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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Where to live western AA Co (Crofton, Millersville etc)
DH just got a job at Univ of MD College Park. I am not keen on living in PG county or Montgomery for that matter. I'd like to be within a 40 min drive for him.
We will probably have to rent short term until we can find a house.
Any suggestions on apartment complexes, townhouse communities or even actual neighborhoods? If you have any other area suggestions let me have them!
Thanks!
Re: Where to live western AA Co (Crofton, Millersville etc)
Where do you live right now? Is there a posibility of his commute being 40 minutes from where you live now?
I live in Laurel and commute to College Park. Most of the time, that is a 30 minute drive. On a bad day 45, and on a really bad day, an hour. I know you weren't asking about Laurel, but just giving perspective.
If at all interested in living in College Park/Riverdale, you should ask your DH to ask a benefits person about any compensation/help for living in College Park. I'm not sure if the benefit got cut over the last couple of years, but they used to offer some kind of assistance if you worked at UMD and bought a house in College Park. I know I work with a few people who took that offer.
I'm pretty sure that that benefit is gone. If it exists I haven't heard about it.
I can recommend Arnold since I own a Condo there. But I now live on Kent Island and commute to UMCP. With no traffic it takes me about 30-45 minutes. On a typical day it takes me an hour. But I also carpool, so factor in a stop. So if he doesn't mind driving over the bridge, you can get more house for your money that you would in AA county.
If you have any questions, you can PM me.
How long have you worked at UMCP?
I just was curious. Monday is my 4 year mark.
My Cooking Blog
Ditto Carrie about Crofton--the apt complexes are eh (I might pick the one on 424, I would never live in the Crofton Village apts). There are tons of townhouses and "piggybacks" for rent and I don't think there's one bad townhouse neighborhood.
I'm split on Crofton only because it's too suburban for me. I think for families, it's awesome--super safe, schools are good and close by, lots of people are always out with kids, strollers and dogs, etc. For my tastes I'd just rather have either the walkability of a city or the space of the country. Crofton walkability might get a little easier now that they are building more stuff on rt 3. But that also comes with more traffic.
As far as the commute, I can get to the exits for College Park in 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. It's the traffic getting into campus around 9 am that will extend the commute--but he'll have that no matter where you live.
Like Carrie, we've lived here for over 5 years and had a good experience. Feel free to contact me if you have more specific questions now or later on.
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15
I live in Severn/Hanover and agree with most posters above - Piney orchard is nice in Odenton to rent a place, crofton is great too . Laurel would be a good comprimise and parts of laurel are in Howard County and AA county . There is a community in laurel called russett - big- has SFH , TH and rentals . I have never lived there but it seems nice but I have heard some bad things about the area nearby Maryland CIty .
Anywhere you go there will be good and bad . That being said look around on weeknds and get a feel for the area - if you hubby is willing to do a longer commute - Millersville and severna park is nice just more of a 45- 60 min commute .Also these areas are more expensive and less house for the money
If you post any of your specific interests - ie walkability , kids , schools everyone could give more specific info .
GL
We're in Owings Mills. It's 45 min midday with no traffic, with traffic it's going to be at least an hour and a half.
I think we're both kind of OK with buying in CP, particularly University Park but our families are thinking we're nuts. I noticed on a few houses that they mentioned a tax credit so I'll check that out.
And to answer your second post, he's going to be an e-mail administrator/ IT dude. He's super excited to get back to working with a University and I'm excited to leave my current temp position!
And thanks everyone for your responses! We're just starting to search and it's overwhelming. I grew up in Southern AA county so I know how the general areas are but neighborhood suggestions are great. We just want somewhere with decent schools and not a ton of traffic. We're not concerned with being able to walk places or schools just yet since LO isn't even a year old. I'm not set on AA county and we can definitely be swayed, those were just the first areas that came to mind.
A few of you mentioned Laurel- are there some areas that you'd specifically recommend? My grandparents are in Beltsville and i was under the impression most of that area had gone south. I saw they were doing a lot of new construction and redoing a lot of the area around Cherry lane and the mall but I don't know particulars. I'd definitely be for that though if there are decent areas. The closer the better for us, I just want somewhere partially decent. I mean, we live in Owings Mills so somewhere with a similar makeup is fine.
It's been years since I've been in that part of Laurel, but personally, I'd stay away from the PG county portions. DH used to live in Russett when he first moved out here, but as PP talked about there are shady area's of Maryland City which is right down the road. I have an aunt and uncle that live in Silver Spring (might be considered University Park), off of 29 and love it.
A PP mentioned Russett in Laurel - AA County side. It is a good neighborhood, I lived there for 8 years in a condo. I loved the location, but we moved because of the schools. it would be a good option for a few years before your child attends school. The lcoation is perfect, right next to the BW Pkwy and it is 30 minutes from Baltimore & DC.
You mentioned University Park. My sister-inlaw lives there in a very nice home. It truly is a beautiful neighborhood. They did send their children to private schools, which could be an option. Your DH would be close to work, which IMHO is primo...I can't stand commuting.
Private school is not an issue and we have a few years. I like the idea of him being so close and having the rental ability later on. The houses there are gorgeous, old, exactly what we like. it's jut that my family thinks we'll be shot down walking across the street (I lived in Hyattsville until I was 10 and I don't think they can seperate the two areas). This is so overwhelming!
They have lived in UP for nearly 15 years and haven't had any problems...they have 4 children. Her husband is builder, so he built their home and his mother's home. They live on Wells Pkwy, she lives on Hunter. We walk around there all of the time and never have had an issue. Beautiful area!
~ Kelsey Jean ~
Cooking with Crouton: A Food Blog
Oh, for the record, I lived for six months in Crofton Village while we were house-hunting. It was "meh," though we ended up moving to a townhome right across the street. It was fine for short-term, but kind of expensive -- $1105 for a one bedroom + den. Unfortunately, Kensington Park is even more expensive ($1300 for a one bedroom, which you can rent a townhome for)
~ Kelsey Jean ~
Cooking with Crouton: A Food Blog
Thanks everyone for your responses! I genuinely appreciate it!
Over the weekend a family friend let out that he has a townhouse in Laurel he's renting out. It's in the Howard County section. We're going to look at it in a few weeks and if it works out that's where will be. If not, I have a ton of great suggestions from you all.
Thanks again!