How is this area of Elkridge? (Columbia, Ellicott City: for sale, apartments, foreclosures)

[ChosenGSR]

CLICK FOR MAP (broken link)

Looks like there are many newish townhouses in that area for a "somewhat" affordable price, anyone familiar with this area? I remember reading somewhere that perhaps some areas next to rt 1 are not all that, is this one of them?

[starr71]

This is Port Capital. I looked at these houses over the weekend when I was looking for townhomes. This is my opinion:

The streets in the development looked VERY congested, because the driveways were all jammed up with cars. I suppose people are using their garages for storage?? The layouts in the townhomes looked kind of chopped up to me. But this may not matter to you. I prefer a more open floor plan. Maybe some of the other models have open floor plans, but I was only looking at what was listed. They have no yards, as these are "condo" townhomes. So if a yard (even a small one) is important to you, bear in mind that you don't have one in this development. The bedrooms also looked kind of small to me. Of course most townhome bedrooms aren't that big to begin with.

At the beginning of the development is low/moderate income housing (apartments and condos/townhomes, I think). I recall reading on this board that people were selling in droves because of the low/moderate income housing. I don't know if this is true, but there were a LOT of townhomes for sale in that development. I found this odd since they are still building there! I just figured it was because people lost their homes due to mortgage meltdown (readjusting ARMs and foreclosures). The homes that I looked at were built in '05, '06, and '07.

As you can see from the map, it's right off of Rt. 1, which historically has not been known as being a nice area. There is a lot of development there due to anticipated relocation of many military personnel due to BRAC.

If I was "wowed" by what I saw there, I was willing to take a chance on the area. But that didn't happen for me, unfortunately.

[jessy0780]

Well, they're trying to make that area nicer, but I don't care for it much. New Colony village is a gated community, but the houses are very close together, and placed kind of oddly. There is also a trailer park right in that area, which brings down home values, and some places nearby seem rather run down.

[goldenage1]

I think you should check the noise level originating from I-95. I found the constant noise too much to tolerate when I visited one development near it.

[KathrynMD]

Elkridge is not that nice - IMO. I would look a little farther south in Columbia or Ellicott City or even East towards Odenton/Millersville/Severn

The new developments in Elkridge are right next to I-95 and/or Rt. 1 - with tons of traffic and noise. The houses have been built quickly and are sort of isolated.

[dhelfoioracle]

Hello, I'm from ELkridge. I grew up here and I'm now raising my family here. I'd rather be no place else. The look of elkridge is changing but so is all of Maryland. The whole area of route 1 is being revitalized. So there is a lot of work going on. I would also suggest Ellicott City.

[jessy0780]

Originally Posted by KathrynMD

Elkridge is not that nice - IMO. I would look a little farther south in Columbia or Ellicott City or even East towards Odenton/Millersville/Severn

The new developments in Elkridge are right next to I-95 and/or Rt. 1 - with tons of traffic and noise. The houses have been built quickly and are sort of isolated.

Actually, there are areas of Elkridge that are just as nice as Ellicott City. Check the areas off of rte 103, especially Lyndwood, which is 2 seperate neighborhoods close to each other. It's right near Timbers of Troy golf course, and is a great area. In my opinion, it's much nicer than some of the areas in EC, specifically Brightfield which is right across rte103.

[newhart]

Originally Posted by jessy0780

Actually, there are areas of Elkridge that are just as nice as Ellicott City. Check the areas off of rte 103, especially Lyndwood, which is 2 seperate neighborhoods close to each other. It's right near Timbers of Troy golf course, and is a great area. In my opinion, it's much nicer than some of the areas in EC, specifically Brightfield which is right across rte103.

I needed a reminder that Lyndwood is not EC. I tend to think of that area off of 103 as the eastern fringe of EC. You're right, it is a nice area.

[Tonymoe00]

I just moved to Elkridge and find the place really nice. Rt 1 is not that attractive but once you are in your townhome community it is lovely. I have no noise or traffic issue. The only problem I have is the space for parking. As mention earlier the spacing is pretty tight but besides that everything is great. Another Plus is the selections to major roadways (i.e. I-95, 100, 32). This makes it easy to commute to just about anywhere. You’re in between two malls (Anne Arundel and Columbia). So you have a choice in many areas to eat, shop, and entertain. I suggest staying in the new developments for home of choice.