Relocating any info on areas (Baltimore, Ellicott City: renting, neighborhood, buying)

[tjenkins123]

I am relocating with my family in a few months for my husbands work. He will be working in Locust Point Baltimore. We are a family of 4 and have two kids in elementary school. From our research we are looking at Severna Park, parts of Pasadena, Ellicott City, and Roland Park. We are planning on renting for a year and then buying once we are settled in, with our housing budget for purchase to be in the $800k market. We are looking for a area that has great public schools, a family environment with activities for the kids, not too long of a commute to work. We currently live in a beach community on the west coast and love the relaxed lifestyle, however we have both also lived in major cities and love the diversity and culture that the city has which we miss somewhat, we are very open minded when it comes to change and experiencing new things. My husband and I do not know the area very well so this is just from research online that we came up with these areas any other suggestions are welcome as well. We will be visiting in a few weeks and are trying to narrow down the areas we truly want to look at. Any and all input is welcome and appreciated.

[james777]

If you are looking for an area with great public schools you can cross Roland Park off of your list. It has some of the best private schools in the country, but not good public schools.

There are plenty of other areas that you would probably be interested in, including the suburbs north and northwest of Baltimore City.

[Accrualworld116]

My wife and I are hoping to relocate to the Baltimore area once I finish graduate school. I recommend the Live Baltimore website, they give summaries for each neighborhood and there may be a section on schools. I know that there are some really good charter schools, but I think they are based off a lottery system. We don't have children yet, so I haven't researched that. Good luck!