy and attitudes. Public schools are marginal, but there are excellent private Catholic schools.[read more...]

Job market is mostly service industry driven, some jobs are available in manufacturing (Bayliner is one example), however for those jobs the hourly rates are below the national average (A professional chef making $10/hr elsewhere could expect to make only $7 in Cumberland). The real estate market offsets nicely though (a house we purchased at $16K, that is sixteen thousand dollars, is valued at $265,000). Taxation if living within the City limits is actually double the amount outside the city limits. However, those within th City limits receive double access to services such as police, fire, and public transportation. The majority of the population are those that have been living here for a long time or have ancestral roots in the area.[read more...]