Job transfer to IRS, NCFB, MD--Help relocation info! (Baltimore, Frederick: apartment complex, renters)

[MISSISSIPPI GIRL IN MASS]

Hi, I am moving to MD due to a job transfer to the New Carrollton Federal Building in Lanham/Seabrook. Know Nothing about the area, have 3 children, ages 13, 10, and 5. Moving Memorial day weekend, one month away. Looking for single family home for rent, preferably 3 bedroom, no more than $1000.00/mo. Any suggestions? Love Country setting, from MS, however have lived in Massachussetts (due to job transfer) only 1 year, and HATED the community where we live---(people live on top of people; no trees; no grass; ALL City life). The IRS will be paying for us to stay in an Apartment in Bowie, MD for 2 months, but after that I am on my own. Good thing is I will be there for 2 months to look around, but having never been there, I have NO idea where to begin. ANY help would be appreciated. Right down to Daycare costs, Utility companys, deposit information, rental information, Over all cost of living. When I moved to MA, housing was 2-3 times more expensive for the same size house in MS. BIG difference, with not a big increase in income.

[7th Direction]

You are not going to find a single family house for rent for $1000 in MD.... or at least one suitable for a family with children.

The least expensive single family rentals go for around $1300-$1400. I picked a fairly remote location: Shady Side, which is near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. It has a more rural feel, and you aren't that far from Lanham (about 30 miles). If that is too far, there are places in southern Anne Arundel County that are still pretty rural that are closer.

Once you start looking at places further north, like Annapolis or Crofton, it starts getting more an more suburban (and expensive!).

I did a quick rental property check and found this house for rent in Shady Side...

Weichert Rental Network

[MISSISSIPPI GIRL IN MASS]

Thank you for the info. What about VA/WV, are they very far from Lanham? Do they have homes near my price range? I really am not sure about the income I will be getting, because I am moving from a different government pay scale, and also to a different locality pay scale. I am almost positive that I could not afford more than $1,100./mo, and then I will be scraping by with groceries, utilities, gas, etc. Any info anyone can provide would be great!

[trying2moveup]

WV is WAY too far away from Lanham unless you are going to live in Martinsburg, WV and take the MARC train to New Carrollton(and I don't know if it stops there). . . and that is going to be a LONG train ride (but beats driving the Beltway). VA, to get there either east or west on the beltway you will be crossing the Potomac River. The one side is part of the National Harbor construction and the rennovation of the Woodrow WIlson Bridge, which leads down to the Mixing Bowl in Springfield, VA which I believe construction of the new overpasses is almost complete. The American Legion bridge is on the other side and picks up the traffic from Rt 66 in VA and Rt. 270 in Maryland.

You can try Apartments for rent: Apartment Guide, your free apartment finder and put in different cities in this area and get an idea on at least what apartment rentals are. . . some rental complexes around here are townhouse rentals which may work for you for the first year while you get your bearings and really get to know the local market (which is continuing to tank, to everyone's advantage who wants to buy).

[MISSISSIPPI GIRL IN MASS]

Thank you, again. Are you saying that VA would be okay?---Not that far away or hard to travel?

[sunnydayz37]

Northern VA is very expensive as well. This state is very expensive all the way around. We pay 1400 in Frederick for a house and that is on the cheap end.

[MISSISSIPPI GIRL IN MASS]

Thanks sunnydayz37. What about utility companies---gas, electric, water, etc. Are those all separate? What companies are they? Do they require deposits? Also, generally in the va/md area, do they usually require 1st/last mo rent plus deposits? Any info to prepare me would be great!

[dkf747]

Just to address the question not answered, driving from Virginia will be awful.

Some utility companies in the area:
- Washington Gas
- B.G&E - Baltimore Gas and Electric
- PEPCO - Potomac Electric Power Co.
- Water is WSSC, I think. (always has been included in my rent).

[sunnydayz37]

Originally Posted by MISSISSIPPI GIRL IN MASS

Thanks sunnydayz37. What about utility companies---gas, electric, water, etc. Are those all separate? What companies are they? Do they require deposits? Also, generally in the va/md area, do they usually require 1st/last mo rent plus deposits? Any info to prepare me would be great!

Allegheny Power is who I have for electric..I don't have gas but Washington Gas is here and for water I pay the landlord but the apartment complex I was in had me pay them as well. It was not included in my rent and it was outrageous. Please ask that up front if you are looking to rent in an apartment complex. I paid first and last month deposit here and pet deposit. I think the deposit depends on your credit as well. They didn't run a credit check on us. We are heading to Utah in a few weeks and escaping the prices here in Maryland so good luck. If you need any other help let me know. I am a Maryland native so I can help you as best I can

[trying2moveup]

Virginia is very expensive as well - this whole area is expensive, no matter how you want to slice it. I don't know where in Mass you are coming from (Boston or the burbs up there?) but you can use this calculator to do a cost-of-living comparison. IN the results, it will give % of how much cheaper/more expensive things like utilities are.

Cost of Living - Cost of Living Calculator from CNNMoney

I'm in Frederick. I have washington gas for our TH. I think the costs will depend on how much you use; we keep our heat set at 65 in the winter which most people just can't believe (62 at night) and still have bills in the mid 100s durig the coldest months. Same for Allegheny electric - keep the a/c at 80 until I just cannot stand it.

We own; I don't know how it works for renters but of course if you can get it included in rent, I'm sure that is helpful.