EastCoastBride, LillyGrrl, JenniC1135, ITGurl0626 and other Baltimore nesties, GIT YER BUTTS IN HERE

happ17

I need your opinions. We're meeting with a realtor this weekend, and we're looking at potential rental homes.

He sent us like 50 options, and I've narrowed them down to about 20, based on their school district ratings (all have 8, 9 or 10 on greatschools.com). Obviously I need to narrow them down more, but the homes themselves are comparable so I figured I'd see if you guys are familiar with any areas. 

We're looking for a place with a lot of young families, not too much of a college town, but not boring, either. Something with parks and town centers and stuff. Basically, where you'd like to live. Here's where we're looking.

Towson: subdivisions--Thornleigh, Dulaney Towers, Knollwood

Owings Mill-New Town: New Town school district

Lutherville-Timonium: subdivisions--Haverford, Padagonia Complex

Rodgers Forge (This neighborhood looked great, but most of the homes have street parking, which sucks)

Rosedale: subdivision--Castle Stone at White Marsh

Pikesville: sub--Green Spring Manor

Parkville: sub--Seven Courts

Broadview: sub--Greens at Smith

 

Any input would be awesome!! Thanks! 

GinandTonic

I'm Baltimore too, but south of the city, so I'm very little help.  

I think I saw an earlier post of yours - did you rule out Howard County? 

happ17

yeah, we did. Honestly it was a little too sterile/cookie cutter for us.

GinandTonic

Oh, I agree.  I lived in Columbia for a couple of years and that was one of the reasons we didn't buy there.  I still work there though.

 Right now, we live in the Catonsville area.  If you decide to look down here, let me know. 

Starr57

I have some friends who live in Rodgers Forge. We just visited last month and it is REALLY family friendly, not to mention beautiful. The street parking was a little odd to me, but I would live there.

EastCoastBride

I live next to Thornleigh and I really can't say enough about the area.  I love it!  This is actually, technically, Lutherville-Timonium.  It's right off 695/83 which makes it really convienent into the city.  Another reason we love the area. 

Knollwood- it's close to where I grew up.  I think it feeds into the same schools, which are all good. 

Owings Mills- I worked out there and I found it to be kind of sterile too.  At least the new home areas.  And from what I understand, there are some sketchy areas very close by. It's up 795, though, and 795 can be a b1tch during rush hour. 

Rodgers Forge - I grew up there and my parents still live there.  Yes, it's largely street parking, but most of the streets have alleys where a lot of people are able to park.  ANd some houses do having a parking pad/ garage.  (But it eats up your back yard).  It's a nice neighborhood, though, w/ a TON of families. 

Rosedale and Parkville- my personal ideas of the areas are "eh".  The schools aren't as good over that way as they are in the Towson/Lutherville area.  Getting into the city would probably be down 95, and that can get trafficy too.  I mean- ALL routes can be trafficy, clearly, including 83.  But that's a MAJOR corridor. 

Hope this helps!

EastCoastBride

I have to add - I'm now curious where the Thornleigh house is.   PM me the street if you want.  On the house listings, my house actually comes up as Thornleigh, even though it's right "next door".

happ17

EastCoastBride:

I have to add - I'm now curious where the Thornleigh house is.   PM me the street if you want.  On the house listings, my house actually comes up as Thornleigh, even though it's right "next door".

thanks for all the input. this is actually helpful. 

and, YGPM.

ITGurl0626

EastCoastBride:

Owings Mills- I worked out there and I found it to be kind of sterile too.  At least the new home areas.  And from what I understand, there are some sketchy areas very close by. It's up 795, though, and 795 can be a b1tch during rush hour. 

I have to agree with the above.  I live very close to Owings Mills (Pikesville) & I am unimpressed.  Pikesville is a nice area but it has a lot of old neighborhoods, so a lot of the residents are older people.  In my neighborhood DH & I are the youngest couple.  Everyone else has been living in their house for over 40 years.

I also agree with the pp about the Timonium-Lutherville area.  Lots of shopping/dining places, younger families, good schools, & nice houses.