Moving to Maryland with Job at Ft. Meade (Baltimore, Columbia: apartments, to rent)

[mynicka]

Hi, I'm a student from Ohio and I have a job lined up in the summer at Fort Meade. I'm trying to gather information of my top cities to move to before I actually visit the area to make the most of my time. I would like to be close enough to DC in areas like Silver Spring or Takoma Park but I worry about the morning commute due to traffic.

How long of a commute would you think this would be during rush hour, and if it is very long should I just consider something closer to Ft. Meade like Columbia or Laurel instead? Thanks.

[Mike from back east]

I recommend Columbia...use the Search this Forum tool with keywords such as Columbia or Ellicott City or Laurel or whatever your interest. Sounds like you may be a summer intern or something....give thought to renting a room in a private home with a family....maybe Craigslist.com or.....

Anyone else got some ideas.....

[mwoda]

Hello, and welcome -

Ft. Meade is in the middle of the D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis triangle, so living near Ft. Meade is convenient to all of these wonderful cities. You will probably enjoy the unique ambiance of Annapolis and the charm of Baltimore every bit as much as the monuments and living history of D.C. It would almost be a shame to live so close to D.C. that you overlook Annapolis and Baltimore. And work is a place you have to go at least 5 days a week, so why not stay close, since there are many places to live within 15 minutes.

I recommend Odenton (21113) - there's a great newish community called Piney Orchard about 10 minutes from Meade, and Seven Oaks is even closer; someone else recommended Columbia (21044), more or less West of Meade, and a huge community itself with a mall, dinner theater, many communities ranging from apartments to upscale homes, etc.; lots of Ft. Meade people call Crofton (21114) home, about 15 minutes east towards Annapolis. Each of these areas (and others including Pasadena, Crownsville, Severn, Severna Park) is no more than 1/2 hour from D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, provided you're not talking rush hour or major construction or accident messing up traffic.

If you choose to live in Takoma Park, you will have a substantial commute to Ft. Meade and you might overlook the opportunities to experience Baltimore and Annapolis. That would be a shame!

Enjoy your Maryland stay.

[mynicka]

thanks a lot for that input. It really makes sense to try to live in between all those cities, plus I realize i can avoid traffic a little bit more. Thanks again.

[ecole]

Look in to public transit around Ft. Meade.

[jsmill]

I live in Columbia and it is very convenient to Ft. Meade, particularly if you live on the east side: Owen Brown, Oakland Mills, and Kings Contrivance. For the summer, you are most likely looking for a room in a house or a place to sublet. Check the Columbia Flier (weekly tabloid that comes out Thursday evening) for listings.