Montgomery Township is a rural, mountainous community near Hagerstown
Montgomery Township is a quiet community with farmlands. Realtor Mark Oliver with Oliver Homes, Inc. says people like living in the township because it is a “rural setting with mountains, but also fairly close proximity to shopping, entertainment and recreation.” Outdoor opportunities abound, with Whitetail Resort in the township and Cowans Gap State Park nearby. While the borough of Mercersburg has grocery stores and local restaurants about 6 miles away, residents are only about a 13-mile drive to big-box stores and amenities in Hagerstown.
Recreation includes Whitetail Resort and the township park
Whitetail Resort is a ski resort nestled among the Tuscarora Mountains with over 20 trails of varying difficulties. It also has a public 18-hole golf course and restaurants like the casual Trailside Grill. The resort hosts concerts and events like Whitetail Winterfest, which features live music and ski races. Residents will also travel about 20 miles to Cowans Gap State Park, which has over 15 miles of hiking trails and a lake for swimming, boating and fishing. Montgomery Township Park has a playground and baseball fields. Oliver says people also travel to Hagerstown to watch baseball at Meritus Park or catch a show at the Maryland Theatre.
Century-old homes and new developments have rising prices
Rolling hills and farmlands fill Montgomery, where most properties are on half an acre or more. Older homes include Colonial Revivals dating back to the early 20th century and mid-20th-century ranch-style houses. There are New Traditional homes with colonial influences from the early 2000s. Smaller single-family properties typically cost $190,000 to $350,000, while larger ones cost $350,000 to $670,000. Townhouses and condos cost $170,000 to $360,000. “Prices seem to be rising due to low inventory,” Oliver says. According to First Street, Montgomery has a major risk of flooding.
Students attend Tuscarora schools and Mercersburg Academy
Public education is available through the Tuscarora School District. Montgomery Elementary receives a B-minus from Niche, while James Buchanan Middle and High schools have a C-plus. High schoolers can apply to the Franklin County Career & Technology Center, where programs include culinary arts and carpentry. Mercersburg Academy is a private boarding school that earns an A-plus.
Montgomery is a car-dependent community near three airports
With State Route 16 leading to Hagerstown and country roads winding through the township, most residents rely on cars. Hagerstown Regional Airport is about 13 miles away and “is super convenient for quick getaways – it’s small, so lines are a breeze,” Oliver says. However, he says people travel 85 miles to Dulles International Airport or 95 miles to Baltimore/Washington International Airport for longer trips. “It really depends on the itinerary, but the proximity to all three makes this area a travel dream,” Oliver says. The closest emergency room is at Fulton County Medical Center, about 15 miles away.
Locals dine at Mercersburg restaurants like Stoner on the Square
Unless they are visiting one of the restaurants at Whitetail, residents eat at locally owned restaurants in Mercersburg. One North Coffee & Bake Shop serves signature drinks and breakfast items. Oliver recommends Stoners on the Square, where the menu ranges from burgers and pub fare to prime rib, and the James Buchanan Restaurant, named for the 15th president of the United States. After dinner, locals can get a sweet treat from Irwin House Ice Cream Shoppe. There is a Food Lion in Mercersburg, and Hagerstown has big-box stores like Walmart and Sam’s Club.
