Where to live in Maryland (Baltimore, Frederick: real estate, rent, townhouse)

[fionn]

Hello all. My family and I are moving to Maryland from South Carolina. My husband's job will require travel all across Maryland, so we can really live anywhere in the state, but we are not at all familiar with the area. Lots of folks have told us to stick to Montgomery and Howard counties because of the good schools. However, there are a zillion cities in each county and we need to somehow narrow the search. We are under a HUGE time crunch because we have a school-age child and want to have him start in the school he will stay in for as long as we're in Maryland. Are price range for a home is around $250-300K.

We live in an older home in the downtown area of our city right now and love being able to walk places - including the school. However, we do miss a neighborhood with a swimming pool so are open to the 'burbs.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!!!!!!!!!

[lind1550]

Fionn, there should be tons of good information on this website about where good schools are in Howard and Montgomery counties. I would recommend doing some searches on this website, much of the information posted will be very recent.

Just be aware that the cost of housing is very high here and the price range you mentioned will not even buy a townhouse in many parts of the counties you mentioned (even areas where the schools are not necessarily that strong). You are fortunate that you're relatively flexible in regard to location.

[medfieldbum]

Fionn, I recommend that you rent for some period of time before buying anywhere. I think you should look at the Roland Park/Tuxedo Park neighborhood in Baltimore. You'll think you're in the suburbs, can walk to the best school in the city, and there is a neighborhood pool; centrally located for almost anywhere in the state.

[oneworld25]

As lind said housing in Montgomery and Howard counties is very expensive. However, since you can live anywhere in the state, I'd urge you to check out the Baltimore County communities of Towson, Pikesville, Timonium, Catonsville, Lutherville, Hunt Valley, and Reisterstown. Housing in these areas is much cheaper (at least compared to Howard and Montgomery Counties), have good schools, and are all viewed as desirable places to live.

[RoadTripGurl]

Does your husband have a radius of where he will be traveling? Maryland is a wied hsaped state, I'd make sure I knew where he's be traveling first before looking for a house. For example, you don't want to live on the Eastern Shore if he will primarily be traveling the 95 or Western corridors of Maryland. It could take hours to get from East to West to North to Southern Maryland, depending on how far he down Southern Maryland he travels.

[manofsteel084]

Also remember that taxes aren't too bad in Anne Arundel(not sure about the other counties) but pretty reasonable throughout the state, so that may make what you can afford a bit higher...

[PenguinSix]

Northern Calvert has very good schools at a much lower cost of housing. About an hour to Baltimore, 45 minutes to DC. Search for towns like Dunkirk, Owings, North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown.

But as others have said, it really depends where in MD they are going to be traveling. All the way out West the mountains or the Eastern Shore to the ocean, of just the mega-opolis between DC and Baltimore.

[Tim Rankin]

Fionn - There are plenty of good schools across the state outside of Montgomery & Howard Counties - don't sell yourself short!

One nice thing about Md. is that there are lots of small towns where you can find what you currently have - an older home within walking distance to a downtown area. Getting that in Montgomery will be expensive, so I'd suggest looking around in Frederick and Carroll Counties too, and also the eastern shore.

Good luck & welcome to Md!

[lscalder]

Do you know if your husband might travel to certain areas then other areas.
Does he have a base,territory that he have to report to or manage.

[lscalder]

I think its hard for anyone to give you a location/area to live. We need something to start with.

For your price range in Montgomery County you will find Town homes.
You might be able to find single family inHoward for your price range.

Here is a real estate website: HomesDatabase