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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

Congrats and welcome to the 'hood - I'm biased - but here are my cliff's notes... not sure what ages your kids are - but I think you'll like it here, and there are so many young families moving in, whatever age your kids are, they will find fast friends.

1. The village center is getting redeveloped with apartments (exact number TBD) and is undergoing a major redevelopment over the next few years. IMO - this is an excellent thing and it will raise our property values as it puts a destination worth walking to even closer. There is a vocal minority of people - particularly older original residents - freaking out about this and they love to post all the time on the NextDoor app. My personal opinion and it is shared by a lot of other friends in a similar stage of life - the apartments are going to provide much needed foot traffic for (better) retail and are market rate (I would not have an issue if they were affordable either, but they are not.)

2. At a minimum join the Columbia Association outdoor pools - I love the gyms and used their KidSpace childcare a lot. The Clemens pool can be cold if its not a super hot day, so my favorite back up is the Hawthorn pool which is super close :-) Swim team here is big, so if you think your kids may like to swim definitely check that out - meets are Saturday mornings usually and information is at the Clemens pool.

3. The walking paths are awesome - we're close enough that you can walk to dinner at Cured (if you like walking - my husband thinks this walk length is too long haha), walk to a concert at Merriwether, and uber home at then end.

4. "Downtown Columbia" is experiencing an arts resurgence - follow on social media Inner Arbor Trust for lots of kids events at the Chrysalis, Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, and Columbia Festival of the Arts for lots of free and ticketed family events. I'm probably leaving a few out - but this is a good start.

5. For date night - Ananda in Maple Lawn, Turn House in Hobbits Glen either at the bar or outside on a nice night (getting a regular table here is not my favorite for some reason), Facci in Maple Lawn, or Hudson Coastal are some fun close non chain options that I like.

6. Tons of conflict, hostility and politics right now surrounding school funding with a sky is falling attitude. Its true we need to get our funding sorted out, but the schools are still excellent - don't get too drawn into the facebook drama on these school groups or you'll get sucked into what I view is an incomplete narrative. Do get involved and advocate, but resist getting sucked into the drama.
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