Sykesville MD: Smaller Single Family Homes With Sidewalks? (Columbia: cul-de-sac, renting)

[Alan 56]

Hello. I'm newly single again, late 50's, currently renting in Columbia. I'd like to buy a single family home.

I feel the area of Columbia I'm currently living is not the safest. Somewhat high crime rate. Also most of the Columbia detached homes are too big for one person, somewhat overpriced, and have smallish yards.

I took a drive out to Sykesville to look at the homes out there yesterday, and I liked the general area. Just over Carroll County border, Close enough to Columbia so I could still visit the gyms and pools here, and visit family in Columbia. And the area seemed nice, downtown Sykesville area was very scenic and quaint. The homes I saw, seemed to be more reasonably priced than similar homes in Howard County.

However the Sykesville neighborhoods I found with sidewalks and newer homes that I drove through, the problem is the homes were much too large. It seems just about all the homes built in the last 10 years seem to be for large families, rather than for couples or singles.

I was wondering if there are any areas of Sykesville (or nearby) that have nice, older, smaller homes with fair sized yards. Ideally I'd like to find a brick rancher in the 350K or lower range. In a neighborhood with sidewalks and cul-de-sacs, as I enjoy walking.

Thanks for any info.