I would add that there is a slight difference between Columbia and EC, whereas Columbia is a little bit more walkable and bikeable within neighborhoods. In Ellicott City a lot of areas don’t even have sidewalks, whereas the majority of Columbia does. In EC, you’ll be lucky if you can walk to an elementary school or playground. In Columbia, you can usually walk or bike to a village center with some stores and amenities, a pool, a playground, an elementary school.

I like that we don’t have to do everything by car. After a certain age the kids can walk to their friends in the neighborhood, can ride the bike to the pool themselves, and can ride to the grocery store to get themselves some snacks and ice cream. If that’s something you like, then Columbia would be the better choice.