Info about Odenton, MD (Baltimore, Glen Burnie: rent , work, house)

[popo]

Hi all,
I work near BWI airport and my wife works in DC. We are new in Maryland and curently we live in Glen Burnie. Our rent is for 6 months. We are looking to buy a house between Baltimore and DC. We prefer a place with public transport, because going to work in DC by car is terribly.
Does anybody know how is in Odenton? There is a MARK station there and the census shows that crime index is not high. How is the school system?
Thank you in advance!

[mccollim]

Dear Popo:

I need to double check if the kids in Odenton go to Fort Meade-area schools or further East or Northeast along route 175. I am fairly certain that if it is closer to Rt 97, the schools are pretty decent. I have taught in some schools in that area, by the way. Fort Meade schools have a poor academic and behavioral reputation. I would head southeast of the airport, which appears to be where you are heading. How old are your children?

If I can be of further help, PM me. I lived in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties and Baltimore city as well as taught in Anne Arundel.

What kind of exciting?! work do you do?

Sincerely,
Richard McCollim
mccollim@cavtel.net

[pkoons]

McCollim is right about schools - Meade High is rough, Arundel High is quite good. Check with your realtor about which neighborhoods fall in which district. If you have a little more to spend, I would recommend Savage (closer to DC, historic Savage Mill w/ shops & restaurants, Howard County schools) or Gambrills (similar to Odenton but more expensive homes, better shopping & dining).

I have a lot of friends & family from the Odenton area as 3 generations of my family worked in Ft. Meade, plus as a lot of my friends started buying homes Piney Orchard & Seven Oaks were two of the best communities. They are planning to revitalize the strip along Rt 175 near Ft Meade (between Disney Road & Seven Oaks Blvd) so a Seven Oaks home may be a very good investment (plus they are nice affordable town homes).

"Downtown" Odenton is not much to speak of. However, Piney Orchard has a cool farmer's market and there are a couple of decent places to grab a beer. Basically no dining options however... Anyway best of luck. I do recommend Odenton if you are looking in the $350K and under range (some of the best THs in this price range), but if you can do more, I'd go for Savage or Gambrills.

Good luck!

[jessy0780]

There is some areas of Gambrills that are not too expensive- my friend lives in a duplex in Gambrills and her street is very affordable- it's April Dawn Way- very close to Piney Orchard.

[popo]

Thanks all! Next weekend I'll go to see Gambrills.

[teleblazer]

Originally Posted by popo

Hi all,
I work near BWI airport and my wife works in DC. We are new in Maryland and curently we live in Glen Burnie. Our rent is for 6 months. We are looking to buy a house between Baltimore and DC. We prefer a place with public transport, because going to work in DC by car is terribly.
Does anybody know how is in Odenton? There is a MARK station there and the census shows that crime index is not high. How is the school system?
Thank you in advance!

You could split the difference and look for a home in Laurel, MD. You'd each be 22+ miles in either direction for your commutes to work.

If driving is your biggest woe, as it is with most people, then you'll probably want to stay as close to the beltway and major transit stations as possible. From Laurel you can access rt 32, rt 100, I-295 and gain access to the beltway (I-495, etc...) with relative ease.

John
[url]removed[/url]

[Piney Orchard Settler]

You can't beat Pine Orchard for commuting to both DC and Baltimore either by car or train. DC folks generally take the MARC, but if you have to drive, down 3 to 50 and in NY Ave is very very quick compared to anything that involves the beltway. Baltimore has three routes in and around. Some folks forget about like from PO, take 97 through the old tunnel get off on Boston street and your in Fells Point in 2 mins.

Piney Orchard also has the most community feel of any other community in the area. Not to Mention the new Wegmans coming in the next year. Single family homes are always tight here, but there are a couple of bargins right now.

[kawinn]

How is Glen Burnie? My husband and I are looking at single family homes that are under 300,000 and this seems to be the only place that I've found with nice looking homes for that amount. I hear there are some bad areas, can you tell me what you think?