DC metro area

Peen

I just got a job offer for the Washington DC public library and I'm going to take it but the start date is July 29th. We live in Philly now, so we've got to figure out where we're going to move to pretty quickly. We don't have to live in the city so we're looking at the Maryland suburbs but we're flying pretty blind. Can anybody recommend specific areas to look at or avoid?

I'm going to be working at the Deanwood branch and would like to avoid a super long commute if possible. We're assuming we'll rent at first. My salary is good so price isn't so much an obstacle. Any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!

WildEEP

Oh wow, thats right off the Orange Line on the Metro - you could actually live in Northern VA as far as Fairfax.

Lets talk about your expectations. Do you like open spaces, lots of green, big land lots? Do you like downtown urban living - lots of activity, lots of people, completely developed? Or perhaps Suburbia is your thing - lots of culdesac roads, and template housing?

Also - you used the word WE. How many are we talking about? Spouse, Kids, Pets, etc?

Peen

I'll start with the second question first: There are four people, me and my wife and our two girls (2.5 and 3 months).

Our expectations are definitely suburban, good schools, and hopefully things within walking distance so that my wife can get around with the kids until we have a second car. We've been looking at the Maryland side at first, both to be closer to my branch and so that all of the grandparents (who live in PA) won't have to go all the way around the city to get to us, but like I said we don't really know anything about any of the areas. When I said my salary was good really what I meant was that it was livable (80k) so we're not going to be rolling into a house right away by any means.

WildEEP

Cool thats easy - You're best bet is to look at Prince William County in MD. That's kinda the go-to spot at the moment for Suburbia within commute distance.
Rent here is expensive - but so is Philly. You can expect a 3 Bedroom to go for around $2500 a month.

Shmoepong

NOVA is generally built up with spaghetti string highways and lots of condos/townhouses (i.e. Kingstown). Southern Maryland is fighting that sprawl, but they're losing out to big money. Real estate is getting continually getting more expensive on the MD side. Especially after the National Harbor went in. I haven't lived there in 5 years, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

If you want to sacrifice your commute, check out Kingstown condos. There's a movie theater, golf range, whole foods, target and it's generally a really nice area close to 495 (quick jaunt to Old Town). Alexandria also has nice neighborhoods and great schools that are affordable, but again - that commute will suck (drive to Kiss&Ride then metro in or take 495).

There are areas of Prince Georges county that are absolutely beautiful. Outside of Waldorf. The further east you go, the more scenic it becomes. I wouldn't say the schools are better, but I don't know because I'm biased. The seafood is pretty good and there are lots of great mom & pop shops. Also: VA doesn't sell booze on Sundays, so go to MD for that too.

I love VA for the nightlife and culture. I love MD for the wildlife and country feeling.

Jurg

I just came down to the DC area (I'm in Maryland). I can't really tell you too much about different areas, but I can vouch for the Metro system, since you're worried about the commute. It only takes me about 25 minutes to get to where I need to go, and I'm coming from one of the last stops at one end of the Orange Line (towards one of the further stops in in DC proper). Also, during rush hour, there is a new train every few minutes, so it's not like some other transit systems where if you miss your train you have to wait a minimum of 20 minutes for the next one.

hsu

Just a tip: in a city with a good subway system (like DC, NYC, Boston), you should live within walking distance of a subway station.

This holds even more true if your work is right next to a subway station, which the Deadwood library is.

Driving to work, or even driving to a subway station, in a subway city just sucks. Because there's a reason that subway exists - to lessen traffic congestion.

zepherin

I'm a big fan of Montgomery County(moco). maryland is big on counties. Avoid pg county it'll try and trick you.

Quid

I'm not too familiar with the area but I will second anyone saying get yourself near the Metro if you can. It's a really nice and straight forward transit system.

Peen

Thanks guys. After googling around some we've zeroed in on the Rockville/Gaithersburg area, but anything else anybody knows would be greatly appreciated.

Nullzone

Rockville is a nice area but the Red line has the worst track record of the past decade in terms of on-time performance and system reliability. If you expect to rely on it to commute to work (and you probably will, going to Deanwood...), then be prepared for unpredictability in your day-to-day activities.

I do second that you should be within walking distance, though, if at all possible; Metro use tends to run about $12/day during peak times from the outer points of the system into the city; add parking to that and it jumps to $17/day. Also, drivers in this region are fucking nuts - I've been to Philly a few times and it's like night and day in people's driving habits. So the less you have to deal with that the better.

Darkewolfe

I know you're focused on Maryland, but that's really not what I'd recommend in general. If you look at the commute from West Falls Church versus Rockville to Deanwood via metro, it's 40 minutes versus an hour, and the Rockville trip has a transfer AND is on the red line, which basically guarantees additional delays.

zepherin

Is parking free where you work?

What are your hours. If you are coming in at 6 or 7, fuck it, drive. After 7, the light rail is now your lord and master.

Rockville is nice, so is falls church. However with a 40 min or hour commute you could come in from Crofton and dodge the beltway.

ThunderSaid

You might want to take a second look at the area around the Dunn Loring metro station (It's called Merrifield in most apartment guides). They've recently really built up the area, so there's some good stuff within walking distance. Also, if your office is on the orange line (It looks like there's a Deanwood metro stop about two blocks away), then it's a real bonus not to have to change trains. Also, Fairfax county schools are some of the best in the country.

Peen

We'll see how this first round of apartment searching goes, we'll start looking in VA if it goes sour there. I don't know what my hours are yet but I have a car and parking's free at my branch so I'll be able to work transportation out if the train goes badly. Thank you all again for your help.

WildEEP

Wow, this turned into a "Omg, do you know about NOVA" thread super fast.

Dr_Keenbean

zepherin wrote: »

I'm a big fan of Montgomery County(moco). maryland is big on counties. Avoid pg county it'll try and trick you.

Oh Bowie isn't so bad. It's actually a pretty nice little suburb. The rest of PG County is butts though. Plus the New Carrolton metro stop isn't too awfully far from Bowie.

I can't really comment on NOVA much though, my only experience is working in Reston for a year and the traffic was hell and the rent was crazy high.

zepherin

Dr_Keenbean wrote: »

zepherin wrote: »

I'm a big fan of Montgomery County(moco). maryland is big on counties. Avoid pg county it'll try and trick you.

Oh Bowie isn't so bad. It's actually a pretty nice little suburb. The rest of PG County is butts though. Plus the New Carrolton metro stop isn't too awfully far from Bowie.

I can't really comment on NOVA much though, my only experience is working in Reston for a year and the traffic was hell and the rent was crazy high.

I don't know. I'm not too fond of Bowie, some of the areas are nice, but other areas are pretty bad, and really if your moving to Bowie, move into Crofton or Gambrills. Same rent much nicer area. Also if kids are going to be had, Bowie high school is one of the better ones in PG, but Arundel high school is going to be safer, however for school districts MOCO is one of the best in Maryland.