Moving to Baltimore...Any advice?

Question

My husband and I are moving from Chicago to Baltimore in the next few months. I plan to live in a suburb in between Baltimore city and Washington DC. I have a 4 year old and need to be near a good school system,and safe(r) area as well. Any advice would be appreciated.
Serious answers please. I don't have the option to move anywhere else.

Answer 1

It seems to me that you say you are moving to Baltimore because someone's career has will be relocating you here right? If that is the case my suggestion would be to consider staying closer to Baltimore, noting that the further down towards DC you get, the more expensive housing becomes. There are a lot of people moving further and further out of DC because there's more affordable living closer to Baltimore, and up north of DC towards Frederick, MD.

Also note that Baltimore itself is only about 50 miles away from DC. From where I live, it took my brother and I about 45-50 minutes to get to the DC metro station in Colesville, MD. From there once we boarded the subway train it took about 15 minutes to get to the heart of downtown for a rock concert (Red Hot Chili Peppers) this past January at the Verizon center.

Mind you where did travel against the flow of rush-hour with people going the other way leaving DC after a day of work, but none-the-less there's an example of how easy it is to get to DC for a leasurly visit.

I don't think you have to worry too much about safer areas around Baltimore. Most of the suburbs are pretty safe and you don't hear about much violent crime going in most of Baltimore county, or the other counties that make up the metro area (Anne Arundel, Carrol, Harford, and Howard).

That being said, areas around Baltimore you may want to avoid are Brooklyn, and maybe Woodlawn as well. Woodlawn is an all right place to visit, it probably isn't a bad area especially since it's where Social Security is located, however it doesn't look to me like a place I'd want to live in.

Brooklyn is all right if you want to take the light rail heading downtown, there is always a police officer present, and generally most people will leave you alone.

If I where you I'd consider Ann Arundel County, or places like Ellicot City (Howard County though remember that's getting closer towards DC). I would also Baltimore county itself (aside from Woodlawn or Brooklyn). My suggestion to you would be look up info at schools in those areas and see what people are saying about them.

Answer 2

Everything everyone's said so far has been true and accurate: Montgomery and Howard Counties are very nice with good schools, but pricy and lots of traffic. Definitely stay away from PG County.

But since you mentioned proximity to Baltimore, you may want to look into Ann Arundel County, too. It's on the South side of Baltimore, which gives you easy access to I-95 (to DC and Philly) as well as Annapolis (via I-97). There are plenty of developments going up, but there are also some relatively rural areas, too. The county is also home to BWI Airport & a HUGE Mall (Arundel Mills... literally 1/2 mile long).

Finally, you seem set on Living on the DC side of Baltimore, but in the event that you can't find something that suits you, look into the North and Northeast sides of the Baltimore. Traffic gets a little thick during the rush hours, but the public high schools - Perry Hall, Dulaney Valley and Lock Raven, are the best in the area (Dulaney is in the top 100 public high schools in the nation - US News and World Report)

Answer 3

Anne Arundel county is nice and halfway between the 2 cities. BMore and DC are only like 38 miles apart. AA has great schools and a good tax rate. If you are wealthy Montgomery County is a great place. Prince Georges County boarders DC (as does Montgomery) but PG has crime issues that make it worthwhile to be look elsewhere.
Howard County is also a nice choice. Its a bit to the west but its a short trip to everywhere, plus its got awesome schools
It's a beautiful state you will love it here.

PS OH!! Ellicott City!! Wonderful place!!

Answer 4

Columbia in Howard County is a great town with housing which incorporates everything from condo units to detached dwellings. It has good schools and great shopping and is only about 15 to 20 minutes from Baltimore. Closer in, there's Towson. It also has the amenities you'd like. The city can be pretty rough, and Prince Georges County has a terrible reputation for violent crime and low school performance. We're appraisers, so we keep up with the statistics. I'd choose Columbia. Try Realtor.com and see what you think.

Answer 5

I would recommend Ellicott City or Columbia, Maryland in Howard County. Nice residential areas. Montgomery County has some of the best schools in the country, but is expensive.

Answer 6

I Live in Columbia currently. can't answer for schools, but I just had a doe and two fawns in my back yard this afternoon.. and I am a mile from the Columbia Mall. That gives you an idea of what it is like here.

I agree, stay away from PG county. Depending on exactly where you will be working will depend on the commute too, and it sucks all the time.

Answer 7

Try Anne Arundel County. Arnold is probably the most sought after area for families. Severna Park is nice, as is St. Margarets. Anne Arundel is closer to Baltimore than it is to D.C. and it's very close to Annapolis. It's south-east of Baltimore and east of D.C.

Answer 8

Avoid Prince Georges County like the plague. Montgomery and Howard Counties are much better but more expensive.

Answer 9

Ignore the pleas not to live in Prince George's County (PG). These people have never been to Bowie, Upper Marlboro, or Mitchellville, which are all really nice areas.

Answer 10

Montgomery County, near DC has good schools. I believe Columbia Maryland might be another good area for you - they have good schools, nice family place to live.