Hagerstown

The Northwest section of Hagerstown, Maryland is an uptown weave of wide streets, cul-de-sacs and green lawns with leafy mature trees that is just within the city limits. “North of the railroad tracks in that area is entirely residential,” says Shirley Bayer, associate broker with RE/MAX Achievers, who has 35 years of experience in the area. “It’s popular because it’s quiet, not a lot of train noise, and it’s also within walking distance of downtown and very convenient to Dual Highway or to Interstates 81 and 70.” The neighborhood’s retained home value commends it to prospective buyers, while its strong school district endears it to families. Its proximity to outdoor recreation amenities, shopping destinations and the downtown district all serve to make Northwest Hagerstown an appealing community in Western Maryland. There is an intriguing mix of homes available in Northwest Hagerstown, from closely clustered townhouses speckled through cul-de-sacs to renovated midcentury single-family homes with small front and backyards. “You see a lot of wide, tree-lined streets and older homes with a lot of character,” Bayer says. “That’s something you don’t find much of anymore, and there’s a real pride of ownership because of it. The northwest quadrant of Hagerstown has always been the best area for resale value within the city limits.” Townhouses come in single- and multi-story varieties and tend to cost between $250,000 and $370,000. Detached single-family options such as Cape Cods and ranch-style houses begin pricing around $270,000 and rise as high as $360,000 depending on age and the status of renovations. There are also several Colonial Revival duplexes available along Fairchild Avenue. These tend to cost between $236,000 and $290,000. Northwest Hagerstown is zoned for Fountaindale Elementary School, which earns an A-minus from Niche and is ranked as the No. 1 Best Public Elementary School in Washington County. Fountaindale is also within walking distance of most neighborhood homes. Students then proceed to Western Heights Middle, rated B-minus, which offers magnet program avenues in creative writing and the performing arts. They complete their educations at North Hagerstown High, also an A-minus and Niche’s No. 2 Best Public High School in the county. North Hagerstown has served the community since its inception in 1956. Hamilton Park features a picnic pavilion and a small playground for neighborhood children in the heart of Northwest Hagerstown's suburban streets, while Mills Park offers a jungle gym, slide and a paved loop that circles the communal lawn. Just across the train tracks is Kenneth E. Dudley Field, which has hosted the local Federal Little League since its establishment in 1954. The neighborhood is also just 2 miles from Fairgrounds Park, where locals will find the skate park, the ice rink, an outdoor roller hockey rink, several multi-use athletic fields and a walking path leading to the fishing pond at Pangborn Park. The closest grocery store to this neighborhood is the Walmart Supercenter in the Centre at Hagerstown strip mall, where locals can pick up fresh produce and household necessities in one fell swoop. Right next door is Home Depot for any weekend home projects. Folks can stop in at PetSmart to grab new toys for their furry friends, hit the gym at Crunch Fitness and swing by 2nd & Charles, a used book and media store with an extensive collection, to grab their next weekend read. Northwest Hagerstown is also home to several casual restaurants. Café del Sol is a local chain that specializes in California-style pizza and unique fusion dishes like the adobo tacos, which combine Asian and Latin American recipes, while Foster’s On The Point offers classic American pub food in a relaxed environment where neighbors meet up to watch sports games or listen to live music. Northwest Hagerstown is a sidewalk-lined 2 miles from the city’s downtown district. “You can walk right up to the new ballpark,” Bayer says. “It’s amazing what they’ve been doing downtown. One day I was driving by the construction site, the next it seemed like there was a baseball game happening.” The stadium, Meritus Park, is the home arena of the local minor league team, the Flying Boxcars. Just down the street at Hub City Vinyl, locals peruse the stock at Maryland’s largest record store or crowd into the historic venue for live concerts and performances. And children will enjoy the hands-on science exhibits at Discovery Station, located just a few blocks away from the ballpark. Route 11, also known as Pennsylvania Avenue, is the closest major road to Northwest Hagerstown. This road runs 4 miles north to Hagerstown Regional Airport, which offers direct flights to vacation destinations such as Orlando, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Locals will also take this road to connect with Dual Highway and the downtown area 2 miles south. The closest freeway is Interstate 81, linking the community 11 miles north to Greencastle, PA, and 25 miles southwest to Martinsburg, WV.

Hagerstown’s South End neighborhood is an area that is sought after for its convenience. “Folks choose South End because it’s more convenient to Interstate 70, Interstate 81 and to the shopping options than other parts of town,” says Realtor Steve Powell, owner of REMAX Achieves and lifelong resident of Hagerstown. “It’s just right in the middle of everything. In no time at all, you can get to anything you need.” While centrality is a deciding factor, it is far from all this community has to offer. The mix of home styles, the neatly manicured lawns and the sidewalk-lined streets lend the area a distinctly midcentury atmosphere, while proximity to Hagerstown City Park and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts provide a metropolitan spark that is distinct in this part of Maryland. The Premium Outlets just to the south draw visitors from across Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania and the brand-new Meritus Park bringing baseball back to Hagerstown add to that, but the long-standing family-owned restaurants and the suburban quietude give South End a small-town aura that draws homeowners in. South End is a neighborhood with a decidedly midcentury atmosphere. “It’s an older community. Most of it was built in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s,” Powell says. “You’ll find more ranch-style homes that were popular around that time, which tend to sell for higher prices than other styles.” Prospective owners will also find Cape Cods and cottages with roofed front porches available for prices that range from $175,000 to around $300,000. These homes often sit on modest lawns and feature short, fenced-in backyards. Most have designated spots for street parking, although some do have paved driveways leading to detached garages. There are also several duplexes available in the neighborhood, with prices starting around $150,000 and rising to around $300,000. Outdoorsy residents of South End will enjoy the variety of green space that surrounds them on all sides, from well-maintained athletic fields to walking trails winding through the landscape. “Marty Snook Park is pretty large. It has pools, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a bunch of pavilions, all kinds of things for active people to do,” Powell says. “And then there’s City Park closer to the middle of town. We go there for walking. You can feed the ducks and walk around the lake. It’s more natural. If you’re looking for a place to play, you go to Marty Snook Park. If you’re going on a date, you go to City Park.” Another nearby option is Fairgrounds Park just 3 miles north of the neighborhood, which is home to a skate park, several athletic fields and the Hagerstown Ice and Sports Complex. “The nice thing about Fairgrounds Park is that it’s actually connected to Pangborn Park by a walking trail, too,” Powell adds. “There’s a nice lake over there as well, and you can just walk from the ice rink.” Residents have no shortage of options when it comes to grocery shopping. There is a Save A Lot directly in the neighborhood, an Aldi 2 miles south across Interstate 70 and a Sam’s Club 3 miles west near Valley Mall. At Valley Mall, folks will also find a Target and over 100 other retailers. The neighborhood is a mile north of the Hagerstown Premium Outlets, where over 60 luxury brands maintain storefronts. And there is no need to travel far when dining out for the evening. “You have all the usual chains, like Chili’s and Outback,” Powell says. “But there’s also hometown choices. Rik’s Café is nice and private and locally owned.” Rik’s Café, which opened in 2014, offers a contemporary American menu and is located directly off Maryland Avenue. Among their most popular items is the Chesapeake Cheesesteak, a spin on the classic sandwich that is topped with crab dip. After dinner, locals head to a regional landmark to grab a bite of dessert – or their breakfast for the next morning. “Krumpe’s Do-Nuts has been around forever – probably more than 65 or 70 years,” Powell says. “Every Hagerstown native probably has a story about waiting in line at Krumpe’s in their lifetimes.” Unlike most typical donut shops, Krumpe’s is only open at night from 7 to 11 p.m. Children in South End may begin their education at Emma K. Doub Elementary School, which is rated B-plus and ranks as Niche’s No. 4 Best Public Elementary School in Washington County. They would then move just across the street to E. Russell Hicks Middle, which also earns a B-plus and is within walking distance of most of the neighborhood. Students finish at South Hagerstown High, which scores a B. South Hagerstown offers a wide range of athletics programs, including baseball and bocce, as well as several after-school clubs, including an Academic Quiz Team and an Environmental Team. Most of South End is within walking distance of the newest addition to the Hagerstown skyline. “The city just finished building a brand-new stadium north of City Park,” Powell says. “It’s smaller than what you’d see in the major leagues, but it’s just amazing to me that we have it in Hagerstown.” Meritus Park, home to Atlantic League Baseball’s Hagerstown Flying Boxcars, can hold up to 4,000 fans for games and more for concerts and community events. The Boxcars are Hagerstown’s first team since the departure of the Hagerstown Suns in 2020, and the community has helped make the newcomers an early success. Route 40 runs directly through the center of Hagerstown, giving South End residents quick access to Interstate 81. I-81 is the most direct route 11.5 miles north to Hagerstown Regional Airport, where locals can catch flights to vacation destinations like Orlando, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The neighborhood is also just north of Interstate 70, the country-spanning highway that terminates in Baltimore 72 miles to the east.