Best places to live in Arundel County (Columbia, Ellicott City: chapel, houses)

[momanager]

Looking at Arundel County since you can get more home for about $50k to $125k less than Howard County.

What areas in Arundel County are similar to Columbia, MD and are AA County Schools what much worse than Howard County Schools?

Oh and how diverse (socioeconomically and racially) is AA County?

[papichulo2]

Its a good county has good school and good houses. idk what the schools are like but howard and moco are highest rated. its got some diverse things and is quieter there. i think 0denton Annapolis and Crofton are nice areas.

[cjmeck]

Originally Posted by momanager

Looking at Arundel County since you can get more home for about $50k to $125k less than Howard County.

What areas in Arundel County are similar to Columbia, MD and are AA County Schools what much worse than Howard County Schools?

Oh and how diverse (socioeconomically and racially) is AA County?

You'll want to look at GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community Just look up whatever AACO high school the home is districted for. You'll find test scores, school ratings and reviews. I find the reviews pretty biased so I wouldn't give too much weight to them. Then, you'll go to the students tab and it will give you the socioeconomic and racial breakdown of that particular school.

Columbia is very, very unique. There is nothing else quite like it. What do you like about Columbia? That might help people here to give you recommendations for other towns that share certain characteristics of Columbia.

[pokeable]

Anne Arundel is a huge county. North is and west are a bit more working class, Severna Park is more expensive, and has the best schools that rival the best HoCo schools.

FWIW we live in Ellicott City, but if not for my wife changing jobs, would probably live in Severna Park.

[MDaaCo]

As others have said, AA is huge. In general, south of Edgewater will be quite rural and fewer amenities (beautiful, BTW). There is nothing quite like Columbia in AA but Annapolis has similarities as far as dining and shopping (flagship mall). Many are not fans of Annapolis public schools, however. Odenton/Gambrills/Severn would not be too far from Columbia (Arundel's reputation is much better than schools near Ft. Meade).

What is your budget and where is commute to?

[momanager]

Originally Posted by cjmeck

You'll want to look at GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community Just look up whatever AACO high school the home is districted for. You'll find test scores, school ratings and reviews. I find the reviews pretty biased so I wouldn't give too much weight to them. Then, you'll go to the students tab and it will give you the socioeconomic and racial breakdown of that particular school.

Columbia is very, very unique. There is nothing else quite like it. What do you like about Columbia? That might help people here to give you recommendations for other towns that share certain characteristics of Columbia.

thanks!

I love that Columbia reminds me of Northern VA. I grew up in Fairfax County and love that HoCo is similar to my hometown.

I do check the rating sites (Great Schools and US News and World Report) and as you said reviews (and to an extent even ratings) can be biased. I feel like you all on city data provide more insight than the rating sites.

[momanager]

Originally Posted by pokeable

Anne Arundel is a huge county. North is and west are a bit more working class, Severna Park is more expensive, and has the best schools that rival the best HoCo schools.

FWIW we live in Ellicott City, but if not for my wife changing jobs, would probably live in Severna Park.

Thanks!

Wouldn't mind a working class area that is starting to build more homes to attract white collar workers.

[momanager]

Originally Posted by MDaaCo

As others have said, AA is huge. In general, south of Edgewater will be quite rural and fewer amenities (beautiful, BTW). There is nothing quite like Columbia in AA but Annapolis has similarities as far as dining and shopping (flagship mall). Many are not fans of Annapolis public schools, however. Odenton/Gambrills/Severn would not be too far from Columbia (Arundel's reputation is much better than schools near Ft. Meade).

What is your budget and where is commute to?

thanks!

We were pre approved for 650k but I don't want to spend that.

More like $545k to $570k, if possible.

I am willing to commute 50 minutes to work.

[MDaaCo]

I admit that I am a fan of HoCo as well though I've lived in Anne Arundel most of my life.

No area in AA county will have quite the same feel as Northern VA, or Columbia for that matter. For example, Gambrills is spread out in most parts, has some lovely homes, and most shopping would be by Route 3 (Waugh Chapel area). Waugh Chapel is nice, but I'm not a fan of the traffic on Route 3 (more and more housing, but not many alternate routes to get from Bowie to Crofton, Millersville, etc. and lots of stoplights).

I think a "hidden gem" of Anne Arundel is the area by Severna Park/Millersville line (feeds to SP schools) close to East/West Highway and West Pasadena Road. Pretty quick access to Rt. 2, 97, good schools, wooded, and relatively quiet. Remember that BWI airport's flight path may be near but noise isn't terrible.

[tgs_bg]

Originally Posted by momanager

thanks!

We were pre approved for 650k but I don't want to spend that.

More like $545k to $570k, if possible.

I am willing to commute 50 minutes to work.

Property taxes are also cheaper in Anne Arundel County compared to Howard County FYI.


With that budget I would look at Severna Park, Arnold, Cape St. Claire and Davidsonville and Crownsville. All of those have good schools, close to amenities and are well within your budget. Riva and Edgewater would work too if you don't need a large home or land. All of these areas are majority white but fairly diverse.


Now I don't know if that meets your commuting requirement as I don't know where you are commuting to.