Looking to move to Columbia, MD ..Need advice on best neighborhoods

[cjlucky18]

Thanks Smokey Lisa! Great info. Gives me a great starting point.

[marukai]

Clary's Forest is also a nice area. I lived there for 3 years. The neighbors were all nice professionals. It's also a very quiet neighborhood. It's comviently located near Howard Community College, Howard General Hospital, Harpers Choice Village center. I would move here, if I ever came back to Columbia MD. Here's a link to the complex with photos. I hope this helps in your search for a place.


Clarys Crossing Apartments - 11311 Little Patuxent Parkway - Columbia - EquityApartments.com

[BKmachine]

try a little further down to the south and west (Montgomery County)

[elkhomeownr]

Buy close to Centennial Park. Great for the kids and it's safe with great schools.
Can't really go wrong. Columbia Association fees suck though.

Different parts of HC have different flavors. Take Ellicott City for ex., my nickname for it is
Korea Town It's not really an asian town but is dominated by Koreans. All you have to do is
drive around and you'll see LOTS of Korean ethnic churches. But is is still predominately a white
neighborhood.

Either way, it's way off the scale compared to 'most' of Baltimore County.

[ekaterinakir]

To determine which schools would be best for you and your family, use the websites, [url=http://www.greatschools.com]GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community[/url] or [url]www.schoolsmatter.com[/url]. They may help with your decision as to what area you want to be in since schools are a factor to you as well.

[happypatience]

I think the columbia association fees are EXTREMELY reasonable for what you get. come on folks, there are 23 pools, 2 water parks, indoor skating and ice rinks, a skate park, golf courses, 3 gyms, etc. It's about $120 a month, with an extra $15 a month for childcare calls KidSpace. They do have 40 to 50% off depending on your income. Plus, you can just get an outdoor pool membership during the summer season instead of getting a year long membership. In addition, you can get a reduced fee on the kids summer camps if you qualify for the income reduction.

[SmokeyLisa]

Yes, I guess it's reasonable if you are income qualified and they give you a discount. Perhaps it is reasonable if you live in apt and you are not aware of the hidden cost. I really like Columbia but the HOA fees are crazy for what you get. You pay essentially a tax on property and then you are asked to pay an additional 120 per month and extra to use kids space. Do you think $220 per month is reasonable for what you get? The average homeowner is probably paying 1200 a year to belong to the CA and then they are asked to pay the additional $120. You are better off being on a non CA property, it is a lot cheaper and you have virtually the same benefits.

The CA is a good deal if you are income qualified, if your company is on a CA assessed property or if you are not on a CA assessed property. It is not a good deal for the avg. homeowner. They really need to rework their business model.

Also, CA residents get the same price on camps as package plan members. So, again there are very few benefits CA residents receive and the membership price differential between resident and non residents is not enough to make up for
the extra taxes paid.