Advice on relocation to DC area?

Pretty Parula · April 2011

Hi ladies! DH has been offered a job in the DC area (Bethesda) and we're trying to decide if it's a good move for us. I thought, who better to help us get the scoop than the local Nesties?

We're from FL so we know the cost of living will be higher, but aren't really sure exactly what to expect in terms of gas, houses, utilities, etc. We are open to MD or VA. I've been told that with the traffic pattern on the beltway, it might be better for us to live in VA so DH's commute isn't completely awful. Thoughts? We also have a 7yo DD who's in Gifted down here and want to make sure she's in an awesome school. I've read excellent things about MD's school system and know that VA is also pretty good, but do you have any suggestions for great towns/neighbourhoods/schools to check out?

I currently teach for an online high school, but may not be able to keep my job if we move out of state. I do know that VA and MD have reciprocity with FL for teaching certificates, but if there are any teachers out there, I'd love your perspective on teaching in the VA/MD systems. How's the climate these days, with budget cuts, resources, attitude toward teachers, etc.? Are they even hiring teachers currently? I have been an IB Biology teacher and would love to return to the IB programme if I do go back to a brick & mortar school.

Can't thank you enough for any and all info you can provide!

Litasail · April 2011

I'm not a teacher, but I can provide perspective on the area. You're right that the cost of living is much higher here - do you have a sense of what your budget will be? As to places to live, if I was working in Bethesda, I'd want to live in Montgomery County. Housing prices can vary a lot here - in Bethesda, you're looking at at least $700K for a SFH. As you get towards Silver Spring and Takoma Park, you can find good homes in the $500K range. Further out, in areas like Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, etc, housing prices drop - a friend of mine just got a great townhome in Olney for between $300-$400K.

Overall, I'd recommend renting before you buy - it will give you time to get to know the area (there's a LOT of variety here), test commutes, etc.

On schools, Montgomery County has some of the best schools in the country. Again, I can't provide perspective on whether they're hiring, etc, but your child should be in great shape living here.

Congrats to your DH on the job offer - hope we can count you as a DC nestie soon!

living_insanity · April 2011

I live and teach in Montgomery County MD which is where Bethesda is located. We live in Kensington which is just a few miles from Bethesda. We are hiring internally right now and I know a few teachers who are moving away or retiring so there will be openings. MoCo is the largest county in the state of MD so there are a lot of schools. For the past few years class size has been raised by 1 student and it's cut about 200 some jobs. Our school is very lucky and we havent lost any classroom teachers. There are a few high schools that do IB and a few that do AP, plus some magnet schools. July will be the time to really look out for a job opening. We are only doing internal transfers now. First the voluntary transfers and then the internal unvoluntary transfers.

RikkiTikki · April 2011

Congrats on the exciting news! I live in Wheaton/Kensington area in MD which is in Montgomery County. I don't have any kids, but I go to Bethesda frequently for work and the drive is pretty quick. I bought a 3 bedroom SFH for 315K last year. Although my neighborhood is "up-and-coming", I think that the price isn't unheard of.

If you are thinking of living in VA with an easy commute to Bethesda, you are probably looking in the Mclean or Great Falls neighborhoods, which are very pricey. But there are some beautiful homes in those areas, both new builds and established neighborhoods.

Good luck!

mssaint · April 2011

I agree with PP. Look at Wheaton/Silver Spring. Our house was less than $400k and is in a nice, family-friendly neighborhood. It's a 3 br, 2.5 bath SFH on a relatively big lot. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to Bethesda in the morning. MoCo schools are great, too.

stargirl0508 · April 2011

I'm a teacher in Arlington Public Schools. We moved here from NY and I had no problem getting my certifications in VA, but NY certs pretty much transfer anywhere. They are known for pretty strict/high requirements so I got exempted from all the VA requirements/tests, etc. I am actually a Resource Teacher for the Gifted, so I know quite a bit about how the process works in VA. You can PM me if you need/want more info. I don't know that much about MD's programs, but check out nagc.org for links to each state's information/state associations for lots more info. I will say being identified as gifted in Florida does not guarantee the student will be identified as gifted/receive gifted services in another state. Every district handles state to state (and district to district) transfers differently.

I don't have any location/housing advice really as we just rent now, and we're pretty 'far out' in Leesburg, due to my husbands job. I have a heck of a commute, and I will say just be prepared for that. In moving down here I underestimated what people told me about the traffic/commute thinking it 'couldn't be that bad.' Well, it is, just as bad as people say, if not worse. It was pretty tough to adjust to. Live as close as possible to work, as close as you can possibly afford. That's what we plan to do when DH gets his next job.

kastle · April 2011

I agree that you should try to stick to MoCo & definitely should rent first. If you have an idea of budget, then ppl can recommend specific neighborhoods as prices can vary widely.

Bethesda is a really nice area...think Winter Park-esque (i see you're in orlando).

ch ch ch chia · April 2011

It doesn't seem like it would make much sense to drive from VA, opposite commute or not. It's pretty far.

You can find a very cute, approx 3-br, 2-ba home in parts of MoCo for sub-$400K right now, less than a mile from a Metro stop. Montgomery County schools are excellent. As PP mentioned, Silver Spring/Wheaton/Kensington and parts of Rockville would be a place to start!

Pretty Parula · April 2011

Thanks for all the tips so far everyone! Seems like MD makes more sense than VA. As far as housing budget, we're looking to stay below $400k, monthly output below $2k would be great. Looks like that's possible, so that's a relief!

Living Insanity and Stargirl, thanks for the teacher perspective. I figured that the gifted status wouldn't transfer between states, and honestly DD might not need services if the schools up yonder are that much better than FL's. Who knows.

I currently teach online and may/may not be able to keep my job if we move, so the prospect of applying to a school district with which I'm completely unfamiliar is a little daunting. According to the MD schools website, you apply for general employment and they kinda stick you wherever if they have openings... did I read that correctly, or can you apply with certain schools? I've seen online somewhere that MD does have reciprocity with FL for certification, but I don't think FL's certification is anywhere near as stringent as NY's. (I've done really well here, but I'm kinda worried that I'll get up there and be nowhere near the bar and people will be like, WTH do they do down there in FL!)

DH wants me to ask those of you who've moved into the area if there were any costs that were higher than you expected or didn't account for until you got into the area. Like, we know to plan for housing and taxes (no state income tax in FL, so that's new) but don't know what else is going to be more expensive up there.

I can't think of anything else to ask you gals right now, but thanks again for all the help!

myvette13 · April 2011

My DH and I both grew up in Ohio and had jobs in a medium sized city in Ohio. So much cheaper cost of living!! The biggest thing for us was housing/rent. In Ohio 150k bought you a nice 3bdrm house, so the DC area was considerably more expensive! Things we noticed, groceries just slightly more expensive (~$10-$15 every two weeks more for just him and I). Sales tax cheaper (we live in Va), but I think MD's is also cheaper than OH). If you look into Va be forwarded about the yearly car tax. Also in OH vehicle inspections were never required (~$35/year). Going out costs went up exponentially (dinners out, shows, happy hours...) but once you know where to go the quality also goes up exponentially. We both technically took pay-cuts (factoring in Cost of Living) when we moved here, but wouldn't change it for the world. (Oh car repair costs and home repair costs can be sky high here, ask for recommendations)

Pretty Parula · April 2011

Ah, I hadn't even thought about repair costs! And a car tax and vehicle inspections are new to me, too. We'll have to see if MD has those. Sheesh.

But you love it there, huh? Like, the scenery, the nightlife and entertainment, etc.? What's everyone's favourite thing about the area?

kbalb · April 2011

The other thing my colleague discovered when she moved from Florida was income tax. So, just keep that in mind too.

ch ch ch chia · April 2011

Pretty Parula:

Ah, I hadn't even thought about repair costs! And a car tax and vehicle inspections are new to me, too. We'll have to see if MD has those. Sheesh.

But you love it there, huh? Like, the scenery, the nightlife and entertainment, etc.? What's everyone's favourite thing about the area?

I just got my vehicle emissions inspection notice in the mail... it's like $15. (I'm not sure if there are other types of vehicle inspections - we bought our car new 3 years ago, and haven't gotten a notice yet, if there are others.) The registration was just due a few months ago, and that was around $120.

ch ch ch chia · April 2011

Here is a house in my general neighborhood - typical of what's being listed for approx $350 right now:

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2819-Ivydale-St-Silver-Spring-MD-20902/37295411_zpid/#{scid=hdp-site-map-bubble-address}

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3010-Blueridge-Ave-Silver-Spring-MD-20902/37295387_zpid/#{scid=hdp-site-map-bubble-address}

Both of these houses are approx 20 min walk/5 min drive from a Metro stop. The elementary school won a Blue Ribbon award last year (but, a little controversial, since they changed the criteria...)

Here's some more info on the actual G&T program:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enriched/mcpsprograms/gtld/gtldparents.htm

I would also note - there are other types of "magnet" programs available. There are a couple of language immersion schools (may be too late for that?). There are other types of programs in middle school and high school, too.

judilicious · April 2011

Pretty Parula:

Ah, I hadn't even thought about repair costs! And a car tax and vehicle inspections are new to me, too. We'll have to see if MD has those. Sheesh.

There are no car property tax nor yearly car inspections in MD! I grew up in MD and moved down to VA years ago. That is one thing I still can't understand why I need to pay $$ every year towards. However taxes are higher in MD than VA. VA does have gocery taxes, but its not a lot.

Pretty Parula · April 2011

I can't thank you ladies enough for your input! I also found out today that I'll most likely be able to keep my current job. We're feeling MUCH better about the prospect of becoming northerners - even if I won't be able to work from my hammock in February.

I'll be sure to report back if DH does indeed get the job!

Advice on relocation to DC area?

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