Cher's answer has given you great locations to get information about HC but why do you want to move here? Most people move to HC for the schools.... which are all good. But the best way to check out HC is on a weekend drive through the area. Go on line and pick some homes to do a drive by for. If you have kids, stop at the many play grounds and let them play while you talk to the locals. If you are using a web site that does not give you address call me and I will send you the listing with that information. I have lived in the area all my life, watched Columbia grow and raised my sons here. HC is a great place to call home!

Mary Habicht
Long and Foster Ellicott City
410-461-6677 home office
410-418-8106 L &F office

Thank you very much Cher!

Hello Fur.elise, Habib is correct, it is against Federal law for a Realtor to "steer" anyone into or away from any neighborhood. There are things you can check out though to see which best meets your needs. Make a list of your wants and then you can go through the web looking for them in those communities. Public websites that are also helpful follow:

Howard County Government: http://www.co.ho.md.us/PortalServices/HCG_Portal_ServicesRes…
Police Crime Statistics: http://www.co.ho.md.us/Police/pd_crimestats.htm
Recreation and Parks: http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_HomePage.htm
School locator by street: http://public.hcpss.org/sl/
School test results: http://www.hcpss.org/academics/testscores.shtml

You can copy these and paste in your browser. If you need help buying a house in any Howard County neighborhood I would be happy to help! Good luck!
Cher Varnum-Glenn
ZipRealty 410-913-1477

Oops .... sorry. Didn't mean to break any laws :)
Just want to get some basic idea which neighborhood is more kid-friendly.
Thanks anyway!

Federal Fair Housing laws prohibit real estate agents from answering this question.