Raise a family in MD? (Baltimore, Columbia: how much, houses, school districts)

[quakerchick]

What are the best places in Maryland to live and raise a family?
Please if you could give me some reason why?
Looking for some affordability doesn't have to be cheap.
Good schools.
Good healthcare.
Some things to do.
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE.

[goldenage1]

Carroll County is still largely rural so it is safer than the national average. You are close enough to Baltimore to drive to hospitals. There are several nearby colleges which have sports and entertainment. There are historic sights nearby in Gettysburg. For shopping there are outlet malls in Pennsylvania. You can also go to the Columbia Mall for shopping, and walk around the Columbia Town Center when they have festivals. Mt Airy, Sykesville and Westminster have interesting older town centers, and there is good antique shopping around.

Carroll is less expensive than Howard County, but still has decent schools. I'd suggest the towns of Westminster or Mt Airy. Mt Airy has some very well-rated schools.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by quakerchick

What are the best places in Maryland to live and raise a family?

Setting aside the very subjective...
asking your (rather common) questions in one cohesive manner (and one thread) would help a lot.

To recap: As you commute to UMD to do finish while a grad program for X years
you have a relatively modest amount of money to spend on a suitable home
for you, your young child and your Mom. Close?

UMD and commute = a rather close radius of downtown B'more; ideally on a busline.
Child and Mom = a suburban community with good schools and seniors stuff.
The budget aspect shall always remain a stumbling block.

[goldenage1]

Oh yes, if the OP wants to commute to downtown Baltimore for a nursing program, it's a long haul from Carroll County. One would have to drive into Baltimore County and pick up the Metro. If you drive into Baltimore, there's a major parking hassle around UMD.

[tercel95]

Originally Posted by quakerchick

What are the best places in Maryland to live and raise a family?
Please if you could give me some reason why?
Looking for some affordability doesn't have to be cheap.
Good schools.
Good healthcare.
Some things to do.
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE.

Your post is very vague. How much can you afford? What will you do for work? I am a big fan of Southern Maryland. There is a good local economy due to Pax River NAS, it is cheaper than metropolitan MD, the schools are top notch and it is very safe. There isn't a ton to do but it is building up slowly and DC/baltimore/annapolis are less than 2 hours away.

[Potatochip21]

I think there are some great places to live in Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Howard Counties. If you are okay with expensive areas, I suggest Bethesda, MD. Bethesda is a peaceful area, with three great high schools. (Walt Whitman, Bethesda Chevy-Chase, and Walter Johnson High Schools.) There are some less expensive good areas in Montgomery County too. Silver Spring is also a nice area, with a nice high school, (Wheaton high School). The last place I suggest in Montgomery County, which is also a less expensive place, is in the district ffor Thomas. S. Wooton High School, which is mainly Rockville, MD.

I am currently raising my kids in Anne Arundel County, and I am debating on moving to either Severna Park or Crofton, or Bethesda in Montgomery County. Anne Arundel County is also a nice county in MD. It is less expensive than Montgomery County, and it has a few wonderful high schools. if you live in Crofton, MD, you can go to either Arundel or South River High School depending on which elementary school district you live in. Those are both great high schools. Another great area in Anne Arundel County is Edgewater. It is also in the district for South River High School. Severna Park is also a decent area with a decent high school (Severna Park High School), but it may be a bit expensive. There are some normal priced houses there as well. Some areas to avoid in Anne Arundel County are houses in the Meade, Annapolis, and Broadneck High School districts. Some houses in all three of the high school districts are nice, like Hanover in Meade High School's district, but the high schools are really rough due to certain other areas feeding into them. I currently live in the district for Broadneck High School, and Broadneck has major drug issues which is why I am moving. My oldest child will be starting high school this fall, and I don't want my children attending Broadneck, and I suggest you keep your kids away from it too.


Moving on Howard County, it is a bit expensive, only in some areas. Clarksville is a nice area, with a nice high school (River Hill High School). If you're looking for somewhere less expensive though, I suggest going for Columbia, MD in the Howard High School district.

That's about all I have to say, I hope you find an area in MD you're happy i . Good Luck!

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by tercel95

Your post is very vague. How much can you afford? What will you do for work? I am a big fan of Southern Maryland. There is a good local economy due to Pax River NAS, it is cheaper than metropolitan MD, the schools are top notch and it is very safe. There isn't a ton to do but it is building up slowly and DC/baltimore/annapolis are less than 2 hours away.

We're full up.