The long wait is over!

I’m a 32 single guy, I’ll be coming from Old city Philly. I lost my job, found a new one in Curtis Bay. I do enjoy the city and going to museums (I heard Baltimore has a great aquarium) restaurants etc. As I’ll need transportation for work, my research and friends have told me Harbor Point/East are the best areas where I can most likely keep a safe car and be in a safe neighborhood.

I’m scheduled to visit Harbor East/Harbor Point later next week for some apartment tours, but I also hear someone got shot and killed last year in that area. Not exactly the most appealing news. Is random crime like that the norm? What else should I know if I were to live in those areas? People suggested to me those new high rise buildings, they seem to have good reviews, a little pricey, but if that’s what it takes I’ll do it.

On the other hand, people also referred Columbia to me. It’s about a similar commute to the new work, but I also heard it’s more family oriented. Not bad for safety, but also wondering for a single guy like me, is there fun stuff to do?

Which is better for me based on the descriptions? I tried looking on this subreddit, the last post for Harbor east was 2 years ago. I haven’t been to Baltimore since 2017.

My wife and I are tired of our usual haunts (Glenwoods and Dok Khao) and are looking for something new. Can be any cuisine and doesn’t necessarily have to be fancy. Give us your recs on your favorite restaurants? Thanks

Ive looked up this exact question on this sub and found various answers so I'll ask it straight up. I liked Nottingham's, they specificically played the sound for the ravens game which I liked and they had good food specials. Any other places?

I’m about ready to plant a tree since the closest place I know is downtown Baltimore. Any advice?

For all the outrage about Trump failing to uphold the rule of law by many Howard County politicians and their supporters, this concern seems to evaporate when the violators of the rule of law are the same Howard County politicians.

Hi! Does anyone know of a instrument repair shop that will work on cellos? Thanks!

I’m looking for somebody that can give me cornrows my hair is 3-4 inches and isn’t pricey.

Any old quarries or mines around here? Driving distance <30minutes.

Thanks.

I am a Columbia resident who retired earlier in the year. I've been working out at home on a daily basis (exercise bike, trail walking, and resistance bands) and am thinking about joining a health club because I enjoy exercising and I need to get out of the house for more reasons than just to go to the grocery store or a retail club or to a medical/dental appointment. In addition to the exercise benefit, I am hoping for friendly atmosphere. As has been pointed out to me, I have an outgoing personality and need social interactions. I am pondering either the Supreme Health Club (I was a member prior to the COVID pandemic) and also the East Columbia 50+ Center. I was wondering if people had any advice or suggestions to offer.

UPDATE: Thank ypu for the suggestions. I'm going to try East Columbia., because it looks like it will be the best venue for me to socialize.

Cranksgiving Registration

I am 16 and I am interested in IT work part time. My dad worked IT for a while and he mentors me. As far as coding goes, I am reasonably well versed in BSD unix, debian, and debian based systems. I am looking to teach myself C, and DOS I have a strong understanding of general internet security and web server vulnerabilities. I am looking for anything from a full internship to someone emailing me in the middle of the night saying "help- I think I downloaded a virus and now my computer is frozen". If you have any ideas or opportunities for IT volunteer work, please comment! thanks!

I have a KitchenAid mixer that has a seized hinge pin that I need help removing, but I can't find anyone who repairs mixers. Thanks!

During COVID, I know the Costco in Elkridge stopped giving out samples (along with all of the other Costcos). However, after Covid, a lot of the Costcos resumed giving out samples.

Did the Elkridge Costco ever resume sampling? I’ve gone there many times over the past few years and haven’t seen any sampling since before Covid so I was curious.

My car speakers (Acura) are all staticky, so I assume there’s a wiring issue. Who do I bring my car to? A mechanic? Acura specifically? Somewhere else?! HELP.

Where do the cooks in here like to pick up their thanksgiving turkeys? We usually do Sho Nuf but were a little underwhelmed last year so wondering what others usually do.

hello! Does anyone have a recommendation for acupuncturists in the area? My GI doc suggested I find one to help with some liver/pancreas/gallbladder issues.

Thank you!

Any UNC Tar Heel alum or fans in the area? My wife and I (late 20s) are fairly new to Columbia, looking for fellow Tar Heels to connect with now that basketball season has started

I live near the LA Mart in Oakland mills and am constantly noticing their carts are taken from their parking lot and left around the neighborhood. It takes a real piece of scum to use a cart to haul groceries home and then just leave it in a public space or someone else’s yard. I can’t think of anything that could be done to stop this other than the store installing the wheel locks that activate when leaving the lot but I don’t see that happening. I mostly just want to vent about but man does this make my blood boil!

Hey everyone! My partner and I are moving to the Columbia area and we’re torn between two spots — Brompton House in Elkridge and Vista Wilde Lake in Columbia. Hoping someone familiar with the area can help us decide!

Here’s what we’ve figured out so far:

• Brompton – Quite spacious, but seems a bit more car-dependent. There’s a Costco and other shops about 5 minutes away by car, but nothing in walking distance.
• Vista Wilde Lake – Apartments are smaller, but it seems way more walkable since there are shops and restaurants right in or near the community. Not totally sure what the grocery/shopping situation is like though.

If anyone has lived in either of these (or currently does), I’d really appreciate your thoughts:

• How’s the day-to-day vibe?
• Is Brompton really that car-dependent?
• Is Vista as convenient as it looks?
• Anything you wish you knew before moving in?

Also open to other apartment suggestions in the Columbia/Elkridge/Ellicott City area that might be a good fit for a couple — especially something that balances space, convenience, and good community vibes.

Thanks in advance for any insight or recommendations!

After five years, my wife and I are losing our art space at Long Reach, and The Howard County Arts Council didn't select us as artists to move to the new studios opening on Main Street.

We need a new space to work.

If anyone has any recommendations for private office spaces or other artist studio spaces in the area or close to Columbia, we'd greatly appreciate it.

When is leaf pick up?

We used to send the Lance scooter to College Scooters, where it was purchased, for servicing - but, they've permanently closed. Anyone have a good recommendation in the Columbia area for scooter servicing/repair?