Relocating to Cockeysville area, paint me a picture please! (Baltimore: apartments, rent)

[mspotts35]

Hi, My company is transferring me and I have a choice of the Cockeysville area or the Charlotte, NC area. I have a 9 yr old daughter and a husband who will need to find a job in the environmental remediation/tech field. We've lived in the West our whole lives and are hoping to find a community that we will feel welcome in. We like the rural feel but like to be close to cultural activities and places for educational enrichment. We're Catholic and our daughter goes to Catholic school. We'd rent at first and then plan on buying, income is around $150k. I'll be travelling a lot so I'd like a low crime, secure area. Commuting isn't an issue but it'd be nice to be close to home for a change. We like homey, country/farm activities, arts and crafts fairs, browsing antique and flea markets, the beach/shore, mountains, hiking, biking, natural foods, and snow skiing. We also volunteer in our community.
I really would appreciate any advice. Weather isn't an issue but lots of sunshine would be ideal. We are also a multicultural family.
Thanks in advance.

[medfieldbum]

mspotts---Don't know much about Charlotte, except that is in the "research triangle" of North Carolina, I believe. However, since I live in Baltimore, I know a bit about Cockeysville. Most of Cockeysville itself is very suburban, but if you live further north, you'll be in much more rural areas of Sparks and Monkton and Hereford, which are becoming suburban quickly.
All of the things you are interested in are available in the county area surrounding Cockeysville--except cultural activities, such as the symphony, museums, etc. Many people of different cultures live in Cockeysville, but mostly in apartments.

[jaindow]

The cultural activities can be found in most areas around Baltimore. So if you lived up in the Sparks area or an area near there, you can always find activities if you drive a bit.

Oh by the way, I hear schools up that way are excellent too (referring to the pubic schools, not sure what they have in the way of private Catholic schools in that area).

[Brutally Honest]

Hey, I don't know if you already have moved but I was born in Charlotte, NC and live in Baltimore. 100% you are better off in Charlotte. People are simply more friendlier in the south than up here, and it is cheaper, better weather quality, and definitely a better place to raise kids. I would recommend South Park/Ross Park/Pineville areas for raising a family. This is based on years 1979 to 1999 with occasional visits throughout the 2000's.

Good luck!