Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also anyone have thoughts on Laurel, MD?

I have thoughts and they aren’t good ones. Don’t live in laurel.

Depends on what part of Laurel - Howard Co vs AA vs PG. I love it in Laurel, Howard County.

Forgot to add, Hyattsville has good Catholic school options.

Anonymous wrote:Hyattsville is a great option. Lots of 3-bd bungalows, parks, restaurant options. It's really lovely

Hyattsville is a great place! I loved living in the Historic District with a young child.

I don’t recommend PG County schools though. You can try to lottery into the specialty schools. Avoid the regular neighborhood middle school at all costs!

Great quality of life if you find a school situation that you like.

That budget will get you a fixer upper SFH or a nice townhouse in the Broadneck High School district (Arnold and Cape St Claire/Annapolis). There are a few fixer homes in Severna Park in that price range. Both school districts have excellent schools. Brutal commute to DC but would be doable occasionally.

I’d choose Catonsville over ellicott city or Columbia. Cute, walkable downtown (albeit small). Small town feel. Public schools are good- Catonsville elementary, Hillcrest, and westchester are three solid elementary schools , and Catonsville middle and high are fine. The nicer houses on the more desirable streets near the downtown will be more than 500-600, however, there are smaller SFH even on the “nicest” streets near the downtown that are absolutely in that range.

Anonymous wrote:Also anyone have thoughts on Laurel, MD?

I have thoughts and they aren’t good ones. Don’t live in laurel.

Catonsville

Hyattsville is a great option. Lots of 3-bd bungalows, parks, restaurant options. It's really lovely

Anonymous wrote:Also anyone have thoughts on Laurel, MD?

Not a place to be if you’re looking for strong public schools. Unless you’re on the very small Howard County side.

Anonymous wrote:What cities do you recommend looking for in MD with strong public schools, where I could get a home for $500-600k? I’m also open to renting if I have to for decent public schools.

Olney/Sandy Spring. $500-$600K might be a townhouse but you can find older well-maintained SFH’s in the 600s.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your recommendation. Can anyone comment on the quality of schools in Columbia? Is it safe there? Is the suburb getting better,, worse, or the same as it was 15 years ago?


Also to answer an earlier question… I work from home but sometimes go to meetings in DC and Northern VA.

Love it here. Schools are currently undergoing a budget thing as are all counties, so it's beside the point. Schools are all good, some in lower resourced areas than others which inducates lower "scores" but that does not reflect on the school's talent. Very family friendly area, lots to do. Parks, paths, sports, shopping, entertainment.