So, how hard is it to live in a very segregated city when you're the minority? (Columbia: foreclosure, buyers)

[mams99]

Originally Posted by SmokeyLisa

mams99, let us know which town you purchase in once you get settled.

We have primarily been looking at Columbia. Ellicott City is a bit closer for my husband (don't know where I'll be working yet). The scores vary there, but as you've mentioned it's quite possibly to do with some parts having more diversity than others, not that it's better or worse. The greatschools.com ratings all seem to score them high.

Our needs are quite stringent. We are a family of 4 and my mother in law will be joining us. She has a pretty difficult need list. So very, very few houses fit those requirements... which is one of the reasons I was looking in the city - we could get more house for the money. Plus, my husband and Mother in law are from Europe (they lived one block off the center square of a capital) so these sprawling, meandering streets and cul de sacs are extremely unappealing to them (and to me). They are BORING.

But, as my husband explained to me, we can't afford to live anywhere with life and excitement... so we are trying to find a town that has the best 'community' feel and Columbia has that better than Ellicott City unless you live right in the Historic District... which again, we can't afford and MIL finds too steep and hard to walk. sigh...

[mrboltonman]

Maybe Frederick would work? It's cheaper than other areas and has a cool historic downtown. The drive and schools might not work though.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/maryl...ig-thread.html

[mams99]

It's too far, but thanks for the suggestion. My husband is allergic to long commutes. He hasn't driven to work in 12 years - always taken a train. We are trying to keep the commute under 20 minutes each way.

[SmokeyLisa]

I'm curious if those who indicated that diversity isn't important what-so-ever if they have been the only minority in their school or class? I'm not trying to cause a dispute but I'm curious. I agree that safety, education are really important but sometimes it can be really difficult for a child who feels different from everyone else because there is no one else who looks like them. That does not mean that everyone should look like them but perhaps more balance is better than no balance which is some of Howard County schools there is very little balance and if you are a minority you could be the the only one of your race in a particular grade or class because of the low numbers. That is not being PC.

I think people should live where they want and that they should chose based off a criteria that is important to them and not everyone else. So if diversity is important to Mams99 then don't be so judgemental!

[mams99]

I guess there are different kinds of diversity. If I had my dream diversity? An area with highly educated people from around the world. So, my prejudice is that I would prefer not to live among people who do not value education. Where we are now, while some of the parents may not be overly educated (because they wren't afforded the opportunity) they want and are expecting their kids to go to college.

[SmokeyLisa]

Not everyone wants to go to college, however I do think they should be educated and try to do their best. If they do not go to college then they should learn a skill. I care about safety first then education. I think a school system/town should have diversity in economics, education, and careers. A lot of small business owners, make a good living off of knowing a skill, some are college degreed others are not.

We need doctors, professors, mechanics and plumbers in the world too. Of course, I want my kid to go to college, they can become whatever they want. I just hope they are happy and can earn a decent living to support their families.

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by mams99

I guess there are different kinds of diversity. If I had my dream diversity? An area with highly educated people from around the world.

You would love the Lab School at U of C.
Hyde Park seems to be the type of neighborhood you are looking for, and that will be hard to find in Baltimore.

How about the Wyman Park neighborhood near the Homewood campus?

[mams99]

Originally Posted by Zea mays

You would love the Lab School at U of C.
Hyde Park seems to be the type of neighborhood you are looking for, and that will be hard to find in Baltimore.

How about the Wyman Park neighborhood near the Homewood campus?

We used to live in Hyde Park when we first got married! My husband was a grad student at U of C. So, yes, that would be PERFECT.

Let me check Wyman Park. Though we really can't afford private education for two kids when just moving down the road to a close burb we could do better financially.

ETA: I think we had a couple friends live in that area a few years back, but it's way too far. Dh will be working right off of 695 on the west side of baltimore (Woodlawn). I'll have visiting that area though.

[goindahneeoshnhawn]

There really aren't any suburbs near Wyman Park. It's kinda smack in the middle of the city.

If you can afford a house in Ellicott City, you should take it. It's really one of the nicer neighborhoods in the area. There's also some nice areas right off of 70, a bit west of 695, somewhat north and northwest of Ellicott City.

[mams99]

We are going house shopping this weekend. We've been gathering data for 3 months and now it's time to move on it! We are looking at one house in Ellicott City and three in Columbia. (Wilde Lake, and Oakland Mills)