the frog comes north

[rootofnewt]

My brother is moving up to the Baltimore area. He'll be working near Ft. Meade. He's lived in Florida since graduating from college, so he knows nothing about the area. He's trying to figure out where he wants to live and would like pointers/warnings about any of the following areas. Comments about amenities (restaurants, bars within walking distance of residential areas, nearby shopping, distance to beaches on the bay) would probably be appreciated, along with relative cost of living. Anyone up for suggestions? Here are the areas he'd like information about:

Burbs:

Columbia
Elkridge
Severn
Laurel
Catonsville

City:

Canton
Fells Point
Butchers Hill
Federal Hill
Locust Point

Comments

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

If he has kids, he should check the school districts. My sister-in-law lives in Severn, and they decided thay had to put their kids in private school because of problems with the public schools. Now, this may just be her snobbism, but there could be real issues.

I agree that good areas and bad are clearly demarcated there.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

No children. He's a young bachelor and acts like it. I assume the motorcycle(s) will be moving with him.