Are you looking for a single family home or townhouse? Family friendly or does that not matter? Are you commuting to somewhere outside of Columbia?

All of the neighborhoods have a few things in common--the Columbia Association, extensive walking trails, shops and restaurants are in each village/neighborhood. Some neighborhoods are older than others and some schools get higher GreatSchools ratings (and you will pay more to live in those neighborhoods). Crime is relatively low.

Which is the nicest area for townhouses?

This is not a popular opinion in this sub, but pay attention to the school district and you'll be fine. Also keep in mind that the Howard County Public Schools are building a new High School and have a "proposed" redistricting map carved out already. They're soliciting comment but the current board will ignore any protests or any comments that aren't in favor of their proposal.

https://hcpss-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d0e49d28a24b41f38b15347711c76ce5

If you want the typical "nice," you'll be looking in Ellicott City. Columbia has more socioeconomic diversity and more community benefits.

Easier to guide you with a price range. Low end, small, old townhouses in less desirable areas start around $300k, new luxury townhouses are $700k. You can get very nice garage townhouses in convenient locations for around $500-550k.

The new HS opens in fall of 2023 I thought. Either way, I am grateful to be done with the Hoco School saga.

Downtown Columbia area has some nice town houses with great walkability.

Also, if you want to enjoy the amenities of the Columbia area without the Columbia Association dues, look in EC.

That depends on your budget. Town Center has nice townhomes that are fairly new. They also have more condos. There are some new townhouses that were just built in Kings Contrivance, River Hill is always a nice area if you can afford it.

Wilde Lake and Owen Brown are turning things around but I’d still wait a bit to see if it sticks.

Don't discount this notion. Paying the CA annual assessment (which is like a tax) will set you back about $1,200/year.

If you're budget conscious don't move to Columbia. Look just over the county line in Anne Arundel county. Much cheaper and a trip to Columbia is 10 mins.

Op you haven't given any commute parameters or pricing or whether schools are important.

What's your budget?

Are you worrying about schools?

Do you prefer someplace quiet or nearer to stuff?

Do you want to have access to the trails for running biking or do you not really care?

How much space do you need/want?

This is like saying what's a good place to get food...

The neighborhoods in kings contrivance are very nice and you're right off 32, super quick to 95/295

Bro you’re not wrong I constantly feel like I’m too poor to be living here lol

Personal (and very subjective) favorites:

• Maple Lawn!!
• Shipley's Grant
• Old Frederick Rd around Waverly Woods & Marriottsville Rd

Or simply buy a home in one of the many non-CA neighborhoods in Columbia. Kings Contrivance, for example, has a couple neighborhoods with no CA, despite being very close to the village center. But there’s a lot to like about the CA neighborhoods, such as the bike trails and probably more of a community vibe.

Clarksville also has a couple of great townhouse communities, with lots of walkable restaurants, etc., great schools, and very accessible to Columbia (some parts of Clarksville are under Columbia Association). But like everyone else has said, budget and school considerations are relevant.

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My neck of the woods (pun on the fact that there’s tons of excellent wooded areas in KC)

I lived near the Teeter for 2 years before moving to Colorado, very safe and great walking paths. Plus Corner Stable was walkable and corner stable is GREAT. Miss it lol

Having agonized over where to live in Columbia… there’s a ton of excellent places but wow is it hard to beat KC

If work takes me back to the area, that's definitely where I'd live again. There or Clarksville

I like Clarksville, too, but I like the river more down this way and housing at half the cost.

So we are supposed to be upset that Howard County built a new high school? Isn’t this supposed to be a good thing?

I would say if you care about schools look at Anne Arundel or Carroll. Avoid HOCO.

The entire school system is way over capacity. We elect folks who take bribes from developers. By the time that school opens, it will be at 130% capacity and if your kids are lucky they can spend hours on a bus each day traveling to any random school.

You do you.

My comment was intended to be focused on the process rather than yours or others emotion.

We just went through a redistricting and above anything else, the process was extremely flawed, where many felt that their voices haven't been heard.

Emerson/Wellington Farms is a really nice area in Laurel. Very close to Kings Contrivance. There's townhomes there for 500k to 650k. Newer homes, and relatively newer schools (Murray Hill, Gorman Crossing, and this area may be redistricted to the brand new high school). Definitely a place to consider. There aren't many shops in the immediate neighborhood, but it's close to Route 1, Maple Lawn, and Columbia shops.

Wilde Lake and Hickory Ridge are very nice areas with different types of housing at a wide range of price levels.

If you’re looking for more walkable communities or if being close to cultural amenities and other activities is important to you, check out those villages.