Canadians new to MD, need advice please - Owen Brown versus Hickory Ridge?! (Columbia: houses)

[newtomd]

My husband and I are new to Maryland (we are moving from Canada) and have found 2 houses we like in the Columbia area - one in Owen Brown and one in Hickory Ridge. We are in our late 20s with no children, but we are looking for a family-oriented community because we plan on having children in the next year or two. We have put an offer on a house in Owen Brown because it seemed like the nicer area of the two after driving around the communities (bigger homes, closer to stores), but I have read on the forums that Owen Brown (21045) is not a great area. I would really appreciate any information or opinions about the two areas!!! It is very important that we live in a safe neighbourhood - plus, the house in Owen Ridge is more expensive than the house in Hickory Ridge so we want to make sure we are making a good decision!!!
Thanks!

[emsgoof]

Hickory Ridge is much nicer! (Just my opinion, I lived in both). Hickory Ridge also has the better choice of schools!

[Zippy7fo]

Hickory Ridge in a heart beat...

[newtomd]

Thank you for your quick responses! I was wondering why you prefer Hickory Ridge?

[melaniegrewal]

I also just moved to Maryland from Canada. What did you do to get a Maryland drivers license? I have looked at the DMV website and noticed that Canadians living in Virginia don't have to take the test. Is that true in Maryland?

[Zippy7fo]

Originally Posted by newtomd

Thank you for your quick responses! I was wondering why you prefer Hickory Ridge?

Don't get me wrong....Columbia is a fantastic city and I feel comfortable living anywhere but Owen Brown has a few young knuckleheads that ruin it with vandalism and the occasional dumb violent act. I have never heard of anything happening in Hickory Ridge and it just looks newer/cleaner and the people seem to have alot going on for themselves professionally. But go visit and take a look for yourselves and see what you feel comfortable....