12 Tips for Living in St. Michaels, Maryland, US

By adminee

Expat Life in St. Michaels

St. Michaels is about 1.5 hours from Washington DC. If you're looking for a small town on the Chesapeake, St. Michaels might be the right place for you. With a population of just over 1,000, it's a lot smaller than neighboring Easton (pop. 16,500). South Talbot Street is the town's main street and is filled with quaint shops, art galleries and great restaurants. People move to St. Michaels to be near the water, away from the traffic and congestion of the greater DC and Baltimore area.

Cost of Living in St. Michaels, US

Housing prices in St. Michaels vary. You can find a cozy, 3 bedroom in in St. Michaels for around $300k. A newly renovated, 4 bedroom, home in a community with water access runs around $650k. Large, well-maintained, historic homes with 4+ bedrooms start at around $800k. New construction homes start at $1M. If you're in the market for a B&B, there's a 20 bedroom / 20 bathroom one on the market for just under $4M. Since St. Michaels is a popular tourist spot, restaurant prices can be a bit high.

Local Clubs and Organizations

The Woman's Club of St. Michaels hosts mixers, book groups, group trips and luncheons. It's a great way to meet other women in the community. The Rotary Club of St. Michaels is a service organization that meets every week for breakfast at the Miles River Yacht Club. They host a variety of events and service activities. St. Michaels Art League sponsors affordable workshops and classes, a Labor Day art show, a Children's Art Day and more. St. Michaels Community Center has after-school programs and camps for kids, a community garden, classes and events for seniors, food distribution programs and more.

International Schools in St. Michaels

Despite its small size, St. Micheals has its own public schools. The middle and high school are in the same building, which means students are at the same school for 7 years.

Shopping in St. Michaels

Graul's Market is the largest grocery store in St. Michaels. The Village Shop is a popular gourmet food and liquor store. In Easton, there are many other grocery stores - Aldi, Safeway, Weis and others.

Public Transportation

Although MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit) has a St. Michaels Shuttle that runs between Easton and St. Michaels, you'll need a car to get around St. Michaels.

Climate

St. Michaels has a temperate climate with mild winters (lows typically in the 30s), hot, humid summer days and lovely spring and fall weather.

Restaurants and Nightlife

There are so many great restaurants and cafes in St. Michaels. Awful Arthur's Seafood Company, St. Michaels Crab & Steak House and the Crab Claw are a few of the many seafood restuarants. Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar on South Talbot has great wood-fired pizza, an enclosed patio area, a bar and indoor tables. For gluten free diners, Ava's is very knowledgeable and has a number of delicious options. Bistro St. Michaels gets rave reviews as well. The list of restaurants goes on and on. After dinner, you can't miss Justine's Ice Cream Parlor.

What are local hospitals and emergency services like?

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton is the closest emergency room. This is a small hospital. For specialist care, some of the best hospitals in the US are within the greater DC Baltimore area.

Recreational Activities in St. Michaels

According to their website, "Founded in 1920, the Miles River Yacht Clubenjoys a rich tradition of supporting boating, sailing, and swimming activities, promoting social recreation, and enhancing the general welfare of the community." The St. Michaels Family YMCA is part of the YMCA of The Chesapeake with locations in Easton, Cambridge, Elkson, Salisbury, Chincoteague Island and several more towns. This smaller branch has a fitness center and 2 studio classrooms. The YMCA runs youth sports teams as well. 2 related branches in nearby Easton have more amenities - one has tennis courts and other other has 2 swimming pools. The St. Michaels YMCA is expanding - the construction of a new facility with a senior center, pool, gymnasium and child care center is underway. In the summer, the Bay Hundred Community Pool is a popular spot for local families. The pool offers swimming lessons, water aerobics and even a doggie swim day.