Questions about relocating to Baltimore Area (Columbia, Catonsville: trip , work, houses)

[Griffin1]

My wife and I are relocating to the Baltimore area and are looking for a good place to live. I will be working up in Timonium and she will be down in Columbia. Can anyone recommend nice safe towns that would be somewhat centrally located between the two?

We had looked at Owings Mills but are afraid her commute time to Columbia would be too long (we have heard up to an hour). How about Windsor Mill? Is that a safe area?

What would a general commute time be from 70/695 intersection up to Timonium?

Thanks

[tmorrisn]

I think I answered you in the other post.
70 stinks in the morning, but you're going in the better direction on 695. From this intersection to Timonium, I'd say 20 minutes.
I have no idea how long it takes from places on 70 though.

[Dom426]

I wouldnt suggest Windsor Mills, its not the worst area but not nearly as nice as Owings Mills, Timonium or Columbia. Owings Mills or maybe Pikesville will give you about even commute times but Columbia is a really nice place to live.

[corgi]

I agree. DO not move to Windsor Mills. It's a bit hairy there!!

Have you thought about living in Baltimore City itself!

I've lived here--near Hopkins University--for most of my life. It is wonderful!!!!

IMPORTANT: the commute would be a fair/equitable for both of you. You would also be going against traffic.

Yes, Baltimore does have some bad sections. But you just don't go into them.

And its good point more than make up for the bad areas.

[Lumerian Feast]

I agree with Corgi: if you live somewhere near downtown, she can get on 95 and you can get on 83 very easily and do a reverse commute, and each of you be to work in less than a half hour. And despite the panic that a lot of people here preach, it's a fine lifestyle if you like city living. (Some people just don't). If you go further north, like Wyman Park/Roland Park/Homewood/Mt. Washington, you'll have leafier surroundings (some rowhouses/some separate houses); your commute will be easier but hers will get a little tougher, since she'll at least have to go through midtown to get to 95. Otherwise, Catonsville or Arbutus might be good options in the suburbs, though you'll both be on 695, which sucks at rush hour -- probably 45 minutes for each of you, longer if there's an accident. Pikesville is nice too.

[emsgoof]

Owings Mills to Columbia is about 30-45 minutes on average. Just stay off the Beltway and I-70. An alternative route would be Marriottsville Rd to Rt. 40. That part of the trip is about 25 minutes, then another 10-15 minutes running down Rt 40 and Rt 29 (you're past all of the worst traffic by the merge of Rt 40 and Rt 29.)
Owings Mills to Timonium is also about 30-45 minutes, again, staying off the beltway. Owings Mills Blvd to Bonita Ave, right on Worthington, left on Tufton, then Tufton straight into Timonium.
I've done both trips many times.
Reisterstown and Glyndon would give you similar times and routings.