Moving from San Diego (Baltimore, Columbia: real estate, houses, neighborhoods)

[Ayala]

Hi folks,

I'm moving to Baltimore area due to a new Job and I am looking for advice on which places to look for and places to avoid hen looking for a house.
The office is in Hanover-Elkridge area and maybe thats an interesting information.
I really apreciate any help

Ayala

[JaBradshaw]

I was stationed at NAS North Island when I was in the Navy and I absolutely loved San Diego. I always wanted to go back but it's just way too expensive. As far as places to live, look at bedroom communities like Odenton (try Piney Orchard) or the Columbia area. There's a lot of good affordable housing around those parts. Good luck in your search.

[barante]

Welcome to Maryland! Like the previous poster, I think San Diego is wonderful. Unfortunately, I couldn't even afford National City these days. To think that San Diego has come this far from a World War II hicktown is amazing. At the same time, if you look at historical photos of San Diego, you will quickly realize that all the vegetation is planted. In its original state San Diego looked like Tijuana, a hill of brush and sand.
About the Baltimore area. I can heartily recommend Linthicum, which is just minutes away from Hanover and the BWI airport. (Be careful. There are at least two unrelated communities called Hanover in the Baltimore area).
Linthicum's real estate prices and housing availablity depend less on national economy than on whether the National Security Agency and/or Northrop Grumman are hiring or not. Lots of older houses, ranging from bungalows to ranchers. Plenty of excellent restaurants nearby, including one that reputedly serves Baltimore's best crabcakes.
At least North Linthicum is not on any flight paths. So we can sit on my friends' patio without constant aicraft noise even though we are close to the airport.
Another nearby possibility is Halethorpe, an early 1900s Victorian village with some recent additions.

[Ayala]

Hummm..... two unrelated Hanover's... that's a good information!
It seems like Linthicum is a good place to be at. I've lived in a flight path near to the airport for some time and that is not the best experience I can remember, specially when helicopters are flying after 12:30AM.....
My moving date is October 1st, so I'll narrow down my searches to the places you seggested.
Thanks a lot

Ayala.

[balto charlie]

If you need schools, I recommend Catonsville. Lots of beautiful older homes as well as newer ranch styles. Located on a great park, Patapsco. There's also a nice small community called Relay(between Elkridge and Catonsville). The homes are similar to Catonsville. Has good elementary school, middle school not so good. Both of these neighborhoods are in Baltimore Co. and adjacent to Elkridge. Do be careful of area near BWI airport because of the flight patterns. Both of the previously mentioned neighborhoods are not in the flight path. You will get train noise in Relay if you are next to the tracks. Charlie

[upinflamezzz]

I say go back to San Diego, there is a black ghetto mentality that eminates from just about everyone close ot Baltimore City. It's crazy hot in the summer time and cold as hell in the winter. There's only about 2 months of weather that can be compared to San Diego.

[PigtownNotSafe]

Wow, I 2nd going back to San Diego ... I was there this July, and it was paradise. I never wanted to leave. If you're leaving Heaven for Hell, I sure hope the new job is worth it.