OK so Been living here since 2020. Homes are going for about $438,200 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Elkridge sits at 593.4 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cheers.
15 upvotes
28 Replies
Cora Jackson
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
Kinsley
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Eugene G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
33 upvotes
Lydia Bennett
Moved here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to walkability but Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Alexis C.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Brooklyn H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Brielle
Came here for weather and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Aria L.
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
Victoria Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Paisley Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Brooks
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
28 upvotes
Eliana
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Jameson Cook
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Thomas
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Roman Ramos
been saying this for years
25 upvotes
Robert Peterson
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is solid in most areas.
20 upvotes
Nicholas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Madeline A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
cool_roman64
I'm a contractor and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is average and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Jace
I'm a electrician and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Ezra D.
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Landon Long
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Billy G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Luna Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Bella M.
bump
2 upvotes
Willow Phillips
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Leah Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
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