The three towns of Ocean City, Ocean Pines, and Berlin, Maryland form a line inland from the Atlantic Ocean, about two hours outside of the D.C. Metro area. Each of these cities are popular east coast vacation destinations, full of warm, sunny weather. In Ocean City you will find sparkling white sand beaches and the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Here the boardwalk is an ideal place to people watch, and is a big reason why this city has been named "The East Coast's Number One Family Resort" time and time again.

Ocean City supports a permanent population of approximately 7,200 residents, whose average age is 47 years old. the average household income for an Ocean City resident is around $40,000 per year. Home values in the area have continued to appreciate nicely, making them a good investment for their owners. The 2000 Census lists the median value of a home in the area at $230,000. The vast majority of Ocean City residents, nearly thirteen percent, are employed in the retail sector. The next largest sector, employing about five percent of the population, is professional services, technology, and the sciences. Wholesale rounds out the top three, employing nearly four percent of residents here.

As a popular resort area, Ocean City's population swells in the summer months. It enjoys a unique location, bordered on one side by the Atlantic, and the Assawoman Bay on the other. The Washington Post Travel pages recently called Ocean City "a carnival lined with fourteen miles of miniature golf, midway games, Jetskis, sunset cruises and other diversions." This family-friendly environment will have something to offer each member of your clan. Additionally, you will enjoy year round festivals, such as Springfest in May, the Sunfest in September, and Oktoberfest in, of course, October.

The neighboring town of Ocean Pines is slightly more populated, with approximately 11,000 residents. The median age of in this town is 50 years old, with an annual household income of around $50,000 per year. The median home value here, as listed on the 2000 Census, was $220,000. Employment trends in the area follow a similar curve to that of Ocean City.

Ocean Pines is a comfortable and peaceful private community, with over nine miles of waterfront properties and old-growth trees throughout its 3,500 acres. Situated less than five miles from Ocean City and the Atlantic Ocean, residents here tend to spend the majority of their free time outdoors. Here you will find two marinas, a sprawling tennis complex, five community pools, and several lakes. There are also a variety of sports fields and courts, playgrounds and hiking trails.

But perhaps the highlight of Ocean Pines is its golf course. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr., this course is the Delmarva Peninsula's only championship 18-hole course. Its design incorporates heavily guarded greens and tree-lined fairways, and is often referred to as one of the most challenging courses on the entire east coast. The facility also features a double ended driving range, chipping and pitching green, two putting greens, and two practice sand bunkers.

A further eight miles inland from Ocean Pines is the charming town of Berlin. With a neighborly village-like feel, Berlin served as a backdrop for such recent films as 2002's "Tuck Everlasting" and 1999's "Runaway Bride". Berlin supports a population of approximately 3,700 residents. This is a population increase of nearly five percent since the year 2000. The average age of a resident here is 38 years old, with an annual household income of around $35,000 per year. The majority of residents here, over fourteen percent, work in the retail trade. Manufacturing is the second largest sector, employing nearly nine percent of Berlin residents.

Berlin is a spectacularly preserved and renovated town. The town center has been returned to its turn-of-the-century glory, and the commercial and residential districts have been preserved in their original Victorian state. As you take a leisurely stroll through the town, you will see that many of these edifices display the markings of the National Register of Historic Places. Mature trees such as magnolia, tulip poplar, sycamore, bald cypress and ginkgo line many of the streets.

Berlin is known for two major festivals each year. Both the Village Fair in June and Spring Celebration in April draw folks from neighboring communities to experience the allure of Berlin and the hospitality of those who live here. Additionally, with the seashore just a few miles away, residents enjoy easy access to the clean beaches and pounding surf of Ocean City. Another popular day trip for residents is the Assateague Island National Seashore.

Both Ocean City and Ocean Pines offer resort style living, with a focus on families. Further inland, Berlin offers a relaxed village atmosphere where neighbors quickly become friends. If you are thinking of moving, this area has much to offer. Request our free relocation packet today to determine if Berlin, Ocean Pines or Ocean City, Maryland is the right town for you!