Maryland relocation guide

Making up your mind to relocate to Maryland will probably be the best decision ever considering the blend of the city as well as a rich topography with some spectacular landscapes, grasses, hills, and mountains. The beautiful nature extends beyond its wonderful landscapes and geography, which include wildlife and mountains to explore. Beyond the big hub of Baltimore, the state has a lot more to offer.

Maryland is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean, thus it has some lovely beaches to explore. The state is bordered on the north by Pennsylvania, on the northeast by Delaware, and on the south and west by West Virginia and Virginia, which are separated by the Potomac River.

The “America in Miniature” – nicknamed due to its terrain and diverse culture – state covers a total surface area of about 32,134 km2. Maryland makes up for its lack of size in population density, ranking ninth in the USA with a population of approximately 6,177,224 according to the 2020 census. It is the nation’s 22nd fastest-growing state in terms of population.

If you are considering moving in anytime soon and you don’t even know what it looks like there, be not dismayed. This relocation guide has been carefully developed to help you learn about the state and perhaps make an informed decision as regards your relocation.

Weather and Climate

Despite its tiny size, Maryland has a wide variety of climates. Climate diversity is caused by elements such as elevation, wind type, topography, and proximity to water. The humid subtropical climate of the eastern region results in milder winters and hot, humid summers. The humid continental climate zone begins in the western part. With scorching summer and moderate to freezing winters, it has four different seasons. The Piedmont region, which includes Frederick, is located halfway between subtropical humid continental climatic zones. The climate in this area is temperate to fairly cold in the winter and hot and humid in the summer.

• Winter: Winter temperatures average 34.1 degrees from December 1 to March 4. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 26°F and a high of 42°F.
• Spring: Maryland receives rain throughout the year. May has the most rain in the state, with an average rainfall of 3.5 inches.
• Summer: The hot season lasts 3.5 months, from May 30 to September 16, with daily high temperatures averaging more than 78°F. July is the warmest month in the City, with average highs of 86°F and lows of 65°F.
• Fall: The foliage in Maryland begins to change about September 20 and lasts until December.

Cost of Living

The cost of living index in Maryland is 124, which is higher than the US average of 100. This makes the state one of the top 10 expensive states to live in. Although the cost of living is weighted subjectively on different categories such as housing, food and groceries, transportation, utilities, health care, and miscellaneous expenses.

• Buying a House (Apartment): The median home value according to Zillow Home Value Index is currently $384,928 going up by 12.7% over the past year. Despite this high home value, the homeownership rate is almost 70% indicating a potential for real estate business. The high property value in the state can be attributed to its proximity to Washington D. C.
• Renting a House (Apartment): The average cost of renting an apartment is currently $2,157 per month. Rent is determined by many characteristics, including location, size, and quality.
• Food Costs: Food is a daily expense that has a big influence on the total cost of living in any area. Although the food cost in the state is quite close to the US average, it may be quite expensive for a person living on a low income.
• Taxes: Just like every other incurred cost, taxes are about 18% higher than the US average for an adult. Maryland’s personal income tax rates start at 2% on the first $1000 of taxable income and rise to 5.75 percent on incomes over $250,000 (or $300,000 for taxpayers filing jointly). Although the property tax is lower than the national average, homeowners pay more than residents in most other states.

The Labor Market

According to the Milken Institute’s assessment of Maryland’s economy, the state ranks fourth. The State Technological and Science Index (STSI) compares each of the 50 US states’ capacity for attaining prosperity through science and technological innovation. Maryland scored sixth in the CompTIA’s Cyberstates 2021 report for the concentration of IT employment in the total workforce. This is just to point out that the Old Line State is a great destination if you’re seeking prospects in the tech space.

The majority of Marylanders work in the service industry. Jobs range from government posts to transportation-related occupations, wholesale commerce to the financial and insurance industries. Managers, registered nurses, secretaries, administrative assistants, and elementary & middle school teachers, are the most frequent job groupings in terms of population. The unemployment rate in the state is about 5%.

Health Care and Medicals

In terms of how well the state meets citizens’ health care needs, it ranks 7th in health care access and quality. According to an examination of 29 indicators by personal finance website WalletHub, Maryland has the second finest health care system in the country. Health-care prices, access to care, and results were compared between Washington, D.C., and the 50 states in the study.

The Maryland Department of Health has a variety of healthcare initiatives for its residents, which may be found on the official website. The following are Maryland’s top medical institutions:

1. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore is ranked #4 nationwide according to U.S. News & World Report.



2. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), Baltimore is ranked #10 in treating ENT patients and #16 in cancer treatment.
3. University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson.
4. Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore.
5. MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

Education

Maryland is ranked 13th in education among the fifty states. The state’s K–12 public education system is ranked fourth in the US, according to Quality Counts, Education Week’s annual examination of key measures of student accomplishment. According to Newsweek, 15 of the top 500 STEM schools in the US are located in Maryland.

High Schools

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests are used to assess high school students in English language arts and math.

Maryland has 497 high schools, including 282 public schools and 215 private institutions. It is the 18th largest state in terms of student enrolment and the 22nd largest in terms of overall school enrollment. Some notable schools in the state are listed below;

1. Walt Whitman High, Bethesda;
2. Poolesville High, Poolesville;
3. Eastern Technical High School, Baltimore;
4. Thomas S. Wootton High, Rockville;
5. Winston Churchill High, Potomac.

Colleges/Universities

The state is home to notable research universities, tiny liberal arts schools, and the Maryland Institute College of Art. The United States Naval Academy, one of America’s five federal military institutions, is based in Annapolis, the state capital.

The Old Line State now has 55 colleges and universities, which are regarded as accredited, degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Some of the top colleges include:

1. Johns Hopkins University: #9 in National Universities.
2. University of Maryland–College Park.
3. University of Maryland–Baltimore County.
4. Towson University.
5. United States Naval Academy.

Transportation

Just like every other US states the major mode of transportation in Maryland are air, water, rail services, taxi, and bus services.

Airports

There are 33 public-use airports in the state. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport are owned and operated by the state of Maryland. Both are managed by the Maryland Aviation Administration, a Department of Transportation entity.

Highway System and Routes

The highway system is a network of highways owned and maintained by the U.S. state of Maryland. All three types of highways together provide access to all incorporated and unincorporated areas in all 23 counties as well as the independent city of Baltimore. The longest state highway is Maryland Route 2, while several state highways are less than 0.5 mi (0.80 km) in length.

Harbor and Waterways

Maryland is defined by its rivers as much as by its geographical limits. The most significant is the Chesapeake Bay, which connects the Eastern and Western Shores of Maryland. The Potomac, Patapsco, and Patuxent rivers are the three major tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay.

Railroad Network

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) Company established by Baltimore, Maryland merchants in 1827 was the first steam-operated railway in the United States to be chartered as a common carrier of freight and passengers. It has ever since built railway lines that run through the states extending into Virginia, Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Lake Erie.

Currently, there are about 11 common freight carriers including Canadian Pacific Railway; and 7 passenger carriers including Amtrak, running through the city and some neighboring states.

Crime Rate in Little America

The crime rate in the state is a little higher than the US average at 4 violent crimes in every 1,000 residents. Baltimore ranks first in terms of violent crime, drug use, and homelessness. It is also one of the top ten most dangerous cities in the United States. Despite the unrest across the state, some states have been identified to be the safest having lower crime rates than the nation as a whole. The top 10 safest cities are;

• Ocean Pines;
• Hampstead;
• Glenarden;
• Centreville;
• Mount Airy;
• Berlin;
• Thurmont;
• Taneytown;
• Bowie;
• Havre de Grace;

The best Cities in Maryland

Irrespective of your premonition of moving to the Free State, there is certainly one city that will satisfy all or most of your cravings. Highlighting some of the best cities to move to in no particular order.

1. Rockville: Rockville is home to several prominent biotechnology companies, making it one of the state’s fastest-growing communities. It is one of Maryland’s largest communities, as well as the location with the highest housing values. While experiencing the city’s natural side, you may participate in a variety of leisure activities.
• Median Income: $106,576;
• Median Home Value: $603,470;
• Median Home rent: $2,064;
• Unemployment rate: 5.5%.
2. Bethesda: Bethesda is one of the most popular places to reside in the state. This is due not just to its closeness to Washington, D.C., but also to its proximity to prominent Maryland and Virginia beaches. There are fantastic work options accessible with a short commute. It is home to some notable employers, including the Department of Defense and a John Hopkins hospital.
• Median Income: $164,142;
• Median Home Value: $1,112,584;
• Median Home rent: $2,487;
• Unemployment rate: 5.5%.



3. Baltimore: Baltimore is the most populated city and is regarded as the city of neighborhoods because it includes several separate districts, all of which have rich histories. Baltimore has a lower cost of living than the national average and the state of Maryland as a whole. U.S. News & World Report placed the state as the seventh most dangerous metro region to live in out of 150 different U.S. metropolitan areas.
• Median Income: $50,379;
• Median Home Value: $196,478;
• Median Home rent: $1,483;
• Unemployment rate: 5.4%.



4. Annapolis: Annapolis, Maryland’s capital, is known as the world’s sailing capital and is home to the prestigious United States Naval Academy. If you’re searching for entertaining things to do in Annapolis, step outside and explore some of the city’s parks! Go kayaking or play tennis with the family in Truxtun Park. Quiet Waters Park is a great place to go for a run or a quiet walk. Visit Annapolis Waterworks Park for a morning of fishing or a wander along the picturesque pathways.
• Median Income: $85,636;
• Median Home Value: $526,571;
• Median Home rent: $1,997;
• Unemployment rate: 5.4%.

Aside from the fact that Maryland has among of the highest tax rates in the country, it is one of the greatest states in the Mid-Atlantic area to relocate to.

Moving to Maryland can be a very awesome experience if you plan it accordingly. This article was developed to give an overview of some of the most important things to look out for in the state. Peradventure if all of these ticks on your checklist, then packing your bags is just about the next thing to do.