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[practicalidealist]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I were lucky in that one of us was able to get a position in Baltimore, and the other in Silver Springs, Maryland. We're looking for a nice place to settle down somewhere between the two. We don't have kids--although are hoping to at some point. I've read some great things about Columbia, Fulton, and Clarksville, and they seem to be somewhat in the middle.

Do any of you have experience or inside knowledge of any of these places? Or do you have any other suggestions? We are progressive types, and looking for a place where we may be able to build community. The only other thing I would note is that my partner, who will be based in Silver Spring, is hoping to commute by bus or train. Howard County does seem to have a few bus commuter lines--and driving to a train station seems possible--but is this doable long term?

Thanks so much in advance for sharing any thoughts and ideas.

[bluezebracat]

The doability of this commute is going to depend on where in Howard county (very safe, very boring) you choose to live.  And it will be a driving commute.  Have you thought about living in Silver Spring and having one person commute to Baltimore? (It would be cheaper the other way around, but Silver Spring is more similar to H. C.)

[practicalidealist]

Thanks so much bluezebracat for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. Settling in Silver Spring would definitely be one approach. I just fear that the daily commute to Baltimore would drive me crazy (even though I know it's going against traffic).

Is Columbia really that boring? I had the impression that in some ways it was a small city with quite a bit going on. Is this not really the case?

Which places in Howard County were you referring to when you noted that the commute could be doable?

Thanks so much.

[idspike]

I grew up in that part of Maryland, although it's gotten very built up since I lived there so traffic is worse.  I think a lot of people settle in the Columbia / Ellicott City area because you can commute either to Balto (I usually took I-70, but you can also take 95 / 295 if you like insane traffic) or to the DC area (29 to Silver Spring). 

If you go out towards Clarksville, you will be closer to Silver Spring but will still have pretty good access to I-70.  If you go farther, to the Ashton/Olney area, there are buses directly to Silver Spring down New Hampshire Ave.  It still leaves you driving to Balto -- back in the day, it took me ~45 minutes to get from Ashton up to school in the Owings Mills area (note I was not going into the city, just around it on the NW Beltway).  From Columbia it would have been ~35 minutes.  I think Montgomery County is more expensive, tax-wise, than Howard, although neither is exactly cheap.

It depends what you consider boring -- it's not like living right in the middle of a big city, but Columbia has things going on and it's fairly diverse.  Anyway, you can get to both Baltimore and Washington, so you have access to all sorts of culture.  I liked living in that area. 

[practicalidealist]

Thanks so much Idspike. It's helpful to hear your thoughts - both in terms of locations and driving routes. I didn't even think of Ashton, and I'll check this out as well. Thank you!

[nanoputian]

You may want to sit down and make a list of priorities: public transport, cost of living, overally commuting time, etc. I don't know that there is an area that will meet all of your needs, but you might be able to find something that works for most of them.

For progressive, community-oriented towns, I'd check out Takoma Park, Kensington, and Greenbelt, although neither one fits perfectly with your commuting scheme. I'd agree with bluezebracat that Columbia is a nice place to live, but very suburban and "boring" compared with some other areas. Olney is great but very expensive and there is not much in the way of public transit. I don't have any first-hand experience with Clarksville, although my general impression is that it is similar to Columbia without the planned community "hide 7-11 behind big grassy hills" mentality. 

Are you looking to buy or rent? That also will make a difference. Some towns have very limited rental options.

[fiona]

Also take into account that you're not going to have much time for entertainment, with new jobs and getting to know a new area.

Whether someplace is "boring" may not matter if you're spending all your time teaching, publishing, and commuting.

You could try renting anywhere, and seeing how it goes, and deciding to buy--if you do--later, when you're sure of your priorities.

The Fiona

[practicalidealist]

Thanks Nanoputian and Fiona,

We checked out the area this weekend, and just filled out an application for an apartment in Columbia! We are hoping it works out.

Our thoughts are to rent for the next year or so and use this time to get a better feel of the area. 
I think you're right Fiona, that we will likely be very busy, and that entertainment may not end up being such a big issue. We will see.

I so appreciate all of your suggestions.

[questions]

Is where you need to go in Baltimore on the MARC train? That would be, for me, much more appealing than driving. Silver Spring is a bit unfortunate because the trains from there don't go to Baltimore. One possibility would be College Park/Greenbelt/Beltsville/Laural, with a drive to the Metro and taking the train to silver spring. The drive to Silver Spring on 29 wouldn't be too bad, either, depending on where.
I wouldn't really call Silver Spring to Baltimore a reverse commute--yes the traffic moves, but not anywhere near as fast as you want it to.

[nanoputian]

Glad that you found something! Your plan makes a lot of sense, and hopefully you will find that Columbia is a good fit and you won't need to relocate in a year. Good luck with the move!

[practicalidealist]

Thanks Nanonputian. Indeed! :)
And thanks Questions. I agree with you that that the train would be more appealing than driving to Baltimore, but unfortunately, where I need to go isn't on the MARC train.

All of your thoughts have been really helpful as we think through our longer term plan - so thank you!

[nanoputian]

Do I get bonus points if my post is plagerized...twice?

[yellowtractor]

Do I get bonus points if my post is plagerized...twice?

Yes!  But you lose them, and more, for misspelling "plagiarized."

[voxprincipalis]

Do I get bonus points if my post is plagerized...twice?

Yes!  But you lose them, and more, for misspelling "plagiarized."

Oh, I didn't notice those were plagiarized from you, since I wasn't really reading this thread. Hang on, those will be gone in a minute. She pushes coupons.

VP

[yellowtractor]

Do I get bonus points if my post is plagerized...twice?

Yes!  But you lose them, and more, for misspelling "plagiarized."

Oh, I didn't notice those were plagiarized from you, since I wasn't really reading this thread. Hang on, those will be gone in a minute. She pushes coupons.

VP

In an alternate universe, she gave her life to provide you with a replacement spleen.  But that is, quite literally, another story.

(ducks & runs)