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Tucked between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County boasts a distinct and thriving collection of communities, old and new, stable and growing. In Columbia, one-third of the land is designated as open space. Woods, parkland, bicycle paths, playgrounds and other public spaces are required by covenant to remain undeveloped. Elsewhere in the county, a farmland preservation program designates certain areas for housing and permanently protects others from suburban development. Newcomers to the county should explore the status of the property in which they are interested. Prospective Columbians should also investigate the Columbia Association property assessment; this extra “tax” supports Columbia’s recreation and community facilities.
Here is a look at some of the communities Howard countians call home:
Elkridge
Once a bustling port on the Patapsco River, the Elkridge of today is a growing community laced with antiquity. Historic Main Street, lined with rowhouses and small businesses, exists beside busy commuter routes such as Route 1, the nation’s first highway, and Route 100, which links the area to Glen Burnie and points beyond. Elkridge, with more than 31,000 residents, is the fastest-growing area in Howard County, offering an abundance of housing styles, both affordable
and upscale.
Ellicott City
Today’s seat of county government was founded in 1772 by the Ellicotts, three Quaker brothers from Pennsylvania, as a milling center. Today, it retains the same small-town charm despite intense growth. Historic Main Street offers antiques shops, restaurants and a riverside B&O railroad station and museum. Beyond Ellicott City’s historic heart, residential neighborhoods offering a variety of housing flow from the Patapsco River to the center of the county. Baltimore National Pike is a bustling business district, while open space is filled with golf courses, parkland and such upscale neighborhoods as Farside, The Chase and The Preserve, where home prices frequently surpass the $1 million mark.
Columbia
Begun in 1967 on 21 square miles of farmland, the planned community of Columbia has grown to a town of about 94,000 people in 10 villages. Developer James Rouse’s vision for this “new town” included racial diversity, religious sharing and environmentally conscious development — “a growing place for people.”
Rouse’s plan of building each neighborhood around a village center gives Columbia a small-town feel. But the city also has amenities other small towns can’t match, such as downtown offices, a major shopping mall, extensive recreational facilities and a large concert hall.
Clarksville/Highland
Large, luxurious houses sit alongside farmers’ fields in this section of the county. Growing Clarksville is the site of River Hill, Columbia’s 10th and final village, plus a smattering of
car dealerships, banks, restaurants and shops. Meanwhile, at Highland’s more rural intersection, you’ll find a community market, state-of-the-art post office and a variety of small stores.
Savage
Once a community focused on a textile mill, its sole employer, the Savage we see today and the renovated Savage Mill Shopping Center are an antiques lover’s and artisan’s dream. Still a “small town,” Savage is a tight-knit community with churches, a park, a community hall and the annual Savage Fest bringing residents together.
Western Howard County
The towns of Glenelg, Glenwood, Cooksville, Lisbon and West Friendship were once farming areas where communities were centered around churches, schools and general stores. Today, much of the rolling farmland has been replaced by stately new houses on spacious lots, though more rural areas remain. The western end of the county boasts some of the highest-priced housing in the area. Local amenities include a library, senior center and a regional park with a 50,000 square foot multi-use community center.
North Laurel/Scaggsville/Fulton
Centers of major development, Scaggsville, Fulton and North Laurel are home to police and fire stations, shops, schools and churches. North Laurel, separated from the city of Laurel in Prince George’s County by the Patuxent River, offers close proximity to shops, antiques stores and restaurants, as well as golf courses and the Rocky Gorge Reservoir.
Residents have begun to move into Maple Lawn in Fulton, a 600-acre development that will include 1,100 homes, a community center, pool, tennis courts and 78 acres of parks, paths and open space.
Emerson, a new 570-acre development by The Rouse Co., will have 1,200 new homes when completed. Stone Lake, also a Rouse Co. project on 137 acres, features a 25-acre lake for residents of its town houses and single- family homes.
HOME-SWEET-HOME
The latest trend is housing is the "active adult community" for residents 55 and older. Single-family homes, condos and townhomes with amenities such as lawn services, clubhouses and shuttle service to shopping areas, are increasing in the county. Whether you are seeking an efficiency apartment or a luxurious single-family home, a variety of options are available in the county. There are currently more than 16,700 rental units in the county, and between October 2004 and September 2005, there were 6,927 houses sold. According to the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, the mean price of a condominium in the county is $245,472; the mean price of a town house is $327,308; and the mean price of a single- family house is $544,994.
Although costs in this part of the nation are higher than in many other sections, there is some assistance for those in need. Federally subsidized housing is available through the Columbia Housing Corp. (410-730-9554) and the county (410-313-6318). Renters and buyers are urged to contact local real estate agencies for further information.
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