Moving to Columbia area. Need housing advice for visually impaired. (real estate, townhouses)

[barisarius]

Hi folks!

My family may be relocating to Maryland in the near future. Job will be in either Hanover or Columbia. My wife is visually disabled (no peripheral vision) and does not drive. She has central vision and can walk, but needs unobstructed sidewalks. We will need a safe housing area in which she can walk (within 1 to 2 miles) to everything. We would like a park nearby as well. We have a 6 year old boy that is presently in a Montessori. He will start 1st grade in the fall and it would be great if we could walk to a great school.

Currently, we live in a 2500 sq ft single story house on 1/3 acre. Within 2 miles are a park, church, school, shopping (Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Wal-Mart), a hardware store, walk-in medical clinic, several restaurants, dry cleaners, dentist, optometrist and a bank.

We're looking for a larger house and as many of the features of our current area as possible.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by barisarius

My wife is visually disabled (no peripheral vision) and does not drive.
She has central vision and can walk, but needs unobstructed sidewalks.
We will need a safe housing area in which she can walk (within 1 to 2 miles) to everything.

All suggestions are welcome.

I'll suggest that you ask other blind people for their insights
and likely direct experience with the several areas that may suit.

Not terribly far away... you have a few leading organizations to draw on.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland - Home Page
The Maryland School for the Blind -- Welcome

hth

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by barisarius

We will need a safe housing area in which she can walk (within 1 to 2 miles) to everything. We would like a park nearby as well. We have a 6 year old boy that is presently in a Montessori. He will start 1st grade in the fall and it would be great if we could walk to a great school.

The older villages in Columbia would be near perfect for your wife, for example, the Harper's Farm, Bryant Woods or Wilde Lake areas. They were designed to have a small cluster of stores in walking distance, often with the elementary school and a playground nearby. They all have sidewalks. The Wilde Lake Village also has the large grocery store, recreation center and Inter-faith center. Faulkner Ridge also has a Montessori school. There is also a local bus for trips to the Mall, medical facilities, the community college and other parts of Columbia.

You are more likely to find townhouses and two-story single family houses. One story houses are harder to find, except in the older areas like Longfellow. Check out this ranch listed for $282K: http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...4_M56325-40528

[J_Lurk]

Can you prioritize the list? In general, Columbia has wonderful paths and the village center concept there would work well for your wife. However, we're talking about older construction for the most part and I don't think you are likely to find 2500+ square feed AND a single story. How important is the single story?

Sadly, you also aren't going to be able to walk to our one and only Trader Joe's.

[p_wyt_12]

Originally Posted by barisarius

Hi folks!
All suggestions are welcome.

I think it would be best if you ask a real estate agent. I'm sure they know a place with all the necessities you and your family needs.