Insiders' guide to Elkridge

"You can find any house that you want in Elkridge," says Steve Beall, a Realtor for Creig Northrop and the Northrop Team in Clarksville.

"Elkridge has condos, townhouses, some older single-family houses and some newer developments," he says, adding that new homes sell for between $600,000 and $800,000.

However, there are plenty of lower-priced options for first-time homebuyers. Townhouses usually sell for less than $300,000, while single-family houses start around $400,000.

"It's like a little blue-collar town and now it's starting to grow up," Beall says. "It's getting more upscale housing in the area. And it's got the golf course [Timbers at Troy]."

Lyndwood is a popular new development with a variety of house styles. Ryan Homes is building townhouses off U.S. 1.

In Lawyers Hill, "you don't see a lot of resales in there, everybody just kind of stays," says Beall.

The area has a diverse selection of rentals, including apartments, townhouses and single-family houses. Monthly prices range from $1,000 to $2,300, according to Beall.

All of the elementary and middle schools that serve Elkridge continually surpass state proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.

The majority of elementary-age students are served by Elkridge Elementary and Rockburn Elementary. However, a small percentage attend Bellows Spring Elementary and Deep Run Elementary. The middle schools that serve the area are Elkridge Landing Middle, Bonnie Branch Middle and Mayfield Woods Middle.

The high schools that serve the area are Howard High and Long Reach High -- both have an attendance rate above 92 percent and a graduation rate above 91 percent.

On the whole, it's nothing serious. According to Sherry Llewellyn, a Howard County police spokeswoman, there are few violent crimes or home break-ins in the area. "Elkridge is pretty reflective of the county as a whole," says Llewellyn. "Complaints tend to be items stolen from parked cars and property destruction."

Elkridge has a shopping center at the corner of U.S. 1 and Montgomery Road, but the area is also close to Arundel Mills Mall.

There is a Super Fresh off U.S. 1 and Montgomery Road, a Giant Food on Marshalee Drive and a Herr Food on Hanover Road.

Although there are a lot of restaurant options, most are quick and casual. For upscale dining, the Elkridge Furnace Inn offers authentic French cuisine.

There isn't a bustling nightlife scene in Elkridge, but it is close to bars, clubs and restaurants in Historic Ellicott City, Columbia and downtown Baltimore.

Elkridge is home to the public, 18-hole Timbers at Troy Golf Club. It is also near Rockburn Branch Park, which has nature trails and areas for picnicking.