Moving to Baltimore...looking West or SW??? (Columbia, Ellicott City: real estate, to rent)

[latisinco]

Hello! We are moving to Baltimore this summer. My husband has a job in South Baltimore off I-95. He will be there for a few months ahead of us (company provided hotel).

We are thinking to look in the southwest or west area (maybe Arbutus, Lansdowne, or Elkridge??). We have two school aged children, a dog - want more of a suburban type with diversity. We are not looking for a party scene but more of a family area.

We are wanting to rent for a year or so to make certain that we like the area. Renting budget $1000-1400 - - buying budget $200-250.

He does not want a long commute, 30 minutes or less prefer. We do want a relatively safe area.

Any suggestions?? Thanks very much

[MDBound2010]

I'm curious about this as well. We're moving to the area in the next month or so. Our situation is very similar.
DH's office is in Elkridge.

[SmokeyLisa]

-Catonsville
-Linthicum
-Elkridge
-Columbia - 200 -250 - nicer condo or older townhome
-Ellicott City - Price will be an issue but it doesn't hurt to look. I think townhomes start in the 300s but worth a look.

[SmokeyLisa]

MDbound2010,

You can also try Hanover, Laurel.

[mica]

The upside is your husband can do some scouting.

I'd recommend Catonsville or Ellicott City.

I lived in Catonsville for 12 years, while it is crowded like everywhere else, I felt a sense of community.

[MDBound2010]

Thanks! Our buying budget looks like it's going to have to top out at $260,000 this time around. Our realtor seems to think that we won't be able to find a single family home in that range, that we'll have to look at townhomes. Is this the case? We'd really like a single family home but we're not opposed to a townhome as our "starter".
Any suggestions?

[lee.watkins]

Seriously you should take a hard look at Violetville.
Very very nice, and overlooked by many people.

Originally Posted by latisinco

Hello! We are moving to Baltimore this summer. My husband has a job in South Baltimore off I-95. He will be there for a few months ahead of us (company provided hotel).

We are thinking to look in the southwest or west area (maybe Arbutus, Lansdowne, or Elkridge??). We have two school aged children, a dog - want more of a suburban type with diversity. We are not looking for a party scene but more of a family area.

We are wanting to rent for a year or so to make certain that we like the area. Renting budget $1000-1400 - - buying budget $200-250.

He does not want a long commute, 30 minutes or less prefer. We do want a relatively safe area.

Any suggestions?? Thanks very much

[SmokeyLisa]

Violetville made Baltimore Sun's real estate section hidden gem section. You should check out the real estate wonk hidden gem article, there are a few neighborhoods on it some in the city and other outside of the city.