North Carolina to Maryland? (Baltimore, Frederick: apartments, rentals, townhomes) - (MD) - City-Data Forum

gypsylea73 · 09-26-2013, 11:09 AM

Hi Everybody,

I have lived in NC my whole life. I would have moved out when I was twenty but started a family instead and kinda got stuck so to speak. My son is grown and has started a family of his own. My mother is elderly and soon will have to move in with me because she is going blind. Collectively we have decided to move to a different state...so I'm researching. We wouldn't be moving for a year or two so I have time to look around and make the right decision for all of us.
I am not a big city girl..but I don't want to live in a tiny town either. 70,000 to 100,000 would feel perfect to me. I have been to DC and Baltimore so to be honest Maryland was never a state I considered. Having said that I realize it's because I haven't explored your state. I have only been to the big cities there. I love the ocean..you have that. I like to visit the mountains...you have those...4 seasons...check. I guess what I am here to ask is how does Maryland differ from NC. Politics obviously...which in my opinion is a good thing. Income wise currently we make around $50,000. What is the cost of living like in Maryland compared to NC. We would be renting hopefully a house no more then $1200 a month. Is this realistic? Keep in mind I have no interest in the DC area which I know is expensive. What area should I start looking at? Any suggestions? I want family friendly, safe, affordable for us, good medical care, decent schools etc...all the things most people want. I'm just wondering if we can find this in Maryland. Anybody else on here moved from NC to Maryland? What has your experience been? Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions you may have

westsideboy · 09-26-2013, 11:30 AM

There aren't any 70-100k cities outside the Washington-Baltimore metro area in Maryland. I think the closest city you will find in that rough range would Frederick, about 45 miles from D.C. and Baltimore. It is on the edge of the D.C. metro area, but right up against the Catoctin mountains and farmland, too.

In general Maryland is an expensive state. I think $1200 would get your something decent in Frederick, but it has been a awhile since I did a price check.

Hamish Forbes · 09-26-2013, 11:35 AM

I moved from MD to NC, and it was literally the best thing I ever did in my life except for tricking my wife into marriage (poor thing). To each his own, I guess.

gypsylea73 · 09-26-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamish Forbes

I moved from MD to NC, and it was literally the best thing I ever did in my life except for tricking my wife into marriage (poor thing). To each his own, I guess.

Just out of curiosity what is it that you love so much about NC compared to MD? It will help give me a feel for the differences in the 2 states.

Hamish Forbes · 09-26-2013, 01:34 PM

Rather than belabor the point, just let me say that my experience was with the Baltimore area there, and with Eastern NC here, mostly the Raleigh area. Have you been to Charm City and to Raleigh? Quite a difference. Good luck with whatever you decide . . .

gypsylea73 · 09-26-2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamish Forbes

Rather than belabor the point, just let me say that my experience was with the Baltimore area there, and with Eastern NC here, mostly the Raleigh area. Have you been to Charm City and to Raleigh? Quite a difference. Good luck with whatever you decide . . .

Lol..been to both places..totally understand

J_Lurk · 09-26-2013, 09:43 PM

NC native, 3 years in MD.

I'm going to say it is not that different, not for what you want. You know how NC has that phenomenon where the politics around the big city are one thing and the politics in the rest of the state are something else entirely? The same thing happens here, it is just the big cities are so big that it is a little less obvious.

The things we like here include the ability to drive to the big city and get the museums/culture/diversity. We like being able to drive other places in the NE corridor quickly. We like the history; there is more than NC and there are more historic sites. The schools are better, but I'm not clear on whether you have children with you.

But mostly it is similar, just with more people. NC likes to pitch itself as having mountains to the sea. MD has that too, though in a very weird shape, and the drive times are similar. The catch is that in MD you have to go a LONG way to avoid the gravitational pull of DC, and even then you find the prices have been pushed up by the DC tourists trying to escape with you.

So it isn't that big a change.

gypsylea73 · 09-27-2013, 04:51 PM

Thank you J_Lurk

DaveinMtAiry · 09-28-2013, 04:11 AM

Half way through the opening post Frederick was my answer. The people in NC are friendly and you are not a big city girl. And you are on a budge looking for a medium sized town. The does not sound like a burb of DC or Baltimore, it sounds exactly like Frederick or any of the neighboring towns like Walkersville, New Market etc.

The problem of course is the cost of living, particularly housing. I ran a quick search and under $1,200 looks to be mostly apartments, maybe a few townhomes. But if you can find a home in your budget Frederick and the surrounding area is really pretty awesome.

Homes for Rent in Frederick, MD | Homes.com (Page 2)

gypsylea73 · 09-28-2013, 05:07 PM

Thank you Dave that is very helpful info...I will look into the towns you mentioned. I looked at the housing link and agree that finding a house in our price range may be a challenge. Is the economy strong in that area? I work in healthcare and I'm pretty sure my pay will go up in Maryland compared to NC so that may help with the housing costs.