Anyone from the DC area?

[AlienBrain]

If so, I have some questions. I may be moving up there soon for a government job. I see the cost of living is extremely high compared to what I am used to, but I was figuring I would just live in one of the MD suburbs and commute a 1 hour or so a day for more affordable housing. Any advice on particular cities in MD that would be good for living. I am looking for: low crime, you can have car(s) without paying for parking, low cost, and a nice area.

I am looking at MD because the location of the job is either going to be in Rockville or Northern DC.

Any other advice would be gladly accepted.

Thanks for any help.

 

[monkeybug]

We live about a half hour (with no traffic) outside of DC. I have a good friend who lives in Rockville in a very nice area called Kings Farm. She works at Bethesda and is only a few blocks from the metro which is how she commutes there.

 

[WriteDisney]

Howard County, Md has some nice towns. Just factor in your commute when you pick your housing. I live about 30 miles from my work thats outside DC and the commute can be over an hour sometimes depending on traffic (if theres a big accident or in the winter with weather issues) It's a beast and absolutely hate my commute. Love my job and where I live but the commute can be unbearable. One day its 30 minutes the next its an hour and 20 minutes or more. Two winters ago they shut down part of the DC beltway while it was snowing (an on ramp actually) and it took me 3 1/2 hours to get to work (and 2 to get home). Thats the most extreme but you get my point. Might not seem too bad but it wears you down.

 

[Christine]

This is a good forum to visit. It is for Northern VA but if you look around on the forum, you will find a sub-board for Maryland.

www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia

I used to live in Maryland but it's been awhile so I'm not sure on the commute times. I'm thinking that you are going to have to go fairly far out to get affordability as Montgomery County can be pricey.

 

[monkeybug]

If so, I have some questions. I may be moving up there soon for a government job. I see the cost of living is extremely high compared to what I am used to, but I was figuring I would just live in one of the MD suburbs and commute a 1 hour or so a day for more affordable housing. Any advice on particular cities in MD that would be good for living. I am looking for: low crime, you can have car(s) without paying for parking, low cost, and a nice area.

I am looking at MD because the location of the job is either going to be in Rockville or Northern DC.

Any other advice would be gladly accepted.

Thanks for any help.

Keep in mind that when commuting into some areas of DC you could have an hour commute even if you are only 15 miles away. We have friends that live at Fort Belvoir and are only 15 miles from where her husband works, his average commute is 45 minutes. Traffic really is as bad as people say it is out here!!
Stay away from Prince Georges county if you can. Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Howard county are all nice, but most are pretty expensive too. How much are you looking to pay for rent? Do you want an apartment or townhouse? Do schools matter at all?

 

[monkeybug]

We also have friends who live on the Eastern Shore and commute to DC (though I don't know which part) I know he says his commute takes about an hour and 10 minutes (on average, barring any accidents or weather) He says that he doesn't hit traffic until after he get's past Annapolis. They choose to live there because it is a much more affordable and laid back setting than most of the suburbs. It is really nice. Lot's of farms, water, and affordable rent. You could get a single family home for what you would pay for an apartment closer to the city. Of course the trade off is that you spend a lot more time in the car and you have to drive across the scary bay bridge... and on a Friday during the Summer months it could take a looooong time to get home.

 

[punkin]

I don't really know what "affordable" means. Are you looking for a house/condo/townhouse? Do you have children and need a good school district?

If you will be working in Rockville, more affordable in the general area would be Gaithersburg and Germantown. Of course, nothing in Montgomery County is actually cheap.

 

[AlienBrain]

True. What is actually affordable? Looking at the houses around the DC area makes me scared to make the move. I'm already getting cold feet. I may just stay where I am.

But as far as affordable, I am saying something less than $150/square foot.

 

[mikehn]

If so, I have some questions. I may be moving up there soon for a government job. I see the cost of living is extremely high compared to what I am used to, but I was figuring I would just live in one of the MD suburbs and commute a 1 hour or so a day for more affordable housing. Any advice on particular cities in MD that would be good for living. I am looking for: low crime, you can have car(s) without paying for parking, low cost, and a nice area.

I am looking at MD because the location of the job is either going to be in Rockville or Northern DC.

Any other advice would be gladly accepted.

Thanks for any help.

This is a pretty tall order. Good luck

 

[monkeybug]

True. What is actually affordable? Looking at the houses around the DC area makes me scared to make the move. I'm already getting cold feet. I may just stay where I am.

But as far as affordable, I am saying something less than $150/square foot.

Are you thinking of buying then?
One thing to consider about price is that often times the places that are the most expensive, are actually worth the expense!! (if it is with in your means) I've lived all over the country, in some of the most expensive areas of the nation, and for the most part I've found that they are expensive for good reason!
I am a West Coast girl and thought I would hate it here, but while I would still choose life on the West Coast, I have also really grown to love it here.
There are an endless amount of things to do, the schools are among the best in the Nation, and you are so close to some pretty amazing places.
I never though I would pay 2,200 a month for under 1,300 square feet and a town home to boot, but the location more than makes up for the expense!
You might just love it out here!