How's the MD economy, especially in the DC Metro area? (Silver Spring: apartments, to rent)

[LivingSingle123]

How's the job market in Maryland and NoVa, specifically in the suburbs surrounding DC?

(Specifically, I'm asking about Montgomery, Frederick, and Carroll counties in Md; Loudon, Fairfax and Clarke counties in Va.)

If you had a professional, college-educated friend who was thinking of moving to the area, what would you tell him or her?

Would you recommend the area or would you advise him or her to move elsewhere?

[rnmlong]

I currently live in Frederick County, MD. It is getting more built up the past few years but is still a very wonderful place to live. The economy is great - house prices are lilke everywhere else though...absurd. Luckily, we got in before the soar. The only issue in anywhere surrounding the DC area is the traffic. It seems like no matter where you live in the area & you want to make a decent living, you need to DRIVE. My husband's commute is over 2 hours one way & he only works about 50 miles from home. The traffic is just a NIGHTMARE. If your friend can afford to live close to their employment (which can be very expensive) then I would highly recommend the area. We used to live in Montgomery County but that has gone down hill significantly between population and the element of people moving there. Hope that helps!

[hairmetal4ever]

I'd seriously consider Howard County as well.

[Tuneful]

Do browse some of the other threads as well (including in the DC forum), as many have been started by young people thinking along the same lines as your friend. I can speak only to DC and southern Montgomery, which I'm familiar with.
I think it is worth a try if it offers the kinds of organizations and jobs in which the friend wants to get experience. For example, there are a lot of jobs around DC in non-profits (working for a do-good cause can be rewarding and a good way to get diverse experience), media, and white-collar work for many government-contracting firms. Lots of young people have a good time here, often sharing group houses or apartments. You meet people from all over the country and the world on virtually a daily basis.
I think it is worth living and working in the city or in a very close-in burb (like Bethesda, Silver Spring, or Arlington) and traveling by Metro to get the full DC-area experience.
However, the area is also not easy IMHO. It is congested, high-traffic (if vehicle is in the picture), high-cost (particularly frustrating in housing to rent or buy), has a rude and rushed reputation to many...and being aware and smart about crime is necessary.

[Bigbluelandrover]

Networking is key to get a job. Also unless your friend is in a "high demand" field it could take some time to find a job.

[titaniummd]

If you're young and single, I would suggest Arlington, Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda or Falls Church to look for places to live. You need to be near a metro unless you like living in your car.