Relocating to Columbia MD area (Baltimore, Ellicott City: gated, budget, debt)

[roalmabi]

Our family is thinking about relocating to the States, and the area between DC and Baltimore is very attractive to us, weatherwise, centrally located, close to good jobs and culture, and ethnically diverse. Columbia in particular has many pluses for us so far from the info I've gleaned from the Net. But I have several concerns before making our move, and I hope the good folks at the city-data forum can guide me on this. I am also open to consider affordable alternatives in nearby communities.

I would be looking to transfer to another letter carrier job with the USPS in the area for the next 6 to 12 yrs, if bad comes to worse I guess I could transfer back to another federal agency (worked before with DOJ, OPM, IRS). My daughter is starting fifth grade this fall, so I'm looking to move next summer (2009). A good school district is a must and a reason for the move, she is already fairly bilingual, and I'm looking for a neighborhood zoned for good schools. My wife is asking about shopping and dining options (info on Mall at Columbia vs village shopping areas vs options beyond town). We worship at an evangelical church back home, and would like to know if there are any Spanish-language congregations active in the area. Safety is a concern, we currently live in a gated community and I need to know that my girls are SAFE while I am away at work.

House-wise, we are looking for at least a 3/2 property on a quiet street with a modern kitchen and bathrooms, not a fixer-upper (I'm not much of a handyman ), a deck or balcony with a view is a plus. Could we find a nice townhouse or large apartment in the 275-315K range?

Finally, I am looking for something resembling a community, a town feeling. Although we value our privacy, I hate the isolation of commuter communities. We would be leaving behind a lifetime of relatives, friends and a career in Puerto Rico for a shot at a better life for our family, and it can be scary/good, sooo... your friendly input is really appreciated.

[aneftp]

Most homes in Columbia Maryland "proper" are older. You could get a newer home (within the past 10 years) probably around 400-500K range. If you want a townhouse (my mom had a very nice townhouse) right across the street from Columbia mall, it will still probably cost you in the 400-450K range even with the price drops. My mom sold her townhouse (built in 2003) for 525K in May 2006.

As for good schools, in my personal opinion, public school in Columbia "proper" are not that great. You have to realize the Columbia is a planned community with lots of "mixed" incomes.

If you want really good schools you will have to look for Clarkesville but the homes in that area will probably be out of the range you are looking for, even fixer uppers. Same thing goes for Fulton (about 4 miles south of Columbia). The newer planned community Maple Lawn is very expensive and you get no land either. It's weird how they do school zoning, My nephews live in Clarkesville but go to Fulton Elementary so there is some cross zoning between Fulton and Clarkesville.

So I doubt you are going to get what you are looking for in Howard County (affordable homes AND good schools) You will have to compromise.

[jessy0780]

Howard County schools are very good, though there are a few in Columbia that are not as good as others. Most schools in the county are rated very highly, not just Clarksville, which is a very expensive area. As for townhome prices, you may be able to find a townhome for around 315k, but it will probably be older. You will not have a problem finding a condo for that amount. If you can afford around 340-360k, it will give you a wide range of nice townhomes in good neighborhoods. I live in Howard County, so this is first hand knowledge. I would not live near the mall, because of the congestion, or anywhere near Tamar Dr, because it seems to be a not as nice area. I'm also not crazy about the village of Owen Brown in Columbia- it tends to have more petty crime than most areas in Columbia.

[roalmabi]

It seems that, school-wise, I'm being pushed out west to Clarksville (Atholton or River Hill HS) or north to Ellicott City (Centennial HS), but price-wise I'm pulled back into Columbia proper, or to the other side of I-95 (towards Elkridge/Jessup/Savage/North Laurel)--any opinions on those areas?. How about River Hill village?

There are other good HS's like Howard HS, Mt Hebron and Marriotts Ridge, are there affordables in the neighborhoods zoned for them?

[itlchick]

First thing first, you need to look at your budget. Your price range seems a bit low to me. It is great here but it. is. expensive. Check out this website:

classifieds - craigslist

You might have better luck in Elkridge for that price (in fact I have a friend with a 3/3 on the market for 290 in Elkridge - DM me if you want details).

Anyway -
1. I heard the schools are excellent.
2. Safety won't be an issue in most places. There are a few shady areas in Columbia though.
3. Shopping is pretty good if you like malls. So many people travel FAR to come to Columbia Mall (which I think is weird but whatever).
4. Food is great! Not a lot of mom and pop shops, but delicious Indian, Italian, etc.
5. People are polite but somewhat distant. It probably won't be anything like PR. People are much closer in "niches".

To sum - I love Columbia!

[Krys...]

I like columbia..I go to school out there..

[jelenap]

Originally Posted by roalmabi

House-wise, we are looking for at least a 3/2 property on a quiet street with a modern kitchen and bathrooms, not a fixer-upper (I'm not much of a handyman ), a deck or balcony with a view is a plus. Could we find a nice townhouse or large apartment in the 275-315K range?

Not sure what do you mean by 3/2, but, as far as other requirements go, I seriously doubt that you'll find anything with all of that anywhere in the Baltimore/DC corridor. For the last 4 months we've been looking for a 3 BR townhome, which wouldn't be very old or right next to a busy road and at least would have a decent size kitchen and MBA (master bathroom). We don't even need them to be modern, just something to work with. Our price range is up to 360K and we cannot find anything.

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.

Also keep in mind that there are additional costs - for new construction you'll get charged the "front foot assessment fee" and in some places in Columbia there is something called CPRA fee. This might add sometimes a few thousands a year.

Safe and quiet streets are very expensive in Maryland, I can tell you that.

[TWHLover7]

I may have a job opportunity in Columbia, MD and have a few questions that I hope you guys can help with.

I've done extensive research on this forum and know MD is expensive. I'll only be able to afford a townhouse but that is ok.

So - since these come up frequently - here are the things I don't care about or know going in:

1) Friendly people - I'm from PA and have no need for people to constantly smile at me, be nice to me or be in my business - I'm polite and kind but don't have a need for everyone to be my friend.
2) I know it's expensive
3) I know traffic is terrible

Now for some background - I'll be moving with my SO. We pretty much stick to ourselves and our hobbies (horseback riding for me - Motorcycle riding for him). Love sightseeing and the beach and camping. We don't have any kids - just small dogs so the quality of schools are unimportant.

Are there affordable areas within a reasonable commuting distance of Columbia? Our price range is 225K for a townhouse. I don't want to drive more than an hour. We'd prefer a more suburban or rural feel - we're not city people.

Any specific towns you'd recommend? Does anyone have any idea of what horse boarding goes for - nothing fancy just trail riding?

Is there public transportation avaialble to Columbia from the outlying suburbs?

Thanks!

[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.

Glenn Bernie is probably the cheapest area close to Columbia. It's about 15 miles east of Columbia. Home prices aren't that bad in that area, but the area isn't as nice. We refer to it as Glenn Dirty.

You don't want to have a long commute in this area because traffic can be horrible.

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.

[TWHLover7]

Thanks! Unfortunately even with a six figure salary I don't think I'll get approved for that much - I have a lot of debt

I can go with a condo but I have 4 small dogs and I'm afraid I won't be able to find a place that allows that many. Maybe it's different if you buy? If I'm going for a condo (since that's what I can afford) - what area would you recommend?

Thanks!