Overview
A suburb of Washington, D.C., Silver Spring is located just over the border in Central Maryland. Formerly a commuter city, Silver Spring has grown into an active community with plenty of golfing, shopping, and dining. In addition, its proximity to the amenities of D.C. make it a popular destination for retirees.
Climate & Geography
Silver Spring experiences a humid subtropical climate typical of the area. Summers are warm and humid with a few sticky, hot spells, while winters are cold but not severe. The region is too far inland to receive cooling sea breezes from the Atlantic in the summer. Residents can expect higher than average rainfall, less than average snowfall, and about 202 days of sunshine each year.
Though Silver Spring is Maryland’s fourth most-populous “city,” it is technically an unincorporated, census-designated place, meaning some of its boundaries are officially undefined. Most of its northern and western boundaries are defined by D.C. and Rock Creek.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Silver Spring has a vibrant downtown community with high-end shopping, restaurants and bars, and a large movie theater. It is currently undergoing a $10 million project to add even more to the area, including a new bowling venue, a public plaza, public art, and green space. Downtown also hosts the FRESHFARM Downtown Silver Spring Market, a large Saturday farmers market with everything from organic vegetables to handmade soaps.
For outdoor recreation, there are numerous golf courses in the area, including the Argyle Country Club, Hampshire Greens Golf Course, Leisure World Golf Course, and Sligo Creek Golf Course. Residents can also walk along the trails of Rock Creek Park.
Traveling to D.C. is a breeze with the Metro ( the local name for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) so residents don’t have to worry about traffic and parking. In addition, Baltimore is just an hour northeast of Silver Spring.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Silver Spring’s cost of living is high mainly because the cost of housing is nearly double the national average. Transportation costs are also high, while utilities, health care, and groceries hover just above average.
Maryland is moderately tax friendly for retirees. While Social Security is not taxed, other forms of retirement income are taxed but eligible for deductions. Property taxes are close to the national average, and Maryland offers a Homestead Tax Credit to eligible homeowners.
Health Care
The D.C. metro area scores well on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 22 communities across the country.
Silver Spring has one high performing hospital according to U.S. News, Holy Cross Hospital Silver-Spring. Nearby Bethesda also has a high performing hospital, Suburban Hospital. Washington D.C. is home to nationally ranked MedStar Washington Hospital, as well as high performing Howard University Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.