DP who lives in Laurel. Old town is cute, but it's not the most vibrant downtown area. Since Laurel Meat Market closed during the pandemic, there really isn't a grocery easily walkable. For a long walk, you can get to the Food Lion over on Sandy Spring Road, but it's about a mile west of the western end of Main St. So, about 1.5 miles from the middle part of Main street and the nearby houses.

I live near the Laurel Lakes shopping center and that is your typical suburban shopping center. There are condo, townhome, small single family and large single family homes all within easy walking distance. I love the fact that we are a short walk to Laurel Lake where many of the city events are held (like 4th of July with fireworks, fairs, etc). We are 10 min walk from Aldi, 15-20 from the Shopper's Food Warehouse or the Harris Teeter. There are nail salons and a Starbucks easily accessible. Lots of amenities.

And the community is a lot more affordable than most of the Washington metro area. The main reason? Schools are only middling. So, if you don't have to worry about schools, Laurel is a very good community to live in. I've lived here for 30 years and we love it here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the downtown in Laurel?

There is Main Street, which is reasonably cute. There is a pharmacy, Red Hot and Blue, middle eastern market, hair and nail salons, florist with local chocolates, a couple of coffee shops, a dive bar. It isn’t fancy, but it’s cute. The MARC stop is at the end of Main Street.

There is a Laurel Towne Center (or some such name) which is half a mile south of Main Street and that has the Panera, movie theater, Harris Teeter, First Watch, Nandos, etc.

Thanks for this. I'm often in Laurel, but didn't know about the main street area, will check it out next time!

Anonymous wrote:Where is the downtown in Laurel?

There is Main Street, which is reasonably cute. There is a pharmacy, Red Hot and Blue, middle eastern market, hair and nail salons, florist with local chocolates, a couple of coffee shops, a dive bar. It isn’t fancy, but it’s cute. The MARC stop is at the end of Main Street.

There is a Laurel Towne Center (or some such name) which is half a mile south of Main Street and that has the Panera, movie theater, Harris Teeter, First Watch, Nandos, etc.

If you live in certain neighborhoods in Olney or the part of Brookeville on its border, you can walk to lots of things. I can walk to the following:

The elementary and middle school

3 grocery stores

Multiple shopping centers

Library

Post office

Hospital and medical park

Multiple nail salons

Coffee/Bagels

Restaurants

Bars

CVS and Walgreens

Home Goods/TJ Maxx

Where is the downtown in Laurel?

Well, Laurel. I live in Laurel and can walk to a coffee shop, grocery store, MARC, restaurants, pharmacy, walking trail in the woods, and half a dozen churches. My teen can walk to the movies. Within a 5 minute drive there is a shopping center with all the regular suburban shops.

The old town area has nice old Victorians, there are some new builds a little farther out, and there is plenty of working/middle class affordable small older houses. There are now also condo options just off Main St.

Maple Lawn or Columbia

Or Olney?

Ellicott City maybe?

I am looking for nice neighborhood that is half way between Rockville and Baltimore.
My ideal would be that I could walk to get my nails done, grocery store, and get coffee.
I live right now in SW DC near the Wharf and I love all the restaurants. Is there anything somewhat similar without living in Columbia? I want to be slightly closer to DC/Rockville but not too much since I need to commute to Baltimore and Rockville.