Hello. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the viability of commuting to work in Harford County north of Baltimore.

I’m considering a job offer there, but my wife and I had originally planned on moving closer to DC for various reasons. We are considering Columbia as a possible middle ground of sorts. My wife works remotely, but I would have to commute to the Harford County area 4 days a week.

It looks to be about 45 minutes and I’d be going in the opposite direction of most commuter traffic.

Is this a terrible idea? Would traffic be a regular issue?

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Flying-Bulldog t1_itej5lj wrote on October 23, 2022 at 1:11 AM

Traffic is always going to be an issue in the DMV area unfortunately. I would not move further south than Columbia, that being said

Theinimitablejp t1_iteo8dr wrote on October 23, 2022 at 1:53 AM

I do this commute daily. If you can adjust your schedule to avoid rush hour, it’s ideal (I usually leave work in Hartford Co after 6pm). The tunnel(s) is quicker than 695, but daily toll isn’t an option for everyone. In my experience, the commute is closer to an hour.

CaptainJeff t1_itgo8ll wrote on October 23, 2022 at 2:50 PM

Depends on where in HoCo/Columbia and where in Harford County.

695 and 95 are going to be challenging for any commute, especially for this distance. If you have backroads available, you can likely make this work and get a nice scenic, low stress, commute on your books.

Mookiepoo22 OP t1_itgwed3 wrote on October 23, 2022 at 3:48 PM

In Harford County I’ll be .5 mile from 95 off the Belair exit, so on that end I’m probably about as ideal as possible for quick access.

What areas of Columbia would you suggest to not add unnecessary time onto the commute?

We still have a lot of research to do and will be visiting Columbia in person plenty before deciding. But currently I’m not not too familiar with the local map down there.

CaptainJeff t1_itheang wrote on October 23, 2022 at 5:48 PM

That close to 95 and wanting to live in Columbia, you're likely best off on 95 anyway. In which case, a neighborhood with easy access to 95 is ideal. Kings Contrivance is split in the middle by 32, only about two miles from 95, and is a wonderful neighborhood. If you're interested in outside of Columbia, there are a lot of nice places in the Elkridge area, also right off 95.

ssnabberz t1_itt8tac wrote on October 26, 2022 at 3:18 AM

I would recommend a little further north in maybe Ellicott City or even Catonsville. My parents live in HarCo and I do that drive semi frequently. From Columbia (where i am now) it feels like a longer haul than it did from EC or Catonsville