Relocating to Columbia MD area (crime, how much, townhomes)

[roalmabi]

By 3/2 I meant 3 BR/2 BA. Property doesn't have to be spanking new if the kitchen, baths and storage areas are updated. I am planning to travel in the next few months for a first look at the neighborhoods, and to ensure that my family is comfortable with the mood. Wouldn't discard outright renting a 2 or 3 br apt the first year or two while we find the house we need in the market.

[snoopingaround]

Columbia is located in Howard County Maryland. Close to Howard County is a county named Montgomery County. Montgomery County has been noticed nationwide for it's schools(public school system), it is also one of the richest counties in our country for a few years in a row now. Columbia is ok, but it gets more and more violent each day. I've heard more about prostitution rings being busted in Howard County (Columbia) in the recent past than in Baltimore City. You mentioned something of your family, I've lived in Maryland my whole life (with the exception of two years) and I wouldn't live in Columbia-not for love, nor money. I'd live in Baltimore City ( which I will do any way when my children grow and move on) before I'd live in Columbia Maryland. Everyone has their own opinion tho, so follow your instincts is the best advise I could give you.

[TuborgP]

Once you crunch the numbers you may decide the move is not worth the trade off. Visit the area and spend some time and see if it is what you can tolerate. Remember also resale value and how long it will take you to sell. School quality may be unimportant to you but very important to 3 of 4 potential buyers when you want to sell. Do you always buy the cheapest bike, horse, camp equipment etc just to get something?

[TWHLover7]

No I never buy the cheapest of anything. Great point about resale. I'm looking out in Frederick as prices seeem much better there and that should get me into my hour commute range.

[itlchick]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post it, but another site has Columbia's crime as 2 out of 10. Baltimore City's crime is 7 out 10. US average = 3.

It might just be that prostitution makes the news because it is rare here??

[childofaaco]

TWHLover7

It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a brick fascade townhome in a community where all the draperies are white from the street and no one has a car more than 5 years old, you're priced out of the area to buy but you may be able to find a rental you could afford until you can buy.

Affordable areas (townhomes & SFH) in north/east Anne Arundel county include Glen Burne, Pasadena, Linthicum, Brooklyn Park and zip 21226 (carries a Baltimore or Curtis Bay address, but the parts in Anne Arundel are genrally known as Orchard Beach)

Some of the areas are looked down on as "dangerous" by upper classes (they are mostly blue-collar). Typically violent crimes happen in pockets, not across zip codes. Property crimes tend to be crimes of opportunity, and many lower-income areas it is just unwise to leave your house unsecure, car doors unlocked and definantly do not leave your keys in the car running. On the other hand I've found that these areas have a lot of good friendly people with no pretentiousness that will often be very happy to see a good neighbor move in. It's up to you to figure out if this is what you want, and once you find an area you like, ask around to find out if a neighborhood/block meets your safety criteria.

There may be some areas of western Anne Arundel that fit your price range (not sure), and you may want to check out areas of Baltimore County (Arbutus/Catonsville) and Baltimore City

The only real public transit into the Columbia area is their bus system - Howard Transit and Corridor Transit

[roalmabi]

Originally Posted by jelenap

Townhomes that are less than 10 years old in Columbia generally go for more than 360K. Elkridge is a bit less expensive, but newer construction is almost always next to a busy road. If you don't mind that, look at Ryland or Ryan new construction in Elkridge, both have decent size townhomes. Overall crime rate in Elkrdige is rather high, but, as everywhere, some areas are better than others.

Originally Posted by gumbo31

Columbia is a very desirable area and that's why it's so expensive.

In Columbia a decent townhome will cost you 260K and up. For 225K you'e in the condo market.

You can get a brand new townhome in Elkridge Maryland (which is right next to Columbia) for about 280K - 290K. I think the ones for 290k even have a garage.

I've read quite a few postings now, and first off, THANK YOU ALL for your good advice. From what I gather so far, it seems that the northern part of Elkridge zoned for Elkridge Landing MS/Howard HS would be a good fit, or even the Mayfield Woods MS area (south Elkridge), all very good schools. It's also close to the Dorsey MARC station, should I transfer back to a nonpostal federal job and commute to the DC/beltway area. Most of the townhome listings I'm finding are near the US 1 corridor, whereas there are currently no listings for the area west of 95 or along Montgomery Rd. There is even a nice development by Ryan Homes that has some kind of methane gas problem going on--what to do?

Also, we will probably start renting until we find a townhome that suits us, and until my wife is comfortable enough for us to sell our San Juan home (could get 340K for it, but will rent it out first). Could I have your opinions please, and any leads on good neighborhoods? Specific is nice, so I can googlemap them from home.

[starr71]

Hi, I live in a small development in Elkridge (zip code 21075, near Rts 175 and 108, in back of new Gateway Overlook shopping center). Columbia is literally a few streets away. At first I was leaning towards Columbia, but I found that my dollar went further in Elkridge. I purchased my townhome (3/3) last fall for $350K. There are three townhomes for sale in my development, ranging from $350K (just listed last week) to $335K (been on the market over 120 days). I know this is kind of out your price range, but I've watched the prices drop significantly over the last few months, so you may get a good deal. Zoned schools are Deep Run Elementary, Elkridge Landing Middle, and Long Reach High. I am expecting with my first child, so I can't speak on any of the schools, but this web site has great stats if you need more info: Howard County Public School System.

Overall, it's a nice area, quiet, with relatively low crime. I will say that there is a huge mobile home park right in back of me (Deep Run), but I haven't identified any problems here that could be tied back to that community. Coming from Baltimore County (Woodlawn) and with parents that live in Baltimore City (NW), I'd say the crime here is negligable compared to those areas.

Good luck in your search!

[jauburn]

I hate Columbia. It is a commuter community, despite the so-called town centers (which are really just shopping malls with a bit more concrete).

D.C. is too far away, and Baltimore is, well, Baltimore--who wants to be close to that mess?

Sure, if you enjoy driving 1 hour to work each way through the most horrible traffic in the entire D.C. region, pick Columbia. Otherwise, get smart and move closer in.

With gas prices quickly approaching $5 per gallon, I see towns like Columbia facing a slow but inevitable decline.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by itlchick

Not sure if I'm allowed to post it, but another site has Columbia's crime as 2 out of 10. Baltimore City's crime is 7 out 10. US average = 3.

It might just be that prostitution makes the news because it is rare here??

Crime in Columbia is all about location, location and more location. Can the criminals walk to you or do they need transportation? Will it be adult on adult crime or youth on youth victimization. Will they each show up in crime statistics?