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This thread has been mostly about the DC area. There's not much to talk about concerning Baltimore.
Well, it's been mentioned several times and it's the most populated city in Maryland so it's something people should perhaps consider, if they're trying to decide between Maryland (coolest state flag ever) and Virginia (coolest state ever, in my opinion). Also, it's not that far a drive from NOVA or DC.
That being said, it's also not the only viable option for living in Maryland - and living comfortably and fairly affordably.
Lived in Maryland my whole life. No complaints. It has mountains, the bay, the ocean, cities, etc. NOVA is nice too. It’s growing and expanding. Both states are great.
QOL
Public Transit: Tie - if VA really improves VRE as planned they will get the edge, though.
Universities: VA, but on the virtue of VA being a much larger (geographically) state. VA just has a lot more top tier universities to pick from compare to MD.
Economy: VA sadly. MD overall is just fairly stagnant. Yes, part of VA is very poor but so is part of MD. Richmond and Hampton Roads are doing better than Baltimore, NoVA is doing better than the MD suburbs.
Wealth: MD, but due to it being a smaller state. NoVA is wealthier than MD suburbs (mainly talking about MoCo), Baltimore suburb vs. Richmond suburb is a wash. At the end, the poverty areas in VA is just larger than MD.
Character: Not sure...
Politics: MD. VA can be backward and southern at times.
Suburbs: Tie. From a DMV standpoint, FFX is cleaner and nicer than MoCo. Both states have nice suburbs, though.
Schools: Tie. NoVA has TJ but MD schools are better overall.
Urban Cores: Tie. Baltimore core can be awful, but VA urban cores in places like Roanoke or Newport News or even part of Richmond are not necessarily that much better. VA does have more quaint towns due to being a larger state, but MD has them also, many hidden in Eastern Shores.
Diversity: Tie. Both states are somewhat "zebra" once you're outside DMV. Hispanic population is growing in both state, as is Asian population.
Shopping: VA. Tysons is THE mall in DMV. Short Hill in Richmond is no slouch. Urban hipster boutique shopping are somewhat similar between the two.
Food: MD. Crab Cakes FTW.
Road Network/Traffic: VA. MD roads are awful...
Sports: MD, just b/c VA has zero professional teams.
Quick Getaways/Recreation/Parks/Beaches: Tie. MD if anything punch above its weight in this category despite its small size.
Economic Future: VA. MD economy is just stagnating no matter how people spin it.
Job/Housing Market: Tie. The nice areas of both states are pricy, jobs usually pay equally well in both state especially in DMV.
Nightlife/Entertainment: MD - TBH it's more or less a wash. MD only wins on the virtue of more sports event.
History/Museums: Tie - both states are full of historical sites, historical towns, and museums.
At the end, VA wins mainly on the virtue of having a better outlook economically.
Maryland is my second favorite state. It is beautiful with tons of charm and is cleaner overall than Virginia.
The assessment above is fair, especially the politics part (two steps forward, one step back here in the Old Dominion).
Virginia for the win, but I’d be totaly happy and proud to be banished to Maryland.
I'd love to hear how Maryland is cleaner overall than Virginia. Never heard that one before. Maryland is a fine state -- I'll take the Baltimore region over the D.C. region any day if we have to choose a big city there. Southern Maryland and the eastern shore is best though.
I would say that NOVA is overall more consistently upscale than the Maryland suburbs of DC. However, Maryland can give you a lot of good value for your money as well.
I moved in 2021 and decided to stay in Maryland. Great house, great neighbors, great schools. I couldn't be happier.
Part of it is definitely vibe and aesthetic. NOVA overal is newer especially once you get out to Loudoun Co. Fairfax Co overall also doesn't have the total random chaotic mix of old and new you find in Montgomery Co MD.
Areas like PW County otherwise doesn't feel that different from, let say, Gaithersburg and Germantown - a mix of immigrants in old townhouses / rundown apartments a few blocks away from brand new super expensive SFH neighborhood.
At the end, as other already said, VA is more than NoVA and MD is more than those DC Suburbs or Baltimore City.
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