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What cities and towns in Maryland do you think are underrated, and why? This is my list. By no means is this an all-inclusive list. I am sure there are many more towns and cities in Maryland that are underrated, it's just that I am only familiar with so many areas in Maryland that I may not have gotten everything. Besides, part of the reason I started this thread is because I wanted to hear about any towns I didn't mention in order to find more places to venture to :).
FREDERICK: Even though it is stereotyped to be hicky, redneck, and in the middle of nowhere, I don't find this to be the case. Downtown Frederick is a nice, diverse, and vibrant area. It is where the suburbs of DC and the Appalachia mountain region of Western Maryland meet, and the influences from both sides give Frederick a very interesting and unique vibe. There are lots of great restaurants, entertainment, and art scenes as well.
CROFTON/ODENTON/GAMBRILLS: This area is underrated. It is often seen as just an extension of Annapolis, and while they are suburban towns near Annapolis, there is a lot of new shopping and entertainment in this area. The public schools in the area are some of the best in the state, and with the opening of a brand new high school in Crofton soon, there are a lot of reasons for people to consider living there. In addition to being very close to Annapolis, this area also has very easy access to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore
ARNOLD/SEVERNA PARK: Beautiful suburbs of Annapolis with a lot of historic water and Chesapeake Bay sailing culture. Some of the best public schools in Maryland (Severna Park HS and Broadneck HS)
DAVIDSONVILLE: You wouldn't feel like you're only 25-30 minutes away from Washington, D.C. and only 10 minutes away from Annapolis when you're here. You see lots of mansions on plotted on large swaths of land and it feels rural and quiet. This area is very unique because it is rural, yet it defies all stereotypes of rural-ness. Majority of the residents hold white-collar jobs, the median income of Davidsonville is among the highest in all of Maryland, and the residents are very educated. It is a great place to live if you want to live near urban areas in a top notch school district yet want quiet and privacy. It is a remnant of AACos past heritage.
IJAMESVILE: This is a suburb of DC in Frederick County, near the MoCo border that many have never heard of. It has top-notch schools and good access to DC and Frederick. Similar to Davidsonville, it defies stereotypes of rural-ness because it is majority white collar and extremely wealthy.
HANOVER: A unique town that is split between two counties: Anne Arundel and Howard. It is just 10-15 minutes away from Baltimore City. Residents tend to be upper middle-class and wealthy, though there is good socio-economic diversity. It is also 25 minutes away from Annapolis, 5 minutes away from Ft. Meade, right near BWI, and about 40 minutes away from DC. Hanover is home to the Arundel Mills Mall which has many great stores, restaurants, and a casino. If you live on the Howard County side, you also get top-notch public school districts, but if you live on the Anne Arundel side, you are stuck with awful public schools.
TAKOMA PARK: A one-of-a-kind suburb just outside of Washington, D.C. It is extremely progressive and it is extremely common to see gay couples holding hands and churches and houses with pride flags/immigrant supporting signs. The schools in the area are good and there are many unique resturaunts in the area. It is also very socioeconomically and racially diverse and is one of the more affordable (good) suburbs of DC to live in.
CUMBERLAND: This city is very cool because it was once the most populous and industrialized city in all of Maryland, and as such, it has an abandoned large city vibe. It is very pretty and has a Western European/German vibe to it as well.
BOWIE: This town is ideally located 20 minutes away from Annapolis and Washington, D.C. There is a lot of good shopping and entertainment, and you're also very close to shopping/entertainment in Crofton. Six Flags is also here.
COLLEGE PARK: There is more to College Park than just the University of Maryland's flagship campus. There are lots of great resturaunts, entertainment, shopping, and dining as well. Being near a large top-ranked public research university is also a huge plus though. You are also just outside of Washington, D.C. However, it is only recommended to visit College Park, not live in it (unless you are a student at the University of Maryland, College Park and live on/near campus). There is some concerns with crime in College Park.
NORTH BEACH: A really good alternative to Ocean City if you live in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. metro area.
TOWSON: It is one of the best, if the not the best suburb of Baltimore. Great downtown, unique dining, and an amazing mall. Also has very amazing public schools.
LAUREL: A good, ethnically diverse suburb of D.C. and Baltimore with good shopping and dining.
PIKESVILLE: A cool area near Baltimore with strong Jewish culture and many kosher resturaunts/markets. You'll find some of the best Jewish food in the entire country there.
BEL AIR: A good mix of rural Northeastern Maryland and suburban Baltimore. Good schools, dining, and entertainment.
ELKRIDGE/SAVAGE: Although this area is often just considered to be an extension of Columbia and Ellicott City, Elkridge has some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment in all of HoCo. Savage also has the historic Savage mill. Great public schools.