If she is ok with Patuxent Valley Middle, she should also look at Glenshire Towne neighborhood in Columbia, 21046. It's a small townhouse community with a good number of rentals. Of course I can't find any now. The bedrooms are pretty big. Maybe drive around one weekend.

Stirling Bridge Rd. Lambeth. Hastings. Are the streets. Hammond High school. Again, close to cheaper shopping in Laurel, but still in Howard County.

She should definitely check out the school situation. Everything else sounds fine...I'm a single parent with HHI higher than that but we also live in DC so our rent is $1000 higher than hers would be. No car payment is a good thing, and presumably no aftercare expenses for her?

Fantastic information PPs. Thank you. Yes she is going to bring some furniture and has saved up money for the move and does have a paid off (but good condition) honda.

Helping with a truck or such is not a problem my DH and I can do that. I think for her, it is just a big uncertainty of moving to a new place but at the same time wanting to move on to make new life for herself and the children.

I'd try looking in Leishear Village townhouses for a rental. Hammond Middle and Atholton High. both very good.

The Bowling Brook Apartments were always pretty nice when I lived close by. I think they include some utilities. And there is a library within walking distance as well as historic Savage Mill shops. I'm not sure about that middle school. Patuxent Valley. But worth exploring. Hammond High is a decent high school. Not top of the line, but not bad.

Both are 20723 zip codes.

Whiskey Bottom area is cheap but has higher crime rates and the schools are not as great. Also 20723.

I lived in this area growing up, and you can shop more cheaply in neighboring Laurel (PGcounty). A lot of military folks around too, because of Ft. Meade/NSA.

Howard County has decent parks and recreation. Low prices for classes and sports. Shopping at Columbia Mall, etc, is pricey like the rest of this area. No great local transit bus service. But good access to MARC train to Baltimore or DC.

Does she have a car?

What about furniture? Will she be looking for a furnished place? If not, furniture can be expensive for a two bedroom home. She might be able to get some donated furniture from freecycle or something, but she might need a car or truck for that. She could also contact her local church to see if thy can help her furnish her place.

OP here - yes PP, she can afford the move and security deposit. She has modest savings and is very conservative financially. She wants some emotional liberation from the place she currently lives in.

Can your friend afford the cost of moving and the security deposit, etc.?

Should be fine.

A friend of mine is looking to move to Howard county with a salary of $65k. Father is nowhere in the picture and she has the sole responsibility for the 10 yo and 13 yo. The kids will be going to public schools and she will be renting. Looks like a two br house in good school district might come to 1500 + utilities.

She currently lives in a lower COL area but also makes lower salary. She just wants to be out of that place. She doesn't have any debt and is a pretty frugal person.

I will be the one helping her out to settle here if she decides to come. What kind of expenses/issues should she be looking at if she makes this move. She is definitely concerned about money. I can't really advise her much because I have one little child and don't know what is all involved with older children.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!