1. First steps before moving to Maryland
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Maryland, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Maryland, look for helpful reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Maryland? Take a look at our selection of:
Finding a job
As of September 2023, Maryland had an unemployment rate of 1.6%, which is the lowest from 2.5% in April 2023.
Jobs that are often in high demand are fitness trainer, interpreter and translator, and accounting clerk.
Finding a job in Maryland is easier if you search online for job openings. Popular websites for this include LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Oct 2023)
Getting there
Below are some travel options to get to Maryland from different parts of the country include:
Flying: Flying is the most convenient way to move to Maryland. Book a flight from your departure city to BWI Marshall Airport or Baltimore Airport, depending on your destination within Maryland.
Train: You can also take the train with Amtrak as an alternative.
Bus: If you want another way to travel, Maryland cities have bus services like Greyhound, and Flixbus, that can get you there.
If you are flying and require assistance with moving your belongings, you can explore options provided by reputable moving companies.
Must dos before your arrival
Moving to Maryland may be exciting and will challenge you in many ways. By knowing these things beforehand, you will be better prepared for your new life in the city.
- If you are moving to Maryland permanently, and you receive a lot of mail (excluding packages), you may want to sign up with USPS’s mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding allows your mail to be redirected to the right address for a given period of time. The fee for regular mail forwarding is only a little over a dollar for 6 months. If you want to extend the service, you will have to pay around $20 for 6 months more. You can begin your mail forwarding process by signing up on USPS’s website or directly at your local Post Office.
- Moving to a new place is an opportunity to start afresh. If you’re moving to Maryland, selling or donating the items you won’t need will go a long way in making your move easier. You can sell your old household items and personal possessions, and anything that will not be useful. Pick out the items that will not be useful for you in Maryland, then decide if you want to sell them on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or donate them to a non-profit organization.
2. Upon your arrival in Maryland
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- If you roam around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily pass to save money.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
You can easily get around in Maryland. There are several options available.
The Maryland Transit Administration offers:
Exchanging your driver’s license
Once you move to Maryland and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 60 days. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit your local MD DMV Office in person with the required documents.
You will also have to surrender your out-of-state license. You can go through the interactive online document guide to help you apply for your new driver’s license. Likewise, you can also schedule an appointment online beforehand to avoid the long wait times.
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to Maryland, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle with the MD DMV within 60 days. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges.
You will need to title your vehicle at the same time when you apply for registration. Before you register, you should get your safety inspection completed.
Register your vehicle by mail or in person by completing an Application for Certificate of Title (form VR-005) along with some other documents at an MVA tag and title service office.
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Maryland, like the DMV. To exercise your right to vote in Maryland, you can register to vote online, by mail and in person.
To register by mail or in person, you need to fill out a Maryland Voter Registration Application and submit it to your local Board of Elections office. You must register to vote at least 21 days before elections.
Changing your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Setting up a bank account
Obtaining a bank account in Maryland is a straightforward process. You only need to present a copy of your valid state or government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The bank with most branches in Maryland for easy access is M&T Bank. Maryland’s residents has access to a whopping 157 offices of M&T Bank in the state.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Maryland proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Maryland as your state and create an account.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$138.25 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance |
$312.00 |
|
Gym |
$79.50 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
3. Best places to live in Maryland
you are a couple, you might want to consider living in North Potomac. It offers a sparse suburban feel, a thriving nightlife, affordable housing, a diverse culture and a lot of amenities.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Columbia. Columbia is family-friendly, it has some of the best schools, a strong job market and plenty of recreational activities such as swimming, skating, golf and more.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Baltimore. Cambridge is home to some of the best universities “John Hopkins University” and “University of Maryland”. In addition, Baltimore offers affordable housing, thriving nightlife and plenty of job opportunities.
Setting up home services
Setting up essential home services like electricity, water, and internet in Maryland is a straightforward process.
- Maryland Public Service Commission is responsible for ensuring that consumers are provided with accessible, safe and reliable telecommunication and energy services at reasonable rates. You can visit their website and search for electricity, water, and gas providers and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry.
- The best internet providers in Maryland will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
Should you rent or buy?
The average Maryland home value is $405,031, increased by 2.80% from 2022. Maryland’s price per square foot to buy an apartment outside the center is $151.67.
Finding an apartment for rent in Maryland is easy, utilize websites like Zillow, Apartmentguide, and Apartments.com. When seeking a house, these websites—Zillow, Realtor, and Century21—will assist you in your search for a home in Maryland.
Cost of rent in Maryland
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Baltimore (Outside of Center) |
$1,482.50 |
$2,625.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Maryland
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Baltimore |
$405,031 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & Zillow (Oct 2023)
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a kind of financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Depending upon the time of the year, residents in Maryland can experience severe weather conditions.
Some common natural disasters in Maryland include thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe winter storms. Therefore, getting home insurance is a must.
4. Cost of living in Maryland
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,482.50 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($63.93 multiplied by 4) |
$255.72 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$148.95 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$80.89 |
|
Transit pass |
$77.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$80.88 |
|
Gym membership |
$79.50 |
|
Total |
$2,205.44 |
5. The weather in Maryland
On average, there are 202 sunny days per year in Maryland. The highest temperature in Summers is 87° and the Winter low is 25 degrees. Maryland averages 19 inches of snow per year and 44 inches of rain. Weather in Maryland is fairly mild year-round.
Maryland experiences mild winters with little snowfall. Fall season in Maryland is breathtaking and vibrant. You’ll get to see all the orange and red colors everywhere. Summers in Maryland vary from mild to hot, with greater humidity levels in southern and eastern areas.
6. What to do as a local in Maryland
After you are done settling into your new home in Maryland, you will probably want to familiarize yourself with the state and all its attractions. Some of the most popular activities and locations in Maryland include:
Ocean City Beach – An ideal place for family bonding with a lot of interesting activities such as flying kites, fishing, sunbathing and more.
Seneca Creek State Park – A perfect picnic spot for families.
National Aquarium – Inside tours, 4D Film Experience, Private Reptile Encounter and much more.
Some common grocery stores in Maryland are: Giant Food, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s.
The two most popular big chain stores are Sam’s Club and Costco.
Must-visit food places in Maryland are The Cheesecake Factory and Boatyard Bar & Grill.
Visit the popular cities in Maryland: Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, and Silver Spring.
7. Fun facts about Maryland
- Fun Fact #1:Maryland is famous for its tasty seafood, especially blue crabs.
- Fun Fact #2: Maryland gets its name from England’s Queen Henrietta Maria.
- Fun Fact #3: Maryland is sometimes called the ‘Old Line State’ and ‘America in Miniature’
Conclusion
Maryland’s diverse geography, including the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean coastline in the east and the Appalachian Mountains in the west, offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, boating, and beachcombing. Additionally, its proximity to big cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City makes it an ideal location for easy access to urban amenities and cultural attractions.
While moving to Maryland has its pros and cons, checking the cost of living is essential to making sure you will live comfortably in this city and call it home. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the state and consider your priorities to determine if Maryland is the right fit for you and your family.
Need a trusted moving company for the area? Discover the 5 best movers in Maryland.
