I know your question is over a year old but if you are still looking, or anyone comes across this question now who has similar concerns, I want to add a consideration or two (or second those already given).

If you have kids you really need to think about the schools. Howard County schools are among the best in the country. If I had kids the answer would be easy- HOCO all the way! BTW- I teach in an Anne Arundel county public school.

When I got my current apartment I looked into several around Hanover and I saw a TON of complaints about crime. If I was to buy a townhouse in Hanover I'd want to be sure I was as far away from the mall as possible (I think it is the mall that is drawing in the criminal element).

I wouldn't worry too much about the low income set aside. I'm pretty sure the guidelines surrounding those are tight. I don't think the buyers can move in and then sell right away, I think there is a waiting period. Then, when they do sell, I don't see why they would sell for less than market rate anyway (some first time buyer and teacher programs I looked into used grants or loans from the state or county that you paid back when you moved so I'd bet that is what this program does). I doubt very much that it would hurt your resale value.

Do you have children to think of? I would typically choose Elkridge over Hanover, however given the circumstances of having low income housing in that development, I would choose Hanover - especially if you are not worried about the school district. You may also want to "interview" residents with and without children in both developments. Good luck! P.S. I am not a Realtor. :)

Hi Corey:
While your question is completely understandable and a natural question that we as agents get quite frequently, I must clarify something very important. According to federal fair housing law we are not allowed to answer your question -- agents are not allowed to render an opinion about the desirability of one area/neighborhood vs another. By saying one area is more preferable over another we could be accused of "steering". You can research neighborhood characteristics on many internet web-sites. In addition, you should drive around and talk to the people living there -- ask they what they like and dislike. Call the local police stations and ask questions. Finally based on the information you have gathered, you should have a fairly good idea about what you own preferences would be.

I am wondering about 21075 vs. 21076 because I am considering buying a Ryan townhome in either Belmont Station (21075, Elkridge) or in Villages of Dorchester (21076, Hanover). The base price of the homes in Belmont Station is higher than in Villages of Dorchester. (around 345K vs. 329K). However, I recently discovered that the Howard County Housing Commission is "selling" or likewise, forcing the builder to sell 10% of the homes in Belmont Station to "moderate" income families (for a family of 2, they must earn below $60K a year COMBINED--in Howard County that is honestly not moderate income, but really is LOW income) at a price of 195K. I am concerned about buying in Belmont Station because there is the potential that I will have "low" income neighbors who paid half what I did for the same home. What do you think about this? Will having lower income people in the neighborhood (who paid half what I did for the same house) reduce the resale value of my home?? The price of the homes in Villages of Dorchester is moderately less but to my knowledge there are no low income initiatives in that area and the homes all sell for the market rate (330K and up--I checked on the public record and the lowest home sale price so far was 370K.)

It is really subjective. What may be more desirable for one person may not be for another. For example, in certain parts of Hanover, you can be within walking distance to Arundel Mills (yes, walking distance, I know, I live in Hanover :). Some people may find that desirable, but others may find it annoying because you are close to a major road, Arundel Mills Blvd. Some people may also find Hanover more desirable because it arguably has the most technologically advanced public elementary school, Hebron-Harman, in the area. Others may care less.

So it is really up to you to decide what you are looking for in an area that you want to live in. Once you know that take a look at houses in both areas. I wouldn't automatically disqualify either.

BTW, there are some parts of Hanover that are actually in Howard County.

Elkridge Howard County is more expensive so in theory it is more desirable since buyers are willing to pay more in Howard County. Howard County's school system is well thought of and home prices tend to be higher in Howard vs AA County.