Where would you live for 1M
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Anonymous
This. Some people think commuting to DC one day a week from Burke is intolerable, others would be fine commuting over an hour each way if it was only once a week. If you are not particularly commute averse, you have a ton of options since you only have to go in once a week. What is important to you, a large yard, access to green space, near water, etc.? With the way prices are in this area, finding a 4 bedroom home not in need of major renovation close in is a bit of an ask, but if you go out further there are many more options. |
Anonymous
I would explore HoCo, more specifically Columbia. Schools are generally well regarded. We live here and find it somewhat sleepy and boring (we don't have a family yet though). Many people will tell you there are plenty of activities to do with children, great pools and community centers, and close enough to Baltimore or DC. I could be wrong but I've found that not a lot of people gut renovate around here but it could be specific to my neighborhood. IMO some of the older homes need a lot of interior work but you can find some newer homes closer to clarksville, hickory ridge, and river hill. I personally do not find the area as charming as catonsville or downtown EC but others do. To each their own. |
Anonymous
| Also worth exploring the Turf Valley neighborhood in Ellicott City (near Marriottsville/West Friendship). If you are only commuting once a week then this could be doable. It is a quieter neighborhood located on a golf community and there are a lot of new construction homes in your price range. The schools are generally well regarded and it's a family friendly neighborhood. You are close enough to Columbia to access those activities (i.e. merriweather, columbia mall, clark ellioak farm) but you wouldn't be apart of the Columbia association for pools and gyms etc. There are a few restaurants sprinkled around the area that are nice but can get repetitive. You would also be relatively close (30 minutes) from Frederick which is a lovely town with cute boutiques, restaurants, and seasonal events/festivals. |
Anonymous
| Consider way outside the DMV, like Ohio. I have a few friends who did that and are very happy. A 1-2 hour roundtrip flight once a week is doable. I mean it isnt uncommon for some people to take the train to NYC (for example) for the day for meetings but I think we forget that there are easier commutes than DMV to NYC etc. |
Anonymous
With the way flight cancellations are taking place, this seems like a ridiculous idea. I'm with you that there are more desirable places to live outside of the DMV but this suggestion seems ridiculous. |
Anonymous
| Maybe Severna Park. I'm not sure about schools. Others could speak to this better than I can. Commute would be ugly but then again it would only be 1x a week. |
Anonymous
| Ellicott City or Clarksville in Howard County. |
Anonymous
+1. Or the parts of Kensington zoned for Oakland Terrace. Or another poster said North Bethesda which I agree with but you’ll get less house for your money. |
Anonymous
Ah. PP who just said Ellicott City or Clarksville, didn't see this. Turf Valley is quite nice and has terrific schools, and the little built-in shopping center has all the essentials. It is also less than 15 minutes to the historic downtown, which is really adorable and has a lot of festivals, etc. My vote would be if you can snatch up one of the houses walking distance to Main Street, do that. Ellicott City is suburbia but suburbia with a lot going on, mostly geared toward families. It can be a nice fit for a certain phase of life. (Though others would be bored to tears.) On the plane commute...to each their own, but adding on the hassle of security, etc. would be a bit of a drag for me. For 1x a week, I'd rather a long train ride. |
Anonymous
| Annapolis! |
Anonymous
Love Annapolis, but think it is fair to say that the schools can be a little hit or miss. OP, Catonsville in Baltimore County is adorable and you could get a great home well under budget. The elementary school there is great and the middle and high school are also totally fine--though given you wouldn't have to spend 1M for a nice house there, the Baltimore privates could be affordable. (And while the prep schools up there are a whole world unto themselves, can get a terrific education.) |
Anonymous
Catonsville is really cute. You can find some wonderful homes for well under 1M. |
Anonymous
| am I allowed to post a link? Here is an example https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/25-N-Rolling-Rd_Catonsville_MD_21228_M51362-82781 . This is on the upper end for catonsville. |
Anonymous
I'm in Howard County and wanted to sell my house and buy this one when I saw it pop up 
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Anonymous
| Raleigh? |