New job in Pasadena for couple in their 50s .. where to live ? (Baltimore: apartment)

[MN person]

My husband will be working part-time in pasadena and will look for another job with a non-profit. Don't know where that job will be. I have a job offer in Millersville. We are a middle class educated couple from Minnesota. What towns would you recommend looking for a town home or apartment rental ? We have a very small dog (yorky). I want to keep the rent less than 1300 per month. We don't need a pool or tennis courts, Just a nice quiet, clean, safe place...preferably close to walking paths.

[Henry Bowman]

There aren't really "towns" here. It's all pretty much a continual stream of sprawl with some areas being more sprawled than others.

There also isn't much in the way of "trails" unless you consider sidewalks trails, and are fortunate to even have sidewalks.

The B+A Trail is an old railway that is a nice path once you get away from Glen Burnie. It runs all of the way to Annapolis.

$1300 is frankly not going to get you a lot in this area in a good area.

[sobo16]

Try looking around Millersville, especially the Old Mill area. I'm not sure what rents are like there, but it's a short drive to Pasadena, and you have easy access to I-97 and Route 100 if your husband's other job is closer to Baltimore or DC.

[Tallybalt]

Columbia. It's 20-30 minutes' drive from Pasadena in adjoining Howard County and it's a masterplanned community of nine or so "villages" and is interwoven with parks and walking trails. You should be able to find a 2-bedroom apartment in one of the Columbia village centers.

[eav1221]

1300? You SHOULD be able to find something in Severna Park if you look hard, checking craigslist daily--especially if you're looking for a one bedroom. I live in Severna Park and live right directly on the B&A bike trail and I rent. Severna Park is less than 10 min. from Millersville, and the neighboring town of Pasadena as well, so you'd be right in the middle, and it's quite safe here. There's a gym, a good consignment shop, bike shop, coffee shop, and Gary's Grill, which has really good food, all within walking distance. I've seen For Rent signs around, but you'd have to really look. less than 5 min. south is another nice area also close to the bike trail: Arnold. You really can't go wrong in either of those 2 towns proximity-wise to where you will be working. The trail is the big drawing point for me as it's very active, with tons of walkers, runners, bikers, and races on the weekends. Very nice area. Glen Burnie (just north of Pasadena and Severna Park) on the other hand is cheaper, but to me, it's full of run-down neighborhoods with rusted metal fences, and some nicer looking condo communities that are affordable but I was turned away because "I made too much money" to live there so they're subsidized. But you could find something decent there as well. Also close to trail depending on which side of Rt. 2 you're on.
hope this helps!