columbia vs anne arundel vs towson (Baltimore, Dundalk: neighborhood, catholic schools, university)

[AngelaW]

Hi there,
I will be enrolled at the Johns Hopkins school of Public Health soon. I have 2 girls an 8th and 10th grader for next term. My research suggests its better to live away from the Hospital and commute while enrolling them in county schools. I am conflicted between choosing to live in columbia vs towson vs anne arundel. I am not sure about the commute and suitability of the schools. I want to choose the most nurturing envirnment for them. HELP!

[jhrrussell2]

Baltimore County has a good school system and would be closest to Johns Hopkins University. Towson is a very nice area, and has a great public high schools for your 10th grader--Towson High Law & Public Policy is outstanding. There are also many private catholic schools that serve Towson, MD, but tuition can be expensive. For your 8th grader there is Dumbarton Middle School or Ridgely Middle school, which are both also excellent. Commuting anywhere in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area can be a major pain, so I would try to stay in Baltimore County to avoid having a long commute. Also check into Parkville, Dundalk, Essex, and Rosedale, MD (All in Baltimore County and 20- 30 minutes way from Johns Hopkins University)

[Njrover0216]

I live in Anne Arundel County. Jones Elementary school was rated #4 in the state academically. It is located in Severna Park. There was another elementary school here rated 2nd best in the state. If you move to AA Co, I suggest these areas: Southern Pasadena, Severna Park, Arnold, Millersville and Edgewater.

[AngelaW]

Originally Posted by jhrrussell2

Baltimore County has a good school system and would be closest to Johns Hopkins University. Towson is a very nice area, and has a great public high schools for your 10th grader--Towson High Law & Public Policy is outstanding. There are also many private catholic schools that serve Towson, MD, but tuition can be expensive. For your 8th grader there is Dumbarton Middle School or Ridgely Middle school, which are both also excellent. Commuting anywhere in the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area can be a major pain, so I would try to stay in Baltimore County to avoid having a long commute. Also check into Parkville, Dundalk, Essex, and Rosedale, MD (All in Baltimore County and 20- 30 minutes way from Johns Hopkins University)

Thank you so much for your advice, it will go a far way in settling my nerves.
Have a great day

[jhrrussell2]

You're very Welcome. I wish you the best of luck at Johns Hopkins.

[toadmama]

Adding my two cents... I live in Anne Arundel County, but grew up in Baltimore City, so I know it and the surrounding areas pretty well. I also worked in the city and commuted from AA County.

I am not sure which part of Hopkins you'll be located at, but I am assuming it is near the main campus (Monument and Broadway in East Baltimore). You definitely do not want to live anywhere near there. Commute-wise, AA Co to the city is the best bet. Schools in AA Co are varied. I am not sure about Edgewater, but avoid Millersville. Pasadena is okay, but still has a bit of redneck in it.Severna Park, Arnold, Broadneck, and Cape St. Claire would all be good options school-wise. Avoid Millersville... Old Mill High is a good school, but year after year the environment reminds me of the high schools I attended in Baltimore City. You may also want to consider Crofton, Gambriills, the Piney Orchard area in Odenton, and Severn, as long as you're in a part of Severn that doesn't feed into Old Mill High School (OMHS). I am not sure that exists. Crofton, Gambrills and Piney Orchard would offer the quickest commute to and from Baltimore (20-30 minutes). The best route is actually through the Harbor Tunnel (895) and into the city from the east. My hubby does it every day and loves it. Severna Park, Arnold, and Cape St. Claire may add other 15-20 minutes.

As for Towson, it is close and it does have some nice areas, but it's too close to city-life for me. The hood and Towson are slowly but surely starting to overlap. And traffic in and around Towson (pronounced tao-sun, not toe-sun) is a bit much for me, too. Towson into downtown wouldn't be bad, but the drive between Towson and East Baltimore would suck. The beltway is crowded, 83 is usually really heavy, and the city thoroughfares can also get jammed. If there's a problem on 83, gridlock happens, and your 20-minute commute can become 1-2 hours.

Best of luck. Feel free to ask any specific questions.

Toadmama

[30yrvet]

Hi. I saw a couple of mixed opinions on Millersville and hubby is leaning toward that area for us to move from Bowie. The schools that service the neighborhood we are looking at are Severna Park schools (Benfield, Severna Park, Severna Park). Just curious as to why one might say avoid Millersville--is it a school thing or a general dislike of the city. Thanks for your opinions.

[westsideboy]

I always was told the area is pronounced "Tao-sin" not "Tao-sun"

Which is preferred?

[tk123]

Columbia and Ellicott City have great schools, however pricey areas. Catonsville is a very homey area and a short commute, prices reasonable. Stay in west end outside of Beltway, very community oriented.