Why Did You Move Out Of Maryland.... (houses, employment)

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

For me, the traffic, workaholicism, cost of living, and continuous (dense) development in and around DC - which I really have grown an interest in - aren't the problem. It's not even the income that people make and them flaunting it off via clothing and cars. It's how they carry themselves personality-wise (particularly the exteriorly snobbish and unnecessarily rude individuals) and the "group-mentality" (race, religion, even neighborhood) that makes me want to move from Maryland. If only people could be rich and have luxury items w/o the purpose of trying to one-up each other, integrate with whoever they wanted to be friends/lovers/espoused with regardless of race or religion, and be nice and respectful (or at least give their privacy) to each other, Maryland wouldn't be that bad of a state.

And BTW, to all of you saying "Maryland was nicer in the 'Good ol' Days,'" it had more than its fair share of problems (the narrow-minded mentality of people in the rural parts of MD is an accurate, modern-day example of that). Ultimately, I would love to live my life in a laid back "live-and-let-live place," but for me, places like San Diego, Central Cali, Seattle/Pacific NW, Denver, and Hawaii are more of my cups of tea.

True...Plus, at least around the DC region, be it whether you are part of a social group or what ever, EVERY thing seems to be a competition regarding who has the most education, where one lives, travel etc. Nothing but posers. it gets sickening after a while.

I think the fact that you have so many competetive people concentrated in such a relatively dense area, it just magnifies the problem that much more. True..The DC/MD/VA area has a very high concentration of educated people. Socially, though, many get an "F".

Granted, the area had it's good points and I was lucky enough to form some meaningful friendships. However, I just decided to get the heck out of Dodge and live somewhere else. I live in PA now about two hours away, and I will say as a "tourist", I enjoy the area a lot more rather than a resident. I'm a lot happier, less negative and stressed out and enjoy life a lot more than I did when in the DC area.

[laxmom]

I have lived my entire life here in Montgomery County Md. and have loved all the state has to offer, Chesapeake Bay; Ocean; mountains; city (DC); first rate theater productions; urban life (Bethesda); capital crescent trail (Beth into DC); farm land and rolling hills (Boyds, Dickerson); Great Falls; C&O canal and the Potomac River; wonderful restaurants; 4 seasons..... I could go on.

I have not experienced racial tension, or had any troubles with transients. I think the suburbs of any major city will be full of people who have relocated for career purposes; especially with the political cycles that we have in DC. I think that makes for very interesting dinner conversation!

Bottom line is you have to know what makes you happy!

The one thing I am surprised that I have not seen posted as a major reason to relocate away from here is the allergies. As a native, I have dealt with the allergies all my life. I have tried everything and spent a lot of money!! As a mom, I know that they are debilitating and have cost me valuable time where I need to be productive. I don't just get the usual sneezing and stuffy nose, I get headaches and become extremely tired.

My husband, a transplant from St. Louis, has a potential job opportunity (w/in his co.) in Miami where pay would be about the same. My question is if we consider a move to Ft. Lauderdale, will I be disappointed with the lack of offerings? or sophistication of the area? I was told private school would probably be the way to go. (Love the public school system here). We are water people and I adore sunshine so that would definately be a plus! They don't have the deciduous trees of our area so I know allergies would be nonexistent. I'm thinking I would look close to the beach/Las Olas area. Love those canals. Would much rather see boat traffic then beltway traffic anyday!!

Any thoughts?

[Floridahater]

Originally Posted by laxmom

I have lived my entire life here in Montgomery County Md. and have loved all the state has to offer, Chesapeake Bay; Ocean; mountains; city (DC); first rate theater productions; urban life (Bethesda); capital crescent trail (Beth into DC); farm land and rolling hills (Boyds, Dickerson); Great Falls; C&O canal and the Potomac River; wonderful restaurants; 4 seasons..... I could go on.

I have not experienced racial tension, or had any troubles with transients. I think the suburbs of any major city will be full of people who have relocated for career purposes; especially with the political cycles that we have in DC. I think that makes for very interesting dinner conversation!

Bottom line is you have to know what makes you happy!

The one thing I am surprised that I have not seen posted as a major reason to relocate away from here is the allergies. As a native, I have dealt with the allergies all my life. I have tried everything and spent a lot of money!! As a mom, I know that they are debilitating and have cost me valuable time where I need to be productive. I don't just get the usual sneezing and stuffy nose, I get headaches and become extremely tired.

My husband, a transplant from St. Louis, has a potential job opportunity (w/in his co.) in Miami where pay would be about the same. My question is if we consider a move to Ft. Lauderdale, will I be disappointed with the lack of offerings? or sophistication of the area? I was told private school would probably be the way to go. (Love the public school system here). We are water people and I adore sunshine so that would definately be a plus! They don't have the deciduous trees of our area so I know allergies would be nonexistent. I'm thinking I would look close to the beach/Las Olas area. Love those canals. Would much rather see boat traffic then beltway traffic anyday!!

Any thoughts?

Hey, I lived in Montgomery County and suffered from allergies. In fact, I've lived all over the country and suffered from horrible allergies; however, I suffered the least in CA. Absolutely, do not move to FL or you will suffer year round allergies. It's miserable. Also, don't move to south FL unless you are prepared for high crime and gang activity. Yes, you would have to utilize the private educational system in FL. I know. I am an educator. All in all, remain in MD. Perhaps it's not the best place, but it is much better than FL. Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!

[laxmom]

I heard being near the ocean down there the allergies would be nonexistent. My only relief here is when we go to the beach. I hear that crime is a problem here as well but never experienced it personally. Would it be a problem in the Lauderdale neighborhoods?

[itlchick]

Two things - 1) don't move to South Florida. It has so many problems, way more than you would ever imagine. Check out the Miami thread.

2) I think it's kind of weird and unfair to have a thread about what you don't like about a place. Let's say we're talking about the best place to live on earth (e.g., Charlottesville, VA or something). Let's say that place is 95% and 5% bad. Now let's talk about the things we don't like....it looks like the bad stuff is 100% not 5%!! MD is not for everyone but c'mon, good schools, good jobs...it could be much worse.

[laxmom]

I think it's more than 5% bad for some of the others but overall, I like it here. I just was trying to envision this change to see if it could match up to the 95% (more like 80% for me) but in a different way. I am definately a happier person when the sun is shining and it has been a dark, dreary spring here!

[itlchick]

Yeah, I agree. I'd give MD a 85% good rating myself.

It has been dreary - you should go see the Cherry Blossoms. Man, were they gorgeous. Lifted me right up.

[Floridahater]

Originally Posted by itlchick

Two things - 1) don't move to South Florida. It has so many problems, way more than you would ever imagine. Check out the Miami thread.

2) I think it's kind of weird and unfair to have a thread about what you don't like about a place. Let's say we're talking about the best place to live on earth (e.g., Charlottesville, VA or something). Let's say that place is 95% and 5% bad. Now let's talk about the things we don't like....it looks like the bad stuff is 100% not 5%!! MD is not for everyone but c'mon, good schools, good jobs...it could be much worse.

You are exactly corrrect!!! Also, I am near the ocean and I still sneeze and wheeze. Unless you are standing right on the shore you will still suffer. Finally, do not, under any circumstances, move to South FL. It's a bonafide hell hole. Believe me. It you do so, you will regret it!!!

[vanyali]

Everyone I know in south FL hates it. I don't really get why. My friends are Cubans, and they complain more than anyone about all the Cubans speaking nothing but Spanish, etc. I think the place is just so far away from the rest of the country, you start to feel isolated from the rest of Civilization when you live down there. When it takes a whole day just to drive out of the state, I guess you really *are* isolated. I knew someone who lived in Hawaii for a time too, and he had the same complaint. He just felt like he was marooned on a rock in the middle of the ocean with nothing going on.

[laxmom]

2) I think it's kind of weird and unfair to have a thread about what you don't like about a place. Let's say we're talking about the best place to live on earth (e.g., Charlottesville, VA or something). Let's say that place is 95% and 5% bad. Now let's talk about the things we don't like....it looks like the bad stuff is 100% not 5%!! MD is not for everyone but c'mon, good schools, good jobs...it could be much worse.[/quote]

I was planning on starting a thread about the possible move and was directed to this thread. I thought I would just read what other people found as reasons to move away to see if it would help in my decision but it just showed me it's all about perspective. I disagree with most of the complaints but obviously from their perspective, it's genuine.