Does anyone have experience with moving from MoCo to Howard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had the opposite experience. Left Howard because it's boring. Will never go back. Live in Moco now

Boring how? I'd take boring in a heartbeat. We've had an uptick in break-ins on our street. MCPS has a history of sexual assault incidents, especially in the past 5 years. No thanks, I'd take a 'boring' school system any day.

It's just a lame place to live. Not talking about a school system.

Ah, yes. Because nothing screams cool and hip like Rockville.

DP... having looked at HoCo when we were moving to this area, yes, Rockville is a bit more hip than HoCo, but MoCo is made up of more than just Rockville.

HoCo is much more suburban than MoCo. It's fine if that's what you want, but it's definitely much more staid than MoCo.

Also, I really think it's an unfair comparison -- HoCo is much smaller and has much fewer FARMs rate than MoCo. Larger school districts have larger issues, obviously, but smaller school districts have its own challenges, too. We moved from a smaller school district, and though they may be able to make changes faster, they don't have the critical mass to offer more interesting and challenging programs, nor do they have the budget to do so.

I think you can't go wrong with either school districts, but they are just different.

If you don't like how MCPS is looking to rezone most of the school clusters, then you won't like HoCo because they are going through it now as well:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/howard/ph-ho-cf-howard-school-board-redistricting-0131-story.html

THIS. MoCo isn't just Rockville. Some people really need to educate themselves.

[Anonymous]

For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

[Anonymous]

Being closer to things besides random boring shopping centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

MoCo is much more diverse, and towns like Silver Spring, Bethesda and Rockville feel a bit more urban. I have heard people say how quaint downtown Ellicott City was, but when I went there it was super tiny and not much to it, and now I think it's dying. We looked at moving to HoCo. We chose MoCo because it was closer to DC, and HoCo is nice, but it's very suburban.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

MoCo is much more diverse, and towns like Silver Spring, Bethesda and Rockville feel a bit more urban. I have heard people say how quaint downtown Ellicott City was, but when I went there it was super tiny and not much to it, and now I think it's dying. We looked at moving to HoCo. We chose MoCo because it was closer to DC, and HoCo is nice, but it's very suburban.

All true. It is suburban. However, depending on where you live in Howard County, there are other alternatives to the shopping centers. Eastern Howard County is minutes away from downtown Baltimore. Yes, I know everyone thinks you will be killed there, but that's not accurate. Not only are there nice city neighborhoods, but you are close to the Orioles, other downtown events, and museums (literally 15 minutes away). Two awesome portions of Patasco Valley State Parks are also nearby by if you want nature. Of course, what people view as the "best" schools aren't in the Eastern part of the county, but most families are happy and satisfied (well, minus the redistricting). Catonsville is also close, with plenty of restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

MoCo is much more diverse, and towns like Silver Spring, Bethesda and Rockville feel a bit more urban. I have heard people say how quaint downtown Ellicott City was, but when I went there it was super tiny and not much to it, and now I think it's dying. We looked at moving to HoCo. We chose MoCo because it was closer to DC, and HoCo is nice, but it's very suburban.

All true. It is suburban. However, depending on where you live in Howard County, there are other alternatives to the shopping centers. Eastern Howard County is minutes away from downtown Baltimore. Yes, I know everyone thinks you will be killed there, but that's not accurate. Not only are there nice city neighborhoods, but you are close to the Orioles, other downtown events, and museums (literally 15 minutes away). Two awesome portions of Patasco Valley State Parks are also nearby by if you want nature. Of course, what people view as the "best" schools aren't in the Eastern part of the county, but most families are happy and satisfied (well, minus the redistricting). Catonsville is also close, with plenty of restaurants.

It's not about the restaurants. It's just the feel of the place. HoCo has a much more suburban feel than MoCo. It's probably due to the size and diversity difference. I used to live in the SF area. Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with HoCo. It's definitely a nice area, but it's very different than MoCo, which has more diversity both in people, restaurants and urban/rural/suburban areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

MoCo is much more diverse, and towns like Silver Spring, Bethesda and Rockville feel a bit more urban. I have heard people say how quaint downtown Ellicott City was, but when I went there it was super tiny and not much to it, and now I think it's dying. We looked at moving to HoCo. We chose MoCo because it was closer to DC, and HoCo is nice, but it's very suburban.

All true. It is suburban. However, depending on where you live in Howard County, there are other alternatives to the shopping centers. Eastern Howard County is minutes away from downtown Baltimore. Yes, I know everyone thinks you will be killed there, but that's not accurate. Not only are there nice city neighborhoods, but you are close to the Orioles, other downtown events, and museums (literally 15 minutes away). Two awesome portions of Patasco Valley State Parks are also nearby by if you want nature. Of course, what people view as the "best" schools aren't in the Eastern part of the county, but most families are happy and satisfied (well, minus the redistricting). Catonsville is also close, with plenty of restaurants.

It's not about the restaurants. It's just the feel of the place. HoCo has a much more suburban feel than MoCo. It's probably due to the size and diversity difference. I used to live in the SF area. Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with HoCo. It's definitely a nice area, but it's very different than MoCo, which has more diversity both in people, restaurants and urban/rural/suburban areas.

Fair assessment. Don't disagree.

[Anonymous]

I have actual feedback (which there is not much of on this thread..)

One caution - if you choose school solely based on test score - ie "River Hill is the best" - you will also have a more competitive environment in some respects - ie - next to impossible to make a sports team, etc.

My older kids have graduated -but we were extremely pleased with our experience at Atholton. Basketball can be harder to make - but that's such a small team, that can really be true anywhere. One other nice thing about Atholton is it is close to the "downtown" Columbia development, which will offer a substantial amount to do in terms of recreation, even beyond what exists now as that development continues. My personal two cents is check out the Clemens neighborhood. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

RE: diversity. MoCo has fewer Asians than HoCo (15.6 vs. 18.9%). More Hispanics (19.6 vs. 6.8%). They are virtually the same in terms of percent of black residents (19.5 vs. 19.7) and two or more races (3.7 in HoCo and 3.4 in MoCo).

I do not understand posters who keep bringing up diversity. HoCo is very diverse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RE: diversity. MoCo has fewer Asians than HoCo (15.6 vs. 18.9%). More Hispanics (19.6 vs. 6.8%). They are virtually the same in terms of percent of black residents (19.5 vs. 19.7) and two or more races (3.7 in HoCo and 3.4 in MoCo).

I do not understand posters who keep bringing up diversity. HoCo is very diverse.

List of top diverse cities in the US.. there are 3 moco cities. No HoCo cities. Diversity doesn't mean just race.

https://wallethub.com/edu/most-diverse-cities/12690/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RE: diversity. MoCo has fewer Asians than HoCo (15.6 vs. 18.9%). More Hispanics (19.6 vs. 6.8%). They are virtually the same in terms of percent of black residents (19.5 vs. 19.7) and two or more races (3.7 in HoCo and 3.4 in MoCo).

I do not understand posters who keep bringing up diversity. HoCo is very diverse.

Then tell me why no HoCo cities, towns, places ever made the top list of the most diverse cities? While MoCo has 4 in the top 10
https://patch.com/maryland/gaithersburg/some-most-diverse-cities-us-are-montgomery-co-study

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RE: diversity. MoCo has fewer Asians than HoCo (15.6 vs. 18.9%). More Hispanics (19.6 vs. 6.8%). They are virtually the same in terms of percent of black residents (19.5 vs. 19.7) and two or more races (3.7 in HoCo and 3.4 in MoCo).

I do not understand posters who keep bringing up diversity. HoCo is very diverse.

Where did you get these numbers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have actual feedback (which there is not much of on this thread..)

One caution - if you choose school solely based on test score - ie "River Hill is the best" - you will also have a more competitive environment in some respects - ie - next to impossible to make a sports team, etc.

My older kids have graduated -but we were extremely pleased with our experience at Atholton. Basketball can be harder to make - but that's such a small team, that can really be true anywhere. One other nice thing about Atholton is it is close to the "downtown" Columbia development, which will offer a substantial amount to do in terms of recreation, even beyond what exists now as that development continues. My personal two cents is check out the Clemens neighborhood. Good luck.

I'm not OP. But I am in the middle of moving and am waiting to close on a house in Clemens Crossing! Any tips?

We're jumping in half blind, but were attracted by rumors that Clemens Crossing ES and Atholton are well-liked. That the area is relatively walk-able (for a suburb) is super exciting to us. We're moving down from Baltimore, where we can walk to everything, so I am inordinately happy about the walking paths and sidewalks and the proximity of Hickory Ridge to the center of Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people saying Howard Co is boring -- I'm curious what is so exciting in MoCo?

I live in downtown SS. There’s plenty of amenities, essential services, and entertainment, but also nature within a 10 min walk of our home. If I get bored, I can get into DC in minutes. It’s a quick drive to northern VA for amazing restaurants and shows. My friends who live in HoCo come here or Baltimore for anything other than a mainstream release movie and Cheesecake Factory. They do like their big houses and yards, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RE: diversity. MoCo has fewer Asians than HoCo (15.6 vs. 18.9%). More Hispanics (19.6 vs. 6.8%). They are virtually the same in terms of percent of black residents (19.5 vs. 19.7) and two or more races (3.7 in HoCo and 3.4 in MoCo).

I do not understand posters who keep bringing up diversity. HoCo is very diverse.

As a county it is diverse, but racial minorities are diffused throughout the County, so it often feels less diverse. I have family that have lived in Columbia since it opened and over three generations there still experience being the token/only in a lot of social situations. It’s not what I wanted for my kids. They are/were still the only in their advanced or honors classrooms too often, but that is changing.