Are you moving to Baltimore soon? If yes, read on! Baltimore, Maryland is a storied city on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and only minutes from Washington, D.C. Affectionately known as Charm City to locals, Baltimore offers something for everyone, from dining and nightlife to outdoor adventure, culture, incredible architecture, and so much more. The 17 pros and cons of moving to Baltimore, below, is invaluable info that will help you prepare for your imminent arrival.
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Relocating to Baltimore, MD
Relocating to any city is stressful, expensive, and often backbreaking for most folks. To make your move to this vibrant city less stressful, we present a comprehensive moving checklist below.
- Start preparing for your move to Baltimore 4 to 6 weeks ahead. (Trust us, you’ll need every minute!)
- Call 3 or 4 movers to get moving estimates and compare them apples to apples. The most important factors to compare include the estimated weight of all your belongings, the number of boxes to be packed, and the insurance you take on the move.
- Sell, donate, or trash anything you don’t use, need or want. Remember, movers charge by weight, so the less you take, the less your move will cost. (That includes packing!)
- If you pack your things rather than the movers, start packing as early as possible. Packing takes a lot of time and energy!
- Gather important documents and paperwork and take them with you in your car or luggage if you can. This includes; school transcripts, licenses, vehicle titles, medical and dental records, vet records, etc.
- Schedule to have all of your utilities disconnected. Remember, most utility companies these days need a 30-day notice.
What are the Best Areas of Baltimore?
Baltimore is a big city with almost 600,000 residents and, like any big city, has excellent areas and others that could be better. Also, remember that a good neighborhood for one person might not be for another.
Wyman Park is an excellent example as it’s beautiful, safe, and has exciting nightlife. Sounds great, and, for some, it will be. However, the schools in Wyman Park are rated a C-, so if you have school-age kids, it might not be a good choice for your particular family. The best neighborhoods and areas of Baltimore include the following locations:
- Hampden
- Canton
- Little Italy
- Fell’s Point
- Brooklyn
- Ellicott City
- Fells Point
- Columbia
- Charles Village
- Federal Hill
- Remington
- Harbor East
- Mount Vernon
- Highland
17+ Pros and Cons of Moving to Baltimore
No matter what city you choose to live in in the United States, all of them will have pros and cons. Your job is to determine if the pros outweigh the cons for you and your family. The good news is that Baltimore has more pros, but that’s subjective and will change with every person based on their needs, income, wants, and other factors. To help you decide, we present the following list of pros and cons of moving to Charm City.
Pros
A prime location on the east coast near Washington, DC, New York City, Philadelphia, and Virginia.
The Baltimore cost of living is very attractive. According to Best Places, the overall cost index is 91.3, with housing at a very affordable 60.2, nearly 40% lower than the national average.
The job market in Baltimore is huge.
Baltimore is one of the most historical places in the United States.
Culture and the arts are everywhere you look in Baltimore, including 4 major museums.
Biking, walking, and boating are all activities you can enjoy most of the year.
The food! Baltimore is the bastion of blue claw crabs, oysters, and many other delectable seafood options.
Springtime in Baltimore can be absolutely gorgeous.
Baltimore is a highly diverse city with people from all over the world.
The city’s Inner Harbor is a fun, lively place to visit.
The Maryland Science Center and Baltimore Aquarium are both fantastic attractions.
Cons
The city has a real crime problem. Both violent and property crime rates are much higher than the national average.
Baltimore also has a garbage problem.
There’s a genuine lack of public transportation options in Baltimore.
The public school system needs some after-school tutoring.
Winter in the city can be long and cold.
Taxes in the city are higher than in many other similar cities.
The city’s infrastructure is slowly crumbling.
Some Baltimore neighborhoods are extremely dangerous.
Take Care of Your Storage Needs with Moove In
Before arriving in Baltimore, we strongly suggest you find storage to store your belongings while you house hunt. Moove In Self Storage is your best choice, as we offer safe and secure storage in Baltimore and Finksburg, MD. Need a moving checklist to help you get started? Moove In offers that, too and if you’re curious, you can also learn about the Maryland lien law and auction process. Whatever you need to store, Moove In can help you do it affordably and safely. To find storage, click, call, or visit the Moove In Self Storage facility nearest you today! Until then, best of luck moving to Charm City, Baltimore, Maryland!