Wow, didn't expect that. Wasn't trying to be an asshole or anything.

Now's a good time to learn that news media makes money from clicks and views without having to do their due diligence in reporting the news.

Lumping Columbia, Towson, and Baltimore probably really affects the results. It's a real contrast between arguably the best and worst schools in the state.

We've liked our experience with Julia Brown, when your child gets to 15 months.

Out of the three you mentioned if you can afford it Goddard is probably the way to go. The Young School was praised until it got acquired by Learning care Group, who I believe also own La Petit. Since the acquisition it has gone downhill, with many employees leaving and the remaining ones losing morale.

I liked touring Children's World [Edit: Manor], both locations in northern Columbia and Ellicott City, but the Columbia one is the only one that does infants, and of the two, I didn't vibe well with the director. I also liked what I heard from Columbia Academy, my spouse may have toured them, I think we went with JB because of cost.

Another Edit: Primrose is also really highly touted.

I went to two last Wednesday - Pratt St Ale House and Kona. Kona was pretty depressing, very dark and empty granted it was 9 PM on a Wednesday in February. My only other time was 6-7 years ago, I had a fond memory of it but perhaps I'm getting old. Pratt St Ale House was okay, a wide range of drinks at a wide range of prices, the food was mediocre.

Just wanted to share my experience. Between those two, Pratt St by a mile, but I'd recommend looking at someone else's recommendations.

I'm guessing the odds that one household took out an ARM during the low interest years will be over their heads in 1-4 years.

It does seem a bit high, but I would suggest turning it down to 60-65 when you leave for work, 68-70 when you go to bed, and 55-60 when you're away for extended periods of time.

If the water heater is accessible, and it's on gas, on extended periods of leave you can turn it down to 'Vacation' mode.

I bought my house last Fall and BGE would not provide the true usage over the past 12 months, just the average utility bill amount.

*Plop*

https://www.hcrpsports.org/adultsoccer

I've liked trattoria e pizzeria da Enrico and Coalfire as a NY style fan. Not as impressed with Tino's.

Was there ever a location that wasn't as rural that surprised you with how little cell reception you get?

It's been years since I've been back but I think Wisp in Deep Creek had bad cell reception even with Verizon. I'm thinking out loud since I'll be in that area next month.

Thank you for your input.

I think it's a case by case basis. I'd pick some Columbia places over EC and vice versa. Some houses will be worth the CA payments, others won't be.

I'm sorry my answer was facetious and unproductive, I wish you luck. Have you tried anything like Meetup or searching if there's some local Facebook group?

I thought "how to play Bridge" doesn't get programmed into our brains until we qualify for Social Security.

Did you try one of these?

To conform to my wife's preferences for suburbia, I wanted Ellicott City and Sykesville. More suburbs without the likelihood of falling into CA territory.

I would have been okay with something more rural with more land like Woodbine and Mt. Airy.

If I had a higher budget, River Hill and Glenelg areas.

Favorite spiedie place?

Any neighborhood of SFH's in Columbia is going to be pretty quiet. The bigger concern is being in the flight path of BWI departures and arrivals, but it hasn't affected our toddler's sleep. Bonus points for neighborhoods tucked a little beyond major roads.

Apologies for the rookie question, where do you get your wood? I've been curious in trying, but in my experience with Lowe's and Home Depot there's not much quality.