Moving to Maryland?
Maryland, a state just as diverse in landscape and scenery as it is in tradition and culture, is located in the mid-Atlantic region within reach of several major metropolitan areas. The most salient features of Maryland’s topography is the Chesapeake Bay, and on a nice clear day you can see thousands of sailboats and powerboats on the water during a summer weekend.
Maryland is an ecologically diverse state and also supports a lot of wildlife species. The history of the land dates back all the way to 10,000 BC, but the people who gave the state its name did not show until 1632. Maryland has a diverse topography which provides every visitor varieties of recreation from skiing to ocean fishing, and the fact that anywhere in Maryland is a short drive away from the cities of Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia, provides just the right amount of urban influence.
If you’re moving to Maryland, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Maryland
Maryland Climate
The average annual temperature in Maryland is 55.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest temperatures occur during the month of July and the lowest temperatures occur during the month of January, which is the coldest month. The coastal region of the state near Baltimore tends to be humid during the summer months and temperatures can routinely reach the mid-90s. Since 1871, the highest recorded annual average temperature so far was 59.2 degrees in 1931. The lowest temperature recorded so far is 52.6 degrees in 1904.
Registering your Car
To register your vehicle in Maryland, it is necessary to have insurance. You must show proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. The insurance norms in the state of Maryland are different from those that exist in other states. The next step to register your car in Maryland as a new resident would be to prepare for the paperwork and application for the certificate of title and application for the new plates. In addition, you must also have a safety inspection certificate on hand.
Obtaining a Maryland Driver’s License
Here are some of the ways in which a person moving from out-of-state can apply for a Maryland driver’s license: The first step is taking a driver’s education course. Prepare yourself for the test and locate a MVA office. Then, make any test day preparations and take the written test. You must also have your car with you, along with the proper insurance, and then you may proceed for the driving test.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Maryland was ranked 42nd out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 45 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The top five agricultural products grown in Maryland in terms of revenue generated are broilers, greenhouse and nursery products, dairy products, corn for grain, and soybeans. Livestock products make up the bulk of revenue generated from agriculture and comprise most of Maryland’s farm income. The most important manufactured products in Maryland are computers and electronic products followed by food processing and chemical production. Maryland has many service sectors such as finance, insurance and healthcare and Baltimore is one of the leading financial centers in the eastern United States.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Maryland had an unemployment rate of 6.6 percent, which is rather low compared to the nationwide rate of 8.2 percent during the same time period.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Maryland is $55,774, while the average per capita income for the state is $49,070.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything, you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Maryland is $395,201, while the median sales price is just over $320,000. The Maryland Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Maryland.
Major landmarks and attractions
Some of the major landmarks and attractions in Maryland are: Baltimore Inner Harbor; Baltimore Aquarium; Annapolis Naval Academy; Thunder Mountain; Thrasher Carriage Museum; Chesapeake Children's Museum; Maryland State House; Hancock's Resolution; Baltimore Civil War Museum; Fire Museum of Maryland; Camden Yards
Largest Cities: Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Glen Burnie, Bethesda
Schools
For the fourth straight year, Maryland’s public education system has received two No. 1 rankings in the nation, one from Education Week and the other from College Board. It is necessary to have a strong state education system; a strong state education is always useful in building a strong state economy. Maryland is a place where one can have a high quality of education. There are a lot of options available for everyone to receive a great education from public and private elementary, middle and high schools, to one of the many great universities in Maryland like the University of Maryland, Towson University, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Johns Hopkins, one of the most prestigious and well-known medical universities in the world.
National Parks
Antietam National Battlefield
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Catoctin Mountain National Park
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park
Fort Washington
Fort Foote
Fort McHenry Monument
Glen Echo National Park
Greenbelt National Park
State park System
The state park system of Maryland offers its visitors with tons of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful landscapes that span the state by biking, camping, fishing and hiking in one of the state’s many parks. Some of the state parks of Maryland are Dans Mountain State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, Wills Mountain State Park, Patapsco Valley State Park, Sandy Point State Park, Gunpowder Falls State Park, and Elk Neck State Park.
Major Airports
Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Hagerstown Regional Airport
Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport