Family Possibly Relocating To DC Area (Columbia, Frederick: condo, low crime, townhouse)

[SwiftCreek]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to relocate to the DC area and have been told that MD offers better quality of life than NoVa. We have 2 elementary school aged kids, we're an active family (sports, gymnastics, dance, hiking, biking, kayaking, etc), and are looking for a quaint town without allot of traffic, low crime, excellent schools. We can buy up to $600k. Here are some of the towns we were told to look at:
Annapolis, Frederick, Elliott City, Columbia, Mt. Airy.

I've been to Annapolis and loved it but don't know the other towns. What are your opinions?

[kjg1963]

Mount Airy might not be a bad place for you. Its not as cosmopolitan as other areas, but it is closer to the mountains where you can enjoy the outdoor sports you mention. There are many organized sports in the town and I'm sure there are gymnastics and dance. My son lives there currently and he seems to like it.

[cool rob]

If your commute is not an issue (to the District I mean) then the sky is the limit, espicially with the cap of $600 K. However I would be extremly cautious of spending that much money (or close to it) on a house anywhere in the USA, as the current market proved that $600 K today is barely $250 K tommorow, but to answer your questions I think you would enjoy Mt. Airy and parts of Frederick. Annapolis is nice, however during certain parts of the year (naval graduation, navy games, etc. ) it can become a "college-party" town for brief periods, and the traffic congestion also leave s a lot to be desired. Some areas are one way in one way out, however look @ Arnold and Severna Park surrounding the greater Annapolis/Broadneck area, there school system is very good, and the Girls Lacrosse Teams in the broadneck area are top in the state. Ellicot City has become built up through the years, so if you are looking for an great urban sprawl, you have it there. Good Luck!!

[SwiftCreek]

Thanks for the feedback. I can be pretty flexible with location but MT Airy does look pretty far out. Is driving in to DC quicker from the northwest? Cool Rob, you mentioned Arnold & Severna Park, are they towns around Annapolis?

Thanks,

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by SwiftCreek

Thanks for the feedback. I can be pretty flexible with location but MT Airy does look pretty far out. Is driving in to DC quicker from the northwest? Cool Rob, you mentioned Arnold & Severna Park, are they towns around Annapolis?

Thanks,

Yes they are within a few miles from the city of Annapolis. And as I said earlier their schools consistently rank in the top 10 in the state in academics, Girls Lacrosse and Girls Soccer. Nice area, about 20-30 miles to DC, the area is great, but it can be pretty pricey, so bring your checkbook!! Im thinking for high $2-$300,000 K your getting a 1000 or under sq. foot house, condo or older townhouse. You can get better housing deals the further you go North County, but that is also when the quality of the area starts to detiroiate as well.

Hope that helps some!

[PenguinSix]

Where exactly (city and cross streets if possible) will you be working?

[SwiftCreek]

I'm in consulting and that changes. I would mostly need to get into downtown DC but can work remotely a couple days/week.

[scottfs]

If you have to commute to downtown DC from the areas you suggested, you are going to hate it. My wife had an internship on Wisconsin avenue in NW DC and commuted from our house in Rockville. Her hours were usually 9-5 and her commute was about an hour each way. This was a 17 or so mile commute mind you. Frederick is about 50 miles from DC. Mt. Airy is probably about 45, and Columbia is about 30. Check it out on google maps and compare to the places you are looking at. I think realistically, it's not going to be such a great life commuting to DC from those places. (I can't really speak for Annapolis, never really go over there on a weekday) Especially if you have an active family and you want to be involved w/ your kids, you'll be burning up a LOT of time and gasoline and kill your car driving from those places to DC. I'd really advise against living that far away.

I'm in consulting w/ the federal govt. as well (isn't everyone here?) and depending on the kind of work you do, there is a lot going on in suburban places other than downtown DC. For example, there are lots of contractor jobs in Columbia/ Ft. Meade area and more will coming w/ BRAC in the future. But options like that all depend on how firm your job plans are. Good luck in your search

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by SwiftCreek

Hi,

I have the opportunity to relocate to the DC area and have been told that MD offers better quality of life than NoVa. We have 2 elementary school aged kids, we're an active family (sports, gymnastics, dance, hiking, biking, kayaking, etc), and are looking for a quaint town without allot of traffic, low crime, excellent schools. We can buy up to $600k. Here are some of the towns we were told to look at:
Annapolis, Frederick, Elliott City, Columbia, Mt. Airy.

I've been to Annapolis and loved it but don't know the other towns. What are your opinions?

Given that Mt. Airy is too far for a commute to DC, There is really no place in the DC area that meets your criteria. For a reasonable commute and excellent schools, look in Fairfax county, Va, Arlington, Va., or Montgomery County, MD. Columbia, MD might work, but that depends on how far you want to commute.

[SwiftCreek]

Thanks! Your responses are very helpful. I currently live in NC and commute to Boston to work. Fortunately, I get to work from home at least 1 week/month. Anything getting me home each night will be better than the current situation. We have also thought of the Leesburg, VA area. We don't want to be in too much sprawl - would prefer to be close to the amenities it brings but not in it.

I did look at Mt. Airy and it looked pretty far. The MD side offers my wife the ability to work at John Hopkins too. I'll look into the Columbia area. Any idea what the population of Columbia is?

Thanks Again!