Should I move to MD? If so, where? (rent, crime)

[dininebula]

Well, NY is not for me, I think. But mainly, my current desire is to get close to much of my family who surrounds that DC/VA/MD area. We'll see how it goes. The apartment with my cousin thing sounds financially appealing, although the one time I've had roommates, it ended in complete disaster. I now live alone and definitely prefer it that way, being rather introverted. Might have to get over it, I guess.

Anyway, sounds like many of you are liking Takoma Park. I'll have to ask my uncle for advice too, as he lives in DC itself for many years now. Great advice guys, keep it coming! I do indeed have a car that I plan on keeping (still paying for it too, hence the painfully tight budget). So, the cost of living is much higher, but would compensation/wages be proportionately higher also?

>>Not that typical boring suburban cookie cutter crap.<<
Yeah, that's what I DON'T want. Ugh. I like village-ish areas within or adjacent to a city. That kind of thing.

[RoadTripGurl]

Wages aren't high enough to live comfortab;y alone in the areas that would suit you unless you made made over $50-$60K a year. You are single so that's good. The rents are just too high! I was reading a post on another board where the commenter was telling newbies moving here that they will get sticker shock. You will if you are not used to living in a high cost of living area. Most apartments do not include utilities. The gas is going up to $3.00 again. Insurance based on where you live might be high. Factor in everything. go to the Washington Post website and view rental ads. I'd say look at these nighborhoods yourself, especially at night.

[bargainmom]

I would NOT move to Maryland! There are areas of Virginia such as Virginia Beach which are much better and cheaper. I have lived here 3 years and cannot WAIT to relocate! Crime is bad, housing is way too expensive, traffic is bad. Ugh avoid Md!

[adgbusiness]

...there is a small town called Havre de Grace. It is at the top of the Chesapeake Bay, right on the water, on the Western shore. Very quaint, pretty bay town. About half an hour from Baltimore, an hour and a half from Washington, an hour from Philly; train service (Amtrak and Maryland Transit) available right from your door to any of the above cities.

Everywhere in Maryland is expensive to live, but it is probably less expensive in Harford County than when you get down toward DC. Plus, Harford still has lots of rural areas, state parks, etc, if you want that too. You have the best of many worlds.

Don't know what kind of work you do (you said you were a musician...I am too, but I am a public school music teacher to earn a living), so I can't advise you as to the job market you might be looking for.

If you have any ???'s feel free to ask!

[teleblazer]

Originally Posted by bargainmom

I would NOT move to Maryland! There are areas of Virginia such as Virginia Beach which are much better and cheaper. I have lived here 3 years and cannot WAIT to relocate! Crime is bad, housing is way too expensive, traffic is bad. Ugh avoid Md!

Having lived in both areas (around the DC Metro area in both VA and MD) as well as down near Virginia Beach you're comparing apples to oranges which I don't think is giving readers a fair impression. Virginia Beach isn't as busy as the DC Metro area in many respects (salaries, cost of living, development, etc...).

Have you ever lived in Northern Virginia (nicknamed NOVA)? It's a totally different feel than Virginia Beach or anywhere near the Hampton Roads area in Virginia. I think you'll find NOVA is just as rotten as the things you're not liking about the parts of Maryland that you have experienced.

The reason we moved to southern Maryland is the cost of housing was astronomical in Fairfax, VA. Same house we built in 2001 cost 500k more, and traffic was horrible enough that the same 2 1/2 hour drive from Maryland actually put real miles on my car instead of sitting in traffic on I-66.

[RoadTripGurl]

Ha ha! I had to laugh at bargainmom LOL I was so straying away from that, but being born and raised and lived here most of my life I agree. But hey, the people who move here like it because it lacks something from where they come from. You can try it and see, it's not like you're padlocked here!!! As with everyone else, I would say figure out what kind of work you will be doing, that way you can get an idea of the salries you will make. It's not doable int he DC area to spend $600 a month in rent, and you don't want to live where the rent is that affordable! adgbusiness threw Havre de Grace out there... its' over an hour to DC though. But its' nice affordable living near the water (1BRM for about $550), and Harfard is doing a lot of public school hiring if that's your path. I can't think of anywhere else you want to live unless you choose Baltimore, which is about as bad as DC. Myself, I am moving out west, warmer weather, making more money, another quality of life...

[fredperry]

If you go to Harford County stay away from Aberdeen. Lots of crime there. Beware of many areas in Maryland due to the crime. Stay away from Baltimore. So many shootings. Carroll County is still nice. Baltimore County is getting so dangerous.

[howsitgoingdude3]

dude, move to VA make easy on yourself. Maryland is totally going down hill.....

[dininebula]

Thought I'd check back in! Thanks for all the feedback. I must say, I'm conflicted. I'm leaning towards moving in with the cousin in MD, Towson area. Which would be a change of pace for me, but I was thinking it would be okay if it's suburby, because Baltimore is nearby... but several of you say Baltimore is bad news! I don't know. I have a friend who thinks Baltimore is artsy and cool. I've been to VA beach. Nice place to visit, probably too tourist-y for me, especially if it shuts down in winter. I guess if I moved in with my cousin for a year or so, it's a way to (maybe) make it financially feasible. I expect to make, at first, less than $20,000. As for what job market I'm looking for in the long-run, I do not really know at this point, so I'm not making a relocating decision based on that. Yes, music is my passion, but I'm probably going to be doing that more for fulfillment than income. But I do want that cultural scene.

I'm very familiar with Fairfax, VA! Along with Anne Arundel County, MD, and DC, that's where much of my family lives. So you see, there's this general region I'd like to get closer to somehow. I've always wanted to live near the beach, though. Maybe VA Beach isn't too far away, but I wasn't sure about it as a place to call home, as much as I enjoyed it there.

Well, it definitely sounds like I just can't afford to live anywhere! :-( I can barely afford to live where I am. So, the roommate thing will have to do in the near future, until I develop a long-term plan for a better paying job. Either that or I have to just stay put, I'm afraid. Someone mentioned Towson in a way that makes it sound like a boring slice of suburbia. I really hope not!

[irishmom]

I think if you have family here you should stay with them for a few months and explore different areas first then go out on your own. There are so many variables that being here to see in person would be the best if you can do it.