1. We've lived in Columbia for 8 years and purposefully chose it because of it's diversity. We are a multiracial family and wanted to raise our kids in diverse place. It's extremely kid/family friendly.
2. Regardless of what people say, Columbia is safe and a great place to live. That being said, the area around the mall may be less family friendly.
3. School system is excellent. One of the best in the country.
4. My company is based in Rockville and I work from home. I would not want to commute there.
5. The Columbia Association

1. Columbia was designed specifically for families, to the point that it primarily caters to households with children. It has one of the top public school systems, miles of walking/biking trails with numerous tot lots/playgrounds, tons of parks, and various programs for youth.
2. (Whether correct or not...) Positive outsider views of Columbia include good neighborhoods, low crime/high safety, highly diverse and inclusive, good job opportunities, and good schools. Negative outsider views might include high cost-of-living, classist (caters to the wealthy), nepotism in government and quasi-government authorities, and too many HOAs.
3. The "worst" spots of Columbia are usually specific communities rather than whole areas, and even then they still rate lower in crime and safety concerns than state or averages. There are a lot of naysayers pining for an illusionary past when Columbia was safer, but fact remains the per capita rate has been declining since the '80s and '90s.
   1. The "worst" zip code in Columbia is 21046, which is essentially the southern and southeast portions of the city. Even then, most of the neighborhoods are fine, and the overall crime is 44% below the national average, with violent crimes 51% less and property crime 18% less (most of which is because of problems with theft).
4. As mentioned, Howard County has one of the top public school systems, with the majority of the county budget dedicated to education. Although many of the top schools in the state are here, there will be some that aren't as good as others. Even then, usually the "worst" schools are comparable to the average schools in nearby counties. The main issue with schools is overcrowding, particularly in Columbia, which they're trying to fix with building a new school and further redistricting. Still, many people move to the county specifically to have their kids graduate from Howard County schools.
5. If you're commuting to Rockville, you'll want to get an EZPass and use the ICC (toll road). It will easily shave 15 minutes off your drive (one-way) but even then, you'll have to prepare for traffic. Estimates are 30-45 minutes to Rockville using the ICC, so you have to prepare for the higher number.
6. Be prepared if you're not used to living in a major city. Although unincorporated, and technically a suburb, Columbia has over 100,000 people (and that's not including the adjacent towns). Many people complaining about traffic, crime, noise, etc. never lived anywhere but quiet towns; in contrast, those coming from big cities, more urban counties, or truly rough towns see Columbia as a paradise. It depends on what you're used to and what your expectations for "nice" are.
7. I find the town's classist elements very off-putting. Local politics are rife with the "liberal elite" and "champagne socialists" who pat themselves on the back for promoting progressive ideals, but then never provide support for the many families who make less than six figures. Worse, some of these same people who proclaim to support diversity and inclusion then support county laws or local movements that hinder actual change and assistance. There's a lot of hypocrisy from those who talk a lot but do little, and you'll even find these NIMBYs using the same dog whistles as bigots and nationalists, all in the name of ensuring their property values remain high.

I commute to Rockville every day but my shift is on the earlier side. Takes about 35 both ways, not as terrible as people are saying on my experience

1. Yes. In fact, one of the best places to raise a family in the country.

2. It really depends on who you ask. If you ask people from outside of Howard County, they will probably say “rich,” “expensive,” and “bougie.” People from the most expensive enclaves within Howard County where nearly every house is a $900k+ McMansion might call Columbia “sketchy,” and that’s only because people in Howard County are extremely sheltered from blighted areas, as the county doesn’t have any areas like that. One time someone told me that Elkridge is Howard County’s version of Glen Burnie, which is a ridiculous statement when the median household income in Elkridge is well above $100k, the poverty rate in Glen Burnie is much much higher, and the economic activity is much lower.

So, long story short, because Howard County is highly affluent and has little poverty compared to other areas, even upper-middle-class towns get called “sketchy” on the occasion cause the residents don’t know what true poverty and blight looks like. Columbia is a thriving upper-middle-class area with good socio-economic diversity. Columbia is the type of place where you can have a $700k single family home right next to a row of townhomes or apartments. Take a drive through Phelps Luck, and you’ll see large brand new $1M+ McMansions on Arnolds Ct, older but cute $600k colonials on matured streets, townhomes, and apartments all on the same street.

3. No, not really.

4. The school system Columbia belongs to (Howard County Public Schools) is one of the best in the entire country, and (along with Montgomery County Public Schools) is the best school system in all of Maryland. The biggest reason families move to Columbia and the rest of Howard County is for their public schools.

5. It is, but I would add an extra ten to fifteen minutes on that commute due to traffic during rush hour. However, there are other areas in Howard County that could provide a shorter commute to Rockville which you should also consider—such as Laurel, Fulton, Maple Lawn, Clarksville, and Glenwood.

6. I don’t live in Columbia, but I’m in the area often and know a lot about it. From what I hear among residents of Columbia, the Columbia Association (which maintains the numerous parks and recreation spaces Columbia has to offer) can be pretty hefty in price. Another common complaint is that there’s bad traffic in the area.

I commute to Rockville, only once a week. It’s 40 minutes each way. Mall area to Shady Grove & 270.

1. Yes but do is many places in Montgomery Co.
2. Diversity and good schools.
3. No because each village has its problem areas.
4. Schools are great compared to others areas but Montgomery county also has great schools.
5. No, I would not commute to MontyCounty because the traffic and time spent commuting can be long.
6. Find a place in Montgomery County to live. One accident can have you on the road for hours.
7. Living in Maryland is very expensive. If the place is reasonably priced it’s probably not a good place or they are older communities.

I am a 4th generation Columbian and while I love it here, I also see changes that are not good. It’s becoming a small and crowded city. New homes and apartments are popping up everywhere. No real place for teenagers to go so they hang out everywhere. Check the schools based on where you are moving, they are not all great.

I was raised here and born at the local hospital, as well as my children. My wife and I made the decision to move back in this area specifically for the school system. If you have any questions feel free to dm me too.

1. Definitely a good place to raise kids, but it's definitely car heavy to get to places for kids/teens. Regardless of where you live all that will be around will be the numerous trails and walking spots, but if you want to go to the mall, Centennial, any of the farms, bowling, etc you'd need to drive there to get there. Scouts? Driving. Horseback riding? Driving. You'll be able to find pretty much any activity and/or sport, but there is no guarantee that they'll be remotely next to each other in Howard County.

2. Columbia is known as one of the bluest spots in MD, and also known for Merriweather, which hosts pretty big artists as a small venue. The Lumineers, blink 182, OAR, Kenny Chesney, Weezer, Metallica, Pearl Jam, etc have performed there and is a big place to go for a small venue concert. Columbia is also known as the city pretty much in the middle of Baltimore and DC, and for being nice.

3. Not really areas to avoid per se but definitely parts exist like all cities that aren't as nice at certain times of day. Wilde Lake (as the actual lake) is asking for trouble at night. Some gas stations as well (Long Reach village center) are sketchy. However I've never felt unsafe in those areas in fearing for my life, and I'm a minority.

4. School system is arguably the reason why house pricing is so high in this area. K-12 are some of the best in the state and the high schools can compete against the best in the nation and the "best" for the high schools are considered some of the best in the country. Even the "worst" schools are still really, really good educationally (Wilde Lake has been this school historically, iirc.)

5. Rockville is dependent on how close you are to 95 and which part of Columbia you're in, and if you're willing to pay tolls down if that works for your area of work. You will 100% hit traffic down and up if you work a typical work schedule 9-5. Expect that drive to be 45 min to an hour on a bad day or with rain.

6. Are you ok with living in a liberal area? Are you also ok with having to drive everywhere to do most things? Does the cost of living in Columbia warrant the location for you? There are a ton of adult clubs and activities that exist, and same for kids.

7. As a kid I hated being able to only play outside at the park/with friends, and that's pretty much it. I was at the whims of my parents to take me to the library (which btw is a great resource for not only books, but they have an up to date DVD collection as well), mall, lake or bowling alley. That's really the only places to go in Columbia to do as a kid.

1. Yes, very. It’s an extremely wholesome and family friendly place to live.

2. People don’t necessarily have strong opinions about Columbia.

3. No, it’s the safest city in America for the Seventh year in a row.

4. Columbia itself actually doesn’t have a school system. That’s because it doesn’t have a city government. Howard county is the body that serves Columbia with Police, fire and rescue, utilities, and schools. That being said, the schools are all very good. Some are better than others. You’ll probably notice that RHHS or “River Hill High School” is highly rated, but I’ve gone there, and it’s garbage. Take my word for it. All the other schools are pretty good though.

5. It’ll take from 45 min. to an hour

6. Columbia is a very tightly knit community, so try getting to know your neighbors. Also, get a Columbia association membership. The Columbia association is a private organization that operates inside Columbia. They own pools, parks, gyms, etc. A membership will give you access to all of those things year round (including pools).

7. Some people can be entitled and/or pretentious.

I just moved from State College to Columbia! Welcome!

Since everybody's written such thoughtful responses, i

I like Columbia, but probably dislike driving more than most, and I wouldn't want to do the commute from Columbia to Rockville. That's almost 7 hours per week of your life spent in a car. 300 hours per year wasted! An extra 17% longer work day, for no pay.. No thanks.

If I had to do it all over again, I would never pick Howard County. Schools are bursting at the seams. Do your own research outside of social media to get facts, not feelings. High school 13 is being built and there will be a huge redistricting (although many will deny this or try to down play it).

We have a CE who is funded by developers and they are throwing homes up on every square inch without the infrastructure to support it. He was just re-elected, sadly.

Traffic and congestion is terrible. That commute to work will be at least an hour. Each way.

Crime is also high in certain areas (the fake 'safest city' survey is funded by developers and top criteria is percentage vaccinated and probability of natural disaster.

It is very diverse and the parks are nice but so many other negatives. Please do your own research.

1. Depends. Very expensive, high cost of living, politicized schools.

2. Community was better but getting worse with time. Similar to laurel

3. Avoid the area around the mall.

4. See above, politicized

5. Rockville is probably a 45 min commute with rush hour

6.People aren’t nearly as friendly as they are in central PA. Stores barely have employees. Lack of culture

7. Overpriced for no reason. Bad food options. Trending downwards