Catonsville...insight please (Baltimore, Columbia: for sale, 2015, renting)

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I'm looking at a few places in Catonsville, but I am entirely unfamiliar with the area.

There's a neighborhood on Overbrook Rd. right off of Edmonson Ave that seems to be ok. It's right across from Ridgeway Manor, if that helps any. Is anyone familiar with this area?

Also, what are some other decent places to look at in the area? I'm freshly graduated from college and I'll be working in Columbia.

Thanks.

[btsilver]

Catonsville is a great place to live! I grew up there and went to school there. The area is fine eventhough it gets close to Baltimore. I doesnt get rough until you drive past Mount St. Joes. That place is close to the highway as well. The area is very heavily family oriented so there is not much of a nightlife if that is what you are looking for as well. You would have to travel to the city for that.

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Sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I was worried about the crime due to it being located close to Baltimore, but it sounds like that's not a huge issue. thank you!

[PennStater818]

Originally Posted by btsilver

Catonsville is a great place to live! I grew up there and went to school there. The area is fine eventhough it gets close to Baltimore. I doesnt get rough until you drive past Mount St. Joes. That place is close to the highway as well. The area is very heavily family oriented so there is not much of a nightlife if that is what you are looking for as well. You would have to travel to the city for that.

btsilver, what do you think of the Catonsville/Baltimore City line area of zip code 21228? Near Baltimore National Cemetery? My wife and I toured a town home in that area today and really love it, and the area seems quiet, full of 20 somethings (like us), and decent, but I'm interested to hear from those who know all of the areas of Catonsville.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by PennStater818

btsilver, what do you think of the Catonsville/Baltimore City line area of zip code 21228? Near Baltimore National Cemetery? My wife and I toured a town home in that area today and really love it, and the area seems quiet, full of 20 somethings (like us), and decent, but I'm interested to hear from those who know all of the areas of Catonsville.

renting or buying? school age kids?

[PennStater818]

Originally Posted by MrRational

renting or buying? school age kids?

We are buying. No kids, just a "four-legged fur kid" in the form of a border collie!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by PennStater818

We are buying. No kids, just a "four-legged fur kid" in the form of a border collie!

For buying... There are a few pockets down there like Medwick Garth and Briarwood
but I'd steer my own 20 something's with fur kids farther west into C'ville proper.
Or at least up the hill to the Edmondson Av neighborhoods

The issue when buying is still (and always shall be) schools and resale.

[PennStater818]

Originally Posted by MrRational

For buying... There are a few pockets down there like Medwick Garth and Briarwood
but I'd steer my own 20 something's with fur kids farther west into C'ville proper.
Or at least up the hill to the Edmondson Av neighborhoods

The issue when buying is still (and always shall be) schools and resale.

Thanks for the feedback! Our main constraint is price...we like Catonsville but can't afford anything higher than about $180K. Obviously we want an area that's safe, comfortable for people like us, and something we could see ourselves living in and around for the next 4-5 years (at least). We've been monitoring homes in the Catonsville area for anything in our price range to open up, and this is the first one in our range that has since our search began about 8 months ago. Definitely open to more suggestions though; they are really helpful.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by PennStater818

this is the first one in our range that has since our search began about 8 months ago. Definitely open to more suggestions though; they are really helpful.

My only comment would be to look closely at the heating and air-conditioning. The older houses don't have ducts, so you have to use window A/C units which can be a pain. I don't care for the radiator heat either, so I'd look for something updated.

Also, but clear about whether you are actually in the City or County, as the property taxes are a lot higher in the City. The 21228 zip code straddles both sides of the city/county line. There's a house for sale on Medwick Garth that's actually in the city, but the street also is partly in the county. I've had work colleagues who lived on that street and liked it. The city does not do such a good job with snow plowing as the county does.

My experience comes from living in a townhouse in Edmundson Heights for 3 years. The houses are newer, but the area is rougher.

[PennStater818]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

My only comment would be to look closely at the heating and air-conditioning. The older houses don't have ducts, so you have to use window A/C units which can be a pain. I don't care for the radiator heat either, so I'd look for something updated.

Also, but clear about whether you are actually in the City or County, as the property taxes are a lot higher in the City. The 21228 zip code straddles both sides of the city/county line. There's a house for sale on Medwick Garth that's actually in the city, but the street also is partly in the county. I've had work colleagues who lived on that street and liked it. The city does not do such a good job with snow plowing as the county does.

My experience comes from living in a townhouse in Edmundson Heights for 3 years. The houses are newer, but the area is rougher.

This townhouse we're looking at is actually fully renovated with central air and heat - no radiators or A/C units needed! We have determined that it is technically in the City, so yeah--taxes are a bit higher. Medwick Garth is actually the street we'd be located on, so I'm glad to hear your colleague liked it. Anything else I should know about?