Tell me about Columbia, MD

[Anonymous]

We're thinking of moving to Columbia. We have 3 kids- 5, 3, and 1. We would move in time for next school year, so the oldest would be in 1st grade. How are the public schools? We're looking for a family friendly, preferably walkable community. We have up to 950K to spend on a house. I'd appreciate specific neighborhood recommendations, since I really know nothing about Columbia and Howard County. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Where are you moving from?

[Anonymous]

What makes you seek out Columbia? Such as, is job bringing you there?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes DH's IT job is relocating to Columbia.

[Anonymous]

DH's co-worker lives in Columbia. Very generally, it's pretty affordable and has good schools.

[Anonymous]

you should post in the Real Estate forum.

[Anonymous]

I grew up there. Columbia is not walkable like DC or Baltimore. You will be car-dependent. The overall school system is excellent, but there are a few schools that need a bit more research before buying into their district.

Columbia was designed to collocate mixed use housing, businesses, and shopping. It's broken down into 9 or 10 villages, each with a village center of shopping. So it's somewhat walkable depending on where you live. Each village is made up of smaller neighborhoods.

The original intent of Columbia was to have low income housing next to moderate priced housing next to high income housing, but for the past twenty years, it's been mostly high income housing that's being built. The oldest parts of Columbia like Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake, and Long Reach have a lot of that lower income housing, so it tends to be a more transient population and the schools are not as great. Not bad. But there is more crime, etc.

The best high school in Columbia proper is probably Atholton. Hickory Ridge village feeds into it, particularly the neighborhood Clemens Crossing. You can get very nice houses for $500-600K there.

The areas that surround Columbia are more rural with many McMansions and the schools are considered better, like Mt. Hebron, Centennial, and Glenelg. They are not walkable at all.

Elliott City is the County seat and a quaint little historic town with cute shops. You might find that appealing.

There can be heavy traffic congestion on some major routes, like coming from the west side of Route 32 headed toward 95 and FT. Meade. That might be something to ask a realtor about when considering location.

The library system is great. It has a brand new nature center that is the envy of the area. It's very easy to get to Baltimore and not a bad trip to DC.

Some other neighborhoods to look at:

Maple Lawn. Not Columbia proper but a brand new planned community. http://www.maplelawnmd.com/

Kings Contrivance
River Hill
Highland
Clarksville

[Anonymous]

They have cutesy street names like Lemontree Lane or something. Hard to take seriously.

[Anonymous]

DH works in Columbia but we live in DC. It is a suburban lifestyle, which isn't our thing. BUT many of our co-workers/friends love it there. Many live in Ellicot City.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's very suburban, and as for walkability there are tons of trails, but they don't really lead anywhere, just for exercise. But its not like you can walk to get your milk and pick up dry cleaning, etc
My only complaint when I lived there, pre-kids, was the lack of non-chain restaurants and the traffic on the main routes.
If it fits your desires you will love it, if you like the city you will hate it.
You need to spend time there on the weekends and drive all around it.
Our best friends live there and love love love it, they also hate the city and have severe distrust of valet parking (this was so odd to me but they found valet parking to be very scary-what? Give them my keys???) they also grew up in Columbia

[Anonymous]

Pp here again, we used to jokingly call it Columbubble because you never have to leave, unless you want to learn about things like life outside of Columbubble, where there crazy things like valet parking.

[Anonymous]

I used to visit a friend who lived there. Very suburban, nice parks and very multicultural. Not too bad, if a little dull.

[Anonymous]

Ditto what PP said re: Atholton being best in Columbia proper. With planned re-do of downtown, that location is a good one. Some people like Ellicott City or Clarksville.

[Anonymous]

I have relatives who live up there. Lots of large homes on large lots. Their house is up a long, wooded driveway, which is really pretty. I suppose you would call it a McMansion, but it's actually not huge, and it's a very good-looking house. It fits its environment, unlike the McMansions going up in the Palisades of DC!

The schools are supposed to be great. You do have to drive, but I've noticed kids playing in the yards, and bicyclists, and lots of joggers.

I think it's a nice quality of life for a family, except I'm sure you have to drive pretty far for a non-chain restaurant. Lost of the neighbors work at Hopkins and drive into Baltimore every day. Lots of doctors.

I think their five-bedroom house on an acre is worth about $800,000. That alone is worth considering Columbia!

[Anonymous]

I grew up near Columbia. It has a very artificial/manufactured feel to it - but depending on your lifestyle needs, that could be a good thing.