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Moving to DC area this summer: rec's for where to live?
DH and I are moving to DC this summer. I'll be working in the Shady Grove area. DH is still looking for jobs, but does Biotech, so will likely be in the Rockville/Gaithersburg region as well. We are going to rent for 6-12mo while we build up a 20% downpayment (price is likely $800K or less, 4-5bdrm, needs a yard and garage) and get a better idea of where to live, etc. We have two kids under three, so need good schools, etc. Where should we live?
GreatSchools.org is only getting me so far... I want good access to fun stuff for kids (esp young kids) like parks and playgrounds. We are also likely going to end up with either a live-in or live-out nanny as well, so I'm not sure if that factors into the "where to live" equation. Our real estate agent is so-so (they can't legally tell us about the schools). I could care less about the ethnic make up of the school (if I wanted to be surrounded by people that look like me, I would have moved to Minnesota), but I want one that is good with regards to education. Though reading Alexandra Robbin's book about Whitman gives me hives...less competition might be better.
So, where should we look?
ETA: Places I'm leaning towards without knowing a lot are near the MoCo airport (north of it, Goshen, etc) and out Darnestown Road (though I think Poolesville may be too far). Doubt I can afford Bethesda or anything inside the loop.
Re: Moving to DC area this summer: rec's for where to live?
Montgomery County schools are some of the best in the country. While some people may have a preference for certain clusters over others, even the less desirable clusters are still going to provide your kid with a good education.
You can find what schools your kids would be assigned to by searching with an address on the MCPS site.
To look up information on specific schools, you can access the full list on MCPS's site. When you click on an individual school, there should be a PDF that gives an overall picture of that school, its enrollment, any special programs, the # of students receiving free and reduced meals, ethnic diversity, and test scores.
My H actually went to Whitman, and now he teaches in MCPS. I don't think he's read Robbin's book, but he should and I'd love to hear his thoughts on it.
How much are you looking to spend while you rent? What are you looking for in a rental - the same as the kind of house you want?
We make the rockin' world go 'round.
I went through MCPS, and attended one of the less desirable schools, and I was better prepared for my competitive university (with APs, etc.) than most of my classmates. Also, because I went to a less desirable school, I was more desirable to colleges. Universities have a quota for kids admitted from some schools and systems, and I was a lot more likely to get admitted from my school than if I'd gone to Whitman, lol.
We live in Montgomery County now and are in one of the less desirable clusters, but we're not too worried about the schools for LO. We know that he has involved parents who highly value education, which is what most strongly correlates to academic success, not the actual school attended. Plus, we hope that like me, he will shine even more by attending a slightly less competitive school :-)
I don't think you would be priced out of Bethesda but it really depends on what kind of house you want and lifestyle. Do you want to be able to walk places or would you prefer a bigger house square footage wise? Do you want to be really close to work or is commuting not an issue?
We'll either do an apt (3bdrm) or a house. Probably max $2500/mo.
The rental is just more "area" than anything. Housing is more long term likes schools, etc. Commuting isn't much of an issue. But we want a house with a garage (2 car), a decent yard, etc. So that cuts out lots of the older ramblers and townhouses.
You get more for your money when you get farther out from the city (Gaithersburg, Germantown, etc.), but then you're living a more suburban lifestyle. When we were house hunting, we decided Rockville was our outer geographical limit, but some people love the outer 'burbs.
While I didn't grow up in MoCo, I feel *exactly* the same way. Me being near the top of my crappy school was much more advantageous to me in the long run....versus being "middle of the pack" at a top school.
OP, I think you mentioned before on the MM board that you want something slightly more rural, right? (or was that a different poster?) Personally, I think the areas you posted about are nice - at least when I've driven through. As long as you stay in MoCo schools, you should be fine.... it's just a matter of taste, depending on how far from the beltway you want to be.
Yeah, that was me regarding the rural. I don't need a horse farm or anything, but we have chickens now and like it. I'm just not a condo/townhome type. I want a YARD (like 1/2 acre or more).
It's just frustrating that I am not learning enough about the area online. I need a good objective place... Ugh!
How about Olney? Now that the ICC is open, you can get to Shady Grove really easily, it is incredibly family oriented, great schools (part of MoCo) and you can definitely get a decent sized home on a half acre in your price range.
We are in the Colesville section of Silver Spring and spend a lot of our time dining/shopping in Silver Spring. We have friends in Olney who have kids who love how family-centric it is while still being a quick drive into DC, Baltimore and to 95.
Good luck with your search!
re: chickens, if that's something important to you, be sure where ever you are looking allows them.
I very briefly researched this in MoCo (long story) about a year or more ago & I seem to remember a coop had to be 100ft from your property line. Which means only really large lots could have them. I could remember wrong & maybe things have changed, but it's something to keep in mind.
The ICC definitely helps... It's a little pricey to travel during rush hour, but it is super fast to get from Olney to Shady Grove.
It's too far out for us to live (we work downtown) but I've also heard great things about living there.
I was going to suggest the Olney area as well. We have been here for almost 10 years and it is a great area. Also Laytonsville/Goshen-0 I grew up in Goshen and having land for animals is definitely something you can find in those areas. Plus there are many neighborhoods without HOA's that could limit you. I know some complaints about the L/G area is that it feeds into Gaithersburg High School, but I also agree with the comments above about high schools and there being benefits.
Yep, Olney, Brookeville, Laytonsville and also the Redland area of Rockville (closer in but has patches of neighborhoods with big yards). You can get a nice house on a decent lot pretty easily. I prefer Olney because it has more of a community feel to it.
Honestly, if you have a good realtor I don't think you should have trouble finding a house in the outer burbs that fits your needs at your budget.