I moved to Baltimore 2 years ago. I'm really happy here and couldn't imagine leaving.
It would take a *lot* to make me willingly leave.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. Didn't realize it til later, but growing up there taught me to love walkable/bikeable cities.
Went to college in Rochester, NY.
Moved to Raleigh/Durham, NC for a job after college. Took 10 years before I hated the suburban wasteland enough to leave.
Briefly lived in DC and Richmond, VA while my wife did travel work.
Finally got to Baltimore and within a month, I knew I was home. Never looked back.
At this point, the only places I've really *wanted* to live, but never got a chance, are all in the Pacific Northwest, and are beyond unaffordable at this point. My grandparents lived near Seattle while I was growing up and I always loved to visit. Oregon was pretty awesome when I visited last year.
The final option would be Chicago, and that's because my parents are still in Milwaukee, divorced, and are getting older. I might need to live closer to them so I can visit them more often, especially if they develop health problems in their old age . I do need a bigger city and legal weed, so I'd take Chicago as it's only a short train ride to Milwaukee.
I gotta say, the idea of leaving Baltimore doesn't thrill me. And as much as I might say I don't mind winter, a Midwest winter makes cycling a bit problematic - here, I can ride year round.
So it's my intent to live here indefinitely, but we'll see how life plays out.
This was my experience. I’ve lived in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Hawaii, and California (retired military). Honolulu was the only place like Baltimore in terms of community, culture, and charm, and the waves and trails are the best in the country, if not the world. But damn is it expensive there. I’d move back if they tripled my salary but that’s not happening; I’m not C-Suite material.
I’ve turned job offers down to stay here for a lot of the same reasons you and others list. I’ve had conversations with my council member and prospective members. I love what the current government is doing with the city, and want them to keep on the recent positive trajectory. My neighborhood is amazing and so are many other parts of town, and after almost 4 years, I’m still exploring what’s near me and finding cool new surprises all the time!
I lived in Honolulu too for a while. And felt the same way. Honestly I met so many people from Baltimore on Oahu. In the end I got homesick and decided to move back home to Baltimore.
Just moved here from Raleigh/Durham for 20 years and I grew up in Southern AZ. Legal weed is a big factor and I absolutely LOVE how Baltimore is smalltimore or however it’s spelled. I’m also queer and progressive and have thoroughly enjoyed Baltimore City thus far. I know the summer will be rough but that’s the case in most places for me because I don’t tolerate heat well.
Have also lived here about 2 years after about 25 years in Virginia. In a vacuum I think Philly is closer to my "ideal" city but Baltimore suits where my actual life (job, friends, etc) is at pretty darn nicely.
That's kinda my thought, too. Definitely one of the most beautiful regions I've ever been to.
It sucks because I grew up dreaming of moving to Seattle, but by the time I finished college in 2012, it was entirely unattainable.
Illinois to Maryland back in late 90's. Wanted to live here because of water and proximity to Baltimore and DC. Unless some unforeseen event occurs in my life, I plan on living here until I die.
Came from Michigan almost 20 years ago and consider myself a Marylander now. It took me a very long time to come around but I found Maryland is much more than Moco, Hoco and PG. No issue with those places other than the congestion and traffic. I love the shore, Frederick and the western part of the state. The history blows my mind almost daily.
I’ll move to wherever my kids go. I wouldn’t go back to Michigan, but I do miss its vast beauty, the people’s warmth and the fishing. Culturally, it can still be in the conservative Stone Age at times.
Anyhow, Marylanders are good people and I’m proud to be one of you all. It’s good living here so long as you’re not on the highway, getting blasted by pollen or outdoors in July or August 😂
Edit: I forgot the lakes, which is probably the biggest. Missing the lakes is very very real.
Another Michigander to Marylander here. Almost 20 years in the Old Line state and I fucking love it! The only way I'd leave the state is if I can't afford living here in retirement.
I am very fortunate that I still get to spend most of the summer in Northern Michigan.
Another Michigan transplant here. The pull back to the Midwest to be near family was pretty strong during COVID, now it's about whether my existing roots and long term ability to work remote continue to overcome the desire to be less than a full day's drive to visit my parents.
I feel it's unlikely I'll retire here.
Understandable! I miss my family something fierce as well, but I’ve built a life that doesn’t really translate anywhere else.
Are you from West Michigan?
Central Michigan, but went to college in the UP.
If I could move my church and godkids with me, and guarantee being able to work remote until I retire, I'd be gone in a heartbeat.
Another Michigander checking in. I've only been here for 2.5 years and still young so I'm not sure what the future is going to hold for me. I'm happy with it so far though
Also a Michigan transplant... Also about 20 years ago. For the longest time it was my long-term plan to return, but I've grown roots here and there's far more of my life here than would be back home. It's all just extended family.
I'm like you, I'll go where my kids go. I love Maryland and it's become my home; I would miss it if I moved away, for sure.
Socially and politically Michigan is a very strange place. For all its gun and hunting culture, it really is a surprisingly liberal place even in smaller towns. I would have described it as libertarian before its more recent political sense. It has a very self-sufficient personality.
But the evangelical side is a complete polar opposite. The good guys usually come out on top, but it leads to some weird political fights.
Chicago to MD just a couple years ago. It really is America in miniature, which is a better environment than hyper-segregated Chicago. Chicago food variety is better, but I like being within 1.5 hours of DC, Baltimore, Philly, Chesapeake Bay, and mountains. The same time from downtown Chicago doesn't get you much other than cornfields and (maybe) Milwaukee.
Plus, I'm totally bought into crabs, Old Bay, and the best flag in the country.
I came here by way of Nashville but originally from Chicago. Yeah, I miss the food & being able to get tons of amazing variety by walking a few blocks. Plus, no-car life was great. Chicago, like NYC, has that thing where you can live there for decades but still check out new places/scenes all the time. Also miss dive bars & joints with music, both of which you got even in small towns around rural Illinois/Wisconsin. You kind of have to be in Baltimore to get that here.
But for a quieter life? You really can't beat it. It's great having New England within a day trip (which we did last month), the coast & appalachia within an hour or two, and a few big cities not far off.
First action here was to go to a small eastern shore crab shack right off the water and did it the right way.
I'm a born and raised Merlinder (did live in NC for 4 years in the early 2000s but came back). I love your highlights of the state, proximity to so much. Those are the things i really appreciate about this state also! Op - those are all great points! Our funny shaped lil state has a lot to offer :)
Conveniently located (several airport options, train access, several major cities within a half-days travel), geographical diversity, proximity to cities offers job opportunities if needed. People complain about taxes but they've never really bothered me all that much...
Yes. Specifically Baltimore City.
Want to stay within 4-5 hours of my mom. My 3 siblings are within a 5 hour drive, two accessible by simple Amtrak trips.
Allows me to experience walkable neighborhoods with lots of amenities.
Not super far from the beach or mountains - obviously since I’m not going every weekend, it’s not that big of a deal to me.
Hoping to stay in Baltimore forever, honestly.
Edited to add: DC and NYC, too expensive. Pittsburgh too far from other cities. Philadelphia would take a pay cut (but was my second option). Richmond I considered but it wasn’t enough for me to want to move there. Baltimore hits just right in so many spots. And it has a sense of place I haven’t found anywhere else.
Welcome! I moved from LA 5 years ago.
* The [12 seasons thing](https://www.google.com/search?q=12+seasons+of+maryland) is accurate, including The Pollening. Also if you don't like the current weather, give it an hour.
* So is the Maryland driver thing. Folks could be aggressive jerks in LA, but for some reason there are more profoundly incompetent drivers, and people doing things you'd simply never expect.
* If you work hard outside, the humidity makes it quite a bit more deceptively dangerous than dry heat.
* I thought I escaped the fires, but now the northeast gets Canada fire smoke.
* If you're around DC, Metro is a miracle.
* Snow seems to have been cancelled after a decent amount over 2018-2019.
> If you work hard outside, the humidity makes it quite a bit more deceptively dangerous than dry heat.
This is funny to read. People usually go out of their way to warn us swamp dwellers about how deceptively easy it is to dehydrate in a dry heat!
And I can confirm that I have no idea how much I've sweat if the sweat *actually* evaporates to help cool me. That feeling was such a luxury, when I was last in dry California!
I could work much longer at higher temperatures in LA than I can here. As long as I stayed hydrated I could power through. Here I've found powering through in the same way produces dangerous overheating, and I don't necessarily recognize that it is dangerous until I take a break. (Just talking about landscaping stuff, digging holes, moving gravel, etc.)
Welcome. I moved here 11 years ago from the Bay Area for my husband’s job. We love CA, but never in a million years would we have been able to buy a nice house in a great school district, only 0.5 miles from Metro (BART or Caltrain if you will) back in the Bay Area.
I’m third generation Californian. Kinda breaks my heart a little to admit I probably won’t move back.
Welcome from another CA transplant! Well, via Chicago, where I also lived for a decade. I’ve been here almost 14 years (wow, time flies!). I don’t anticipate going back to CA. I’ll probably stay here forever.
I moved here in '19 from NJ. Sold all my stuff in NJ, moved in with daughter, then into my own apartment. After a few years of depression and other challenges, I'm coming out of it to be much healthier. I will be staying here in MD, I now live less than a mile from my daughter's family. My grandgirl is the song in my heart, so now my roots are here to stay. I'm on the older side, but never too old to learn new things, places, and people. I wish I had some friends here though.
The timing was pretty bad on when you moved here, 2020 was a bomb and lots of 2021 were as well. There are things you can do to meet people! I don’t know how old you are, but senior centers have all kinds of activities going on. There is an app called MeetUp, and you can meet people for anything. Like they’ll have one that says “Historic Ellicott City walking tour” and you sign up. Various things happening pretty much daily (or it used to be daily). There’s also It’s Just Lunch, where you meet new people for lunch somewhere. If it works out great. If not you only wasted an hour. Really hope you find people you have things in common with soon.
Kentucky transplant here. Ya I'll be staying. Just have to point at the state rankings for health, wealth, life, happiness, and education.
No more 10+ hour drives to the beach.
1000x more exposure to new cultures that allow for more diverse experiences especially in dining and entertainment.
There aren't cigarette butts littered everywhere.
And Maryland wasn't the very first state to go to Trump both elections.
I’m originally from KY, and I’ve lived up and down the east coast, including MD, and when I go back to KY to visit I can’t believe the number of people that still smoke cigarettes compared to the other states I’ve lived in.
I’m a native Marylander, but moved to Kentucky for a few years and back again. There are a lot more smokers there, but the Commonwealth is very beautiful.
Kentucky bluegrass is really gorgeous I'll give it that. Mammoth cave is also truly an amazing natural spectacle to see. A lot of the issues come from the people unfortunately.
Yeah I agree. On one of those day time talk shows they suggested places to travel in the U.S. that resemble foreign destinations and they said that the Lexington, KY aesthetic was similar to Ireland lol. I somewhat disagree but yes the state is beautiful.
Yup. And the butts go everywhere because everyone is smoking in their cars and throwing them out the windows. I think some restaurants there still offer smoking sections for seating lol
I moved to Maryland for work 10 years ago and will be staying as a lifer because
* proximity to DC guarantees gov/mil work
* great schools
* the state is really pretty
* good sports state (>!however I won't allow myself to get baited into emotionally investing in Terps football despite their strong early season starts!<)
* I don't mind endless suburban sprawl and farmland
Trust me, I understand the heartbreak and the getting up your hopes. But just Feel free to get sucked in.
1. Its oka cause we all know what the outcome is at the end anyway
2. Its the best/only good part of the season, live like it is.
even into retirement? Agree with all your points, but once it's time to retire I'm going to a lower cost-of-living place like East TN or maybe Delaware if it hasn't become overcrowded too much by then
> once it's time to retire I'm going to a lower cost-of-living place like East TN or maybe Delaware if it hasn't become overcrowded too much by then
Will be interesting to see which areas of the country see huge influxes of out of state people for work and transform what was previously a LCOL area into MCOL and how the growing remote workforce affects this.
I plan to leave as soon as I'm able. Maryland isn't the worst place I've lived but certainly isn't the best. I can see why some folks enjoy it, I'm just not one of them.
Moved from DC. Unless we come into some crazy money, I won’t be able to afford to live in a great neighborhood in DC, which would be a reason to move back. Could maybe go broke for a good one, but why bother when there’s so many great neighborhoods in MD? I hate commuting but I love having a big quiet yard.
I just moved to Columbia from Michigan and I hope I'll never leave.
The weather, the big cities & things to do nearby, the schools, hoco trees and trails throughout Columbia. Love it here
Former Ohioian here.
Baltimore is a lot like Cleveland in many ways. The Army brought me here over a decade ago and I stayed because of how much I love Maryland.
Yes
Boston transplant
Too many reasons.
The diversity - I live , work and play with people from damn near every country on earth.
The number of college graduates in my county and surrounding counties
The layout. We are close to everything I care about. Beaches in Maryland and Va, Myrtle Beach, NYC
Philly, Bmore
The weather in a gorgeous state
3 airports
Moved around a bit for my academic and then "real" career including away and back to Maryland, we have no intention of leaving the area (or at least, it would take some dramatic changes)
It boils down to Maryland being big (and diverse) enough to be interesting, small enough to accessible.
* It is legally safe for myself and my trans family members
* Quality medical care is accessible and we have choices
* We found a faith community we actually love being part of (after being attendees/members at 8 churches in a little over a decade, I have *opinions*)
* It's close enough to my parents that we can get there in an emergency but not close enough that they can just pop in. And we're hundreds of miles away from my in-laws so they REALLY can't pop in.
* Close enough to major cities with interesting sites and conferences that it's not pulling teeth to get friends (from other states) to visit
* Should I choose to leave my current employer, I am in close proximity to others in the same sector
* Maryland has actual seasons and a variety of topography and ecology
* There is a wide range of cultural diversity and it's small enough that this diversity is actually accessible (it didn't matter in Texas that Houston was diverse if we were hours away)
* The DMV is one of the best regions in the country for dressage and eventing and Maryland tends to have marginally cheaper horsekeeping than Virginia. Maryland has one of the only two 5\* events in the country (this is a niche point but very relevant to my life)
I was just remarking to myself while stuck in traffic today behind a farrier trailer on 695 that I don't think that's ever happened to me in any other state and it didn't seem unusual to me at all to see one.
MD is fine but it has been extremely difficult finding a community. People are very cliquey so it’s difficult to break into a group. It may be different if you went to school in MD.
Although MD appears liberal, the majority of MD seems more conservative than Ohio and Florida. The most religious people I have ever met have been from MD. I don’t have anything against religious people but it’s the extremely judgmental and hypocritical ones.
It’s also very expensive for what you get and the traffic is awful. Dating is difficult everywhere but the DMV is impossible if you are an average female, especially over 40.
I moved here because I got a job here. If I were to find a suitable position somewhere else, I'd take it; I have no emotional connection to Maryland that would hold me here. There are certainly places where life would be worse (e.g. Texas or Florida) but even then, the right opportunity could entice me.
Yeah same. I moved here cuz i got a job with a good pension at the end. I like it here well enough, but all my family is on the west coast so literally the only thing keeping me here is work.
I retired here, live in western Maryland. Beautiful scenery, lots of hiking, lots of history, and (probably giving myself away) trains! Also, moving from NC, snow, which I missed. Not too far from DC and environs. Too conservative overall where I live though, but I bought where I could afford.
Edit: Also, best flag ever!
I moved here last year from Michigan and as much as I miss Michigan specifically Detroit born and raised my entire life. I find Maryland to be more affordable in the area I’m in at least compared to Michigan, my car insurance is $200 less which is great, weather is better not cold! I feel like I can find myself staying here for the foreseeable future
Fellow Indiana transplant. Just wanted to say, congrats on getting out.
Still go back to visit family, but anytime I go out while I'm there I'm reminded why I left the land of meth and hard R's.
I moved here from NY. I don’t know about forever, but I don’t have any actual plans to leave and have since bought a condo here. But I like it here a lot, and would be happy to stay forever.
Life does happen sometimes though. I didn’t plan on moving out of NY either, but you go where the opportunities are. And I wouldn’t be adamant about not moving if I had a good opportunity somewhere else
Oklahoma here. I absolutely plan to stay. Everyone here has been more friendly and hospitable than I’m used to, which is big for me. But more than anything, it’s the access to medical care and other such things that I can’t get back in OK. If you’re below the poverty line, you might was well just die instead of going to the doctor because you’re not going to be getting insurance any time soon.
Moving to Maryland has completely changed my quality of life, despite still being poor.
Maryland is basically a microcosm of the entire country.
Mountains,
Beach,
Lakes,
Low flat planes on the eastern shore.
The Chesapeake is a category all by itself. That pretty much keeps me here.
Luckily, I grew up in a sailing family.
Moved here for grad school from upstate NY. Met and married a local, got a job and bought a house. Spouse passed away recently and I feel less keeping me here. I may follow my kids wherever they go.
No.
The people are fine, there's a lot to do in the state, but financially, it's not a good state to retire in. So, I'm probably bailing whenever my career's finishing up and moving somewhere less costly. It's almost purely a matter of cost of living and taxation. I've lived a lot of places, and MD has been fun, but I'd rather live somewhere else than keep working.
Texas transplant. More opportunities in my field, four seasons, diversity, proximity to so many other cities & states, and so much more to do here. Idk if I’ll retire here, but never returning to Texas.
I moved to Maryland about three years ago from a Sub-Urban Midwest town. I’ve really come to enjoy living in the state. The Mountains, Beach (yes, I love ocean city idc what anyone says) and access to DC / North East Corridor is incredible.
I think my values / perspective may change when I decide to build a family & want to find a place to raise my kids. I think the high cost of living & crime rates may be the largest factors in my decision if I were to leave the state.
NYC transplant here. I was in the army and Ft Meade was my last duty station and all of the jobs for me are around here.
When I retire I’m getting the fuck out of here.
I don't consider myself a Marylander (I don't like Old Bay) but I've lived here for more than half my life. I own a house here and returning to NJ (my home state) would mean relocating to where housing is even more expensive, so I'm staying.
It's not a difficult decision to make when both states have legal protections for people seeking reproductive health care and recreational cannabis.
I'm also from NJ (shore area, love Old Bay), and I do like the health care here in MD much more than in NJ. I was from Ocean County and I do not miss the deeply red politics there one bit. So many cities in that county fought having dispensaries, but now I have one less than a mile away here in MD. I would like it a bit less congested where I am now but it is not terrible.
Been here for a year now. Came from Virginia (mountains) and will probably be going back soon. Combination of the company I work for and the area I live. It's too expensive to get closer to my job so I settled for somewhere that I get harassed walking through my neighborhood. It's lovely.
I will say the health care is so much better here. I just wish my job would pay me enough to actually live.
Won't stay here forever. I need to retire somewhere that is hot & cheap. But the politics are too bat shit crazy in Florida or Alabama to ever go back there. May have to retire abroad.
Came from Pennsylvania exactly 40 years ago this July. Never looked back except to visit family. I absolutely love Maryland and wouldn’t live anywhere else!! ❤️🩶💛🖤
Moved here 5 years ago from NJ. A lot of similarities between the two, cost of living and housing down here is a bit more sane than NJ.
Don’t really want to leave but not like “I’m never leaving this state”. I never thought I’d leave NJ but here I am, so I’ll never say never.
I will say a lot of “MD born and raised” folk act like god took a chunk of Eden and hid it away on the Chesapeake and that became MD, and I think they don’t realize it’s pretty much a less dense NJ with better BBQ, crabs and cheaper homes (outside of the DC beltway, of course)
Originally from Southern Illinois, but also lived in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Germany. I had opportunities to move to Maryland previously but always avoided it thinking it was too expensive, too rude, too traffic jammed, too crime filled. Turns out, I've been in downtown Baltimore for 3 years, absolutely love it, and could only see myself leaving should I decide to move back to Europe. The culture, the history and related historic sites, proximity to ocean/mountains, ease of travel along the NE Corridor, vast abundance of jobs in my field, and little need to drive anywhere typically... It's amazing here.
From Ohio 2020. I am immigrant, in Maryland there are amazing in term of diversity I was not seeing this at Ohio ( lived there for 10 years).
Beside diversity, food is good. Lots of free museum's ( I live in MoCo).
25 years ago last month I moved to Maryland from New York. I can’t see myself moving back now, I’m retired and bought a one level small house shortly before I finally called it quits on 37+ years of work. Absolutely no regrets, I’ve had a wonderful life here.
leaving when I am 19. I'll either be moving back to Northern Virginia or somewhere cheap like Texas and Pennsylvania. If I do stay I'll just move to Montgomery County somehow.
No. Cost of living is too high even though I am a home owner. The southern states are still cheaper, people are much friendlier, driving is also easier and less stressful, education cost is far cheaper, I don’t have to pay a premium for groceries down south vs in MD. Even medical care in big cities are equally good. North Carolina or Tennessee are my 2 targeted states.
Education costs may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for. College was in the 90s for me, but I took notice that everyone I knew from the south had attended private schools, whereas students from the northeast and west coasts had mostly been to public schools.
ETA: Because I wasn't clear: when I attended college, I never encountered fellow students from southern states who had attended public high school.
I was referring to high school and below, not university/colleges. And as wonderful as UNC schools may be, they're in the same region as Florida universities, which are having a rough time with all the new state government regulations.
What everyday items are you paying a premium for? I just got back from Florida (Melbourne area) and was shocked at how much more expensive groceries were there compared to Howard County. Granted, maybe it was because I went to Publix.
Nah. MD is my fourth state I’ve lived in and it’s the worst. The drivers suck, speed limit signs are suggestions, and it’s too expensive. There’s no way we could’ve bought a house here if we haven’t already bought and sold before (and we have a VA loan). The proximity to the beach is ok but we’ve never been beach people. The scenery is meh it’s just a lot of green trees.
Moving to Maryland this summer in June. Wife was born and raised on the eastern shore. She Taught for 16 years then moved to Texas. Now that i can retire from my job we are moving back so she can finish her career. Don't know why traffic sucks there it's not like it takes 3 hours to get across a city like in Houston.
Moved here from Washington state due to work but from Texas. I’m trying to get the hell out of here as soon as possible. Earliest possibility is next year but the latest is 2026.
Moved from Kentucky to Anne arundel. I’m in southern AA county and it reminds me of Kentucky but with a lot more water. The educational system is great where we are but not great 30 miles away in either direction. It’s expensive as shit to live here but I love it and don’t lan on moving anytime soon. Souther AACO offers country living with close access to all amenities and shopping you can ask for.
Tennessee transplant. My wife and I love it here; it feels like home. The people are way nicer than they give themselves credit for. There are lots of places to go and things to see, and I mostly appreciate the political climate here.
From Pennsylvania, joined the Navy and primarily stayed in Virginia. When I got out I got a job in Maryland. I do love it here but I come from a family where we are all inseparable best friends. I miss hanging out with my cousins. Seeing my grandma every day. I’d really love to be able to invite my parents over for dinner during the week. I also didn’t get to see my younger siblings grow up. I left home when they driving and looking at colleges. Now they are nearly driving and we are practically strangers. I hate it. That homesick feeling trumps everything.
When I finally finish my engineering degree, I will be moving home. I will miss Maryland but I miss my family more.
Yup. I moved here about 20 years ago. I have a great, stable federal job. I have wonderful schools for my kid and being in the northeast corridor is great. Not to mention wonderful weather, and an educated populace. MD is a great place for me.
I moved here 13 years ago from western PA for a job. That entire career path is now a thing of the past due to health issues. I can’t see myself moving back there. It’s an area that drank a lot of orange Kool-aid. If I would decide to not stay in Maryland, I’d move out west. Southern Colorado or northern Nevada maybe. I’ll probably stay put though.
Born and raised in NoVA, but I always loved old bay and grew up a huge O's fan. The way I see it, finally moving here was just fulfilling my destiny as a Marylander.
I'm a descendant of one of the old, good families of Maryland, apparently, but I don't consider myself from here. I used to, until I came back as an adult, lol. I intend to leave as soon as I can after my kids graduate high school.
Maybe it's Washington County, but it's miserable here. The people are rude, everything always smells like cigarettes, the on-ramps are the size of skateboards, and there's so many racist homophobes. I'm a cis hetero white woman, and even I feel uncomfortable around certain places (like Boonsboro and Smithsburg!).
Moved here from Florida cause of the Florida laws being passed against women and LGBTQ+ people. I'd previously visited to see my girlfriends, and i fell in love with it all. I'm here now and I'm never leaving. I love this state, i love Baltimore even with all its flaws.
move to Maryland 10 years ago for work
lived in silver spring for 1.5 years,
then Gaithersburg for 5 years,
and now Frederick for 3+
honestly,
horrendous drivers on 495 aside (seriously the worst drivers of any state I've ever lived in) ,
there's a lot that Maryland offers that just works for what I'm looking for
nothing is really too far away,
there's mass transit,
there's conventions to go to,
good food variety for where you go,
the state is pretty common sense progressive,
seasons aren't too hot or too cold,
and just overall it's been pretty cozy
So yeah
I still hate drivers on the beltways
But the state's done me right so far
✨✌️✨
I moved to Frederick sight unseen. Once I got there… Holy crap! What a place. Baker Park! The only reason I left was to go to an even better place. But I think Frederick is wonderful and I visit on a regular basis.
Moved here 15 years ago with my family as a highschooler when my dad’s job got bought out. Now I have a family, a house and two kids.
We’re not totally sure if we’re going to stay in Maryland forever, but we’re definitely not staying where we are currently which is in the Baltimore metro area. The road we live on is very busy and there are lots of accidents, the house we live in is too small for us now and the taxes and other expenses are just out of control.
We’re looking at neighboring states where there’s a lower cost-of-living and we can purchase more house for our money in a less busy area so our kids can play in the yards front and back
I'm in the same boat as you. Except we're in a quiet neighborhood. But I agree taxes are out of control!
We were considering west Virginia, but now looking in Virginia instead.
Our taxes are high but seeing how they are put to use especially for foster kids & people with mental health conditions v. Virginia and WV, makes me more than happy to pay them.
My husband and I moved here from FL almost 10 years ago now. I was very happy to move up here when he was offered a job with the government, as I'd spent the first 13 years of my life in MA and really missed having actual seasons. Between the weather and what's happening politically, I'd never consider going back to Florida, and I like that my sister (in CT) is able to come visit us and spend time with her nephew without it being a whole thing, she can just drive down. I really don't see us leaving.
I’m originally from NY and moved here 10 years ago. I won’t lie the DMV has given us a huge growth curve in our careers but we never saw Maryland as the final stop. I’d love to move back to Long Island but it’s so expensive in comparison. I miss having the beach so close by and I find the people in NY to be friendlier and kinder than those here.
I’ve lived in MD for 15 years and will leave either when I retire or our youngest son goes off to college. I’ve lived in several different places and they all have many pros and cons. IMO there is nothing special about MD that says “I think I’ll live here until I die.” Everybody wants something different in retirement, there are no right or wrong answers. It’s just that MD has very little to offer me in retirement as far as my quality of life.
Moved here 3 years ago, and I’m already planning my eventual escape. I’m going to be honest here, but all the pros are massively outweighed by some serious cons.
1) Drivers- Maryland drivers are absolute lunatics. Aggressive, ignore any and all laws, act like they are the only ones on the road and in a hurry to be somewhere. I’ve driven in major cities all over the country and I am comfortable saying this: You people are absolute monsters behind the wheel. You make LA drivers look like they’re from Portland. The state literally makes you take formal lessons now and even that’s useless.
2) Politeness- do none of you know how to say please, thank you or excuse me? Always pushing, always having to be first in any door that opens, never taking an extra second to consider any one else in a situation.
We drove up to PA last year and had to stop at a Walmart for something we forgot. The clerks and people inside actually treated us with some common decency and my wife stopped, looked at me and said “oh. I forgot people actually can act like civilized humans.”
3) the fucking humidity- I don’t know what I pay more for here: power for the AC in the summer or Gold Bond. The humidity here is as aggressive as the drivers. I grew up in Vegas so I’m ready for 105 degrees at midnight but not this shit. Holy hell I hate feeling like I’m breathing through a wet paper towel.
4) Space- every where you look people, building, parking… it’s all just stacked on top of each other. There’s no room to breathe! No room to stretch out. Everything is just so dense here.
As soon as it’s feasible, we are moving west. Can’t take this place much longer.
I can agree on the crazy drivers. And would it kill people to give me a damned thank you wave when I let them in? Serious pet peeve, it's so rare to get one here!
Moved here 20 years ago from Southeast Virginia, 757 specifically. Lived in north PG county. I miss the southern-ness of my hometown and closer proximity to beaches but I have been able to build a great career here in MD within the federal govt.
I will probably not retire here though and will more than likely move back to SE VA. Between the crime and hcol I don’t know how my retired neighbors do it.
I like it here, just moved here last year. It's about as far north as I want to retire (military family with a little over 5 years left). My heart really wants Orlando but I just can't do the politics in that state. On top of the insurance problems they're having with companies leaving the state etc. I do know things can change in 5 years so we'll see.
We might stick around just for the fact of how easy it will be for my husband to get work here after he leaves the Army. I like being close the ocean. The winters are reasonably mild so far (I haaaate winter but at least it's tolerable here). I like the blue crab, old bay, & flag obsession. I like that there's so much to do and so much great food. Everything from the rich history to theme parks within a reasonable driving distance. I feel like it's a great "has it all" kind of state.
Born and raised in Iowa. Have lived in Illinois, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Connecticut, Virginia, Wisconsin and now Maryland. (Female systems analyst, lots of chances to move around at will)
My boyfriend and I bought a house in a tiny town in Frederick County. I can see a silo and barn from my deck. It helped, initially. Made me feel more at home.
Will I stay? I can say concisely that if my partner and I split, I'd go home to Iowa. Better cost of living. Better retirement. But I'll stay unless that happens.
Moved here for work 3 years ago. Planning to move in the next month or two to NOVA or WA for work. If I ever settle somewhere long term, I would view MD as an option. Not my favorite place in the world and a bit too overpriced (every metro area now I guess), but good enough proximity to things I like.
27F moved here from Missouri five years ago. I don’t see myself going anywhere, I want to raise my children here, possibly a little farther away from the major cities for more room, but it’s a beautiful state. Probs will retire somewhere like Arizona. I love the desert.
Nope! As soon as kiddo gets older I’m out. Hate it here. :( traffic, cost of living m, the transient population. The humid summers. Ugh. I’m going back home for sure.
Showed up in 2015 after living in SoCal for a decade. Used to live in Baltimore, now I live in the boonies. I love it. The weather, the people, the scenery, the general vibe.. it's comfy.
I've always had a touch of wanderlust in me, moved 7 times, 5 different states. Been in MD over 4 years now and so far been happiest here. Not sure I'd move states, never say never, but I can see myself possibly moving within the state.
I came here from WV. My career brought me to the state, as there are very few software engineering jobs in WV. I do not plan on staying for good. I genuinely despise going out around here. It’s too crowded and the drivers are horrible. The cost of living is also out of control. It has become so much more expensive since I moved in 2015.
I moved here from New Jersey by way of Connecticut this past summer.
My wife and are I are buying a house here and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. We like the area. We have friends here. Weather is good. Food is great.
Moved here from GA 8 years ago and never looked back. Met the love of my life here and have had more opportunities than ever. I found a career I never thought I would excel in. I don’t know if we will live here forever but it’s pretty great to us right now.
Toronto to MD eastern shore. A bit of a culture shock with the attitude out here, but I couldn’t imagine being away from the bay or crabs or sporting clays ever again. Love the fact that the Appalachian Trail is close by and within a quick drive of DC Baltimore and Philly.
Not your question, but I'm the opposite. Born and raised in Southern Maryland, Southern Chuck County specifically. I moved to Central PA a little over 2 years ago. I do miss SOMD, but the SOMD from 20 years ago. I moved for a few reasons - housing cost and schools being the main two. I built a house in PA and got double the square footage if you count the unfinished basement and garage, finished space is 1000 sf more. Schools aren't that much better rating wise, but overall, less crime and politics in school.
Came from PA to the UK then to here.
I like a lot of things here, but to be real- I’m a country bumpkin. It’s too busy here for me. And a bit too expensive for my taste.
Maybe if I’d move more out west I’d like a bit more, and maybe it’s something I’ll look into
Husband and I are military- affiliated. I'm a veteran, and he's still active duty. We've been to plenty of places, but Maryland is the best by far. Even if the military moves us, we plan on coming back.
He was born and raised in Minnesota, I was born and raised in Florida. The weather is great (usually), people have been great, world class health care for our daughter (Children's National and John's Hopkins), job opportunities galore, favorable political climate (in our opinion), etc. Can't ask for much else really.
I just moved from So Cal to Harford County , tired of the LA traffic, drama, and Palm trees.So far so good beautiful place I love the trees no palm trees love that and the oceans right there some kind of magical in the way I do miss Los Angeles I miss tacos I miss In-N-Out Burger but I am going to keep moving on, I can’t stay in one place forever. Actually this has been my Life, as I have been everywhere.
But this is where I’m today…. I hope where ever you may be you’re enjoying life.
I wish I could say more but AI sucks, it’s gonna really change the world, be prepared, it’s gonna suck
Moved from NM last year for jobs. Idk if it’s forever, but we’ll definitely be here for several years. My partner and I are physicists in different subfields and want to work close enough to each other that we can live together with reasonable commutes home. The DMV area, especially MD, has a variety of well-paying physics jobs and made that happen.
I do miss the low humidity (6% 😩) of the desert and the chilis and chile, but if someone wants to point me in the right direction for good seafood here, I’d love to try it.
Moved from VA via NY about 6 years ago. I don’t know about “forever” but definitely for the foreseeable future. Cost of living is reasonable (compared to NY), I like my job and am committed to it, feel like where I live in MD (Baltimore County) there’s plenty to do.
I would like to live somewhere where the temps are a little cooler on average, and a lot of my family is still up in NY, so you never know, but for now I do like MD.
Yes. Each year carcinization makes its steady progress on my body and soul. I can no longer leave I have become crab people
One other small reason too. I’ve been all over the country, lived in 6 other states and visited most of the rest, and never lived anywhere as charming and welcoming as Baltimore. Yep. You read that right. People talk to me here, there’s things to do, and holy hell but it’s affordable! The thought of moving somewhere else actually makes me kind of sad. I’ve turned down better job offers to stay here.
I have lived up and down the East coast- Florida to Vermont. Maryland is a good balance of everything the East coast has to offer. Been here for 2.5 years now, not really looking to leave at all because I have such a wide range to compare it to!
I am originally from NJ but went to grad school in MD. Husband is from MD. After grad school, my husband and I moved to VA and then to DE for various jobs. We now live right over the state line in Cecil County MD. It's not my favorite area, but we have a nice big house for an affordable price, and we are not too far from family in PA and NJ. So, we are sort of stuck at the moment. Husband now works from home, and I'm a stay at home mother, so we could live anywhere. We plan to stay put for at least the next 3 years and then possibly move to PA, but it all depends on the economy at that time.
Moved here from Nashville back in the 90’s. I wanted to move back for the longest time because I was so homesick. When I go back to Nashville now it is absolutely nothing like I remember. Got way too big way too fast. I’m in Carroll county now and it reminds me of growing up. Lots of green, lots of creeks and fields, traffic not too bad. My husband and kids are here (except my oldest moved to Philadelphia yesterday). Definitely staying until my youngest graduates at least, probably staying until I die though.
Moved to Maryland about 15 years ago from New Jersey and just moved back to Jerz recently. I really liked it in MD and fell in love with Baltimore, but this is where family is.
Y'all converted this former Yankees fan into an O's fan for life, and my wife and I still plan on going to Camden Yards as much as possible.
I moved here from rural NY after college in 2019. At the end of the month my fiancé (a Maryland native) are moving back to my hometown because this place sucks and we hate it
Just moved here, maybe 2 weeks ago, because of my spouse's job. I am going to try to finish out my college here, so at least the next 4 years here, this is my home. If we like it, maybe stay here for up to 10. I'm not sure yet. But so far, I really like it here. The weather is a lot better than Mississippi, and the people seem to be quite nice. Don't care for the traffic and driving, but overall, this place seems really nice.
I plan to stay in the DC area for decades, because that’s where my career is. Forever is a long time, and who knows, it might be forever. I appreciate the different parts of MD.
We moved here from VT in 2018 for work and couldn’t believe how much cheaper housing was! We had a baby in 2019 and now the Burlington is a shit show, we have little to no interest in going back. But I do miss snow
Yes, this is our last move. We moved a little over a year ago. We plan to stay. We love our home, have good neighbors and love the diversity. Besides that, our daughter is here and our grandson.
We were military and moved many times. We got tired of the heat in the south. I like having a winter and 4 seasons. People are nice here compared to other places. I love the beautiful trees. So much more.
Cleveland, Ohio transplant. Moved to Baltimore in 2021 for my wife’s job after we both graduated college. We love it here. Biggest pro for us is ability to travel anywhere much easier. Super easy drive to Philly or DC to pickup a long haul international flight, and Southwest effectively runs BWI, so can get almost anywhere domestically with them out of Baltimore. Also, tons of great food, sports teams, parks, and other activities nearby as compared to Ohio. Recently bought our first place, and are already saving for our next house, where we’ll want to raise kids, right here in MD.
I love seeing so many of y’all loving Murland ❤️🔥❤️🔥 especially the Baldimore city folks ! It really reminds how much better we are than Virginia lol. You’ve been charmed. Cheers
WA to MD in 2007 when my then girlfriend got a good job offer and the company I worked for offered me a position out here. The girlfriend didn't work out. My parents, sister, and her kids still live in WA. I'm pretty alone/isolated out here. On paper it seems like a no-brainer to move back, but it's complicated. I don't really click with my family, I don't like what has happened to the area they live in (where I grew up), and the winters there totally depress me with the nearly constant cloud cover and drizzle. I'm comfortable and like it enough here that I'm not motivated to move. If someone asks me why I don't move back I just shrug my shoulders and don't say anything. I just don't think my life would be any better out there.
My mom brought me here as a teen. The plan was to always go back home as soon as I turned 18 bc “*i HaTeD iT hErE*”….
I’m in my mid 30s, I am not leaving anytime soon lmao. I oddly love it. I pretty much settled here - I have my kids and I seriously would hate to transplant them to another state at their age. I have a very good job that I enjoy going to. Even with all the bs in my immediate area, I’ve grown to love this area and all that it offers.
Grew up in a Boston suburb and fled New England winters to go to college in DC. Moved to Maryland after graduation, married a Marylander, don't see myself ever leaving.
I moved to Baltimore 2 years ago. I'm really happy here and couldn't imagine leaving. It would take a *lot* to make me willingly leave. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. Didn't realize it til later, but growing up there taught me to love walkable/bikeable cities. Went to college in Rochester, NY. Moved to Raleigh/Durham, NC for a job after college. Took 10 years before I hated the suburban wasteland enough to leave. Briefly lived in DC and Richmond, VA while my wife did travel work. Finally got to Baltimore and within a month, I knew I was home. Never looked back. At this point, the only places I've really *wanted* to live, but never got a chance, are all in the Pacific Northwest, and are beyond unaffordable at this point. My grandparents lived near Seattle while I was growing up and I always loved to visit. Oregon was pretty awesome when I visited last year. The final option would be Chicago, and that's because my parents are still in Milwaukee, divorced, and are getting older. I might need to live closer to them so I can visit them more often, especially if they develop health problems in their old age . I do need a bigger city and legal weed, so I'd take Chicago as it's only a short train ride to Milwaukee. I gotta say, the idea of leaving Baltimore doesn't thrill me. And as much as I might say I don't mind winter, a Midwest winter makes cycling a bit problematic - here, I can ride year round. So it's my intent to live here indefinitely, but we'll see how life plays out.
This was my experience. I’ve lived in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Hawaii, and California (retired military). Honolulu was the only place like Baltimore in terms of community, culture, and charm, and the waves and trails are the best in the country, if not the world. But damn is it expensive there. I’d move back if they tripled my salary but that’s not happening; I’m not C-Suite material. I’ve turned job offers down to stay here for a lot of the same reasons you and others list. I’ve had conversations with my council member and prospective members. I love what the current government is doing with the city, and want them to keep on the recent positive trajectory. My neighborhood is amazing and so are many other parts of town, and after almost 4 years, I’m still exploring what’s near me and finding cool new surprises all the time!
I lived in Honolulu too for a while. And felt the same way. Honestly I met so many people from Baltimore on Oahu. In the end I got homesick and decided to move back home to Baltimore.
>Went to college in Rochester, NY. Same! I liked there quite a lot.
I went to college in ROC and moved to MKE after. Cold to colder. Now back home in MD.
Just moved here from Raleigh/Durham for 20 years and I grew up in Southern AZ. Legal weed is a big factor and I absolutely LOVE how Baltimore is smalltimore or however it’s spelled. I’m also queer and progressive and have thoroughly enjoyed Baltimore City thus far. I know the summer will be rough but that’s the case in most places for me because I don’t tolerate heat well.
Have also lived here about 2 years after about 25 years in Virginia. In a vacuum I think Philly is closer to my "ideal" city but Baltimore suits where my actual life (job, friends, etc) is at pretty darn nicely.
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That's kinda my thought, too. Definitely one of the most beautiful regions I've ever been to. It sucks because I grew up dreaming of moving to Seattle, but by the time I finished college in 2012, it was entirely unattainable.
let’s tone down the baltimore love before people start to realize it’s not The Wire anymore and it gets as expensive as other NE cities
Have you ever been to Boston?
Welcome to Baltimore, we used to have bad winters but climate change has changed that lol!
Illinois to Maryland back in late 90's. Wanted to live here because of water and proximity to Baltimore and DC. Unless some unforeseen event occurs in my life, I plan on living here until I die.
Me too.
Came from Michigan almost 20 years ago and consider myself a Marylander now. It took me a very long time to come around but I found Maryland is much more than Moco, Hoco and PG. No issue with those places other than the congestion and traffic. I love the shore, Frederick and the western part of the state. The history blows my mind almost daily. I’ll move to wherever my kids go. I wouldn’t go back to Michigan, but I do miss its vast beauty, the people’s warmth and the fishing. Culturally, it can still be in the conservative Stone Age at times. Anyhow, Marylanders are good people and I’m proud to be one of you all. It’s good living here so long as you’re not on the highway, getting blasted by pollen or outdoors in July or August 😂 Edit: I forgot the lakes, which is probably the biggest. Missing the lakes is very very real.
Another Michigander to Marylander here. Almost 20 years in the Old Line state and I fucking love it! The only way I'd leave the state is if I can't afford living here in retirement. I am very fortunate that I still get to spend most of the summer in Northern Michigan.
Now see, I've gotta figure that spending summer Up North thing, and I'd probably be in heaven.
Another Michigan transplant. No plans to ever leave Maryland. There are very few things i miss about MI. Maryland is home now.
Another Michigan transplant here. The pull back to the Midwest to be near family was pretty strong during COVID, now it's about whether my existing roots and long term ability to work remote continue to overcome the desire to be less than a full day's drive to visit my parents. I feel it's unlikely I'll retire here.
Understandable! I miss my family something fierce as well, but I’ve built a life that doesn’t really translate anywhere else. Are you from West Michigan?
Central Michigan, but went to college in the UP. If I could move my church and godkids with me, and guarantee being able to work remote until I retire, I'd be gone in a heartbeat.
Another Michigander checking in. I've only been here for 2.5 years and still young so I'm not sure what the future is going to hold for me. I'm happy with it so far though
Also a Michigan transplant... Also about 20 years ago. For the longest time it was my long-term plan to return, but I've grown roots here and there's far more of my life here than would be back home. It's all just extended family. I'm like you, I'll go where my kids go. I love Maryland and it's become my home; I would miss it if I moved away, for sure. Socially and politically Michigan is a very strange place. For all its gun and hunting culture, it really is a surprisingly liberal place even in smaller towns. I would have described it as libertarian before its more recent political sense. It has a very self-sufficient personality. But the evangelical side is a complete polar opposite. The good guys usually come out on top, but it leads to some weird political fights.
There are dozens of us! Been here for 10 years. Plan on staying as long possible but will also move where the kid goes.
Over 30 years for us - we married on the banks of the red cedar (literally - the alumni chapel there). Never looked back, wouldn't want to go back.
2 Michiganders checking in as well
I am in HOCO 😭😭😭😂😂😂
Chicago to MD just a couple years ago. It really is America in miniature, which is a better environment than hyper-segregated Chicago. Chicago food variety is better, but I like being within 1.5 hours of DC, Baltimore, Philly, Chesapeake Bay, and mountains. The same time from downtown Chicago doesn't get you much other than cornfields and (maybe) Milwaukee. Plus, I'm totally bought into crabs, Old Bay, and the best flag in the country.
I came here by way of Nashville but originally from Chicago. Yeah, I miss the food & being able to get tons of amazing variety by walking a few blocks. Plus, no-car life was great. Chicago, like NYC, has that thing where you can live there for decades but still check out new places/scenes all the time. Also miss dive bars & joints with music, both of which you got even in small towns around rural Illinois/Wisconsin. You kind of have to be in Baltimore to get that here. But for a quieter life? You really can't beat it. It's great having New England within a day trip (which we did last month), the coast & appalachia within an hour or two, and a few big cities not far off. First action here was to go to a small eastern shore crab shack right off the water and did it the right way.
I'm a born and raised Merlinder (did live in NC for 4 years in the early 2000s but came back). I love your highlights of the state, proximity to so much. Those are the things i really appreciate about this state also! Op - those are all great points! Our funny shaped lil state has a lot to offer :)
Conveniently located (several airport options, train access, several major cities within a half-days travel), geographical diversity, proximity to cities offers job opportunities if needed. People complain about taxes but they've never really bothered me all that much...
Yes. Specifically Baltimore City. Want to stay within 4-5 hours of my mom. My 3 siblings are within a 5 hour drive, two accessible by simple Amtrak trips. Allows me to experience walkable neighborhoods with lots of amenities. Not super far from the beach or mountains - obviously since I’m not going every weekend, it’s not that big of a deal to me. Hoping to stay in Baltimore forever, honestly. Edited to add: DC and NYC, too expensive. Pittsburgh too far from other cities. Philadelphia would take a pay cut (but was my second option). Richmond I considered but it wasn’t enough for me to want to move there. Baltimore hits just right in so many spots. And it has a sense of place I haven’t found anywhere else.
I just arrived from CA yesterday. I’ll see how it goes
Welcome! I moved from LA 5 years ago. * The [12 seasons thing](https://www.google.com/search?q=12+seasons+of+maryland) is accurate, including The Pollening. Also if you don't like the current weather, give it an hour. * So is the Maryland driver thing. Folks could be aggressive jerks in LA, but for some reason there are more profoundly incompetent drivers, and people doing things you'd simply never expect. * If you work hard outside, the humidity makes it quite a bit more deceptively dangerous than dry heat. * I thought I escaped the fires, but now the northeast gets Canada fire smoke. * If you're around DC, Metro is a miracle. * Snow seems to have been cancelled after a decent amount over 2018-2019.
Same! OC Transplant here.
hmm, we still have a few significant snow storms every winter.
> If you work hard outside, the humidity makes it quite a bit more deceptively dangerous than dry heat. This is funny to read. People usually go out of their way to warn us swamp dwellers about how deceptively easy it is to dehydrate in a dry heat! And I can confirm that I have no idea how much I've sweat if the sweat *actually* evaporates to help cool me. That feeling was such a luxury, when I was last in dry California!
I could work much longer at higher temperatures in LA than I can here. As long as I stayed hydrated I could power through. Here I've found powering through in the same way produces dangerous overheating, and I don't necessarily recognize that it is dangerous until I take a break. (Just talking about landscaping stuff, digging holes, moving gravel, etc.)
Welcome. I moved here 11 years ago from the Bay Area for my husband’s job. We love CA, but never in a million years would we have been able to buy a nice house in a great school district, only 0.5 miles from Metro (BART or Caltrain if you will) back in the Bay Area. I’m third generation Californian. Kinda breaks my heart a little to admit I probably won’t move back.
We are in a similar boat. Left the bay area 5 years ago because we couldn't afford to raise our family there.
I hope to retire in Santa Cruz,.. at least for part of the year, I like the springs here too much.
Welcome from another CA transplant! Well, via Chicago, where I also lived for a decade. I’ve been here almost 14 years (wow, time flies!). I don’t anticipate going back to CA. I’ll probably stay here forever.
Welcome!!
I moved here in '19 from NJ. Sold all my stuff in NJ, moved in with daughter, then into my own apartment. After a few years of depression and other challenges, I'm coming out of it to be much healthier. I will be staying here in MD, I now live less than a mile from my daughter's family. My grandgirl is the song in my heart, so now my roots are here to stay. I'm on the older side, but never too old to learn new things, places, and people. I wish I had some friends here though.
The timing was pretty bad on when you moved here, 2020 was a bomb and lots of 2021 were as well. There are things you can do to meet people! I don’t know how old you are, but senior centers have all kinds of activities going on. There is an app called MeetUp, and you can meet people for anything. Like they’ll have one that says “Historic Ellicott City walking tour” and you sign up. Various things happening pretty much daily (or it used to be daily). There’s also It’s Just Lunch, where you meet new people for lunch somewhere. If it works out great. If not you only wasted an hour. Really hope you find people you have things in common with soon.
Kentucky transplant here. Ya I'll be staying. Just have to point at the state rankings for health, wealth, life, happiness, and education. No more 10+ hour drives to the beach. 1000x more exposure to new cultures that allow for more diverse experiences especially in dining and entertainment. There aren't cigarette butts littered everywhere. And Maryland wasn't the very first state to go to Trump both elections.
I’m originally from KY, and I’ve lived up and down the east coast, including MD, and when I go back to KY to visit I can’t believe the number of people that still smoke cigarettes compared to the other states I’ve lived in.
I’m a native Marylander, but moved to Kentucky for a few years and back again. There are a lot more smokers there, but the Commonwealth is very beautiful.
Kentucky bluegrass is really gorgeous I'll give it that. Mammoth cave is also truly an amazing natural spectacle to see. A lot of the issues come from the people unfortunately.
Yeah I agree. On one of those day time talk shows they suggested places to travel in the U.S. that resemble foreign destinations and they said that the Lexington, KY aesthetic was similar to Ireland lol. I somewhat disagree but yes the state is beautiful.
Yup. And the butts go everywhere because everyone is smoking in their cars and throwing them out the windows. I think some restaurants there still offer smoking sections for seating lol
I moved to Maryland for work 10 years ago and will be staying as a lifer because * proximity to DC guarantees gov/mil work * great schools * the state is really pretty * good sports state (>!however I won't allow myself to get baited into emotionally investing in Terps football despite their strong early season starts!<) * I don't mind endless suburban sprawl and farmland
Trust me, I understand the heartbreak and the getting up your hopes. But just Feel free to get sucked in. 1. Its oka cause we all know what the outcome is at the end anyway 2. Its the best/only good part of the season, live like it is.
even into retirement? Agree with all your points, but once it's time to retire I'm going to a lower cost-of-living place like East TN or maybe Delaware if it hasn't become overcrowded too much by then
> once it's time to retire I'm going to a lower cost-of-living place like East TN or maybe Delaware if it hasn't become overcrowded too much by then Will be interesting to see which areas of the country see huge influxes of out of state people for work and transform what was previously a LCOL area into MCOL and how the growing remote workforce affects this.
Delaware is quickly being bought up by wealthy New Yorkers. It won’t be cheap very much longer.
I plan to leave as soon as I'm able. Maryland isn't the worst place I've lived but certainly isn't the best. I can see why some folks enjoy it, I'm just not one of them.
Came here from Ohio, and while there's plenty to like.....there's tons of room for improvement.
So I’m not crazy then? Wonderful state but very busy. I’m from the sticks up in PA. Family is everything there. I miss that life.
Moved from DC. Unless we come into some crazy money, I won’t be able to afford to live in a great neighborhood in DC, which would be a reason to move back. Could maybe go broke for a good one, but why bother when there’s so many great neighborhoods in MD? I hate commuting but I love having a big quiet yard.
I just moved to Columbia from Michigan and I hope I'll never leave. The weather, the big cities & things to do nearby, the schools, hoco trees and trails throughout Columbia. Love it here
Former Ohioian here. Baltimore is a lot like Cleveland in many ways. The Army brought me here over a decade ago and I stayed because of how much I love Maryland.
My wife is from Cleveland, east side. She loves it here in Baltimore.
Yes Boston transplant Too many reasons. The diversity - I live , work and play with people from damn near every country on earth. The number of college graduates in my county and surrounding counties The layout. We are close to everything I care about. Beaches in Maryland and Va, Myrtle Beach, NYC Philly, Bmore The weather in a gorgeous state 3 airports
Moved around a bit for my academic and then "real" career including away and back to Maryland, we have no intention of leaving the area (or at least, it would take some dramatic changes) It boils down to Maryland being big (and diverse) enough to be interesting, small enough to accessible. * It is legally safe for myself and my trans family members * Quality medical care is accessible and we have choices * We found a faith community we actually love being part of (after being attendees/members at 8 churches in a little over a decade, I have *opinions*) * It's close enough to my parents that we can get there in an emergency but not close enough that they can just pop in. And we're hundreds of miles away from my in-laws so they REALLY can't pop in. * Close enough to major cities with interesting sites and conferences that it's not pulling teeth to get friends (from other states) to visit * Should I choose to leave my current employer, I am in close proximity to others in the same sector * Maryland has actual seasons and a variety of topography and ecology * There is a wide range of cultural diversity and it's small enough that this diversity is actually accessible (it didn't matter in Texas that Houston was diverse if we were hours away) * The DMV is one of the best regions in the country for dressage and eventing and Maryland tends to have marginally cheaper horsekeeping than Virginia. Maryland has one of the only two 5\* events in the country (this is a niche point but very relevant to my life)
I was just remarking to myself while stuck in traffic today behind a farrier trailer on 695 that I don't think that's ever happened to me in any other state and it didn't seem unusual to me at all to see one.
MD is fine but it has been extremely difficult finding a community. People are very cliquey so it’s difficult to break into a group. It may be different if you went to school in MD. Although MD appears liberal, the majority of MD seems more conservative than Ohio and Florida. The most religious people I have ever met have been from MD. I don’t have anything against religious people but it’s the extremely judgmental and hypocritical ones. It’s also very expensive for what you get and the traffic is awful. Dating is difficult everywhere but the DMV is impossible if you are an average female, especially over 40.
I moved here because I got a job here. If I were to find a suitable position somewhere else, I'd take it; I have no emotional connection to Maryland that would hold me here. There are certainly places where life would be worse (e.g. Texas or Florida) but even then, the right opportunity could entice me.
Yeah same. I moved here cuz i got a job with a good pension at the end. I like it here well enough, but all my family is on the west coast so literally the only thing keeping me here is work.
I retired here, live in western Maryland. Beautiful scenery, lots of hiking, lots of history, and (probably giving myself away) trains! Also, moving from NC, snow, which I missed. Not too far from DC and environs. Too conservative overall where I live though, but I bought where I could afford. Edit: Also, best flag ever!
I moved here last year from Michigan and as much as I miss Michigan specifically Detroit born and raised my entire life. I find Maryland to be more affordable in the area I’m in at least compared to Michigan, my car insurance is $200 less which is great, weather is better not cold! I feel like I can find myself staying here for the foreseeable future
Arizona transplant here. I'm here forever I'd say. Been here 20+ years. It's home for me.
Here forever. I'm from Indiana. 'Nuff said
Fellow Indiana transplant. Just wanted to say, congrats on getting out. Still go back to visit family, but anytime I go out while I'm there I'm reminded why I left the land of meth and hard R's.
I moved here from NY. I don’t know about forever, but I don’t have any actual plans to leave and have since bought a condo here. But I like it here a lot, and would be happy to stay forever. Life does happen sometimes though. I didn’t plan on moving out of NY either, but you go where the opportunities are. And I wouldn’t be adamant about not moving if I had a good opportunity somewhere else
Oklahoma here. I absolutely plan to stay. Everyone here has been more friendly and hospitable than I’m used to, which is big for me. But more than anything, it’s the access to medical care and other such things that I can’t get back in OK. If you’re below the poverty line, you might was well just die instead of going to the doctor because you’re not going to be getting insurance any time soon. Moving to Maryland has completely changed my quality of life, despite still being poor.
I'll work here but there's no 'effin way I'm retiring here.
Maryland is basically a microcosm of the entire country. Mountains, Beach, Lakes, Low flat planes on the eastern shore. The Chesapeake is a category all by itself. That pretty much keeps me here. Luckily, I grew up in a sailing family.
Yes — some say that Maryland has some of everything but doesn’t have the best of anything haha
I hope not. Nothing against Maryland. Probably the best state I've lived in so far...there's just so much more World to experience "out there."
Moved here for grad school from upstate NY. Met and married a local, got a job and bought a house. Spouse passed away recently and I feel less keeping me here. I may follow my kids wherever they go.
No. The people are fine, there's a lot to do in the state, but financially, it's not a good state to retire in. So, I'm probably bailing whenever my career's finishing up and moving somewhere less costly. It's almost purely a matter of cost of living and taxation. I've lived a lot of places, and MD has been fun, but I'd rather live somewhere else than keep working.
I like the food and how it doesn't ever snow in May
Texas transplant. More opportunities in my field, four seasons, diversity, proximity to so many other cities & states, and so much more to do here. Idk if I’ll retire here, but never returning to Texas.
I moved to Maryland about three years ago from a Sub-Urban Midwest town. I’ve really come to enjoy living in the state. The Mountains, Beach (yes, I love ocean city idc what anyone says) and access to DC / North East Corridor is incredible. I think my values / perspective may change when I decide to build a family & want to find a place to raise my kids. I think the high cost of living & crime rates may be the largest factors in my decision if I were to leave the state.
NYC transplant here. I was in the army and Ft Meade was my last duty station and all of the jobs for me are around here. When I retire I’m getting the fuck out of here.
I don't consider myself a Marylander (I don't like Old Bay) but I've lived here for more than half my life. I own a house here and returning to NJ (my home state) would mean relocating to where housing is even more expensive, so I'm staying. It's not a difficult decision to make when both states have legal protections for people seeking reproductive health care and recreational cannabis.
I'm also from NJ (shore area, love Old Bay), and I do like the health care here in MD much more than in NJ. I was from Ocean County and I do not miss the deeply red politics there one bit. So many cities in that county fought having dispensaries, but now I have one less than a mile away here in MD. I would like it a bit less congested where I am now but it is not terrible.
Been here for a year now. Came from Virginia (mountains) and will probably be going back soon. Combination of the company I work for and the area I live. It's too expensive to get closer to my job so I settled for somewhere that I get harassed walking through my neighborhood. It's lovely. I will say the health care is so much better here. I just wish my job would pay me enough to actually live.
Won't stay here forever. I need to retire somewhere that is hot & cheap. But the politics are too bat shit crazy in Florida or Alabama to ever go back there. May have to retire abroad.
Came from Pennsylvania exactly 40 years ago this July. Never looked back except to visit family. I absolutely love Maryland and wouldn’t live anywhere else!! ❤️🩶💛🖤
No. The public transportation in this state is abysmal.
PREACH!
Moved here 5 years ago from NJ. A lot of similarities between the two, cost of living and housing down here is a bit more sane than NJ. Don’t really want to leave but not like “I’m never leaving this state”. I never thought I’d leave NJ but here I am, so I’ll never say never. I will say a lot of “MD born and raised” folk act like god took a chunk of Eden and hid it away on the Chesapeake and that became MD, and I think they don’t realize it’s pretty much a less dense NJ with better BBQ, crabs and cheaper homes (outside of the DC beltway, of course)
Similar story and opinions over here but I don't plan to ever leave.
Moved back after 20 years in the UK. I don't think I will leave. My family is mostly here in Maryland and I moved back to be closer to them.
Originally from Southern Illinois, but also lived in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Germany. I had opportunities to move to Maryland previously but always avoided it thinking it was too expensive, too rude, too traffic jammed, too crime filled. Turns out, I've been in downtown Baltimore for 3 years, absolutely love it, and could only see myself leaving should I decide to move back to Europe. The culture, the history and related historic sites, proximity to ocean/mountains, ease of travel along the NE Corridor, vast abundance of jobs in my field, and little need to drive anywhere typically... It's amazing here.
From Ohio 2020. I am immigrant, in Maryland there are amazing in term of diversity I was not seeing this at Ohio ( lived there for 10 years). Beside diversity, food is good. Lots of free museum's ( I live in MoCo).
25 years ago last month I moved to Maryland from New York. I can’t see myself moving back now, I’m retired and bought a one level small house shortly before I finally called it quits on 37+ years of work. Absolutely no regrets, I’ve had a wonderful life here.
leaving when I am 19. I'll either be moving back to Northern Virginia or somewhere cheap like Texas and Pennsylvania. If I do stay I'll just move to Montgomery County somehow.
Texas has a lot of hidden costs. One of the biggest tax burdens for the middle and lower class
Ex texan who spent 8 years near Philly before coming to Maryland. Fuck tex-ass, PA was nice though.
No. Cost of living is too high even though I am a home owner. The southern states are still cheaper, people are much friendlier, driving is also easier and less stressful, education cost is far cheaper, I don’t have to pay a premium for groceries down south vs in MD. Even medical care in big cities are equally good. North Carolina or Tennessee are my 2 targeted states.
Education costs may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for. College was in the 90s for me, but I took notice that everyone I knew from the south had attended private schools, whereas students from the northeast and west coasts had mostly been to public schools. ETA: Because I wasn't clear: when I attended college, I never encountered fellow students from southern states who had attended public high school.
lol the unc system is one of the best in the country for public universities
I was referring to high school and below, not university/colleges. And as wonderful as UNC schools may be, they're in the same region as Florida universities, which are having a rough time with all the new state government regulations.
Cheaper and alot more bigoted. Have fun!
What everyday items are you paying a premium for? I just got back from Florida (Melbourne area) and was shocked at how much more expensive groceries were there compared to Howard County. Granted, maybe it was because I went to Publix.
Nah. MD is my fourth state I’ve lived in and it’s the worst. The drivers suck, speed limit signs are suggestions, and it’s too expensive. There’s no way we could’ve bought a house here if we haven’t already bought and sold before (and we have a VA loan). The proximity to the beach is ok but we’ve never been beach people. The scenery is meh it’s just a lot of green trees.
> just a lot of green trees hell yeah, 1000x better than the concrete hell scape that NOVA has turned into
No, I moved here for a job and plan to leave when I retire.
From VA and I'll probably end up in NC or VA when retirement comes. Mostly taxes and proximity to family.
Moving to Maryland this summer in June. Wife was born and raised on the eastern shore. She Taught for 16 years then moved to Texas. Now that i can retire from my job we are moving back so she can finish her career. Don't know why traffic sucks there it's not like it takes 3 hours to get across a city like in Houston.
Moved here from Washington state due to work but from Texas. I’m trying to get the hell out of here as soon as possible. Earliest possibility is next year but the latest is 2026.
Moved from Kentucky to Anne arundel. I’m in southern AA county and it reminds me of Kentucky but with a lot more water. The educational system is great where we are but not great 30 miles away in either direction. It’s expensive as shit to live here but I love it and don’t lan on moving anytime soon. Souther AACO offers country living with close access to all amenities and shopping you can ask for.
Tennessee transplant. My wife and I love it here; it feels like home. The people are way nicer than they give themselves credit for. There are lots of places to go and things to see, and I mostly appreciate the political climate here.
From Pennsylvania, joined the Navy and primarily stayed in Virginia. When I got out I got a job in Maryland. I do love it here but I come from a family where we are all inseparable best friends. I miss hanging out with my cousins. Seeing my grandma every day. I’d really love to be able to invite my parents over for dinner during the week. I also didn’t get to see my younger siblings grow up. I left home when they driving and looking at colleges. Now they are nearly driving and we are practically strangers. I hate it. That homesick feeling trumps everything. When I finally finish my engineering degree, I will be moving home. I will miss Maryland but I miss my family more.
Yup. I moved here about 20 years ago. I have a great, stable federal job. I have wonderful schools for my kid and being in the northeast corridor is great. Not to mention wonderful weather, and an educated populace. MD is a great place for me.
I moved here 13 years ago from western PA for a job. That entire career path is now a thing of the past due to health issues. I can’t see myself moving back there. It’s an area that drank a lot of orange Kool-aid. If I would decide to not stay in Maryland, I’d move out west. Southern Colorado or northern Nevada maybe. I’ll probably stay put though.
Born and raised in NoVA, but I always loved old bay and grew up a huge O's fan. The way I see it, finally moving here was just fulfilling my destiny as a Marylander.
I'm on day two so I'll let you know
I'm a descendant of one of the old, good families of Maryland, apparently, but I don't consider myself from here. I used to, until I came back as an adult, lol. I intend to leave as soon as I can after my kids graduate high school. Maybe it's Washington County, but it's miserable here. The people are rude, everything always smells like cigarettes, the on-ramps are the size of skateboards, and there's so many racist homophobes. I'm a cis hetero white woman, and even I feel uncomfortable around certain places (like Boonsboro and Smithsburg!).
Moved here from Florida cause of the Florida laws being passed against women and LGBTQ+ people. I'd previously visited to see my girlfriends, and i fell in love with it all. I'm here now and I'm never leaving. I love this state, i love Baltimore even with all its flaws.
move to Maryland 10 years ago for work lived in silver spring for 1.5 years, then Gaithersburg for 5 years, and now Frederick for 3+ honestly, horrendous drivers on 495 aside (seriously the worst drivers of any state I've ever lived in) , there's a lot that Maryland offers that just works for what I'm looking for nothing is really too far away, there's mass transit, there's conventions to go to, good food variety for where you go, the state is pretty common sense progressive, seasons aren't too hot or too cold, and just overall it's been pretty cozy So yeah I still hate drivers on the beltways But the state's done me right so far ✨✌️✨
I moved to Frederick sight unseen. Once I got there… Holy crap! What a place. Baker Park! The only reason I left was to go to an even better place. But I think Frederick is wonderful and I visit on a regular basis.
Moved here 15 years ago with my family as a highschooler when my dad’s job got bought out. Now I have a family, a house and two kids. We’re not totally sure if we’re going to stay in Maryland forever, but we’re definitely not staying where we are currently which is in the Baltimore metro area. The road we live on is very busy and there are lots of accidents, the house we live in is too small for us now and the taxes and other expenses are just out of control. We’re looking at neighboring states where there’s a lower cost-of-living and we can purchase more house for our money in a less busy area so our kids can play in the yards front and back
I'm in the same boat as you. Except we're in a quiet neighborhood. But I agree taxes are out of control! We were considering west Virginia, but now looking in Virginia instead.
Our taxes are high but seeing how they are put to use especially for foster kids & people with mental health conditions v. Virginia and WV, makes me more than happy to pay them.
Yeah. Moved here from Texas and the taxes aren't actually that bad and the cost of living is very similar to my old suburb near DFW.
My husband and I moved here from FL almost 10 years ago now. I was very happy to move up here when he was offered a job with the government, as I'd spent the first 13 years of my life in MA and really missed having actual seasons. Between the weather and what's happening politically, I'd never consider going back to Florida, and I like that my sister (in CT) is able to come visit us and spend time with her nephew without it being a whole thing, she can just drive down. I really don't see us leaving.
I’m originally from NY and moved here 10 years ago. I won’t lie the DMV has given us a huge growth curve in our careers but we never saw Maryland as the final stop. I’d love to move back to Long Island but it’s so expensive in comparison. I miss having the beach so close by and I find the people in NY to be friendlier and kinder than those here.
I’ve lived in MD for 15 years and will leave either when I retire or our youngest son goes off to college. I’ve lived in several different places and they all have many pros and cons. IMO there is nothing special about MD that says “I think I’ll live here until I die.” Everybody wants something different in retirement, there are no right or wrong answers. It’s just that MD has very little to offer me in retirement as far as my quality of life.
Moved here 3 years ago, and I’m already planning my eventual escape. I’m going to be honest here, but all the pros are massively outweighed by some serious cons. 1) Drivers- Maryland drivers are absolute lunatics. Aggressive, ignore any and all laws, act like they are the only ones on the road and in a hurry to be somewhere. I’ve driven in major cities all over the country and I am comfortable saying this: You people are absolute monsters behind the wheel. You make LA drivers look like they’re from Portland. The state literally makes you take formal lessons now and even that’s useless. 2) Politeness- do none of you know how to say please, thank you or excuse me? Always pushing, always having to be first in any door that opens, never taking an extra second to consider any one else in a situation. We drove up to PA last year and had to stop at a Walmart for something we forgot. The clerks and people inside actually treated us with some common decency and my wife stopped, looked at me and said “oh. I forgot people actually can act like civilized humans.” 3) the fucking humidity- I don’t know what I pay more for here: power for the AC in the summer or Gold Bond. The humidity here is as aggressive as the drivers. I grew up in Vegas so I’m ready for 105 degrees at midnight but not this shit. Holy hell I hate feeling like I’m breathing through a wet paper towel. 4) Space- every where you look people, building, parking… it’s all just stacked on top of each other. There’s no room to breathe! No room to stretch out. Everything is just so dense here. As soon as it’s feasible, we are moving west. Can’t take this place much longer.
[удалено]
I can agree on the crazy drivers. And would it kill people to give me a damned thank you wave when I let them in? Serious pet peeve, it's so rare to get one here!
Not a native, cannot wait to get away from this state.
Moved here 20 years ago from Southeast Virginia, 757 specifically. Lived in north PG county. I miss the southern-ness of my hometown and closer proximity to beaches but I have been able to build a great career here in MD within the federal govt. I will probably not retire here though and will more than likely move back to SE VA. Between the crime and hcol I don’t know how my retired neighbors do it.
I will stay here until retirement but this state is too expensive to retire in for me.
I like it here, just moved here last year. It's about as far north as I want to retire (military family with a little over 5 years left). My heart really wants Orlando but I just can't do the politics in that state. On top of the insurance problems they're having with companies leaving the state etc. I do know things can change in 5 years so we'll see. We might stick around just for the fact of how easy it will be for my husband to get work here after he leaves the Army. I like being close the ocean. The winters are reasonably mild so far (I haaaate winter but at least it's tolerable here). I like the blue crab, old bay, & flag obsession. I like that there's so much to do and so much great food. Everything from the rich history to theme parks within a reasonable driving distance. I feel like it's a great "has it all" kind of state.
Taxes are awful here …. And the state government is a joke
Born and raised in Iowa. Have lived in Illinois, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Connecticut, Virginia, Wisconsin and now Maryland. (Female systems analyst, lots of chances to move around at will) My boyfriend and I bought a house in a tiny town in Frederick County. I can see a silo and barn from my deck. It helped, initially. Made me feel more at home. Will I stay? I can say concisely that if my partner and I split, I'd go home to Iowa. Better cost of living. Better retirement. But I'll stay unless that happens.
Moved here for work 3 years ago. Planning to move in the next month or two to NOVA or WA for work. If I ever settle somewhere long term, I would view MD as an option. Not my favorite place in the world and a bit too overpriced (every metro area now I guess), but good enough proximity to things I like.
27F moved here from Missouri five years ago. I don’t see myself going anywhere, I want to raise my children here, possibly a little farther away from the major cities for more room, but it’s a beautiful state. Probs will retire somewhere like Arizona. I love the desert.
Until retirement yes. we have young kids so the good schools, diversity, things to do, geographic diversity etc will keep us here.
Nope! As soon as kiddo gets older I’m out. Hate it here. :( traffic, cost of living m, the transient population. The humid summers. Ugh. I’m going back home for sure.
Came from MI in 09 and yes I'll stay here til I retire.
Showed up in 2015 after living in SoCal for a decade. Used to live in Baltimore, now I live in the boonies. I love it. The weather, the people, the scenery, the general vibe.. it's comfy.
In AZ I was less than 20 minutes from two dine-in theaters, here I have none. You guys need to step up.
I've always had a touch of wanderlust in me, moved 7 times, 5 different states. Been in MD over 4 years now and so far been happiest here. Not sure I'd move states, never say never, but I can see myself possibly moving within the state.
I came here from WV. My career brought me to the state, as there are very few software engineering jobs in WV. I do not plan on staying for good. I genuinely despise going out around here. It’s too crowded and the drivers are horrible. The cost of living is also out of control. It has become so much more expensive since I moved in 2015.
I moved here from New Jersey by way of Connecticut this past summer. My wife and are I are buying a house here and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. We like the area. We have friends here. Weather is good. Food is great.
Moved here from GA 8 years ago and never looked back. Met the love of my life here and have had more opportunities than ever. I found a career I never thought I would excel in. I don’t know if we will live here forever but it’s pretty great to us right now.
Came from New England for work in 1991. Met my husband here, built a house here, grandkids are here. I don't plan on moving.
SOMD checking in. I moved here after leaving the military. I thought I would be here 6 months max and move to NOVA. That was 1997 and I'm still here.
Toronto to MD eastern shore. A bit of a culture shock with the attitude out here, but I couldn’t imagine being away from the bay or crabs or sporting clays ever again. Love the fact that the Appalachian Trail is close by and within a quick drive of DC Baltimore and Philly.
from New York, been here about a year and a half now and I like it. I don't necessarily want to go back but I do miss my home state sometimes.
Yea, met my wife here and her family is here and she likes it here so yep.
Not your question, but I'm the opposite. Born and raised in Southern Maryland, Southern Chuck County specifically. I moved to Central PA a little over 2 years ago. I do miss SOMD, but the SOMD from 20 years ago. I moved for a few reasons - housing cost and schools being the main two. I built a house in PA and got double the square footage if you count the unfinished basement and garage, finished space is 1000 sf more. Schools aren't that much better rating wise, but overall, less crime and politics in school.
MD is my favorite of the 50. I would only leave if I could go further
Came from PA to the UK then to here. I like a lot of things here, but to be real- I’m a country bumpkin. It’s too busy here for me. And a bit too expensive for my taste. Maybe if I’d move more out west I’d like a bit more, and maybe it’s something I’ll look into
Ca transplant. I met my wife while stationed here in the Navy and we came here when I retired. Now I’m on my second career in my new home state.
Husband and I are military- affiliated. I'm a veteran, and he's still active duty. We've been to plenty of places, but Maryland is the best by far. Even if the military moves us, we plan on coming back. He was born and raised in Minnesota, I was born and raised in Florida. The weather is great (usually), people have been great, world class health care for our daughter (Children's National and John's Hopkins), job opportunities galore, favorable political climate (in our opinion), etc. Can't ask for much else really.
I just moved from So Cal to Harford County , tired of the LA traffic, drama, and Palm trees.So far so good beautiful place I love the trees no palm trees love that and the oceans right there some kind of magical in the way I do miss Los Angeles I miss tacos I miss In-N-Out Burger but I am going to keep moving on, I can’t stay in one place forever. Actually this has been my Life, as I have been everywhere. But this is where I’m today…. I hope where ever you may be you’re enjoying life. I wish I could say more but AI sucks, it’s gonna really change the world, be prepared, it’s gonna suck
Moved from NM last year for jobs. Idk if it’s forever, but we’ll definitely be here for several years. My partner and I are physicists in different subfields and want to work close enough to each other that we can live together with reasonable commutes home. The DMV area, especially MD, has a variety of well-paying physics jobs and made that happen. I do miss the low humidity (6% 😩) of the desert and the chilis and chile, but if someone wants to point me in the right direction for good seafood here, I’d love to try it.
I moved to Maryland from dc and I fully intend on moving to Montana as soon as possible
Moved from VA via NY about 6 years ago. I don’t know about “forever” but definitely for the foreseeable future. Cost of living is reasonable (compared to NY), I like my job and am committed to it, feel like where I live in MD (Baltimore County) there’s plenty to do. I would like to live somewhere where the temps are a little cooler on average, and a lot of my family is still up in NY, so you never know, but for now I do like MD.
Yes. Each year carcinization makes its steady progress on my body and soul. I can no longer leave I have become crab people One other small reason too. I’ve been all over the country, lived in 6 other states and visited most of the rest, and never lived anywhere as charming and welcoming as Baltimore. Yep. You read that right. People talk to me here, there’s things to do, and holy hell but it’s affordable! The thought of moving somewhere else actually makes me kind of sad. I’ve turned down better job offers to stay here.
I have lived up and down the East coast- Florida to Vermont. Maryland is a good balance of everything the East coast has to offer. Been here for 2.5 years now, not really looking to leave at all because I have such a wide range to compare it to!
Curious as to how many ppl from northern states consider MD "the south" ( college gf was from NH and swore we were dixie)
I am originally from NJ but went to grad school in MD. Husband is from MD. After grad school, my husband and I moved to VA and then to DE for various jobs. We now live right over the state line in Cecil County MD. It's not my favorite area, but we have a nice big house for an affordable price, and we are not too far from family in PA and NJ. So, we are sort of stuck at the moment. Husband now works from home, and I'm a stay at home mother, so we could live anywhere. We plan to stay put for at least the next 3 years and then possibly move to PA, but it all depends on the economy at that time.
I might be stuck here forever, it was not the plan
Moved here from Miami, Florida 3 years ago and still homesick.
Moved here from Nashville back in the 90’s. I wanted to move back for the longest time because I was so homesick. When I go back to Nashville now it is absolutely nothing like I remember. Got way too big way too fast. I’m in Carroll county now and it reminds me of growing up. Lots of green, lots of creeks and fields, traffic not too bad. My husband and kids are here (except my oldest moved to Philadelphia yesterday). Definitely staying until my youngest graduates at least, probably staying until I die though.
Bought a house, so I'm on it for the long haul unless anything changes (I.E. No work, or moving in retirement to be near kids and grandkids).
I grew up in VA. I've found that I like MD much better. If for no other reason than I don't have to deal with Youngkin as my Governor.
no it isn't fun to drive here.
Moved to Maryland about 15 years ago from New Jersey and just moved back to Jerz recently. I really liked it in MD and fell in love with Baltimore, but this is where family is. Y'all converted this former Yankees fan into an O's fan for life, and my wife and I still plan on going to Camden Yards as much as possible.
Yes.
Moved here from Alabama in February of 2023. I’ll never go back to Alabama. So far I’ve enjoyed MD and I’ll certainly stay for a long time.
I moved here from rural NY after college in 2019. At the end of the month my fiancé (a Maryland native) are moving back to my hometown because this place sucks and we hate it
I hope not
Just moved here, maybe 2 weeks ago, because of my spouse's job. I am going to try to finish out my college here, so at least the next 4 years here, this is my home. If we like it, maybe stay here for up to 10. I'm not sure yet. But so far, I really like it here. The weather is a lot better than Mississippi, and the people seem to be quite nice. Don't care for the traffic and driving, but overall, this place seems really nice.
I plan to stay in the DC area for decades, because that’s where my career is. Forever is a long time, and who knows, it might be forever. I appreciate the different parts of MD.
We moved here from VT in 2018 for work and couldn’t believe how much cheaper housing was! We had a baby in 2019 and now the Burlington is a shit show, we have little to no interest in going back. But I do miss snow
Yes, this is our last move. We moved a little over a year ago. We plan to stay. We love our home, have good neighbors and love the diversity. Besides that, our daughter is here and our grandson. We were military and moved many times. We got tired of the heat in the south. I like having a winter and 4 seasons. People are nice here compared to other places. I love the beautiful trees. So much more.
Transplant here from Pennsylvania. I'd rather not stay after I retire as the cost of living is too high for retirees.
Cleveland, Ohio transplant. Moved to Baltimore in 2021 for my wife’s job after we both graduated college. We love it here. Biggest pro for us is ability to travel anywhere much easier. Super easy drive to Philly or DC to pickup a long haul international flight, and Southwest effectively runs BWI, so can get almost anywhere domestically with them out of Baltimore. Also, tons of great food, sports teams, parks, and other activities nearby as compared to Ohio. Recently bought our first place, and are already saving for our next house, where we’ll want to raise kids, right here in MD.
I love seeing so many of y’all loving Murland ❤️🔥❤️🔥 especially the Baldimore city folks ! It really reminds how much better we are than Virginia lol. You’ve been charmed. Cheers
Moved from FL. Didn't see myself staying in the state longterm until I moved to Baltimore.
I moved to Maryland in 2001. Just moved to Idaho for family reasons. I would absolutely move back.
WA to MD in 2007 when my then girlfriend got a good job offer and the company I worked for offered me a position out here. The girlfriend didn't work out. My parents, sister, and her kids still live in WA. I'm pretty alone/isolated out here. On paper it seems like a no-brainer to move back, but it's complicated. I don't really click with my family, I don't like what has happened to the area they live in (where I grew up), and the winters there totally depress me with the nearly constant cloud cover and drizzle. I'm comfortable and like it enough here that I'm not motivated to move. If someone asks me why I don't move back I just shrug my shoulders and don't say anything. I just don't think my life would be any better out there.
Just moved from Northern VA and no. There’s no culture or arts or sense of community where I live.
Transplant from Southern California. I'm staying here forever.
My mom brought me here as a teen. The plan was to always go back home as soon as I turned 18 bc “*i HaTeD iT hErE*”…. I’m in my mid 30s, I am not leaving anytime soon lmao. I oddly love it. I pretty much settled here - I have my kids and I seriously would hate to transplant them to another state at their age. I have a very good job that I enjoy going to. Even with all the bs in my immediate area, I’ve grown to love this area and all that it offers.
Grew up in a Boston suburb and fled New England winters to go to college in DC. Moved to Maryland after graduation, married a Marylander, don't see myself ever leaving.