homeland? (Baltimore: houses, neighborhood, middle school)

[northeastmom]

Just starting a search for possible relocation and would love some info on Blatimore. Grew up in Mont. Co. MD, live in CT now and thinking of moving family to MD to get closer to aging parents and maybe a better cost of living. Need to get husband close to an airport, but otherwise he will work from home. Someone suggested Homeland area as a good one for family with young kids, pretty big old homes, etc. Is this a good place to raise a family? We have two small children and have no problem using private schools...

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by northeastmom

Someone suggested Homeland area as a good one for family with young kids, pretty big old homes, etc. Is this a good place to raise a family? We have two small children and have no problem using private schools...

I would find it attractive because of the nice old homes, cultural attractions like the art museums, and good private schools. However, you have to crunch some numbers to see if it fits your budget. Baltimore City taxes are high, tho I don't have the current mill rate.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Property tax rate is 2.268%. The area is nice, from what I've seen of it.

[sobo16]

You might also like Roland Park, Guilford, and Mount Washington.

[BlueSock]

There are good public elementary schools in Roland Park, Mt. Washington, and the western half of Homeland. For this reason, I get the impression that these are the areas with the most young families moving in. Guilford is beautiful, but the public elementary schools are not very good. When I'm in Guilford, I always get the impression that dogs outnumber young children.

If you're thinking of sending your kids to private school anyway, but you want a neighborhood with lots of young families, you can probably get a good deal on a house in the eastern half of Homeland (east of Springlake). I think the houses west of Springlake are zoned for Roland Park -- arguably the best public school in the city. For this reason, they sell for much higher prices (generally at least $100,000 more) than equivalent homes across the street on the east side of Springlake.

[mass_biker]

family w/older kids (10-12) to the left
family w/younger kids (newborn + 3) to the right
and even more families moving in/around the neighborhood
great proximity to RPEMS if you're zoned for it
easy proximity for most of the No. Balt area private schools - some within walking distance (Cathedral, Friends), and others a little further out that, which may offer bus service
i fly out of bwi pretty frequently - usually not more than 1/2 hour drive for me door to door - down 83, cut across downtown, and then hop 95 or bwparkway

moved down from new england a few years ago - if it works for your budget and work circumstances, i find it a great place to raise kids

m_b

[are you kidinme?]

Originally Posted by northeastmom

Just starting a search for possible relocation and would love some info on Blatimore.

Blatimore. Can I use that?

[BlueSock]

mass_biker, or anyone else who knows:

How do kids get from Homeland to Roland Park Elementary / Middle School? Is there some sort of path through one of the private schools between Homeland and RPEMS?

[mass_biker]

From the Homeland lakes to RP's main drag (starbucks, Eddies, RPEMS) is 1+ mi, closer to 1.25 depending on where you are. It is also:

- gradually uphill to Charles
- noticeably downhill to Stony Run
- sharply uphill to Roland

So it is not an easy stroll to RPEMS from Homeland.

Homeland is however quite close to Friends and Cathedral. I see kids walking there (0.5 mi) fairly frequently.

If you live in Homeland and are zoned for RPEMS, seems to me it will be a drive for the elementary/middle school set. My neighbor has kids in RPCS, across the street from RPEMS, and they get driven.

[BlueSock]

mass_biker -- thanks.