If you really want to feel like a local, you need to know about the hotspots, best restaurants, school districts, and economic factors associated with the place. In Howard County, you will find that you are now living in one of the most affluent counties in Maryland with an extremely high quality of life and exceptional schools. You will certainly want to make sure you know that Howard County’s nickname is “HoCo” and that your new home’s history dates back to the American Revolution.
Are you ready to transition from your old home to your new house in Howard County? Great! Be sure to enlist the help of excellent realtors such as ours at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Vinny Steo. With Vinny Steo and his team by your side, you can rest assured that you will have everything you need to start feeling confident and comfortable in Howard County. We are available to answer any questions you may have and discuss your concerns as well.
Fast Facts on Life in Howard County
- Columbia/Ellicott City (in Howard County) named #2 in Money magazine’s 2010 list of “America’s Best Places to Live”
- Nicknamed “HoCo”
- Population: 328,200 with a 11.9% growth since 2020
- Median household income: $110,133 per year
- Averages 210 days of sunshine a year
Best Places to Eat in Howard County
Whether you are living in a location or just visiting, one of the best things to find out is the variety of different restaurants, bars, bakeries, and other eateries available there. When it comes to Howard County, you have seemingly endless choices. If you are looking for a place to grab your morning coffee and bagel, there are plenty of options including Howard’s Cafe Bakery & Juice Bar, Mad City Coffee, Little Market Café, and Decadent, a Coffee and Dessert Bar.
For those times when you are in need of a lunch break with your friends, family, or co-workers, Howard County has a variety of eateries that you can enjoy. Some of them include Stanford Grill, The Iron Bridge Wine Company, Cazbar, and The Food Market.
Finally, the affluent Howard County would not be complete without several fine dining restaurants for those special occasions.
Here are just a few of the options:
- The Kings Contrivance: When you have a special occasion, this restaurant is one of the top places to visit. The ambiance is nostalgic and beautiful because it was originally a 1730 mansion that was turned into a restaurant. With exceptional food offerings such as eggplant and pine nut fritters and shellfish bisque, you can’t go wrong.
- The Turn House: A combination of upscale food and indoor/outdoor seating options make The Turn House another excellent venue for a special lunch or dinner. The menu is a bit limited, but the dishes are exceptionally prepared.
- AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar: When you visit the AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar, you will be treated with superb dining options, including gluten free crab cakes (a rarity), as well as the opportunity to sit on their outdoor covered patio. From the starters to the desserts, your entire party will be quite pleased with the meals they receive.
- Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant: Unlike other restaurants, this one has very limited seating – so make a reservation ahead of time – and only serves an intricately designed chef’s tasting menu with 6 courses. It will be a unique experience for most individuals, so be prepared to relax and enjoy each new offering.
For an even more comprehensive list of all of the great eateries, cafes, and pubs in Howard County, check out our complete relocation guide or even go on a culinary tour.
Best Things to Do in Howard County
Howard County is located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and there are lots of exciting attractions for visitors and residents alike. You can find things to do with your family or on your own, depending on your preferences for the day. If you are a history fan or just want to learn more about your new home’s history and culture, you will find lots of great options including the African Art Museum of Maryland, the B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, and the Benjamin Banneker Historic Park & Museum. There’s even a children’s museum to keep the kids entertained too.
For those in search of an outdoor adventure, Howard County has plenty to offer. Find lakes and award-winning parks connected by more than 100 miles of paved scenic trails. You can walk, run, or cycle through trails that feature wildflowers, wildlife, and waterfalls. You can enjoy all the amenities offered at Patapsco Valley State Park, Alpha Ridge Park, Atholton Park, Blandair Regional Park, Cedar Lane Park, Centennial Park, Colorburst Park, and many more!
If you are looking for something that the kids will enjoy, you will find Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott City. This features a petting farm as well as attractions from the Enchanted Forest that are sure to spark a child’s imagination. When they see the life size pumpkin carriage pulled by giant mice or a castle with a dragon in the front, they will surely want to return again and again.
Trails and Nature
Are you a runner, walker, or hiker who enjoys spending plenty of time outside exploring the trails? Then Howard County has all of the trails and parks you could ever dream of checking out. Here are just a few of the possible trails you will find throughout the county:
- South Wind Trail
- Patuxent Branch trail
- Elkhorn Branch Trail
- Wincopin Trails
- Kings Contrivance Loop
- Kendall Ridge Loop
- Savage Mill Trail
- Cascade Falls trail
There are plenty more to add to this list, and you can find a comprehensive overview in the Ultimate Maryland Relocation Guide.
What Is the Job Market Like?
When you move to Howard County, that means that you will be located in an area of the United States where job growth has been positive, increasing by 0.7% in the last year. With an unemployment rate that is lower than the national average (4.5% vs 6%), you can find lots of great jobs in a variety of fields. In those jobs, the average salary throughout the city is $110,133.
The top paying industries include legal, architecture/engineering, computer/math, and management. The outlook for future job growth in the county is 34.22%.
Interested in working for some of the top employers in Howard County? Some of the major local companies include:
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Verizon Wireless
- Howard County Public School System
- Lorien Health Systems
There are a wide variety of employment opportunities throughout the county, depending on your particular areas of expertise and experience.
Are There Good Schools?
Howard County Public School System manages 71 schools and serves about 49,000 students. The graduation rate for the school district, in general, is 90.4%, and this county’s schools are ranked among the best in the entire state.
The county itself spends $17,329 per student (more than the national average). There are 14 pupils per teacher, 340 per librarian, and 359 per counselor. Overall, parents have a wide variety of choices for their kids and are sure to find the right school that meets their needs.
Students of every grade level and vocation will be able to find the perfect institution when they live in Howard County.
Let Vinny Steo and His Team Help You!
As you can see, Howard County is an affluent county in Maryland and has many attractive features for you and your family. If you have decided to make it your new home, our team of real estate professionals is here to make sure you have everything you need before you begin your move.
To get all of the resources and tools you need, simply fill out the form below with the requested information to receive the Ultimate Maryland Relocation Guide at absolutely no cost!
If Howard County seems like the perfect place for you and your family to call home, make sure to contact us to have the easiest and least stressful experience possible. Vinny Steo and his team have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to help you transition quickly and effectively. We guarantee you will love your new home!
When you enlist the assistance of Vinny Steo and his team of real estate professionals, you will be working with some of the top-rated realtors in the state of Maryland. They guarantee that you will find the perfect home for you and your family, and his guarantees are not found with any other realtors.
Get Our Guarantee
Vinny knows that moving to a new location can be stressful, and he is dedicated to taking the anxiety and complications out of the process. He has a superb track record and offers the Buyer’s Cancellation Guarantee, so you can rest assured that you will be going through the home buying process with absolutely no risk.
Are you and your family excited about moving to Howard County and exploring everything that this unique and expansive location has to offer? Awesome! Contact Vinny now to get your FREE Ultimate Maryland Relocation Guide, absolutely FREE!
With this guide, you will find out everything you need to know about Howard County, including essential information like cost of living, climate, more attractions in the area, healthcare options, and much more. Give Vinny a call today at 410-220-0016 or fill out the form below to get started.
Our team at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Vinny Steo is here to support you and your family in finding the ideal home in Howard County whenever you are ready!
