Moving To Laurel--Need the Real Deal

[Wilkester]

Laurel is growing by leaps and bounds. They're building new homes and apartments on Contee Road. They are pricey though. I think the homes were going in the $500,000 range. The apartments were going to be in the high 400's. The also have a 50 and older development called Victoria Falls which is just off Contee Road which is still building.

I agree with kjg1963 that Pasta Plus, Pasta Nostra and Red Hot Blue are all good restaurants. Rams Head at Savage Mill is nice too though parking can be a problem on Friday evenings.

I don't know if you were aware of it but, MTA runs commuter trains through Laurel train station to Baltimore and D.C. The trains start around 6:30 a.m. I think and go till 8:30 a.m. Then, they start back up around 3:30 p.m. I don't know how late they run. The trains will take you to Camden Yards or Union Station.

I can't tell you anything about the schools or what parts of Laurel are in what county.

[KittiKat]

Laurel is a really convenient place to be in the metro area. I live near Savage Mill in a community called Stone Lake. We specifically built in this area due to the location between DC and Baltimore and also that it was located in Howard County. The school system is awesome and Forest Ridge Elementary is actually located beside Stone Lake. My family is relocating also and we are selling our house but just to be near family. We've lived in the metro area for many years (in northern VA and MD). Stone Lake is unique in many ways but there are many wonderful areas also, depending on your price range and what you are looking for. Good luck!

[kjg1963]

"I live near Savage Mill in a community called Stone Lake"

My daughter has a couple of friends that live there. I've only driven through but it is really nice. I believe the lake is an old quarry, isn't it? Sorry you're leaving the area, but I'm glad you had a good experience here.

[usnret]

We have been residents of Laurel since 1994, PG county. Although there are some areas that may not be quite desirable, in general, Laurel is a good place to live in. It is convenient to pretty much everything. I admit that the school system needs improvement, but our kids have thrived quite well. My oldest daughter is now a Sophomore at UM College Park, and the other is a junior at Eleanore Roosevelt HS, Science and Technology. Bond Mill Elementary school in West Laurel is a very good school, so is Martin Luther King Middle School. In general however, Howard County schools are better, but even if one ends up in Laurel, PG county side, one's kids may thrive as well if parents get involved with their child's education.

[kjg1963]

Originally Posted by usnret

We have been residents of Laurel since 1994, PG county. Although there are some areas that may not be quite desirable, in general, Laurel is a good place to live in. It is convenient to pretty much everything. I admit that the school system needs improvement, but our kids have thrived quite well. My oldest daughter is now a Sophomore at UM College Park, and the other is a junior at Eleanore Roosevelt HS, Science and Technology. Bond Mill Elementary school in West Laurel is a very good school, so is Martin Luther King Middle School. In general however, Howard County schools are better, but even if one ends up in Laurel, PG county side, one's kids may thrive as well if parents get involved with their child's education.

My daughter is also a Junior at Roosevelt (and we live in Laurel). They probably know each other. Small world.

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by Freeatlastrn

My husband just got a great job in the area. The company is putting him up in Laurel and he will be moving down next month. My children and I will relocate there at the end of the school year. We are from a small town in Maine so it will be a culture shock to us but we have visited DC a few times and just love it. We would like to live in Laurel and put the kids in the Howard county school system. I understand that Laurel sits on the corners of 4 counties. What would be the best neighborhood to live in if they were to go to Howard school systems? I have an autistic son who needs a strong school system, that is why we would consider Howard. My other son is a baseball fanatic. How are the youth Baseball leagues in Laurel? Thanks for the input.

Are you looking to rent or buy? Bowling Brook is a decent older (mid 80s-early 90s build) apartment and townhome (townhomes start about 300k) community off Gorman Rd. in Howard County...there are also a LOT of newer developments and some older (pre 1990) single family homes (400k+) in this area. Anything in the 20723 zip is Laurel/Howard County. If the zip is 20707 or 20708 it's PG county...which is nice enough in Laurel but the schools are mediocre. 20724 is Laurel/Anne Arundel county...and it's intermediate between PG and Howard with mediocre schools as well.

[triniboy]

Don't forget about Montgomery County which also has a piece in Laurel as well and also goes by the zipcode 20707 as well.

[matt91]

Hey there -

I, too am from Maine--

Have you moved to Laurel yet? I'd love to hear what area/county you chose to move to and why.

PS Where are you from in Maine??

We're from Bangor and Portland (Cumberland)

[McMatt]

I live in Russett in Laurel (AA cty) but the Howard cty neighborhoods near savage mill that are sort of behind carmax are very nice, we tried to buy there but were unsuccessful when the market was high. Plus there are nice homes and neighborhoods out 216. A friend lives in a townhouse there and it is beautiful.

BTW I think the high crime areas in Laurel are the neighborhoods along 197 and on the south side of 198 and some of the areas east of rt 1 near the lowes shopping center.

[Triniman]

Obviously not the houses or condo buildings your talking about right? Small and petty crime is nothing to be worried or scared to be out amongst others. You will have isolated incidents but not like every day or night.