Just one day in Baltimore, Maryland, will reveal why it’s been nicknamed “Charmed City.” The 92.2 square-mile locale is known as the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, and for its inner harbor and world-class crab cakes. Established in 1729, Baltimore is also home to some of the earliest National Register Historic Districts in the country, including Mount Vernon. Its median age is 35.5 (2022), and its economy is driven by education, healthcare, finance, and insurance.

Hyattsville, Maryland’s motto is, “a world within short distance.” The city may cover only 2.73 square miles, but it’s filled with character. Small red brick and wooden homes with porches dominate sections of the city, where the median age is 34.3 (2022). Its main industries include construction, public administration, healthcare and social assistance.

Rockville, Maryland, is regarded as one of America’s leading small cities for work and play. It’s a vibrant, highly educated, and business-friendly area that’s a 25-minute drive to Washington, D.C. Incorporated in 1860, Rockville today spans 13.6 square miles, has a median age of 39.5 (2022), and is driven by biotech, government, education, healthcare, and information technology.

Taking a few steps south in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, leads to the northern tip of Washington, D.C. Silver Spring not only offers proximity to the nation’s capital, but contains suburban residential neighborhoods with quiet streets and plenty of space.