Best City/Area to Live in Between Frederick and Baltimore? (Columbia: for sale, foreclosure)

[vivatoria]

My husband recently got a job in Frederick. We moved here a few months ago. Now, there is a job I'm interested in that is in Baltimore.

I am considering doing the commute from Frederick to Baltimore everyday, as flex time is offered, and I could work 7-3.

However, where would be the best place to live between Frederick and Baltimore?

We are young. No kids, and a little dog. We love living in Frederick, as we are right in downtown and are within walking distance to shops and restaurants. We'd like to move somewhere with a hip little downtown area. Doesn't have to be as big, but I just don't want to have to drive everywhere.

Any suggestions? Oh, and we are paying about $1000 a month for a 2 bedroom not including utilities, and would be trying to find somewhere in a similar price range.

[westsideboy]

Well, there are no real cities between Frederick and Baltimore with a downtown, except Ellicott City, which is probably too pricey for you. You have some suburban concentrations like Sykesville, Columbia, Eldersburg, Mt. Airy,etc, but none have "downtowns" like Frederick and Baltimore.

[goindownsouth2011]

Mt. Airy

[sandkrab]

Sykesville has a quaint little "downtown" but most of your shopping, etc. won't be within walking distance. You'd have to drive 2 or 3 miles to Eldersburg for that. Great area though, I highly recommend it.

[qjbusmaster]

Originally Posted by vivatoria

My husband recently got a job in Frederick. We moved here a few months ago. Now, there is a job I'm interested in that is in Baltimore.

I am considering doing the commute from Frederick to Baltimore everyday, as flex time is offered, and I could work 7-3.

However, where would be the best place to live between Frederick and Baltimore?

We are young. No kids, and a little dog. We love living in Frederick, as we are right in downtown and are within walking distance to shops and restaurants. We'd like to move somewhere with a hip little downtown area. Doesn't have to be as big, but I just don't want to have to drive everywhere.

Any suggestions? Oh, and we are paying about $1000 a month for a 2 bedroom not including utilities, and would be trying to find somewhere in a similar price range.

good news greyhound goes from federick to baltimore for $500 every 2 months u too can use greyhound in the US and canada unlimited times

[heather3]

Mt. Airy would be my first choice, but since Frederick is the second largest city in MD to Baltimore, you won't find another downtown like it unless you go to Salisbury, which is a BIT far (and the 3rd largest/most populated city). :-) My brother and sister in law lived in Mt. Airy until they had their twins and were relocated for his job. They loved it, however they owned a home. I am not that familiar with rentals in Carroll County. New Market is smaller and a cute town. However, Columbia definitely has more to do...a nice mall, planned communities and many rentals to choose from!

[Flamingo13]

I wouldn't consider New Market, went there two weeks ago and it was so sad - all the shops are closed up. I honestly don't know Mt. Airy but Columbia might fit the bill as there is more going on there.

[westsideboy]

My guess is that New Market's shops are spring and summer season only. Not alot of people walking around to trade antiques in the winter. But maybe not, I haven't driven through in years.

I am not sure how Salisbury entered the conversation. It is on the other side of the state and not the third largest city in the state. It is smaller than Rockville, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown, Annapolis, Bowie, and many, many other incorporated locations.

[newhart]

We are young. No kids, and a little dog. We love living in Frederick, as we are right in downtown and are within walking distance to shops and restaurants. We'd like to move somewhere with a hip little downtown area. Doesn't have to be as big, but I just don't want to have to drive everywhere.

This is going to be the hard part. There are lots of good places to choose from that would put you within decent driving distance of both cities, but to be able to walk to shopping or areas of activity.... about the only places I can think of are the village centers in Columbia.

[Flamingo13]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

My guess is that New Market's shops are spring and summer season only. Not alot of people walking around to trade antiques in the winter. But maybe not, I haven't driven through in years. .

No, sadly they are permanently closed up, many building for sale in foreclosure, etc.