Moving do Baltimore area, where to live? (Ellicott City, Towson: rent to own, crime rates)

[mls012]

Alex,
I can speak only on Columbia ( Howard County), as l've lived here most of my life.. I checked out greatschools.com, and came up with much different information then what you were given and posted on here regarding the school scores.. Here's a link.
http://www.greatschools.org/search/search.pagesearch_type=0&q=howard+county+public+sc hool+system&state=MD&c=school (broken link)

I searched for Middle and High Schools in Howard County.. which does include Ellicott City.

I am in no way trying to bash any villages here in the County, but those that you mentioned in Columbia is NOT where I'd want to invest in a 400k+ home. Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills are struggling villages and have been for many years..these are neighborhoods that have a large population of apartment complexes, section 8 housing and shady shopping centers.. grant it , there are still very nice streets and neighborhoods in these villages but these aren't areas on the top of my list... Howard County has 10 different "villages"... I'd keep looking here in Howard County.

[Alexmed]

Originally Posted by mls012

Alex,
I can speak only on Columbia ( Howard County), as l've lived here most of my life.. I checked out greatschools.com, and came up with much different information then what you were given and posted on here regarding the school scores.. Here's a link.
http://www.greatschools.org/search/search.pagesearch_type=0&q=howard+county+public+sc hool+system&state=MD&c=school (broken link)

I searched for Middle and High Schools in Howard County.. which does include Ellicott City.

I am in no way trying to bash any villages here in the County, but those that you mentioned in Columbia is NOT where I'd want to invest in a 400k+ home. Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills are struggling villages and have been for many years..these are neighborhoods that have a large population of apartment complexes, section 8 housing and shady shopping centers.. grant it , there are still very nice streets and neighborhoods in these villages but these aren't areas on the top of my list... Howard County has 10 different "villages"... I'd keep looking here in Howard County.

Thank you very much for your time and effort, I really appreciate. As an outsider, my view is narrower than yours as I need to rely in limited tools. I will keep trying to find the "right spot" in Columbia. In fact I suspect that in the realtor.com some houses are in Columbia, but listed as Ellicott City to increase their prices.

I have a daughter on elementary school and I not willing to pay a private one, so I need good elementary, middle and high schools. Can a kid do well in an average school such us Veterans? Off course! But since I will need to spend a big chunk of money in a house and there are fantastic schools around, why not to have them?

There some houses that show up for sale in catonsville. The schools are score 8, which I supposed that they are fine (catonsville middle) but I think I need to ask around. The last time I was in Baltimore I talked to a couple in the hotel that I was staying and they mentioned that in the "past" catonsville had a "bad reputation". This was kind of surprising since a considered catonsville at the same level of timonium, towson or perry hall. How is catonsville today? How it compares to Ellicott city?

[Alexmed]

bump?

[ChesapeakeSmitty]

Originally Posted by Alexmed

There some houses that show up for sale in catonsville. The schools are score 8, which I supposed that they are fine (catonsville middle) but I think I need to ask around. The last time I was in Baltimore I talked to a couple in the hotel that I was staying and they mentioned that in the "past" catonsville had a "bad reputation". This was kind of surprising since a considered catonsville at the same level of timonium, towson or perry hall. How is catonsville today? How it compares to Ellicott city?

You don't want to go to Catonsville. I work very near there. There are still nice pockets there, but overall it's become an extension of Baltimore City, with a lot of the inherent problems of an urban area. Stay a distance outside the beltway.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by ChesapeakeSmitty

You don't want to go to Catonsville. I work very near there. There are still nice pockets there, but overall it's become an extension of Baltimore City, with a lot of the inherent problems of an urban area. Stay a distance outside the beltway.

Now that's funny.

[KLynch10]

There are areas of Woodlawn that are called Catonsville by people....shouldn't be. Catonsville is a great area with some beautiful homes. If I had to move to the burbs, it would be the first place I would look because it's so close, has so much character, has a cool mainstreet, and the schools are good, plus some great views of the city.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by KLynch10

There are areas of Woodlawn that are called Catonsville by people....shouldn't be. Catonsville is a great area with some beautiful homes. If I had to move to the burbs, it would be the first place I would look because it's so close, has so much character, has a cool mainstreet, and the schools are good, plus some great views of the city.

All that's true.

This is an aside Woodlawn really isn't a slum. There are run down areas but most if it is pretty standard 50s suburban housing that is kept up nicely.

[relocater2HI78]

I'd recommend Columbia. The schools are good in Howard county. It's a very family type of town.

[rent2ownmetrodc]

Originally Posted by Alexmed

Thank you everybody that have answered so far. I really apreciated.

Any special thoughts on Perry hall? How it is regarding, safety, entertainement and how it compares to ellicott city?

Do you consider rent-to-own?

[Alexmed]

what is rent-to-own ?


added: by the way 2 other areas that I am liking very much are Severna park and Arnold. a little bit far from baltimore but looks very interesting