safe city to raise family with easy train commute to fort meade (Columbia: to rent)

[goodday17]

Hello Everyone,
I would like to know which city you suggest for a nice, safe, small town to raise a family, with a easy train commute to fort meade. We are looking for a house or townhouse. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[beilart]

As far as I know there are no "train" commutes to Ft Meade. You may be able to find a bus commute but of that I am not sure. My husband drives by Ft Meade every morning going to Columbia for work from Annapolis and he has never said anything about a train commute being available.

[bonnielisabeth]

I was told there were no public transportation options to Fort Meade, but that advice might be wrong. You may want to check to see if they allow public transportation anywhere near they base before deciding to rent or buy in a certain location.

[jland]

The Penn line (MARC train) stops at Odenton, and there is a shuttle that runs from the Odenton station to Ft Meade. Not every train stops there, approximately half do (IIRC). Check out the schedules on the MARC site.

Now to answer your original question, it depends on what you call an "easy" commute. I live in Cecil county, and commuted to DC for 4 years. From there, it would be approximately 1 hr train commute to Odenton/Ft Meade.

[goodday17]

OK. I will look at the Penn Line to Odenton. That is very helpful. We are used to a small farm town. I am hoping a train/shuttle combo can get us to a place that feels like a small town with families, kids, with some luck even some homeschoolers. Thanks again!