2023 Best Places to Live in Maryland

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: We purchased our home in North Bethesda in 1986, when we had one son 6 months old. Now 37 years later, we smile at the good fortune in this choice. We love our neighborhood (Walnut Woods) and we love the area. The Farmland/Tilden Woods/Old Farm area has homes from the 1960's kept in good shape, nicely landscaped, with large old oak trees and many of the original cherry trees (planted by the builder) still blooming each spring. Neighborhood is quiet and safe. Excellent schools. Access to shopping and restaurants is outstanding, including the Park Potomac development to the west and Rockville Pike, plus Montgomery Mall. Access to Metro and I-270 is easy, you can get anywhere from here. Hard to imagine a better neighborhood!... Read 47 reviews

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• Population 50,695

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  81 reviews

Current Resident: North Potomac is a very middle class and suburban area. The peace and quiet this area seems to have makes it all the more preferable compared to othe city areas. Residents here are rarely roudy and aggressive; they are friendly and welcoming people. My neighbors in particular are very much friendly and warm as they welcomed my family with in-person greetings and gifts of food when we first moved into the area. Although the variety and quality of restaurants and chains are not that all extraordinary, they are still likable. As I am Korean and many who also seem to be the same living in the area, I wish there were more varieties of Korean restaurants and supermarkets nearby. Not only this, I wish there were more attractions or eventful places here. To have fun, my family or my friends always have to travel out of the city.... Read 81 reviews

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• Population 24,449

• Suburb in Maryland

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• Population 8,566

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in this city for over a decade now and love it! It is only 10 minutes away from Bethesda and is not nearly as costly. Additionally, it has an elementary and middle school, and it only 10 minutes away from a high school. It is very safe and clean -- a great location for families with kids. I love it here!... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 9,889

• Town in Maryland

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  140 reviews

Current Resident: Bethesda MD, is a big wide and populated city, it’s known for it’s known for it well developed composed and calm environment and also in housing its one of the expensive areas to get houses to live but it’s worth it, you get close by shopping mall the pack and fun stuff to do when bored at home or when on a off day and it’s also a clean environment where you could leave the government cleans the neighborhood every month which is one of the important part to look at when getting a house. There are good schools in Bethesda MD well profiled and secured schools also, jobs are easy to get in Bethesda.... Read 140 reviews

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• Population 66,294

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD

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  Rating 4.28 out of 5  285 reviews

Current Resident: Ellicott City is a community that celebrates diversity. My friends and neighbors come from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, which makes us a well-rounded bunch who continue to learn from each other. The schools in Ellicott City are fantastic, it's a safe place to live, and there are a lot of great opportunities for recreation, such as state park hiking, kayaking, canoeing, biking, skateboarding and lots of other great outdoor fun. There's a little something for everyone in my hometown! Downtown Main Street is one of my favorite places to visit, for the unique shops and restaurants with passionate owners. If you're looking for a job opportunity--try here for a cool place to work! There are many historic sites to see too. Come check it out! Finally, Ellicott City is in a convenient location. It's a very short trip to other great destinations, including Annapolis, St. Michael's, Baltimore, and DC, not to mention winter fun in Western MD, and summer fun in Eastern MD!... Read 285 reviews

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• Population 74,432

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  82 reviews

Former Resident: I love Potomac, I feel genuinely safe and comfortable here. Sometimes, the traffic is bad. Additionally, there have been so many fun new businesses within the past few years. It's amazing!... Read 82 reviews

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• Population 46,891

• Town in Maryland

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  291 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in a nearby town. I always dreamed of living in Rockville at some point in my life. Two years ago, I was blessed to finally live here! It’s a perfect city with many local restaurants, a movie theater, metro station, grocery stores and parks. I have two young children and we can walk to town center from our home. I love living here and would recommend Rockville to anyone who is looking to move to the area. I only wish they would invest in a city shuttle for residents. That would be amazing.... Read 291 reviews

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• Population 67,095

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD

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  Rating 4.73 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: A heartwarming memory in my neighborhood was our "Kindness Day" initiative. Residents united to perform acts of generosity, from helping elderly neighbors with yard work to hosting a food drive. The day culminated in a lively street fair, fostering connections and sharing stories. The event epitomized our strong community spirit and left a lasting feeling of unity and goodwill among us.... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 5,230

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Niche User: It's pretty safe. You do have a few crimes here and there, but nothing to be too concerned about.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 8,131

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4 out of 5  11 reviews

Nearby Resident: Travilah is the classic American suburban neighborhood. The town is surrounded by some of the best learning centers in America, from John Hopkins University, which is down the street, from a combination of 13 top universities in Maryland molded together to become, The universities of Shady Grove.... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 11,052

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: Lutherville is a suburb of Baltimore. It has a quiet, rural atmosphere and I think it makes me feel at home. I have only lived here for over a year but I believe my house is very pretty. There are a lot of coffee shops, restaurants, and shops in Lutherville which I really like. I like how Lutherville has preserved some of its colonial history. For example, even my home has preserved some of the wood used. My neighbors' house actually used to be a carriage house in the olden days. In addition, I do believe that there are some great schools nearby. I have looked up some statistics about Lutherville and a few include that it is one of the best places to buy a house in Maryland, one of the best suburbs in Maryland, and it is in the top places for retiring in Maryland.... Read 33 reviews

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• Population 6,755

Nearby Resident: Urbana is a generally good neighborhood within Frederick County MD. You will find nearly everything you're looking for from food options, all the way to public spaces.... Read 43 reviews

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• Population 12,841

• City in Maryland

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  408 reviews

Current Resident: THE BEST PLACE TO LIFE. As a senior in high school I have never wished to live anywhere else. The ability to walk where ever I please is amazing! The small community allows me to bond with my neighbors and grow life long friendships. The schools in the area never fail to amaze me because of the strong community bond. The schools are always finding new ways to keep the community and students involved. Even from kindergarten to seniors in high school are always connected in community service with one another. Growing up in Columbia the convenience has allowed me to grow my individuality. I was able to walk to my friends house or even just to Dunkin to hang out. This gave me a sense of self awareness, individuality, responsibilty, and freedom to grow.... Read 408 reviews

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• Population 105,086

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  106 reviews

Current Resident: Olney is a very welcoming, accepting place. The community is full of love and everyone knows one another. New neighbors are always welcomed and celebrated. The nearest schools are safe, high quality and always provide a good education. The sense of community including the schools, restaurants, parks, pools, etc. are so fun, and enjoyable.... Read 106 reviews

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• Population 35,815

• Suburb in Maryland

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• Population 1,045

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Niche User: The Silver Spring-Wheaton area is a wonderful are to be in. Not only does it make way for its residents to be independent by providing accessible and affordable transportation with metro, it also provides safe and crime-free neighborhoods. Also there are nearby schools, parks, hospitals and malls that help to make the community worth living in.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 6,942

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD

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  Rating 3.62 out of 5  42 reviews

Niche User: I am partial to this area because it is my hometown, but I can objectively say that it is a great place to raise a family. I generally feel safe, and the public school system is decent by national standards. It also allows easy access to cities including DC and Annapolis as well as more rural areas and mountains.... Read 42 reviews

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• Population 27,513

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.48 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Lovely neighborhood community! Welcoming ever since my family moved here. Very friendly and inclusive, school is nearby and friends who live nearby are well within walking distance. Roads aren't busy and don't pose a danger to pets or children, and a lot of people spend time outside playing sports on their lawns or walking their dogs.... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 2,336

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  78 reviews

Current Resident: Clarksburg is a growing town in Montgomery County, Maryland. This county is the largest in Maryland and thrives off of the revenue from Washington, DC. Clarksburg is a new suburb town near Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Damascus. Gaithersburg and Germantown are two of the most diverse cities (although they are more of large towns) in the country, and Clarksburg follows in similar fashion. The school system and public services as a whole are amazing. Like all suburbs, traffic gets worse the closer you get to the city (DC). Most families have young children as the town is growing rapidly, and there are many new houses for families to move into. Clarksburg has a lot of advantages for families, but not a lot for younger, single people. Overall, the town has a goal and serves it well.... Read 78 reviews

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• Population 27,354

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  21 reviews

Current Resident: Safe neighborhood, with the new shopping center provides lots of necessities. From fast food restaurant, grocery store, convenience stores, gas stations, doctors offices, classy restaurants, and many more!... Read 21 reviews

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• Population 10,658

• Suburb in Maryland

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• Population 2,913

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: We moved 3 years ago to CCV and it was one of the best decisions we have ever done. We rented our house and got the opportunity to buy it later. It is a peaceful neighborhood where kids can walk/bike safely. We are a large family of 4 kids, a dog and parents, we have good space and a great backyard to fit comfortably all of us. The public schools in the area are great, we have Silver Creek MS very close for the middle school teens - school was built less than 5 years ago. BCC for HS and Chevy Chase Elementary. Everything is close, public transportation stops all over Cedar, making it easy to go to the Medical Center subway station. Safe, quiet, peaceful, full of nature. A great place to live.... Read 1 review

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• Population 1,103

• Town in Maryland

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  Rating 4 out of 5  230 reviews

Current Resident: There are great restaurants, stores, and safe neighborhoods. The towson towne center has many stores leaving. It used to be a very nice mall, but many stores have closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The town itself has many great schools, both public and private, a university, many libraries, many different grocery stores and gas stations. There are great restaurants, stores, and safe neighborhoods. The towson towne center has many stores leaving. It used to be a very nice mall, but many stores have closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The town itself has many great schools, both public and private, a university, many libraries, many different grocery stores and gas stations. There are great restaurants, stores, and safe neighborhoods. The towson towne center has many stores leaving. It used to be a very nice mall, but many stores have closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.... Read 230 reviews

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• Population 59,014

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Cabin John is the little area in between Potomac and Bethesda. You've probably never really heard of it. It's an amazing place to live for people with a family. However, diversity is extremely low. Most of the people around you are white and affluent people. Some of whom can be nice, but a lot of the times people seem to keep to themselves. The schools here are very good, whether that be private or public school. I've attended both the private schools and public and personally I found that my experience at private school was much better than that of public school. Night life, well, there is not much to do around here for night life. There are restaurants, but everything will be 15 minutes or more away. Overall, if you're trying to start a family in a really safe area this is the place for you. Otherwise, this might not be a place to call home.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 2,335