7 Reasons You Don't Want to Move to Ocean City, Maryland
If you're considering moving to Ocean City, MD, or any of the areas nearby (like West Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines, or even Sussex County DE), there are a few things you should consider before you make the move. We’re often asked about the pros and cons of living at the beach, which prompted us to make this YouTube Video! After we had a lot of positive feedback from this video, we figured we’d make a blog post about it too!
When you're making a decision as big as purchasing a home, you want to make sure you're well informed and know everything that you need to know in order to make a sound decision...which is exactly why we're here!
If you’re one of the nearly nine-million vacationers who visit Ocean City every year, you might be wondering “What is living in Ocean City, Maryland really like, and what are the downsides?”
By the end of this post, we hope to have answered both of those questions by sharing seven reasons you might not like living at the beach.
1. Slower Off-Seasons
Everyone knows what Ocean City is like during the summer months. It's sunny and hot. It’s fast-paced, busy, and crowded. It’s a 10-mile-long barrier island that will play host to over 9-million people in the span of just a few short months!
What happens then, when summer is over, and our bustling beach town hits it’s off-season stride?? Are there things to do? Does everything close? Is the city even still alive?
We'll say this- If you don't like a slower pace of life during the cooler months, and a bit of a break from the busy summer you undoubtedly had, DON'T move to Ocean City, Maryland.
Yes, Ocean City does slow down during the winter months, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do! Restaurants and businesses do commonly limit hours or close for short periods. But this is also the time of year when the “bustling beach town” turns into a “beachside community.” Local businesses, Restaurants and Entertainment venues remain open, aren’t overly crowded, and they cater to the people that remain (aka locals). Restaurants such as Shotti's and Longboard Cafe give us that summer OC taste all year long! Great local hangouts that have become part of the real community of Ocean City.
Another bonus is we (locals) still get to enjoy the beach! Trust us- the beach in September, October, November and even December can be amazing! We get to escape to the beach in sweatshirts and shorts (local attire), enjoy the views of the Ocean, and RELAX. We also love to take our Jeeps onto the beach in Assateague and have a bonfire with family & friends on the weekends!
With all of this in mind- the main point is YES, Ocean City, MD does slow down during the off-season. BUT, if you do it right, this is a great time to catch your breath after the busy summer!
P.S. If you're wondering what specific events happen during the wintertime in OC, check out this blog our friends at Central Reservations wrote about winter activities in OC!
2. The Weather
We won't bore you too much with explaining the exact average temperatures for every month in Ocean City, MD. You already know that from the middle of June through Mid-September it’s prime time for the beach.
How about the rest of the year?
Well, our favorite part about the weather here are those surprise warm days we get often in the beginning-middle of Fall and early Spring. When we do get days like these- it's common people in our office take one of their "Sick Days." Yes, Grant, we know you were feeling JUST FINE the day after Halloween.
So, if you don't love a surprise 70–80-degree day on the first of November, you DEFINETLY shouldn't move to Ocean City, MD.
3. Traffic and Travel Time
We'll cut straight to the chase on this one. Yes, traffic during the Summertime can be a nuisance, especially on a busy Saturday morning. If you live 15 minutes for the beach in West Ocean City or Berlin, it might take you closer to 30-40 minutes to fight through the traffic and get into your beach chair.
We know what you're thinking... "OH NO! That must be so hard for you!" Yes, we know we're spoiled. Traffic in Ocean City, MD is likely nothing like what those of you who live near DC or Baltimore experience. BUT everything is relative, and we have to have something to complain about, so just give us this one!
There are also plenty of steps you can take to avoid the traffic. After living here for a few months and talking with neighbors who are beach veterans, you'll pick up on the busy travel times. So, try to avoid the stress and traffic as much as you can- and don't plan a breakfast with your friend who's in town staying on 120th Street at Uber Bagels on a Saturday morning at 11:00AM. Spoiler alert! This is when everyone is coming to town for their beach week!
If you absolutely cannot stand having to drive 40 minutes to get to the beach, don't move to Ocean City!
4. Senior Weeker's (a.k.a "June bugs")
If you haven't heard of this term already, Senior Weeker's are high school aged young adults who travel to OC during the first few weeks June to celebrate graduating High School and get their first taste of freedom. If only they knew what was coming! I'm sure we all long for the day's when all we had to worry about was our math homework!
Okay, now let's get back on track. Why did we bring up Senior Weeker's? Well, as some of you may already know, sometimes Senior Weeker's can be a bit loud and cause a bit of disturbance. They do however usually stay out of everyone's way and for the most part are respectful. Of course, as with any large group, there are a few bad apples, but in general, they really are just here to have a good time.
At the end of the day, it's a few short weeks in June. Most locals just plan around it!
5. Lack of Major Shopping Centers & Big Box Stores
For those of you who just love to shop, you may be a bit disappointed to learn that Ocean City doesn't have a lot of stores like Costco, Target, or Dick's Sporting Goods.
We do, however, have a ton of family-owned businesses in the form of bakeries, Ice Cream shops, clothing stores & boutiques, the list goes on and on! We also have plenty of outlets in both West Ocean City and Rehoboth where you can find some amazing deals.
6. Laid Back Environment
Yes, we know what you're thinking. "Why is a laid-back environment a bad thing?" Well, just wait until you find see the angle we came up with for this one. Our team has noticed that sometimes this "laid back atmosphere" is GREAT for people for a few days on vacation, but it's not necessarily the best for everyone year-round.
For those of you who are living in the busy cities that are nearby Ocean City, MD you should know that your current pace and lifestyle is much different from ours! Some people become accustomed to the fast-paced lifestyle in the cities and suburbs, and a laid-back atmosphere where there isn't always a sense of urgency can be a bit of a "culture shock," if you will.
If you think this, is you, maybe spend some extended periods of time in OC before you move here permanently!
7. Parking!
If you've ever visited Ocean City, MD on a busy summer weekend, you definitely know what we're talking about here. Our town does do a great job making sure there is as much parking available as possible. With that said, we all know when the crowds start to roll in, the amount of cars from people who are on a day trip can add up and begin to make it difficult to find parking.
We'll keep this section short and let you know that as you continue to live in Ocean City, MD, you'll get your own feel on the best times to come into town and the times to avoid. You'll also probably find a secret parking spot near your favorite beach or restaurant. At the end of the day, if our biggest worry is parking on our way to the beach, we think we have it pretty good!
Should you move to Ocean City, MD?
While we may be partial, we think the answer is a big YES. Our team is made up of all different kinds of Ocean City, MD locals. Some of us have been here our whole lives, others moved here right in the middle or moved here recently. There is, however, one common denominator. No matter where home is, once they got a taste of living on the east coast, no one has ever left.
At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to living literally anywhere in the world. Nothing is perfect! So, in our eyes, if the biggest inconveniences are occasional traffic, not being able to shop at Costco, and having some slow off-seasons, we think we're doing alright.
What are you waiting for? Start taking the next steps towards moving to the beach today! Give us a call or send us an email. We'd love to help you find your slice of paradise at the beach.
Grant Fritschle
Email: grant@grantf.com
Cell: 410-430-5880
Office: 410-524-6400
Jon Barker
Email: jon@markf.com
Cell: 410-935-3810
Office: 410-524-6400
See you at the beach soon!