Checking out the Columbia Area. Need suggestions for where to look!

[nomadicprincess]

Originally Posted by newhart

You can definitely find something in your price range. If you're looking at spending as much as 600K, you might be happier in the Ellicott City/Mariottsville/Clarksville/Fulton areas (all Howard County). All have excellent schools and lots of homes in your price range. IMO the homes in Columbia proper will be a little less expensive. All of these areas should be a fairly easy commute from any place in Columbia.

Just my opinion, but Marriottsville seemed like a bit of a hike when our realtor dragged us out there and I don't remember seeing a grocery store. But I could have missed it or maybe they've built one since then, it's been a couple years.

Otherwise, I agree that those are all nice areas with good schools.

Do you think any of them are walkable?
Columbia is the only area in Howard county I personally know of with walking paths.
But maybe I missed something?

[newhart]

Just my opinion, but Marriottsville seemed like a bit of a hike when our realtor dragged us out there and I don't remember seeing a grocery store. But I could have missed it or maybe they've built one since then, it's been a couple years.

Marriottsville is the northernmost part of Howard County but it's not at all far from Columbia. There are two grocery stores in the area. There's a new Harris Teeter at the Turf Valley Town Center on Marriottsville Rd and the Weis Market in Waverly Woods. Plus, it's not far at all from the Safeway and Giant on Rt 40.

Do you think any of them are walkable?
Columbia is the only area in Howard county I personally know of with walking paths.
But maybe I missed something?

I don't know what your realtor was showing you, maybe something on larger lots further out, but Waverly Woods was built as a planned community and somewhat based on Columbia. Some sections are very walkable. Technically, Waverly Woods is i Woodstock but I think of them as the same area.