Tell me about the areas surrounding Columbia (Baltimore, Frederick: apartment, to rent)

[Contriver]

Hello,
I am considering moving away from Northeastern, PA. I moved back here last summer after living in Houston for a while. I am considering leaving Northeastern, PA and moving to a place that has a more social activities, good schools, better jobs and a more positive community all together. I am a single dad, and my son's mother (and some of my family) lives in Northeastern, PA, so I like that I would be able to take my son to see his mom in a short 3.5 hour drive.

I am inquiring about the areas "outside" of Columbia because it appears that the housing costs inside Columbia are too high for me to afford.

Anyway, I was hoping to get feedback from some people on: a) the good and bad points about living in the areas around Columbia and b) what areas do you recommend which are less expensive than Columbia, yet not far from it.


Thanks!

[boltzst]

In all actuallity, I have the same question. But I'd like to ask, or add this to the request:

are there any areas around Columbia that will be mentioned that have a more conservative base in the schools and somewhat rural? (15-20 minutes to walmart/target) and still not 'neckish

[irishmom]

All the areas in Howard County are expensive and actually Columbia is less than areas such as Ellicot City, Clarksville, and Sykesville. You may want to look into Elkridge it's farther from DC if that's where you need to commute to but less expensive. Also you can still find homes in Frederick that are reasonable but again farther to commute to the city. I would look at where you are going to work and then try to find an area. I don't know what your price point is for purchasing a house but that's the best way to figure out where you can afford to live.

[Contriver]

Thanks for the info irishmom! Well, if Columbia is actually less then some of those areas, perhaps I'll just keep it in the mix of possibilities. As far as housing goes, I plan on living in an apartment for the first year or so. I would like to find a home/townhome for around $250,000 if that is at all possible.

Anyway, I am looking for an area that offers alot of family activities, has an active community, a good amount of people in their 20s, good jobs, outdoor recreation like hiking, bike trails, etc. It looks like Columbia offers all of this. What is your opinion? Is Columbia and its surrounding areas worth it?

[RoadTripGurl]

A house/home for $250,000? Let me know where that community is! I don't think Columbia has a lot of people in their twenties. I would suggest the other areas posted above for cheaper living and quality of life

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by Contriver

Thanks for the info irishmom! Well, if Columbia is actually less then some of those areas, perhaps I'll just keep it in the mix of possibilities. As far as housing goes, I plan on living in an apartment for the first year or so. I would like to find a home/townhome for around $250,000 if that is at all possible.

Anyway, I am looking for an area that offers alot of family activities, has an active community, a good amount of people in their 20s, good jobs, outdoor recreation like hiking, bike trails, etc. It looks like Columbia offers all of this. What is your opinion? Is Columbia and its surrounding areas worth it?

Columbia is great for families and there are a lot of outdoor activities to participate in as well as the indoor activities offered by the Columbia Association. You can still get a townhouse for $250 but a house would be in really hard to come by for that amount. Now if you like night life (as I definitely did in my 20's) you would be hardpressed to get much more than a good dinner and an concert at Merriweather. Baltimore's night life is with in reach but you'd have to drive or take a taxi. Washington's night life also in reach but you'd have to drive to the Metro at least. So if you are single and into the night life thing you may want to rent in one of the cities for a while...or just skip the area completely and go to NYC, my personal favorite for being single and in your 20's.

[Contriver]

Well, yes I am single and in my 20s, but I am also a full-time dad. And as an involved parent, I like to choose activities that involve both me and him. Thats why I like Columbia, it appears that there are alot of family-oriented events/things to do there.

I'd love to live in NYC BTW Maybe someday when my little guy is all grown up I will try it, although most likely I won't be single by then

Originally Posted by irishmom

Columbia is great for families and there are a lot of outdoor activities to participate in as well as the indoor activities offered by the Columbia Association. You can still get a townhouse for $250 but a house would be in really hard to come by for that amount. Now if you like night life (as I definitely did in my 20's) you would be hardpressed to get much more than a good dinner and an concert at Merriweather. Baltimore's night life is with in reach but you'd have to drive or take a taxi. Washington's night life also in reach but you'd have to drive to the Metro at least. So if you are single and into the night life thing you may want to rent in one of the cities for a while...or just skip the area completely and go to NYC, my personal favorite for being single and in your 20's.

[RoadTripGurl]

Yeah, don't do NYC with a kid. I worried all the time about everything up there with my son.

[Thruway]

Is Columbia pro DC or BAL, which TV stations, papers, and teams are rooted for?

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by tberg224

Is Columbia pro DC or BAL, which TV stations, papers, and teams are rooted for?

Interestingly enough they are right in the middle so you get two sets of stations...the DC and Baltimore ones so you can watch either or both news. Now I'm still a Yankees, Giants, and Rangers girl so I'm not into the local sports teams....but from what I see they are split pretty evenly between the Ravens and Redskins and most are into the Orioles as the Nationals just started and don't have a huge fan base yet. Also the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun are evenly read and distributed here. So I would say you get to pick or do both.