North Laurel, West Laurel, South Laurel - any differences? (Bowie: crime rates, townhouses)

[Tiger Beer]

Laurel seems to have a North Laurel, West Laurel, South Laurel...any significant differences between them, or are they more or less all the same, just on the periphery of Laurel itself?

Are they tiny little small towns, or just geographic areas based on being around Laurel?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Laurel seems to have a North Laurel, West Laurel, South Laurel...any significant differences between them, or are they more or less all the same, just on the periphery of Laurel itself?

Are they tiny little small towns, or just geographic areas based on being around Laurel?

They are not separate towns. Laurel sprawls over three counties- Howard County is North Laurel, Anne Arundel is roughly east Laurel, and Prince George's is the rest. People are specifying them because the taxes and school systems are different. Howard generally has better schools and higher taxes.

[Tiger Beer]

So, if there are two houses on the same street, and one is Howard County, and the other is PG County, the Howard County is going to cost significantly more? Or just marginally more?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

So, if there are two houses on the same street, and one is Howard County, and the other is PG County, the Howard County is going to cost significantly more? Or just marginally more?

I'd say marginally more, but it's hard to say. Howard County is actually north of the river and has newer construction. The Old Town part of Laurel is in Prince George and has some charming older houses. So it is more like comparing apples and oranges.

[yada25]

I live in Norh Laurel, Howard county. I'd say houses in Laurel, Ho county cost significantly more than the same ones in PG or AA county due to good schools that Ho county has to offer. Crime rates are also much lower in North Laurel as compared to the rest of the city of Laurel. Following are the corresponding zip codes for different parts of Laurel. You can use them to check out the crime rates.
North Laurel, Howard county: 20723
South Laurel, PG county: 20707, 20708, 20709
East Laurel, AA county: 20724

[slowlane3]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

So, if there are two houses on the same street, and one is Howard County, and the other is PG County, the Howard County is going to cost significantly more? Or just marginally more?

The county lines don't go down the middle of streets. The Patuxent River effectively separates Prince Georges county (dense, incorporated laurel, with somewhat of a grid street pattern) from Howard County (suburban North Laurel which is un-incorporated). The old incorporated municipal town of Laurel is entirely on the Prince Georges (south) side of the river and dates to the 19th century when it was a textile mill town and a stop on the railroad. Main Street runs parallel and immediately south of the River and at a right angle to u.s. route 1 highway which is about the only local road to span the River (other than controlled-access highways). The 1960s-era (rather humdrum) Laurel Mall shopping center, and Laurel High School, are also on the south (Prince Georges) side. The mid-20th century "Montpelier" Levitt housing development is also on the prince georges side on the road toward Bowie, MD. The un-incoporated Howard and Anne Arundel County sides of Laurel are very different and more modern and suburban looking and spread-out than the Prince Georges side. They feed into a different school system with (I think) a whiter population. The Anne Arundel County side of Laurel consists of a mid-20th century housing development called "Maryland City" and also the horse Racetrack and a MARC commuter train station down an access road. A few miles beyond that is the national security agency-Fort Meade, one of the largest employers in the State. The howard County side has modern townhouses as well as large newer homes.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by slowlane3

The county lines don't go down the middle of streets. The Patuxent River effectively separates Prince Georges county (dense, incorporated laurel, with somewhat of a grid street pattern) from Howard County (suburban North Laurel which is un-incorporated). The old incorporated municipal town of Laurel is entirely on the Prince Georges (south) side of the river and dates to the 19th century when it was a textile mill town and a stop on the railroad. Main Street runs parallel and immediately south of the River and at a right angle to u.s. route 1 highway which is about the only local road to span the River (other than controlled-access highways). The 1960s-era (rather humdrum) Laurel Mall shopping center, and Laurel High School, are also on the south (Prince Georges) side. The mid-20th century "Montpelier" Levitt housing development is also on the prince georges side on the road toward Bowie, MD. The un-incoporated Howard and Anne Arundel County sides of Laurel are very different and more modern and suburban looking and spread-out than the Prince Georges side. They feed into a different school system with (I think) a whiter population. The Anne Arundel County side of Laurel consists of a mid-20th century housing development called "Maryland City" and also the horse Racetrack and a MARC commuter train station down an access road. A few miles beyond that is the national security agency-Fort Meade, one of the largest employers in the State. The howard County side has modern townhouses as well as large newer homes.

Personally, living in Laurel (the town itself in PG) sounds most appealing more than townhouses or suburban spread feel.

It's unfortunate that good school systems always favor townhouse and suburban living.

Thanks for the thorough response in understanding the Laurel area.

[boroc7]

Yeah it all depends on what you are looking for. Laurel has very different areas, like the Anne Arundel part which is small and Russett is the primary residential space. I live and prefer 20707 zip code which includes the main part of town between Main st and Contee rd. The Howard side is much more expensive because of its homes and schools, and HC taxes. It almost doesn't feel like a part of Laurel, except by name only. Its a nice area if you want quiet and away from pretty much everything, but I like being in town, although the schools aren't great.

[ikearns1]

We actually love in laurel Brooke and I commute to perimeter everyday. I have flex hours so in office from 730 to 4 and it takes me 35 min each way..
We love mountain road, 500 kids and my first grader has only 16 kids in his class!

[ikearns1]

oops this posted in wrong forum