Affordable Rent in Columbia Area? (Elkridge: low income, section 8, apartments)

[beckyanne]

Hi.

I am considering a job that would require 6 months to a year's training in the company's Columbia office.

I have been doing some research on housing, and I am becoming very skeptical that affordable rent exists in the Columbia area. I am hoping to find a 3 bedroom apartment that is not in the ghetto, as it would be me, my fiance, our 11 month old, and my best friend. Both my fiance and my friend are still in school, so we are hoping to find something that is $1000 or less.

Does anyone know if we are being unrealistic? Are there any towns near Columbia that might have something like what we are looking for? How bad is traffic in Columbia?

Any help you could give me would be fantastic!

Also, we are are from a small town in Southern New Hampshire, and would prefer not to be in the heart of a city.

Thanks in advance!

[otamywy]

I think it might be a bit unrealistic, especially in Columbia. Columbia also has it's fair share of Section 8 housing, so be skeptical of any place that meets your price range.

Just as a baromoter, my wife and I are considering a townhome in Belmont Station (www.belmontstationmd.com) and they are also building apartments there, 3 BRs for $1500 and 2 BRs for $1350. This is in Elkridge, which is about 5 minutes from Columbia.

[beckyanne]

Thanks! I'll check out the link!

[Zippy7fo]

Columbia apt complexes and housing have special programs for low income. I don't know your situation financially but if your not making a high salary maybe you can get into a nice complex under this program. They love college graduates who aren't making enough.....

[jessy0780]

My brother lives in Columbia and he pays $1300 for a 3 bedroom, at the Island Club Apt. off Columbia Rd. I think that's pretty typical.

[beckyanne]

That's good to know. I don't know yet what I would be making while in Maryland, becuase the job is destined for Atlanta and the salary quote I was given is for that area.

Thank you all for your help, now I have some information to use when we find out if we're definitely moving!

[scoutsadie]

My husband and I rented for awhile in Columbia before buying a home here recently. We had a nice apartment in the southern part of Columbia -- two bedrooms, two baths -- for about $1,400/month. I don't think you'll find that kind of space for much less than that.

Good luck!

[reyna13]

I need some help i live in columbia but right now im renting a room but i want to get my own apartment Im having a hard time because Im young mother, also i am not working at the moment but will soon.. i have gone see these new apartments named monarch mill apt. but they do not want to give me a price range for me to be on low income program.. At first the told me i would may get apt this month or april but now they are telling something else til oct and next they will tell me something else. but i dont i much time right now because i am leaving very soon from where i am living now and Im very annoy about the whole situation... I need help!!!

[JosephineBeth]

I thought I'd update since I am looking at the Island Club Apartments too on Columbia Rd.

Right now (2011) it is $1750 or so for a 3bdr apartment there. Clearly the rents have gone up.

For me that is less than what I would pay where I am now (San Diego, CA) where I pay $1550 for a tiny 2 Bdr.

[ker8]

I lived in Columbia last year in a 1-bed 1-bath, pretty big space really, and it was $1249; rents here are definitely not cheap.