Where to live around Ft. Meade and reviews on Meade High School? (Baltimore: apartment complexes)

[mrsebersole]

I will potentially be relocating to Ft. Meade with my husband to take a position at Meade High School. My husband will be looking for work in the DC/Baltimore area in software development or IT. Where would be the best place to live for an easy commute for the both of us? We are in our young 20's, so we are looking for a smaller but lively town. We want someplace that's safe, obviously. We enjoy outdoor activities, music, and unique bars/shops/restaurants around town. Any recommendations?

Also, what are your opinions on Meade High School? What is the administration like and the atmosphere of the school? Thanks!

[North Beach Person]

If you are going to teach at Meade go to the MD Department of Education web site and look for it's rankings on the HSA's. You may also get info on suspensions, etc. Meade has had it's problems, both educationally and in general, over the years.

[fjennell]

My co-worker had one kid go thru Meade HS and is trying to move so his other kid will not have to go there. He says it's not good and they have a lot of problems, but check greatschools and other sites similar and compare them.

[mrsebersole]

Thanks, I have read a lot of reviews about the school online. I agree with your take on the school as well, but I thought I would ask someone who's been in the area. It was a helpful confirmation. I'm young, so I'm not concerned with sending a child there. Not being from the area, it's always good to get the scoop on the area from locals.

I am looking at apartments in Columbia. Any suggestions?

[krod1]

Originally Posted by mrsebersole

Thanks, I have read a lot of reviews about the school online. I agree with your take on the school as well, but I thought I would ask someone who's been in the area. It was a helpful confirmation. I'm young, so I'm not concerned with sending a child there. Not being from the area, it's always good to get the scoop on the area from locals.

I am looking at apartments in Columbia. Any suggestions?

I had a friend that worked at meade high and i'm sure you know all the good,bad, and ugly now about the school.However, as a young teacher myself who just moved from the area, there are plenty of nice places to live just not in about a 5 mile radius of ft. meade. Ok here you go: if want to live in a great place and don't mind a 20-25 minute commute check out the annapolis/arnold area. Some areas of Annapolis are great please stay away from the forest drive area if you are renting an apartment..try to go closer to the mall, downtown, west annapolis or cross the severn river bridge. The arnold area doesn't have nightlife but it is like 8-10 minute drive to downtown annapolis with tons of bars, restuarants, etc.
If you want to be right down the street from work but in a nice safe area, check out the piney orchard area they have apartments there and a nice shopping center too-but there is not "nightlife" everything is going to be either in Annapolis or Columbia. Columbia is a nice area but be careful of living in the area immediate surrounding the columbia mall-it's touch and go sometimes. But overall Columbia is a good area, tons of restaurants, bars, and it is pretty central to baltimore and washington dc nightlife...like sports games (go O's) and concerts, etc.

[mrsebersole]

Thank you very much! I'm definitely leaning toward Columbia because it would be a better location for my husband compared to Annapolis. Would you be able to recommend any specific apartment complexes in Columbia that would be a good place to start?

[Tsmodey]

Do you know anything about the Lodge at Seven Oaks which is off the Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by mrsebersole

Thank you very much! I'm definitely leaning toward Columbia because it would be a better location for my husband compared to Annapolis. Would you be able to recommend any specific apartment complexes in Columbia that would be a good place to start?

I stayed at Avalon at Fairway Hills for almost two years and it was a very nice apartment complex.

A coworker of mine lives in the Columbia Town Center Apartments and is VERY happy with the complex.

[gumbo31]

Originally Posted by Tsmodey

Do you know anything about the Lodge at Seven Oaks which is off the Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton

Lodge at Seven Oaks are probably the nicest apartments close to Fort Meade. They're only about a mile or two away from post.

Piney Orchard is actually further down 175.