Columbia Villages/ Columbia crime??? (Baltimore, Ellicott City: section 8, real estate, apartment complexes)

[Homely]

My family is considering moving to Columbia, but have no idea of the differences between the villages.

Also, recent reports of serious crime (murders) in Columbia has me wondering if this is a trend in the area? Or is it designated to certain areas/ villages of Columbia? What are the differences (culture, housing, crime, schools) between the different villages?

I can only gather so much from driving around, I need an insider.

Thanks!

[newhart]

I don't know if crime in Columbia is really on an upswing or not but yes, there are certain areas where I would feel less safe. Mostly these are in older neighborhoods near apartment complexes or aging townhomes, specifcally parts of Oakland Mills, Long Reach, Owen Brown and Wilde Lake. But these villages also have some beautiful neighborhoods that are probably quite safe. I saw a post by a real estate agent in another thread that recommended the villages to be Kings Contrivance, Hickory Ridge and Dorsey Search for Columbia Those would be my choices also, along with River Hill - but I'm never sure if that's part of the Columbia neighborhoods. And crime can happen in the best of neighborhoods.

[rugby115]

I live in the Kendall Ridge neighboorhood of long reach and have never had a problem. Given the number of NSA, FBI and Secret service people that live in my development, I feel that it is a very safe area. Crime happens every where, and given the overall size of columbia (100,000 residents), i'd say that it is realitively safe.

[TuborgP]

Howard County Police Department: Daily Crime Report

[mariecug]

Columbia is very safe. Wilde Lake isn't that great but nothing compared to Balt / DC.

[Q-d0g_Bronx]

columbia is a nice area even wilde lake

[nfraser]

Columbia is safe...people who are saying that columbia crime is on the rise are talking about breaking and entering into cars that people leave unlock. Trust me that minor crimes that happen is Columbia is nothing compare to other cities. Overall columbia is great....now it have change over the years...but its still a great area.

[chesapeake83]

I live in the Owen Brown Village, and have friends living in Kings Contrivance and Long Reach. The only crime I have noticed is car burglaries when you leave your car doors unlocked. This is irritating, but I think it is just in neighborhoods near apartment complexes. I don't know of any violent crimes, and I feel safe walking around by myself at any time of night (I am a young woman). Columbia is a safe place for kids to play outside as well. However, when I get more money, I am moving to Ellicott City because there are better schools there.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by nfraser

Columbia is safe...people who are saying that columbia crime is on the rise are talking about breaking and entering into cars that people leave unlock. Trust me that minor crimes that happen is Columbia is nothing compare to other cities. Overall columbia is great....now it have change over the years...but its still a great area.

Not as bad as Baltimore and not as safe as many area's. What do you want for your family? Not as bad or just as good?

How has it changed over the years and is that the market you want to invest your income in buying a house? What is the trend and what will that trend do your your home value especially when you are buying when things are as good as they will be?

[oneofthethree]

Columbia is about 75% safe. The crime rate is below us. average because the majority of Columbia is nice. But that does that mean that it is ALL is nice. The areas you want to avoid are certain apartment complexes in oakland mills, long reach, owen brown, and wilde lake. These areas have a lot of crime, section 8 housing. The muders are no where close to the rate of baltimore city. Your car can get broken into (Broken in, not just cause u left it unlocked), u might have a few gunshots, robberies and break-ins, assaults. Just like any large city, you can't avoid or ignore the hood. If you wish to take advantage of what Columbia has to offer (location and close proximity to everything) you might as well put the money out to live in one of the 75% of nice neighborhoods, or the other nicer surrounding cities (ellicott city, elkridge, etc...). Also realize that crime is everywhere and could be getting worse in Columbia due to economic harship; people from the projects in other cities move to Columbia w/ section 8 vouchers, slots are now allowed in Maryland, the plan to make it a Real city are in effect, etc.... crime actually declined in the 2000's, but will now be back on the rise. Crime will be on a PG County level. The surrounding counties of Baltimore are kinda becoming what PG County has become when they started 2 clean up DC, like they are trying to do baltimore right now. The murder rate may not become as high (and even most of this is gang violence), but every other type of crime is possible.