Columbia

Columbia, MD turns 50 next year, and it’s never looked better. One of the most successful planned communities in the country, Columbia is a magnet in the Baltimore–Washington corridor, attracting families in search of good schools and businesses hungry for educated employees.

A planned community—where covenants limit everything from new construction to the color you can paint your home—isn’t for everyone. But Columbia is clearly thriving. It ranks in the top 5% of the 823 places on this year’s list for job growth and economic opportunity. The schools are among the state’s best. And in this pricey corner of the country, Columbia’s median home price is just over $300,000, 11% less than in Gaithersburg, one county over.

Columbia, Maryland’s new downtown is alive with activity. You’ll find new shops and eateries, an expanded Lakefront experience, and new paths and walkways that tie it all together. And that’s just the beginning. New construction is a sign of things to come as Downtown Columbia transforms into a special place to live and work, or to visit with friends and family.