Re: Moving to Bethesda, MD

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Joined: 7/20/18

Jun 13, 2019, 7:42 AM

Former "DC" Tiger.... I lived at the other end of the Capital Crescent trail... Georgetown/Palisades. The Capital Crescent is a 11 mile trail I used to run between DC and Bethesda. It is fantastic. Anyway...

Take it from a transportation planner that used to work in DC, live as close to your job as you can afford. 120K isn't a lot but it isn't bad either. You have some choices at that point, just it will not be the same buying power as 120K elsewhere.

It cost us less to live in a small Palisades apartment that it would for use to live and commute from Gainsville Va (a 1.5 hour commute). Plus you get that 1.5 hour commute back in your pocket. Now, we did not get the same sqft space (about 15-20% less for the same cost), but I can't tell you how valuable it is NOT to do a commute. My wife walked past embassy row and I did a reverse commute to Arlington. And unfortunately, I would say the Rockville/Bethesda might be the worst of the corridors in the area. Furthermore, due to the HOV demands, if you are unwilling to travel with someone, then it can be very tough.

A "little" drive in DC can mean than a 20-30 mile trip is 2-3 hours (or more). So after we moved back to the wonderful land of "sweet tea" again, I was still under contract for 6 months in DC. I would drive from western NC to Richmond on the weekends, stay in RVa during the week and then commute to DC. Even though RVa to DC was a 110 mile trip and intentionally working until post rush hour (leaving at 7pm), not getting home until after midnight was a common thing. It was brutal and even as someone who geeks out at traffic, it got old quick. Interesting fact, the traffic is worse in Virginia and Maryland than it is in DC. If you do not have to drive into it, it is a much better experience.

I have a son and daughter so I consider my time with them move valuable than anything. I can't recommend minimizing the DC commute as much as possible.

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I grew up in Southern Maryland and was back and forth there until my mom moved away after my dad's passing a few years ago. I also did a lot of business in the DC area. In fact, my IBM HQ was in Fair Lakes and then Bethesda.

- Agree with the Fredericksburg, MD suggestions.
- Look at VA. Better schools and local government. Leesburg, VA isn't too far and is a nice area.
- Sad thing about the area is that you are paying for the dirt the house is built on, not the house itself. I have seen million dollar listings in the DC area I would not let my dog live in.
- You are going to have traffic whenever you go. Just figure out the best option and be prepared for it.

Good luck to you. There are some nice things about living in the DC area. Unfortunately growth was poorly managed over the years. We moved to Fort Washington, MD in '72 and it was nicely suburban. Waldorf Maryland, 12 miles south of us, was tobacco and cornfields. We made fun of those kids as being rednecks. Now, Waldorf is overbuilt. The area I grew up in is very old with 70's box homes that are fairly run down and have bars on the windows. Traffic for DC starts in La Plata which is about 12 miles south of Waldorf. La Plata use to be a tiny hamlet of a few homes. It was sad to see my mom move out of my childhood home, but it was not a good place for an elderly lady to live alone anymore.

Moving to Bethesda, MD

Personally, I'd

Congrats, Have fun