Any suggestions? (Columbia, Frederick, Hagerstown: relocating, home, rental)

[iloveatpr]

My family is relocating to MD from southern PA this summer. My DH works in Carroll county, and we are looking for something within a 1-1 1/2 hour commute to Westminster. We have been looking at Hagerstown, Cumberland, and even McHenry (which is twice the commute, we know). We have three school aged children and can afford approx. $1300.00 a month in rent. Are there any great affordable communities with decent schools that I am overlooking? We are in a fairly small town now, but something bigger would be okay.

We love the idea of being in closer proximity to more shopping, activites, culture, etc. but we don't necessarily need to be right in the middle of it.

[Gabrielle]

Just out of curiousity...is there a reason you don't want to live in Carroll County? The schools in southern Carroll County are great (I don't know how they are in Northern Carroll County - maybe someone here will know). We live in Eldersburg and love it. You could go into Westminster or Columbia for some serious shopping, although we have the basics here.

[westsideboy]

Cumberland is at least 2 hours from Westminster depending on traffic. Hagerstown would be about 1 hour, McHenry would be close to 3 hours. Your budget would allow you to live in Carroll County and there are plenty of small towns there. Why commute if you don't have to?

[iloveatpr]

I absolutely love Eldersburg, Sykesville, and Westminster. Just not sure we can afford it, and DH has mixed emotions about us living there. From what I have seen most rentals seem to run in excess of $1500 per mo. for something decent. I have thought of checking out Manchester and Hampstead as well.

[cutgarden]

Those 2 towns would be fine, as would Hanover, Pa. You could also try Taneytown (20 minutes), New Windsor (10 minutes), and Emmittsburg (40 minutes at most). If you want something out in the middle of nowhere, you may have trouble finding a rental as those mostly go by word of mouth. Are you not wanting to buy? Some home prices are finally starting to get realistic again.

[CHIP72]

You could live in many, many areas in northern Maryland and south central Pennsylvania with those criteria. If I were you, I'd try to live in Carroll County and if you can't find something you like, would try northern Frederick County, southeastern Adams County (in PA), or southwestern York County (in PA) as alternatives.

[iloveatpr]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We have to live in MD though. I will mention these suggestions to DH. We want to check some towns out in the next few weeks.

[cutgarden]

Have you gotten my pm's?

[iloveatpr]

Originally Posted by cutgarden

Have you gotten my pm's?

Yes! Thanks! I have called both numbers. Unfortunately the first one was only a 2 br, and the second was only for sale - not rent. I did get to speak with a realtor who may have their own place for rent within our timeline, so thanks so much!!!!

[cutgarden]

No problem. I'll keep looking when delivering.