5 Things to Know Before Moving to the DMV (DC • Maryland • Virginia)

Thinking about relocating to the DMV? Great choice. The region blends global city energy with neighborhood charm, world-class jobs with green space, and history with cutting-edge innovation. If you’re coming from out of state, here are the five big things to understand so you land in the right home, on the right budget, and with the right lifestyle fit.

1) The “Tri-State” Maze: Borders, Commutes, and Transit Shapes Your Day

The DC metro looks small on a map—but borders matter here.

• Three jurisdictions, three sets of rules. DC is a city–state hybrid, while Maryland and Virginia are separate states with county/city layers. Laws, fees, and services can change the moment you cross a bridge.

• Commuting is a lifestyle choice. I-495 (the Beltway), I-95, I-270, I-66 and the Dulles Toll/Express corridors shape drive times. Many highways offer Express/HOT lanes (variable tolls) to speed up peak travel.

• Transit is a superpower. The Metrorail system (Red/Blue/Orange/Silver/Green/Yellow) plus MARC (MD) and VRE (VA) commuter rails connect suburbs to downtown. If you want a car-lite lifestyle, target neighborhoods near stations (e.g., Arlington’s Rosslyn–Ballston corridor, DC’s NoMa/Navy Yard, MD’s Silver Spring/Bethesda).

• Parking varies wildly. DC rowhouse streets can be tight with zones requiring permits; many VA/MD suburbs offer driveways/garages. If you own multiple vehicles or a work van, factor in permit and HOA rules.

Buyer tip: Pick home base by commute—to your office, your kids’ schools, or your go-to airport (DCA vs. IAD vs. BWI). Ten extra minutes each way is over 80 hours/year.

2) Taxes & Fees: Same Metro, Different Money

The #1 surprise for out-of-state buyers is how taxes and fees shift across borders.

• Income taxes: DC, MD, and VA each have their own systems and brackets. High earners often model take-home pay by state before choosing.

• Property taxes: Rates vary by county/city. Some offer owner-occupant homestead credits or caps on annual assessment increases (e.g., Maryland’s Homestead Tax Credit) and DC offers homestead/senior relief for eligible residents.

• Transfer & recordation taxes: Closing costs differ—your purchase price and location determine how much you’ll pay at settlement.

• Vehicles:

  • Virginia localities typically levy an annual personal property tax on vehicles (a big gotcha if you’ve never paid it).

  • Maryland and DC use other fee structures (e.g., title/excise and registration).

  • Emissions/inspection rules and renewal timelines differ by jurisdiction.

• Landlord/tenant & short-term rental rules: If you plan to rent out your home later, know that DC, MD, and VA have different licensing and tenant-protection frameworks.

Buyer tip: Have your lender and CPA (or our trusted partners) run a DMV tax/fee comparison based on your income, price range, and vehicle situation. Small differences add up over time.

Not tax advice; confirm details with a professional.

3) Neighborhoods & Housing Types: Choose Your Vibe

The DMV offers distinct home styles—and lifestyles.

• District of Columbia (DC):

  • Classic rowhouses with character and walkability (Capitol Hill, Shaw, Petworth).

  • Condo/loft living near restaurants and Metro (Navy Yard, NoMa, The Wharf).

  • Historic districts may affect exterior changes—check guidelines before you buy.

• Maryland (Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard, Anne Arundel):

  • Larger single-family homes, townhomes, cul-de-sacs, and more yard space.

  • Strong suburban centers (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Laurel, Columbia, Bowie, Annapolis) with breweries, trails, and shopping.

  • Often a value play vs. some Virginia corridors while staying Metro/MARC-accessible.

• Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun):

  • High-rise/urban convenience (Arlington’s Rosslyn–Ballston, Crystal City/National Landing).

  • Master-planned suburbs with amenities (Reston, Ashburn, Burke) and newer builds.

  • Easy access to Reagan National (DCA) and Dulles (IAD) for frequent flyers.

Condo/HOA reality check: Fees fund amenities, reserves, and maintenance. In this region, robust associations are common—and worth reviewing closely (budget, reserves, upcoming projects).

4) Schools, Enrollment & Education Pathways

Education options look different across borders.

• DC: Neighborhood schools + a robust public charter sector accessed via the My School DC lottery. Private and parochial options are widespread.

• Maryland & Virginia: Traditional boundary-based public schools with specialty programs (IB, language immersion, STEM/GT), plus private and parochial choices.

• What matters most: Program fit, commute, class sizes, and extracurriculars often outweigh district averages. We help families align school priorities with housing and commute.

Buyer tip: If schools are a driver, tour during pickup hours, ask about before/after-care, and consider bus routes and after-school activities alongside the home search.

5) Lifestyle & Culture: More Than Monuments

You’re not just buying a house—you’re choosing a life.

• Free museums & green space: Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, Rock Creek Park, C&O Canal, Great Falls.

• Sports & events: Commanders (NFL), Nationals (MLB), Capitals (NHL), Wizards (NBA), DC United (MLS), plus marathons, cherry blossoms, and year-round festivals.

• Food scene: Michelin-starred dining to mom-and-pop legends, global cuisines, and the DMV’s own go-go and crab culture.

• Four real seasons: Hot summers, crisp falls, occasional snow. Urban cores clear roads fast; cul-de-sacs and hills can take longer—garage/driveway and vehicle choice matter.

• Community rhythms: Many neighborhoods host farmers markets, block parties, and civic associations—an easy way to plug in.

How to Shop Like a Local (Even from Out-of-State)

1. 15-Minute Discovery Call: Clarify commute/school/space priorities and budget—then we map that to the right jurisdictions.

2. Smart Pre-Approval: Lenders familiar with DC/MD/VA programs (e.g., HPAP/DC Open Doors, Maryland Mortgage Program, Virginia Housing) can unlock options.

3. Neighborhood Shortlist: We’ll compare 3–5 areas side-by-side (taxes/fees, HOA norms, parking, transit, appreciation trends).

4. Virtual Tours & Video Walkthroughs: See blocks, not just interiors—street parking, noise, slope, and sunlight matter here.

5. Commute & Lifestyle Modeling: We test your daily routes at peak hours and align with your “non-negotiables.”

6. Offer Strategy: Contingencies, appraisal strategy, and inspection types vary by submarket—we tailor to the micro-neighborhood.

7. After Closing: Movers, utility transfers, parking permits, home-warranty/maintenance plans, and local service pros—organized for a smooth landing.

Ready to Make the DMV Home?

We help out-of-state buyers decode the tri-state and land the right house with confidence—no surprises at closing and no regrets after move-in.