I'm looking for nice, 2-3 bedroom apts between Columbia and Ft Meade?

All areas are being built up right now due to BRAC. Columbia is nice, but can be pricey. Stay away from Laurel (too close to PG county) and the Quarterfield area of Gen Burnie. Parts of Odenton are actually very nice. I have a co-worker who lives in the Seven Oaks area of Odenton and he drives a new Corvette....no issues with the neighbors or vandalism. Odenton is also in the process of building a new town center area with nice apartments, condos and shops. They are already starting to take leases. The Haven at Odenton Gateway will have one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The one-bedroom units will go for $1,499 per month, the two bedrooms will rent for $1,799 per month and the three-bedroom units are $1,999 per month. You could also rent a 3 or 4-bedroom home in Severn for about the same as one of the apartments in Odenton. Traffic is going to be bad regardless.

http://odentontowncenter.com/live

School Districts in/around Clarksville (in Howard County) are probably the best; however, the area is somewhat expensive. Columbia has good and bad neighborhoods/schools so research carefully. Wilde Lake is probably the worst district, while River Hill is probably the best. Other options, lie somewhere in between. Hickory Ridge is a mid-range option, with reasonable rental prices, residential and commercial balance, and close proximity to both Rt. 100 & Rt. 32.

Anne Arundel also has a good community college and housing on base (Ft.Meade) is an excellent option (with many newly built/remodeled units). Anne Arundel county has changed in the last few years and if you can't live on base, then I believe that your decision to live in Howard county is a good one. Crime and traffic are both high in the areas around Odenton, Glen Burnie, Jessup and Elkridge.

2 doors down from me is a 3/4 BR townhouse that is going for $1800 I think. well within most Mid career BAHs.

I am in Pasadena. 30 minutes down the 100 to Meade/NSA. AA county is fine, great schools low crime. HC schools are not held in as high regard.

the NIGHT we moved into our apartment in Columbia(less than a mile from the Mall) there was a murder at the 7/11 across the street. 3 months later he struck again.. in the complex. one section over from our place. . we had NO problems breaking our lease and paying the penalty. and moving out to AA county.

i also recommend Glen Burnie.

try craigslist.org. I got my apartment through there and have been living here for over 2 years now; very nice place.