I need some advice. It is possible that I may be relocating to the Columbia, MD area in the next few months.... depending on some things evolving with my company.

Can you folks offer me any advice on reasonable locations to buy a house? I'd like to spend under $250-$300K and actually have a little bit of property. Nothing crazy, but I'm tired of the "zero-lot-line lifestyle" (I live in South Florida...)

I've been checking out the Laurel, Columbia, Mount Airy areas... perhaps even Annapolis, although it would be a longer drive to the office.

I need any help you folks can offer in the way of area Do's and Don'ts and perhaps even agency recommendations.

Thanks.

 

Hootsama

I don't know Columbia that well but in the price range you are looking at, you are not going to get a lot of property in the Washington suburbs. All the new home are going in on miniscule plots -- 8000 to 9000 sq ft. The new houses -- 4 bedroom colonial --with 1/3 to 1/2 acre start around $400k depending on location. I don't think it's as expensive that in Howard County -- where Columbia is located and you will probably have to restrict your search to used homes. You might have more look if you look towards Baltimore. Annapolis is expensive as well. I just looked at a property in South River -- 4 bedroom colonial with 1/2 acre on a golf course and they were asking $500K. A lot of rich lawyers who work in DC have homes in Annapolis -- like Oliver North's lawyer.

 

I work here in Columbia, but don't live here. It is considered a suburb of Baltimore, not DC. It is expensive however for what you get. You may or may not know that Columbia was the first planned community in the US. There are plenty of Beaver Cleaver names for roads around here like "Rusty Robin Cove Ln". Quaint, yeah, but not my type of place.
You will find that generally, Laurel is cheaper and has its nice areas but as a whole, the area doesn't really float my boat either. College Park is adjacent to Laurel but after living there for 5 years, I ran away screaming. Ellicot City is just down the road, and has several nice developments worth looking into.

Traffic-wise, 695 is a real bitch in the morning. I used to live south of Columbia and could take 95N straight in with hardly any traffic at all. I now live north and traffic is a killer. Beware of 495 as well, worse than 695. Silver Spring is south, and has many places nice places to live (closer to DC)but you may have to deal with 495.

Hope you can make heads or tails of my ramblings.

bill

 

I second the thought of Ellicott City, it's less expensive than Columbia, you get more property, and it's very nice there assuming you stay West of Rt 29. Columbia is one of my least favorite places, because of the "hidden" gas stations, Beaver Cleaver Street names, and the fact that I always seem to get lost when I drive the secondary roads there. Anyway, happy hunting, let us know when you arrive so you can join our next meet!

Steve

 

I've lived in Columbia and currently live in Annapolis. Columbia is a bit too "white bread" and regulated for my taste. Way too many Land Rovers, Excursions, obnoxious yuppies and bratty kids. It is a planned community and the area that falls under the Columbia HOA (most of Columbia) is tightly regulated. By this I mean that the HOA charges outrageous fees (all homeowners not in outparcels), and has approval over such things as landscaping, deck building, and paint color selection. However, if you have kids it has excellent schools (select carefully). When we moved back here 2 years ago, I looked at western Howard County (near I-70 and SR97), and found some new housing on 1 acre at about $270k. Mt Airy is nice but has gotten very crowded. Side note - part of Mt Airy is in Frederick County, and part is in Howard County - Frederick County taxes are lower (a lot lower). If you look outside town you can find some bigger parcels with decent housing in the $250-300k range. Consider Frederick as well, decent schools and affordable housing (by this metro areas' standards). Annapolis is nice but brutally expensive. Great night life if you're younger and party a lot. For housing, small lots, big houses, $400k. There are some nice areas in Millersville, Severn and Severna Park, but again you need to select carefully. Taxes are lower in these areas than they are in Howard County. If you have kids, Annapolis schools are not very good. Good luck.

 

Thank you all so much for the insight. It is really helpful for a complete Maryland foreigner. The info on Columbia jives with what I have heard, which is why I will work there, but choose someplace else to actually live.

 

I sent you an email.