Moving to Owings Mills ~ Restaurants/Parks/Downtown Area? (Baltimore, Ellicott City: apartment, to rent)

[SillyJKC]

Hello Everyone! My husband found work outside of Michigan and are moving to Maryland. Its official. My husband is going to work in Lutherville/Timonium, he is a dental technician. I am a bartender/waitress. We found a great apartment in Owings Mills (which is fine since we want to rent the first year until we have a better feel for the area before we buy). My questions are...

First, are there any decent restaurants to work at in Owings Mills? There is a great restaurant in Lutherville-Timonium called Bluestone that I really enjoyed, but if I could work closer to home that would be great. I'm looking for decent price point, ($15-$30 a plate).... and would rather not be in a night club. I'm in my 30's (not my 20's). I'm past that scene and I think it's past me! A nice place with a good following (busy), would be awesome. Any suggestions?

Second, any public parks/playgrounds or dog parks? Preferably off-leash?

And finally, is there a downtown/walking district area to Owings Mills? Like Towson? (So cute... love that town).

If not, we'll drive to where we need to and there is always the light rail etc., but... any info would be appreciated!

Thanks everyone...

[jonjj]

That's the first time I have ever heard Towson described as "cute". When thinking of Towson, cute doesn't come to mind. I guess you will have to live here for awhile to find out.

I think you're smart renting for awhile and searching the area. Owings Mills and Towson are quite a few miles apart. The best "walking" district in the burbs would be Ellicott City in my opinion. There are some nice areas in the county further out like Westminster and in that area they have walking areas and little "downtown cores". I wouldn't waste my time "walking" anywhere else in the burbs. The only "walking" in Owings Mills would be the mall. After you move here, you will notice that very few people actually walk in the burbs. It is car-central. The DC burbs are a bit different.

[nurider2002]

There are some nicer restaurants in Owings Mills/Pikesville/Reisterstown areas you might consider; Ruth Chris Steak House, Harryman House, Linwoods are higher end dining; there are more moderate priced: Reters Seafood (very busy), Outback, Fish Bone, C.J.s, smaller venues include Cibo, Olive Branch (very busy), then the usual suburb chains; Don Pablo, Red Robin, TGIF, etc. There is the Barc Hanna Moore dog park at 12035 Reisterstown Rd that is on your right headed toward Reisterstown. There is also Soldier's Delight Park in Owings Mills with miles of hiking trails (dogs have to be leashed there though). There are many walking paths throughout Owings Mills/Newtown although not a concentrated outdoor shopping area, it is more spread out. Don't get discouraged by folks knocking Owings Mills. I live on the border of Owings Mills and Pikesville and love it. I am 5 minutes to 695 (Baltimore Beltway), 20 minutes downtown, I have plenty of open green space, quiet, private and close to shopping, the gym, parks, bookstores, great sushi, etc. It is a culturally diverse area. Sometimes we still venture to our old haunts in downtown Baltimore but, there is much to be said for watching the deer, rabbits, groundhogs and fox, meandering through my yard while I drink my coffee, instead of listening to sirens and looking out at a bleak cityscape in the dead of winter. I don't care how much "character" the city has, nothing is more depressing to look at in February (just my opinion of course)! Best of luck in your relocation.

[Woodlands]

I would agree that Pikesville(proper) may be a good area to consider. It has a quaint "downtown" that is slowly become a local destination. Not sure about what Parks are in the area, but the area is definately walkable. It is also accessible to the beltway.. and depending on where you live in Pikesville.. you can catch the Metro Subway at Milford Mill or Old Court. Both may be easy to walk to but most likely biking to them would be a better option.

Owings Mill is fine as well.. not as familiar with it as I am Pikesville..maybe more parks and open space there that in the 'ville .

Good Luck

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by nurider2002

There are some nicer restaurants in Owings Mills/Pikesville/Reisterstown areas you might consider; Ruth Chris Steak House, Harryman House, Linwoods are higher end dining; there are more moderate priced: Reters Seafood (very busy), Outback, Fish Bone, C.J.s, smaller venues include Cibo, Olive Branch (very busy), then the usual suburb chains; Don Pablo, Red Robin, TGIF, etc. There is the Barc Hanna Moore dog park at 12035 Reisterstown Rd that is on your right headed toward Reisterstown. There is also Soldier's Delight Park in Owings Mills with miles of hiking trails (dogs have to be leashed there though). There are many walking paths throughout Owings Mills/Newtown although not a concentrated outdoor shopping area, it is more spread out. Don't get discouraged by folks knocking Owings Mills. I live on the border of Owings Mills and Pikesville and love it. I am 5 minutes to 695 (Baltimore Beltway), 20 minutes downtown, I have plenty of open green space, quiet, private and close to shopping, the gym, parks, bookstores, great sushi, etc. It is a culturally diverse area. Sometimes we still venture to our old haunts in downtown Baltimore but, there is much to be said for watching the deer, rabbits, groundhogs and fox, meandering through my yard while I drink my coffee, instead of listening to sirens and looking out at a bleak cityscape in the dead of winter. I don't care how much "character" the city has, nothing is more depressing to look at in February (just my opinion of course)! Best of luck in your relocation.

OH yes! Richie Highway in February. Absolutely gorgeous!!

[Matt1968]

Great choices ..... Linwood's and Bonefish.

[SillyJKC]

Originally Posted by nurider2002

There are some nicer restaurants in Owings Mills/Pikesville/Reisterstown areas you might consider; Ruth Chris Steak House, Harryman House, Linwoods are higher end dining; there are more moderate priced: Reters Seafood (very busy), Outback, Fish Bone, C.J.s, smaller venues include Cibo, Olive Branch (very busy), then the usual suburb chains; Don Pablo, Red Robin, TGIF, etc. There is the Barc Hanna Moore dog park at 12035 Reisterstown Rd that is on your right headed toward Reisterstown. There is also Soldier's Delight Park in Owings Mills with miles of hiking trails (dogs have to be leashed there though). There are many walking paths throughout Owings Mills/Newtown although not a concentrated outdoor shopping area, it is more spread out. Don't get discouraged by folks knocking Owings Mills. I live on the border of Owings Mills and Pikesville and love it. I am 5 minutes to 695 (Baltimore Beltway), 20 minutes downtown, I have plenty of open green space, quiet, private and close to shopping, the gym, parks, bookstores, great sushi, etc. It is a culturally diverse area. Sometimes we still venture to our old haunts in downtown Baltimore but, there is much to be said for watching the deer, rabbits, groundhogs and fox, meandering through my yard while I drink my coffee, instead of listening to sirens and looking out at a bleak cityscape in the dead of winter. I don't care how much "character" the city has, nothing is more depressing to look at in February (just my opinion of course)! Best of luck in your relocation.

Thank you!!! That is EXACTLY the information I was looking for.

Sincerely,

Jennifer