Another OMG moving post Frederick/Hagerstown/Columbia (Havre de Grace, Mount Airy: schools, military)

[Mrstillis]

Hey all-

Originally we were going to Havre de Grace but as things change especially in the military, we are now relocating next month to Ft Detrick. I will be working in Columbia, so we are trying to find a middle ground, so nobody is commuting for 1.5 hours each way. We were looking into Hagerstown. Does anybody make the haul to Columbia 5 days a week from there? If so how bad is it? Also does anybody have a child who needs speech therapy? If so can you recommend a great school in either Hagerstown or Frederick or even somewhere in between? He's starting K this year, and we are moving from the Greater Boston area, where we have a great school. I've read all the other posts of what areas to stay out of in both towns. Any ideas guys/gals?

Thanks for all the help-

[goldenage1]

There's no way I would commute from Hagerstown to Columbia! The distance is brutal.

I'd suggest looking into the Mount Airy/Woodbine area in Howard County, as it is half way between Frederick and Columbia. The Howard County schools have an excellent reputation. But with your child's need, I would make the school system the top criterion.

[goldenage1]

Let me clarify- I'm suggesting you look at the towns along the I-70 corridor. Some of them are in Carroll County. Sykesville has SFH's in the low $300's, which is reasonable for this area. Mount Airy and Woodbine start in the 400's.

These towns still have a rural feel, but they are getting lots of new development. I can't comment on the quality of the Carroll County schools, but it is probably better than you would find in Hagerstown.