Your city taxes include a paid fire department, police department, trash pickup including recycle and yard waste, street sweeping, oversight of rental units, reduced utilities and water/sewer fees and most of all, what amounts to a homeowner's association. The city will not allow your neighbor to have untagged cars, unmowed grass, appliances in the yard, etc. They don't control house colors and other exterior changes like a traditional HOA (unless you are in an historic district). We live in the city and think the additional taxes are worth the benefits.

Well Living in the city has its advantages and disadvantages, character and lifestyle will play a big roll, I guess an advantage will be that houses tend to be cheaper in the city limits of Hagerstown, utilities are also cheaper and in most cases within walking distance of all services, buses, shopping, schools, recreation parks, etc. But with this comes more traffic, noise etc.

Because when gas prices are no longer affordable and you need groceries, there is always one in walking distance. Also, parks and such are also within most walking distances.