Reasons to Buy a House in Columbia, MD

Columbia, MD is a quiet suburb, in Howard county, tucked away between Baltimore and Washington D.C that is divided into 8 village centers each with a shopping center and a community center. It has recently had a surge in home purchases due to all the amenities that it offers.

Outdoor enthusiasts can jog down the numerous tree-lined trails or around one of the five lakes maintained by the Columbia Association. They can also opt to roller blade or bike. Occasionally you will sight a fox, deer, a chipmunk, squirrels, groundhogs, or musk rats. All Columbia Association members can be members of the gyms which offer ice and roller skating, a batting cage, skate board at the skatepark, access to 3 gyms, 23 outdoor pools, 2 tennis courts, more than 2 indoor pools, and 2 golf clubs. If you prefer live entertainment, then you can visit the Merriweather Post Pavilion, go to any one of the village centers and catch a free summer concert, or take in a concert at the park while you barbeque or picnic. The Columbia Festival of the Arts and the Capital Jazz Festival have gotten national and international acclaim and attract some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment. The bonus is that most of the activities are free to Columbia residents. Toby’s Dinner Theater offers dinner and theater at a very affordable price, with something for everyone.

Columbia’s schools have consistently outperformed Howard county public schools (which outperform Maryland public schools) in the national assessment exams. The Howard county autism program is one of the strongest in the state with a great immersion program that allows the children to interact with other children in the regular public school system. The Howard County Chapter of the Autism Society of America works closely with the public schools to ensure that the programs are adequate for their special needs. They also serve as a great support group, offering fun family activities for its members.
There is also a large variety of restaurants, numerous family activities, and great shopping opportunities in Columbia.

Sperlings Best Places notes that Columbia’s average household income is $79, 141 and the median house cost is $389,700. The commute to D.C. and Baltimore is relatively easy (if you don’t take the hightway) and you get more house for the money. There are 518.3 physicians per 100,000 population and the population is a multicultural mix.

Columbia has a lot to offer families. Come visit, come stay…yes, I sound like a commercial but it really is great!