I love living in Columbia and would easily recommend it. So much is convenient because the area has been thoughtfully developed. Columbia Association maintains TONS of open space. Columbia is family friendly, diverse, and often recognized as a great place to live. I'd say it's a great place to raise children.

Others have commented about the CA fees in Columbia. Not all Columbia addresses pay this fee (we call those out parcels). Some addresses in Ellicott City do in fact pay this fee. I find the fee to be reasonable and have it escrowed with my mortgage. If you are going to rent rather than own, this fee won't mean much/anything to you.