Moving to MD

[MOVING ONE]

I live in north of Frederick MD and used to work in Rokville. That traffic is bad, but I bet from N. VA is worse yet.

[GA DAWG FAN]

My wife and I are moving up from Jacksonville FL this summer...We have narrowed our search down to Crofton or Bowie. I will be commuting to Suitland and my wife to Hanover....We are going to rent to start off and have a budget of 1700-2000 dls a month...Been looking online...but not sure what the good neighborhoods are vice the bad...good meaning...well kept and family friendly...Any Suggestions?

[itlchick]

Originally Posted by jeanny

I am planning moving to Maryland. Will be working in Rockville and will be living temporaryly in Norther Virginia. I move from Toronto, Canada. I have a 12 year old son. Please advise where to live, good school. I plan to rent first before buy. I heard traffic is bad. how long would it take from Northern Virginia (near Fair Oaks mall) to Rockville exit 8. How long do I have to provide for travelling? Any reasonable apartment around the area? thank you

Welcome! It will take you about 35 min without traffic and 1 hour and 10 min with traffic.

Northern VA and Rockville are pretty expensive. There are cheaper options closer to Frederick if that's an option.

[itlchick]

Originally Posted by akann1970

Hello everyone:
We will be relocating to MD within the next 6 months, so we are in the beggining stages of looking for a place to live and possibly call home. My wife and I are in mid-30's and have a 2 yo son.

My job consists of managing sales for the entire state of MD including the eastern shore, VA, WVA and DE, so I will basically will work from Home Office and leave only when needed.

My wife is currently working as a Orthodontic Assistant and would probably be doing the same once we relocate, or maybe further her studies to obtain her Dental Degree or maybe do a Dental Residency @ UMD in Baltimore.

We need advice on a place to live, we are planning on renting a private residence the first year, and want it to be in a family friendly, safe area, with a good school system; our initial budget for housing is anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.

I am have received several recommendations, such as Columbia and Ellicot City, Odenton, Severna Park, Belair, and several towns between baltimore and Frederick. I know that Bethesda and Rockville are quite expensive but there has to be happy medium somewhere... Is there?

Currently we live in South Florida, so I guess sticker price for cost of living wont be that great; however most websites I've visited have MD with a lower overall cost of Living the South Fla... I know it's quite a change and most people do it the other way around but we go where the job takes us.

Also can anyone tell me the cost for daycare for a 2 yo child on a weekly basis?

I appreciate the help and guidance in this extremely complex decision, not the move per se but rather the selection of a place to live in, especially when one is not familiar with that area.

Thanks,

Columbia and Ellicott City are great places to live. Basically, they have everything: good schools, diverse people, great restaurants, stuff to do outdoors, a good mall, clean streets, decent neighbors, etc. The location is perfect - you can go up to Baltimore or down to DC (D.C. will take you a little longer). But you get what you pay for - it's expensive. It may be pretty comparable to South Florida depending on where you are coming from.

BTW, I also moved from S. Fla. and can say without a doubt - it's better here.

[oneworld25]

In response to the first poster. I would second the person who suggested Catonsville. It's a very nice area and the commute downtown shouldn't be that bad. You may also want to check out Towson and certain areas of Pikesville as well. All of the areas I suggested are much closer to downtown than Elicott City or Coumbia and may be a little cheaper.

[us4andnomore]

I would suggest Carroll County. It is not as expensive as some of the other counties to live in here. We have excellent schools and you would definetly be within the appropriate financial range to find a very nice home. We live in Eldersburg/Sykesville area. About fifteen minutes from Ellicott City. This is a very family oriented area, alot of activities for the children.. and not a bad commute to DC or other areas.. Your kind of central.

[us4andnomore]

One other note. I would not move to the catonsville area.. I grew up there and have family and friends that are there...and unless you are budgeting to put your children in a private school.. I'd move out a bit farther. Just my humble opinion. Best wishes in your search..

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by jeanny

I am planning moving to Maryland. Will be working in Rockville and will be living temporaryly in Norther Virginia. I move from Toronto, Canada. I have a 12 year old son. Please advise where to live, good school. I plan to rent first before buy. I heard traffic is bad. how long would it take from Northern Virginia (near Fair Oaks mall) to Rockville exit 8. How long do I have to provide for travelling? Any reasonable apartment around the area? thank you

Jeanny,

My wife and I are having to move to the Rockville area as well from San Diego. Wife is going to work a the Bethesda Naval Hospital. We intend not to buy becasuse we are only going to be there for 3 years, she is in the Navy.

But the research I've been doing is that Bethesda , North Rockville , Derwood and Olney seem to be good choices. I have one suggestion for you , stay away from apartment complexes. No matter what the price you can get bad elements in them and the noise factor as well.

My wife and I are looking more towards finding a townhouse or big condo to rent. The townhouse's I've seen on Craigslist.com are running around 1500 to 2400 or so in those areas I've mentioned. Although Bethesda is quite expensive, but safe.

I would try to find a good realtor to help you, especially if you have children and are looking for a good school system. Hope this helps some.

bunky

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by akann1970

Hello everyone:
We will be relocating to MD within the next 6 months, so we are in the beggining stages of looking for a place to live and possibly call home. My wife and I are in mid-30's and have a 2 yo son.

My job consists of managing sales for the entire state of MD including the eastern shore, VA, WVA and DE, so I will basically will work from Home Office and leave only when needed.

My wife is currently working as a Orthodontic Assistant and would probably be doing the same once we relocate, or maybe further her studies to obtain her Dental Degree or maybe do a Dental Residency @ UMD in Baltimore.

We need advice on a place to live, we are planning on renting a private residence the first year, and want it to be in a family friendly, safe area, with a good school system; our initial budget for housing is anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.

I am have received several recommendations, such as Columbia and Ellicot City, Odenton, Severna Park, Belair, and several towns between baltimore and Frederick. I know that Bethesda and Rockville are quite expensive but there has to be happy medium somewhere... Is there?

Currently we live in South Florida, so I guess sticker price for cost of living wont be that great; however most websites I've visited have MD with a lower overall cost of Living the South Fla... I know it's quite a change and most people do it the other way around but we go where the job takes us.

Also can anyone tell me the cost for daycare for a 2 yo child on a weekly basis?

I appreciate the help and guidance in this extremely complex decision, not the move per se but rather the selection of a place to live in, especially when one is not familiar with that area.

Thanks,

I would say Columbia or Odenton...would be a great place to start. It would be pretty central for all the driving you have to do and not a bad commute for your wife. Also not a bad place for her to start a practice maybe someday.