Relocating to Columbia area (Ellicott City, Oakland: real estate, insurance, apartments)

[NowInGA]

My family and I will be moving to the Columbia area for my job in Columbia. Any suggestions on where to live that's low in crime, great schools, reasonably priced, and has dining and shopping? Not quite sure how MD/DC is with conservatives as well. Looks like there are some areas that are more country which is nice. Just has to be commuting distance to Columbia. We'd rent to start out, and definitely don't want somewhere that has Section 8. Down in the Atlanta area is good and bad for living. A lot of illegals and crime in areas, but you usually know where they are. The trouble is that it is cheap enough that the bad still lives next to you. Any help would be much appreciated.

Also, is car insurance typically higher than other areas on the East Coast?

[irishmom]

What can you afford for rent? That will make a big difference in the responses you get. I pay $1218/yr for two newer cars, full coverage, $500 deductable, $300K/$100K liability limits on a 2005 subaru forrester and a 2004 durango from Geico for my cars. I don't know is this higher than other areas? I would actually like to know that myself.

[scoutsadie]

FYI, I'm pretty sure that in Columbia, Section 8 housing is mixed in with other housing (since Columbia is a planned community designed to promote diversity in neighborhoods), so finding somewhere to rent that isn't near Section 8-designated housing may be a challenge.

[scoutsadie]

Also, check out the "Columbia" post authored by Eastgurl (right now it's floating around on the 4th page of the MD forum) -- Irishmom gives some good insight into housing in the northern areas of Columbia.

[daskurge]

I'm moving too Columbia also. It seems 21045 zip is okay, but I need further information. I checked greatschools website. Specifically, is the area around Oakland Mills, Snowden and Owen Brown good, safe, etc.?

[smash731]

21045 zip is spotty--some parts ok, some are not. Check it out first. I personally am a big fan of the 21045 public schools as I attended them but some may not agree. to answer the original poster, i agree, non section 8 will be hard to find...that's the point of columbia.

[Georgia]

Howard County with Columbia and Ellicott City are nice areas.
Coming up from Georgia you will experience Sticker Shock!

Property costs are, well, take your home in Atlanta and double the price.
Income and overall tax. Maryland with the PiggyBack can stangle your wallet.

Car insurance is about equal to here.

[Leslee Borman]

You need to spend the day looking at all the areas of Columbia, as a planned community it is set up a little different from other areas that I have live in, take your time, ask questions and visit the schools. Send me your wish list of what you would like in a rental and I will send you some listings. Did I mention I am a real estate agent??? lesleeborman@championrealty.com

[Rmx Christina]

If you are moving from Atlanta, you will really like Columbia.. I prefer the 21045 area. I'm not sure about the car insurance. Ellicott City is more suburbs and that is a nice quiet area.

Visit my website Christina Yoon - Maryland Homes & Real Estate: MLS to search around for rentals. If I can be of help, let me know. By the way, I do know someone in auto insurance if you would like me to give you their contact information...??

[emsgoof]

21044, Hickory Ridge (I'm biased, I grew up there).
Excellent elementary school (Clemens Crossing), excellent high school (Atholton), so-so middle school (Wilde Lake).
In the 18 years my family has lived there, the only "crime" was a broken side window on my car (which was parked on the street, not in the driveway), and that's about the most destructive you'll ever read about in the village newsletter (and not very frequent).
Quick (5 minute) access to the Town Center, plus the village center has all the basic shopping stuff (grocery, movie, small restaurant).
However, Hickory Ridge is all single family homes (there are 2 streets that are set up with rentals, don't have a clue as to the pricing), no town homes until you get closer to the town center, and no apartments.