Searching for Charm & Community in MD (Ellicott City, Frederick: low crime, houses)

[mtcbell]

I've lived in the College Park area nearly all of my life, but now that I'm a new stay-at-home mom I'd love to relocate to a smaller, quieter town further from DC.

The town I daydream about has a Main Street, a farmer's market, quaint houses, decent schools, and a strong sense of community. I'd prefer a place that has something for kids to do after school and in the summer, to keep them out of trouble - arcades, skate parks, a community center, etc.

My husband's requests are that he not have to use I-270 to commute to the DC metro area (he's in construction, so his job sites vary but are in and around DC) and that we stay on the west side of the bay bridge. His commute is done at 4am and 2pm, though, so we could live further out while maintaining a reasonable commute time than if he had to drive during rush hour.

Any suggestions are welcome, and thanks in advance!!

[tonyc]

Not MD but Martinsburg WVA.

[DC2Tampa]

Ellicott City.

[mmemk]

Parts of Annapolis...

[trying2moveup]

I'd say Frederick. It has every thing you're looking for. At the times of your husband's commute he would not have a problem. but since you want to avoid 270, unless you plan on taking 15 South through Va or Rt. 70 e/w, you'll have to drop this city from consideration.

[tercel95]

Calvert or St. Mary's county. Much cheaper than anything in Anne Arundel, Montgomery, or PG. Calvert county has some of the best schools in the state. There is low crime and low population, and plenty of farmers markets. You could take route 4 straight into DC.

[Marilyn Emery]

You might look at Kensington. Lots of great neighborhoods with a real community feel. There are not alot of arcades. skate parks etc but many after school activities and sports to chose from. Summers my kids spend most of their time at the neighborhood pool with friends.

[sweetpotater58]

Westminster, Maryland or Harve de Grace

[cancan]

Not to step on any toes but just my 2 cents on the suggestions so far.

Ellicot- surrounded by mayhem and folks that would run your kids over to get home 2 minutes quicker (lived there).

Parts of Annapolis - well maybe but its far from a small town anymore, sprawl city with its problems crime wise. (lived there)

Fredrick- nope thats 270 and mexican gangs, unless they have solved that problem????

Calvert or St.marys - calvert looks like Northern Virginia now nothing quiant about it. St Mary's still has some rural attributes but I wouldnt go there in a zillion years. (Lived there)

Kensington - see Ellicot city, eeeekkkkk

Westminster/harve de grace- not bad westminster is building up fast as a bedroom community to
b-more.

My suggestions for you to research might be Mt. Airy or even Centreville and Chestertown on the Eastern Shore Although that puts you into Bay Bridge traffic(only bad on Fridays really). Martinsburg WV isnt a bad suggestion but I am not sure of the commute, may have to use 270.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by cancan

Not to step on any toes but just my 2 cents on the suggestions so far.

Ellicot- surrounded by mayhem and folks that would run your kids over to get home 2 minutes quicker (lived there).

Parts of Annapolis - well maybe but its far from a small town anymore, sprawl city with its problems crime wise. (lived there)

Fredrick- nope thats 270 and mexican gangs, unless they have solved that problem????

Calvert or St.marys - calvert looks like Northern Virginia now nothing quiant about it. St Mary's still has some rural attributes but I wouldnt go there in a zillion years. (Lived there)

Kensington - see Ellicot city, eeeekkkkk

Westminster/harve de grace- not bad westminster is building up fast as a bedroom community to
b-more.

My suggestions for you to research might be Mt. Airy or even Centreville and Chestertown on the Eastern Shore Although that puts you into Bay Bridge traffic(only bad on Fridays really). Martinsburg WV isnt a bad suggestion but I am not sure of the commute, may have to use 270.

Ah..someone likes my suggestion on Martinsburg.... As far as the commute, you could go 81 or 15 to 70 or 270, or 81 south, then pickup the tollroad - but that would only suit folks workin DC or NOVA. My one friend who commutes into DC via bike, it takes him 1.5 hours or just a bit more.

BTW, to the OP, I have a friend living in College Heights, which is in you backyard, and it seems like a nice area.

Oh, MT Airy is nice and close to Ligananore, if you're a wine lover..lol