moving to maryland (Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City: homes, neighborhoods, YMCA)

[brickcity]

Greeting to all! I’m looking for a little assistance, I go on vacation in two weeks and I am looking to relocate to Maryland. I have no ideal about the economy or standards of living. I heard its cheaper than NJ and I need to know what towns or counties have a decent quality of living I have an advanced degree and I have several blue collar skills and I was looking for something not near but a short distance to the harbor. I have a little girl and I need a decent school district and local entertainment. (Since I’m single I was looking for somewhere that I can find like minded "upwardly mobile females) I am looking at the Baltimore area or close vicinity please advice so that I can make the most of this trip.

[Marilyn Emery]

You might want to check out areas in Howard county close to Baltimore. The schools have an execellent reputation. I not spent much time there but have heard good things about Columbia and Ellicott City.

[cgordon]

Baltimore area or close vicinity

There goes your decent quality of living ...

If you're not stuck on Balto, Frederick is a nice town, very diverse and culture-rich for its size, lots of hi- and lo-tech work in the area, cheaper than Balto or DC, too.

Good schools (I've been told, I don't have kids meself), picturesque downtown area, decent shopping, good groceries, lots of artsy influences.

[McKeithan]

Try Catonsville. Nice homes, good public schools, lots of child-centered activities--sport leagues, active YMCA in the community.

Ellicott City also very nice and other areas of Howard County.

[WannaComeHome]

Ellicott City can be ok. Columbia has good and bad sections (it's not as nice as it used to be, it's gotten old and run down in a lot of areas). Yeah, Catonsville could be nice. I'd avoid Baltimore (but then, I don't like cities so I don't consider that to be a good quality of living anyway!)

[oneworld25]

Ok first and foremost there are plenty of nice areas around Baltimore. Besides Ellicott City and Catonsville, you should also look at Timonium, Towson, and Hunt Valley. There are also plenty of decent neighborhoods in the city itself but there are only a few good elementary schools (Mt. Washington Elementary being one of them).

[needsmoreshallot]

I agree with Oneworld25, Timonium, Towson, and Hunt Valley would be good options. Catonsville is nice, but would still put your daughter in Baltimore County Schools. Ellicott City is very expensive, but good schools. Towson, Timonium and Hunt Valley are a great with lots of job opportunities and decent schools. Plus that is where the Goucher and Towson University are, so you will probably have a better chance of meeting likeminded people. Towson is also just 10 minutes away from Downtown.