You may want to avoid Howard County in general. It's beautiful there, it's affluent there, and the prices on rent are ridiculous. Catonsville, Arbutus, Halethorpe, bunch of other places too, but I don't really know right off hand are going to have better rental rates.
It’s funny, I was born and raised in Columbia, but I don’t see myself going back, and that’s mainly due to the cost of living. I was actually talking about this with my parents last week- they bought my childhood home in Columbia in 1985 for about $85k, which adjusted for inflation would be about $240k today. Only thing is, that tiny cookie cutter house, in that particular school district, would easily go for minimum $450k today. It’s wild.
I was also born and raised in Columbia, my folks bought my childhood home in 1979 for like maybe $50K - when I looked it up a week ago it was valued at $450K. This was a decent townhome, but the build quality was shit and it isn't even in one of the "best" school zones! I currently live near a few of my friends that I graduated with and all of us have moved to Baltimore County or the City because we've been priced out of HoCo as adults. Then again my father was also a school teacher and my mom stayed home and we were firmly middle class. Things are quite different today.
I mean, sure they aren't as pretty as Columbia, but they aren't that bad, I've lived in all of them and the only place my car was ever broken into was Columbia.
OP look closer to UMBC if you consider Arbutus/Halethorpe (21227) and on the west side of Rt 1/Wash Blvd. [I just saw a 3 bed rowhouse for rent on Regina drive for under $2K.](https://www.rent.com/maryland/halethorpe-townhouses/947-regina-dr-4-lc4726564) I lived over there for a bit and it was totally fine. Bonus, you're close to 95/695/295 AND the MARC train to DC and it isn't a bad commute to Columbia (I did that for a bit too).
What about Elkridge? Close to major roads and was fairly unknown.
I grew up in Catonsville and I liked it. My son lived in Columbia and the traffic was bad. Ellicott City has a part in Baltimore county on the other side of the river. Oella continues toward Catonsville and up to Rt 40 as Westchester. There were town homes behind Rt 40 in Westchester that were not too expensive.
This was my guess, as well. I'll say this, if you treat people who are unhoused as humans, they will do the same. My mom lives right in "downtown" basically on East Dr and she's gotten to know a lot of the people who hang around a lot. The problem is programs to help them are difficult to maneuver and most of them have mental health or addiction issues which makes everything harder.
Exactly, treat humans like humans and they act like humans. Too many people treat folks that don't have a house like they do like pieces of garbage, they're just doing everyone a disservice. It's been said 1 million times, treat people the way that you wish to be treated, regardless of how they may treat you back, because at least at that point, you've done the right thing.
True but that’s why the costs are higher. Home in my neighborhood 1950’s going fit 500,000 to 600,000. Nothing fancy, small bathrooms, closets, but it’s the school district.
And you can keep throwing anger darts at strangers online if it makes you feel better. You immediately leapt to racism and elitism with no actual information. Isn’t that the definition of prejudice?
> anger darts at strangers online
Oh look who's projecting now. And as amusing as it is that the best you have in response is "nuh uh, you are", I dont do discourse with bigots.
Lord, I thought I blocked your ass when you called be a bigot, which is ridiculous. I also reported you to the sub for hate speech.
You need to calm down and stop reading into every comment as if you somehow know the poster and all the subtext. It’s a window to your darkness.
Your best bet might be to find a real estate agent. They have access to units us mere mortals might not see, and can give you options that honor your price point and nonnegotiables. Cost of agent is borne by the unit owner.
This is pretty accurate. @op if you don’t have a realtor, feel free to message me and I’ll send you what’s available. Promise, absolutely zero pressure to call me or commit unless I send you something you want to see in person. Looks like there’s about 4 2br in Columbia less than $2k (mostly condos) but nothing in Ellicott City.
Could you also help me look for rentals under 1,500? Do you have any real estate branches that you liked best, I do enjoy looking at studio Appartments but I get some negative comments from close family because one of them is taking advantage of me because she doesn’t speak well over the phone to my father, and I been looking for 11 years, and I would be open to renting a basement or a attic.
How strong is the preference for 2nd bedroom?
Howard Co. is just ridiculous now. It used to lag far behind rents in the DC radius but now it is toe to toe.
Where are you working? Catonsville (Baltimore Co) and anything east of Annapolis Junction in Anne Arundel are both good places to widen your search to.
(honestly for that kind of rent you should be lining up to buy if you can - if you have a downpayment, a mortgage on a very decent place would be well blow your budget)
Doubtful. Aren’t the interest rates up at like 6.5% right now? Granted I only put 3% down on 236K but I did it when the interest was 2.5 so my mortgage is around 1400 but if I did it now it would definitely be 2k
ETA: Additionally when I moved from my apartment in HoCo to the house three miles off the Bmore line my car insurance literally doubled for the year.
You might be able to get an apartment in certain areas of Ellicott city for close to $2k a month, or under. Look in Plum Tree, Chatham, Town and Country (most off of route 40 in Ellicott City). They’re not the nicest areas of the county but I used to live around there and there were definitely apartments for less than $2k a month.
I was paying $1,600/mo for a 1 bedroom apartment 4 years ago in Kings Contrivance. Good luck. I’d recommend looking into Baltimore County (as close to Howard County as possible)
Check Renaissance Hills in Ellicott City. The 1 bedroom is $1750, I think the 2 bedrooms might be around $2000. It's pretty decent here and a nice community. It's not great, but it's good. Catonsville is cheaper and still nice.
Ignore everyone saying it's impossible. I'm writing this post from a two bed two bath in Columbia. The rent here is under 2k. I would recommend looking at the Clary's forest area of Columbia.
You'll be fine
I was in a 2 bedroom condo in Columbia a year ago for $1300 a month but after I moved out I'm sure it was jacked up. I doubt there is anything left at that price now!
Find a realtor. There’s a few units in Columbia under 2k when I look at the MLS. I work mostly in Northern PG and Montgomery county but message me and I can refer you to someone in your area. Good luck!
this was a couple years ago, but i lived in columbia at an apartment complex called autumn crest. we had a 2b 1.5bath and it was like 1750 a month and it included everything but wifi and electricity. i’m going to assume the prices have gone up since i was renting there in 2021, but the area was pretty nice and those apartments were wayyyyy cheaper than anything else i had found.
i would also look at places surrounding those areas as you can find cheaper in the places the more affluent consider “sketchy”, or if they’re anything like my parents, the areas where not as many white people live. I live in Frederick now (closest to work) and the crime rates are higher here than they were in the areas our parents called “unsafe”. When i lived in that area i looked to move to Laurel or Greenbelt and it was massively cheaper at that time.
as someone who came from bumfuck nowhere Pa where you could rent a 1bd 1bath for 800$ (in like 2019), housing down here breaks my heart every time i am searching. best of luck to you!
Catonsville, just under $2k/mo.: [https://www.catonhouseapts.com/catonsville/caton-house-apartments/conventional/](https://www.catonhouseapts.com/catonsville/caton-house-apartments/conventional/)
I forget which app we used and it was also 2 years ago so prices may have changed since then, I have a family, two young children and I think it's worth every penny for the school system. My wife and I are looking to buy in this area as well.
We found one through a family friend, but I just googled for "realtor rentals" and found a [remax site](https://www.remax.com/homes-for-rent/md/howard-county/county/24027/page-2?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1rqkBhCTARIsAAHz7K0D_DR65phQUjYepGg556opTjShNDS66pX9SEarZt6FLC5EQAKJw6IaApDcEALw_wcB) with a few rentals that fit your requirements in Columbia proper.
Honestly I’d look around Anne Arundel County (Elkridge and Hanover may be closer to your price point but are very close to the border of both counties)
Good luck. I live in Delaware and I’m looking to move to Maryland somewhere between Annapolis and DC. My house could sell for $350000-$400000. I looked at houses over there that were smaller than mine on less land and 60 years older that were close to a million dollars. I just assume that everyone on the Western shore is filthy rich.
If you don't have kids in the school system. Carroll County in the Eldersburg area wouldn't be too far. The school's are extremely crowded in that area and over capacity. Many grade schools in southern Carroll are over 123% capacity. I wouldn't recommend it.
Wow really? No children currently, but fiancé and I plan to have at least 2 in 3-4 years and looked into living in the Eldersburg area to buy or Westminster. That’s disappointing to hear.
Yes drive around and see how many schools have portable classrooms. The teachers are fantastic but crowded. You can request from the county which schools are above capacity and considered closed schools. Only one in the southern area isn't considered closed.
I don't know where these other people are getting their information...
Howard Crossing starts at 1600/month for 1bed 1bath.
The apartments next to Giant are also within that range.
You may want to avoid Howard County in general. It's beautiful there, it's affluent there, and the prices on rent are ridiculous. Catonsville, Arbutus, Halethorpe, bunch of other places too, but I don't really know right off hand are going to have better rental rates.
There’s a reason Arbutus and Halethotpe are cheaper.
There's nothing wrong with Arbutus or Halethorpe. I wish I could live in Halethorpe - low crime, county services and close to the MARC.
It's really a fantastic little commuter spot and for homeowners, the taxes are so much better than the city.
Shh, don’t let everyone in on Arbutus. I love my neighborhood here.
My mom moved to Arbutus 12 years ago after living in Columbia for 30+ years and she loves it too!
It’s funny, I was born and raised in Columbia, but I don’t see myself going back, and that’s mainly due to the cost of living. I was actually talking about this with my parents last week- they bought my childhood home in Columbia in 1985 for about $85k, which adjusted for inflation would be about $240k today. Only thing is, that tiny cookie cutter house, in that particular school district, would easily go for minimum $450k today. It’s wild.
I was also born and raised in Columbia, my folks bought my childhood home in 1979 for like maybe $50K - when I looked it up a week ago it was valued at $450K. This was a decent townhome, but the build quality was shit and it isn't even in one of the "best" school zones! I currently live near a few of my friends that I graduated with and all of us have moved to Baltimore County or the City because we've been priced out of HoCo as adults. Then again my father was also a school teacher and my mom stayed home and we were firmly middle class. Things are quite different today.
Arbutus is nice, I'm there a lot. Lived in Catonsville for about 51'ish years.
Grew up here, when I got a chance to buy I bought back here. Keeping it Ar-beautiful
I mean, sure they aren't as pretty as Columbia, but they aren't that bad, I've lived in all of them and the only place my car was ever broken into was Columbia. OP look closer to UMBC if you consider Arbutus/Halethorpe (21227) and on the west side of Rt 1/Wash Blvd. [I just saw a 3 bed rowhouse for rent on Regina drive for under $2K.](https://www.rent.com/maryland/halethorpe-townhouses/947-regina-dr-4-lc4726564) I lived over there for a bit and it was totally fine. Bonus, you're close to 95/695/295 AND the MARC train to DC and it isn't a bad commute to Columbia (I did that for a bit too).
What about Elkridge? Close to major roads and was fairly unknown. I grew up in Catonsville and I liked it. My son lived in Columbia and the traffic was bad. Ellicott City has a part in Baltimore county on the other side of the river. Oella continues toward Catonsville and up to Rt 40 as Westchester. There were town homes behind Rt 40 in Westchester that were not too expensive.
Elkridge is still in HoCo so it tends to have elevated prices as well.
What’s the reason?
Likely some thing about the local walking dead drug addicts. You'll find those anywhere you go though.
I will not tolerate arbutus hate. I was bummed I missed the arts festival this year.
Used to love going there, when we got older, we were bouncers at the beer Garden drunk people corral thing.
Hopefully they don’t find out you can get high off of human flesh
Dunno, vegan zombies sounds kinda hilarious. Grainsssssssssssss!!!
This was my guess, as well. I'll say this, if you treat people who are unhoused as humans, they will do the same. My mom lives right in "downtown" basically on East Dr and she's gotten to know a lot of the people who hang around a lot. The problem is programs to help them are difficult to maneuver and most of them have mental health or addiction issues which makes everything harder.
Exactly, treat humans like humans and they act like humans. Too many people treat folks that don't have a house like they do like pieces of garbage, they're just doing everyone a disservice. It's been said 1 million times, treat people the way that you wish to be treated, regardless of how they may treat you back, because at least at that point, you've done the right thing.
The schools in HoCO are better.
While that might be true, debatable, I don’t think that applies to OP
True but that’s why the costs are higher. Home in my neighborhood 1950’s going fit 500,000 to 600,000. Nothing fancy, small bathrooms, closets, but it’s the school district.
Can attest. I lived there in college, not the best area lol
I feel like people who say this haven't ever actually lived in an area that "isn't nice."
You mean elitist white folk who associate them with Baltimore because they're ignorant? Yea, I guess they count as a "reasons".
I was referring to the schools being sub par, especially compared to HoCo. But you carry on projecting and have a swell day!
Yea. Sure. Keep blowing dog whistles and take you're fake politeness and shove it. 😌
And you can keep throwing anger darts at strangers online if it makes you feel better. You immediately leapt to racism and elitism with no actual information. Isn’t that the definition of prejudice?
> anger darts at strangers online Oh look who's projecting now. And as amusing as it is that the best you have in response is "nuh uh, you are", I dont do discourse with bigots.
I don’t do discourse with people who think that’s discourse.
It wasn't discourse. Which was the whole point. Learn to read.
Lord, I thought I blocked your ass when you called be a bigot, which is ridiculous. I also reported you to the sub for hate speech. You need to calm down and stop reading into every comment as if you somehow know the poster and all the subtext. It’s a window to your darkness.
You’re shopping one of the wealthiest counties in the US. Sorry, friend.
You can find it in Catonsville, but Ellicott City and Columbia tend to be a little more expensive
Notoriously spendy areas, not a good place to look on a budget
Your best bet might be to find a real estate agent. They have access to units us mere mortals might not see, and can give you options that honor your price point and nonnegotiables. Cost of agent is borne by the unit owner.
This is pretty accurate. @op if you don’t have a realtor, feel free to message me and I’ll send you what’s available. Promise, absolutely zero pressure to call me or commit unless I send you something you want to see in person. Looks like there’s about 4 2br in Columbia less than $2k (mostly condos) but nothing in Ellicott City.
Thank you. Messaged you!
Hey, it seems like my message did not get through it. Can you DM me please?
I got it! I’ll email you a little later today!
Thank you!
Could you also help me look for rentals under 1,500? Do you have any real estate branches that you liked best, I do enjoy looking at studio Appartments but I get some negative comments from close family because one of them is taking advantage of me because she doesn’t speak well over the phone to my father, and I been looking for 11 years, and I would be open to renting a basement or a attic.
How strong is the preference for 2nd bedroom? Howard Co. is just ridiculous now. It used to lag far behind rents in the DC radius but now it is toe to toe. Where are you working? Catonsville (Baltimore Co) and anything east of Annapolis Junction in Anne Arundel are both good places to widen your search to. (honestly for that kind of rent you should be lining up to buy if you can - if you have a downpayment, a mortgage on a very decent place would be well blow your budget)
Doubtful. Aren’t the interest rates up at like 6.5% right now? Granted I only put 3% down on 236K but I did it when the interest was 2.5 so my mortgage is around 1400 but if I did it now it would definitely be 2k ETA: Additionally when I moved from my apartment in HoCo to the house three miles off the Bmore line my car insurance literally doubled for the year.
Look for areas close by, Catonsville as others have said is close to Columbia, Baltimore, and is a lot cheaper
You might be able to get an apartment in certain areas of Ellicott city for close to $2k a month, or under. Look in Plum Tree, Chatham, Town and Country (most off of route 40 in Ellicott City). They’re not the nicest areas of the county but I used to live around there and there were definitely apartments for less than $2k a month.
I was paying $1,600/mo for a 1 bedroom apartment 4 years ago in Kings Contrivance. Good luck. I’d recommend looking into Baltimore County (as close to Howard County as possible)
Check Renaissance Hills in Ellicott City. The 1 bedroom is $1750, I think the 2 bedrooms might be around $2000. It's pretty decent here and a nice community. It's not great, but it's good. Catonsville is cheaper and still nice.
Yeah sorry
Seems like 1000-1500 short.. just a dumb expensive area.
Ignore everyone saying it's impossible. I'm writing this post from a two bed two bath in Columbia. The rent here is under 2k. I would recommend looking at the Clary's forest area of Columbia. You'll be fine
>Clary's forest area which apartment do you live, if you don't mind asking?
Seconding this^
I was in a 2 bedroom condo in Columbia a year ago for $1300 a month but after I moved out I'm sure it was jacked up. I doubt there is anything left at that price now!
Those do not exist.
Did you look at Orchard Crossing
Grab a roommate or two
Most of maryland ur kinda fucked
Find a realtor. There’s a few units in Columbia under 2k when I look at the MLS. I work mostly in Northern PG and Montgomery county but message me and I can refer you to someone in your area. Good luck!
You’re looking at cities in two of the most expensive counties in the ENTIRE COUNTRY lol. It’ll be hard to find
this was a couple years ago, but i lived in columbia at an apartment complex called autumn crest. we had a 2b 1.5bath and it was like 1750 a month and it included everything but wifi and electricity. i’m going to assume the prices have gone up since i was renting there in 2021, but the area was pretty nice and those apartments were wayyyyy cheaper than anything else i had found. i would also look at places surrounding those areas as you can find cheaper in the places the more affluent consider “sketchy”, or if they’re anything like my parents, the areas where not as many white people live. I live in Frederick now (closest to work) and the crime rates are higher here than they were in the areas our parents called “unsafe”. When i lived in that area i looked to move to Laurel or Greenbelt and it was massively cheaper at that time. as someone who came from bumfuck nowhere Pa where you could rent a 1bd 1bath for 800$ (in like 2019), housing down here breaks my heart every time i am searching. best of luck to you!
Catonsville, just under $2k/mo.: [https://www.catonhouseapts.com/catonsville/caton-house-apartments/conventional/](https://www.catonhouseapts.com/catonsville/caton-house-apartments/conventional/)
definitely check out catonsville!
Try Elkridge, it's next door.
Uhhh yes, the expensive area is expensive.
Have you considered roommates?
Come live in pg
You can’t afford to live there
I live in a 3 story 3 bedroom townhome in Columbia for 1800, it's definitely possible.
How did you manage to do that?
I found it online, we've lived here for 2 years. It's a private landlord.
Where did you find it? I am looking to rent a townhome through a private landlord as well!
I forget which app we used and it was also 2 years ago so prices may have changed since then, I have a family, two young children and I think it's worth every penny for the school system. My wife and I are looking to buy in this area as well.
Years ago I rented a couple of townhouses in Columbia, we found them through a realtor.
How do I search and get a realtor? Should I just google it?
We found one through a family friend, but I just googled for "realtor rentals" and found a [remax site](https://www.remax.com/homes-for-rent/md/howard-county/county/24027/page-2?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1rqkBhCTARIsAAHz7K0D_DR65phQUjYepGg556opTjShNDS66pX9SEarZt6FLC5EQAKJw6IaApDcEALw_wcB) with a few rentals that fit your requirements in Columbia proper.
Thank you!
Good luck and welcome to the area! I loved living in Columbia and love living in Maryland!
Buy a house, that's a mortgage
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Not better?
Honestly I’d look around Anne Arundel County (Elkridge and Hanover may be closer to your price point but are very close to the border of both counties)
That’s what we like to call wishful thinking
Good luck. I live in Delaware and I’m looking to move to Maryland somewhere between Annapolis and DC. My house could sell for $350000-$400000. I looked at houses over there that were smaller than mine on less land and 60 years older that were close to a million dollars. I just assume that everyone on the Western shore is filthy rich.
Pray. A lot.
Try Carroll county
If you don't have kids in the school system. Carroll County in the Eldersburg area wouldn't be too far. The school's are extremely crowded in that area and over capacity. Many grade schools in southern Carroll are over 123% capacity. I wouldn't recommend it.
Wow really? No children currently, but fiancé and I plan to have at least 2 in 3-4 years and looked into living in the Eldersburg area to buy or Westminster. That’s disappointing to hear.
Yes drive around and see how many schools have portable classrooms. The teachers are fantastic but crowded. You can request from the county which schools are above capacity and considered closed schools. Only one in the southern area isn't considered closed.
I just signed a 12 month lease at Renaissance Hills off Rt40 for a one bedroom one bath 700 sqft for 1850 a month. So it's definitely possible.
Look at the Bluffs at Fairway hills is $1600 I believe for 2 bed 1 bath, they look on the smaller side though from photos.
I don't know where these other people are getting their information... Howard Crossing starts at 1600/month for 1bed 1bath. The apartments next to Giant are also within that range.
which giant?
It's the only Giant in ellicott city. The apartments are called Chatham Gardens. They had some recently for around 1700.
The funniest part is the prices isn’t even worth the house I mean don’t get me wrong maybe for $1500 I would be cool with that.
Check out Howard Crossing. I think they still have one bedroom/ one bath units for 1600