Thinking of moving to Catonsville (Baltimore, Ellicott City: sex offender, crime rate, buying a house)

[tiarefleur]

I've been looking at a property near Paradise rd. in catonsville. I've heard schools in this area are pretty good. Just wondering about Arbutus Middle School--is it a good school? Is that area just north of 695 a good area? It looked well maintained and quiet to me. Any feed back would be appreciated.

[balto charlie]

Hi That's my hood! Elementary school is good, high school is good, Arbutus middle school is poor. Years ago the Catonsville Middle School was closed for renovations with half the kids going to an small Catonsville Middle and the rest going to Arbutus. The politicians promised to reunite after renovations...they lied. The old middle school became a rec center and the 2 groups remain divided. The best option is to send your kids to Sudbrook magnet(15 minute bus ride). It's a very good option as they offer a lot in the way of music, languages(Japanese). My childrens friends that attended Sudbrook went to college and have done well. We sent our kids to the local catholic schools (which are very good but not cheap). The housing is more affordable in the paradise section. There's a new development on Paradise rd but I think most are sold(not certain), the area N of Frederick rd.(Dunmore) is a nice close nit community. Great Halloween trick or treating. The entire neighborhood gets into it. It's a very convenient place to live. You are near the 695, I-70, I-95, downtown is a very short drive and a train ride to DC if needed. We are building a bike trail in Paradise and are trying to "reattach" ourselves to the west side of Catonsville via a walking/biking bridge over the beltway. There's a bike trail on the west side that goes into the old Ellicott City. Catonsville backs up to Patapsco St park for some nice hiking, biking, canoeing and nature programs. I really love this area. We are the forgotten section of Baltimore Co but that's OK. Feel free to ask me Q's. Charlie

[tiarefleur]

Thanks balto charlie that information is very useful. I was attracted to the area for all it's character and when I heard they had good schools in the area I was thrilled. Thanks for the info on the magnet school. I hope the area gets their way with a trail connecting over the beltway, it will make the place even more charming. This has been so helpful.

[tiarefleur]

I had another question actually. The crime statistics on city-data.com show catonsville to have a crime rate higher than the national average. Do you know is this becaue it's baltimore county or is there an unsafe part of catonsville?

[balto charlie]

Originally Posted by tiarefleur

I had another question actually. The crime statistics on city-data.com show catonsville to have a crime rate higher than the national average. Do you know is this becaue it's baltimore county or is there an unsafe part of catonsville?

Here's a gmaps link with a roughly drawn map of the highest crime area of Catonsville. Also the area N of rt 40 is only fair and I'm not certain if it's part of Catonsville.
Gmaps Pedometer
Another good area is Academy Heights. It's nice neighborhood of brick townhomes.
Charlie
PS FWIW: I've been here 25 years and have never had a single problem and I live near the Balto city line.

[tiarefleur]

Wow, that is so helpful. Thank you so much. Great tips.
tiarefleur

[crabsnbeer]

I grew up in Catonsville and I work in Arbutus so I am there almost everyday. As mentioned the high crime area is along the North border of Rt. 40. There is also an area in the middle along Winters Lane that has pockets of poverty and crime. The old downtown section of Catonsville is still cute and active, although like many downtown's in Baltimore it has suffered as people shop more in malls and box stores. I like Academy Heights (my wife grew up there) but the area around the Community College (Hilton Ave area).

[R_April]

You are sooo right about crime in those areas. I happened to be looking in and around Catonsville-Balto. County and searched as close to the Baltimore City line as the Kensington Gardens neighborhood and St. Agnes. It was real eye-opener to me when I happened upon the data from the Maryland Sex Offender registry web site! There was a pervert right in the heart of Kensington. I'm glad I found that information first.

[clareonthego]

Hi BaltoCharlie,
I have the same exact question as Tiarefleur, except now it is a year later. My husband and I are considering buying a house in Tanglewood. We love the house and the neighborhood seems like a nice enclave inside the beltway. We have two little girls however, and high aspirations for their education (of course), and we are concerned about Arbutus Middle School. We read that there is a new principal there and are wondering if you (or anyone out there) have any thoughts on the future of the school. We have a number of years before our girls would get to Middle School, but we don't want to enter into a house purchase if the school continues to be poor.

Any thoughts, or any ideas on how to get more information?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by balto charlie

Hi That's my hood! Elementary school is good, high school is good, Arbutus middle school is poor. Years ago the Catonsville Middle School was closed for renovations with half the kids going to an small Catonsville Middle and the rest going to Arbutus. The politicians promised to reunite after renovations...they lied. The old middle school became a rec center and the 2 groups remain divided. The best option is to send your kids to Sudbrook magnet(15 minute bus ride). It's a very good option as they offer a lot in the way of music, languages(Japanese). My childrens friends that attended Sudbrook went to college and have done well. We sent our kids to the local catholic schools (which are very good but not cheap). The housing is more affordable in the paradise section. There's a new development on Paradise rd but I think most are sold(not certain), the area N of Frederick rd.(Dunmore) is a nice close nit community. Great Halloween trick or treating. The entire neighborhood gets into it. It's a very convenient place to live. You are near the 695, I-70, I-95, downtown is a very short drive and a train ride to DC if needed. We are building a bike trail in Paradise and are trying to "reattach" ourselves to the west side of Catonsville via a walking/biking bridge over the beltway. There's a bike trail on the west side that goes into the old Ellicott City. Catonsville backs up to Patapsco St park for some nice hiking, biking, canoeing and nature programs. I really love this area. We are the forgotten section of Baltimore Co but that's OK. Feel free to ask me Q's. Charlie

[clareonthego]

Hi - I was also wondering if there have been any developments on that bike trail from Paradise? What is the route, and is it actually happening?