Potomac versus Chevy Chase area (Gaithersburg, Damascus: houses, buying, restaurants)

[evilnewbie]

I am trying to decide whether to buy some land in the Potomac versus Chevy Chase area. Supposedly Chevy Chase area is for the very wealthy but when I google map it, it looks like its overcrowded with very old and ugly houses (personal opinion). Potomac looks less crowded and houses are newer. I am looking for 1+ acre lots to build a very expensive house and I see Potomac has a lot of areas but Chevy Chase doesn't have that many areas available. If you had a choice, which one would you move to?

[autimom4ever]

Originally Posted by evilnewbie

I am trying to decide whether to buy some land in the Potomac versus Chevy Chase area. Supposedly Chevy Chase area is for the very wealthy but when I google map it, it looks like its overcrowded with very old and ugly houses (personal opinion). Potomac looks less crowded and houses are newer. I am looking for 1+ acre lots to build a very expensive house and I see Potomac has a lot of areas but Chevy Chase doesn't have that many areas available. If you had a choice, which one would you move to?

Either way, I hope you have major $$$$$$.

[titaniummd]

I would choose Potomac any day. It has less traffic and congestion. It is predominantly residential. Be careful when you go more north - You may be buying in Gaithersburg or Damascus.

Chevy Chase is intermingled with the city and has a lot of nearby shopping and restaurants.You are closer to the Metro. Many houses are older and the land is sparse.

If you are independently wealthy, then a commute is not an issue.

[sundaze]

For a decision like that, you really need to visit both areas. They are both expensive and quite different from each other. Nobody can tell you what you like. If you want to buy a new 1 acre lot I don't think you can find that either in Chevy Chase or in the area generally though of as Potomac -- maybe further out where there are large developments (and ugly in my opinion.) Or in Chevy Chase you could buy an existing house and tear it down and build a mansion. Of course, your neighbors won't love you for that. Please think about what it is you really want, and spend some time in the area looking really closely. The two areas are NOTHING alike, so it seems to me a strange choice.

[pwright1]

If you want to build your own home then Potomac. Plenty of land to build. In Chevy Chase you wouldn't want to build there. And please don't think about tearing anything down in Chevy Chase. If it were me I would buy one of the existing homes in Chevy Chase. Absolutely beautiful old homes with mature trees, SIDEWALKS and so close to all the amenities.

[Tesaje]

I would say if you think the homes in Chevy Chase are ugly, then you had better look to Potomac. I agree with pwright, there are many beautiful old houses in CC. Either way, you are looking at serious $$. The Potomac addresses go quite a ways north to claim the tony address.

[Kensington]

As previous posters have said, these areas are very different. Chevy Chase is much more urban. You can walk to shopping, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. from parts of Chevy Chase. I absolutely prefer Chevy Chase to Potomac, but I like to be closer in to the city. It really comes down to whether you want a semi-urban or suburban lifestyle. You aren't going to find an empty 1 acre lot in Chevy Chase. You'll be looking at a teardown.