please give me some help (Baltimore, Columbia: apartment, rental, daycare)

[asmaahmad]

hi,
I am a mother of two kids (3 y and 8 months) , my husband has a scholarship and he got his acceptance from the university of maryland baltimore county..
currently, we live in omaha,NE but we have decided to move into baltimore or any place that could be near from the university, safe , has a suitable affordable daycare for kids.

my question is: is there any area that have rental apartment with these features( safe first, friendly,2 beds , up to $1500/m , could be near from the university up to 60 minutes)?
because We r an international students , I am not sure if baltimore city itself will be a good choice?
the university is there;so,we have just chosen it, but of course we will change if there is a different choice fit with our situation?
could be Virginia ? or DC ? really I dont have any idea about them all ..

any suggestion it will really help me alot..
thanks

[remstone]

First - UMBC is not in the city but just outside (southwest of it). It's maybe a 10-15 minute drive from most of downtown.

There's no reason you would want anything like a 60 minute commute. You can find what you're looking for much closer, and 60 minutes in our traffic is much more punishing than 60 minutes of empty country roads. If you're trying to trade off commute time for reasonable rent and safety then DON'T look closer towards DC and Virginia. Prices only get higher in that direction. More likely long commutes will take you north and/or west, though I think you can find something suitable nearby.

I won't immediately tell you not to consider the city, though some will. I think you'll have more daycare options the closer you are. And apologies if I'm reading the wrong thing into your username ... there's a fairly strong Muslim community in Western Baltimore County around Johnnycake Road, that's probably 10-20 minutes from UMBC campus. That might be an area to also start with your search.

[Emc33]

I agree with remstone, there's no need to have a 60 minute commute. Although UMBC is about 10 minutes outside of Baltimore city, it feels like it's in a more rural area (there's even a silo as you enter the campus, nothing about that is city to me HAHAH). It's not rural, it just has a very different vibe than being in the city.

Many UMBC students commute from the entire surrounding area. Anne Arundel County and Howard County have nice towns (and some not so nice), are relatively safe, and the commute won't be grueling. Look at Columbia, Ellicott City, Odenton, and Severn to name a few places that aren't far from UMBC. I'm not very familiar with Baltimore County, but there are very nice places there too. You have a lot of options that will meet your criteria, too many to name, but I thought I'd help by naming a few to get you started. Good luck!

[goldenage1]

Catonsville and Ellicott City will be your best choices. For more affordable options you could go north or west to Eldersburg or Mount Airy.

[mrboltonman]

You should be able to find a decent place right next to the university. Here is just 1 listing that I found on craigslist.
3 Bedroom Townhouse available now!

Here is the map view:
baltimore apts/housing for rent classifieds "arbutus" - craigslist

Just look around the university.

[asmaahmad]

Originally Posted by remstone

First - UMBC is not in the city but just outside (southwest of it). It's maybe a 10-15 minute drive from most of downtown.

There's no reason you would want anything like a 60 minute commute. You can find what you're looking for much closer, and 60 minutes in our traffic is much more punishing than 60 minutes of empty country roads. If you're trying to trade off commute time for reasonable rent and safety then DON'T look closer towards DC and Virginia. Prices only get higher in that direction. More likely long commutes will take you north and/or west, though I think you can find something suitable nearby.

thank you for your resound,
actually I said 60 minutes because we try to find some neighbourhood outside the baltimore to be more affordable as we think. however, you said the UMBC is outsaid so there is no need to cummute for that long..

Originally Posted by remstone

I won't immediately tell you not to consider the city, though some will. I think you'll have more daycare options the closer you are. And apologies if I'm reading the wrong thing into your username ... there's a fairly strong Muslim community in Western Baltimore County around Johnnycake Road, that's probably 10-20 minutes from UMBC campus. That might be an area to also start with your search.

yes we are muslims and we love to live in any safe frindly area ..we have alot of american friends here in Omaha; so , I love to make new friends in any young- family neiborhood ..
thank you for your suggestion

[asmaahmad]

Originally Posted by Emc33

I agree with remstone, there's no need to have a 60 minute commute. Although UMBC is about 10 minutes outside of Baltimore city, it feels like it's in a more rural area (there's even a silo as you enter the campus, nothing about that is city to me HAHAH). It's not rural, it just has a very different vibe than being in the city.

Many UMBC students commute from the entire surrounding area. Anne Arundel County and Howard County have nice towns (and some not so nice), are relatively safe, and the commute won't be grueling. Look at Columbia, Ellicott City, Odenton, and Severn to name a few places that aren't far from UMBC. I'm not very familiar with Baltimore County, but there are very nice places there too. You have a lot of options that will meet your criteria, too many to name, but I thought I'd help by naming a few to get you started. Good luck!

thank you for all suggestion. I will start looking into all.
I believe because we live in Omaha and it is a small city I feel that it wont be a big difference between omaha and the Baltimore county ;right?? or I just try to say that to myself!!

[asmaahmad]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

Catonsville and Ellicott City will be your best choices. For more affordable options you could go north or west to Eldersburg or Mount Airy.

thanks
well, alot told me about Ellicott City, it seems that it has a nice high reputation maybe we should start from this place..

[asmaahmad]

Originally Posted by mrboltonman

You should be able to find a decent place right next to the university. Here is just 1 listing that I found on craigslist.
3 Bedroom Townhouse available now!

Here is the map view:
baltimore apts/housing for rent classifieds "arbutus" - craigslist

Just look around the university.

thank you,it looks nice but I prefer to rent an full equipped apartment with carpet also for my children' safty.
thanks again

[cmachoag]

We live in Catonsville and love it here! My husband works at University of Maryland in downtown Baltimore. The schools here are great, it's VERY close to UMBC, the town has a sizable population of people who come from elsewhere (internationally,) it's very family-friendly here, and it's affordable. Arbutus is also a VERY VERY close place to UMBC.