Transferring to Ft. Detrick/ Relo Help Please :) (Baltimore, Gaithersburg: loan, camping)

[beachboundgirl]

Hi, Glad you enjoyed your trip to Frederick. I have lived in and around Frederick for 30 years. My husband is in the service industry and has been in a house on every street for miles around. You might want to consider Middletown, Braddock Heights and Jefferson. If you would like any info I will be happy to answer any questions for you. Good luck in your endever. Jen

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by carolina_guy

So I think the following sums up pretty well my favorite places in order from most to least (but the "least" is still good):

1. Kentlands
2. Urbana
3. Wormans Mill
4. Lake Linganore
5. The area around Rocky Springs off of Yellow Springs Road and then on down in the Indian Springs area.
6. Walkersville or Middletown

P.S. Just wanted to comment that at no time when I was in Maryland did I feel insecure or threatened by crime. Everyone was quite friendly and it seems that where ever the crime may be, it is isolated and would not overflow into the nicer areas very often.

Carolina Guy - It sounds like you did your homework and I think you will be happy with your final choice. Your commute will not be bad - I have a friend who commutes from Germantown to Frederick every day and it's about 20 min. each way. You'll also have better proximity to DC for daytrips.

And yes, Marylanders are very friendly people! I'm glad you had such a positive experience in the Frederick area. Good luck with the job offer...

[edge_gordon]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

You're welcome. I'm pretty familiar with that area because I used to live on Lee. *snip*

I've been following this incredibly interesting and helpful thread (sushi! hiking! Irish pubs!) and my ears pricked up when I saw you had lived on Lee.

IF hubby's interview goes well Monday, he could have a job at Detrick. I was looking at a little red brick rental there on Lee, looks like a short stroll or bike ride to the front gate from there.

So how walkable/bikeable is life there? I see a scattering of little groceries, including a "Country Market" which sounds nice.

I'm originally from Austin, TX (waves to other Austinites on the Forum) and we've been living in Germany for almost 6 years now.

Thanks,
Edge

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by edge_gordon

I've been following this incredibly interesting and helpful thread (sushi! hiking! Irish pubs!) and my ears pricked up when I saw you had lived on Lee.

IF hubby's interview goes well Monday, he could have a job at Detrick. I was looking at a little red brick rental there on Lee, looks like a short stroll or bike ride to the front gate from there.

So how walkable/bikeable is life there? I see a scattering of little groceries, including a "Country Market" which sounds nice.

I'm originally from Austin, TX (waves to other Austinites on the Forum) and we've been living in Germany for almost 6 years now.

Thanks,
Edge

Hi Edge - IMO it's very walkable & bikeable - the whole area is basically flat, paved and has sidewalks. You could probably bike to downtown/Baker Park in under 10 min. The shopping center off 7th street is so close you can walk there in about 5 min. There are a couple new restaurants in that shopping center, a smattering of new stores. They're almost done giving that shopping center a face-lift, which has been about a two year process.

Our next door neighbors there used to work at Detrick and loved their short commute! I'm going to send you a direct msg (DM) with some more info about that area, so I don't go on and on in this post...

[edge_gordon]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

Hi Edge - IMO it's very walkable & bikeable -

Our next door neighbors there used to work at Detrick and loved their short commute! I'm going to send you a direct msg (DM) with some more info about that area, so I don't go on and on in this post...

Everyone send us some good luck, then, for his interview tomorrow!
That sounds perfect. It's so much nicer to start off your day with a little stroll or bike ride, rather than wasting an hours in a car.
I used to commute 30 miles each way, back in TX. Never again, if I can help it.

What's the scoop on the MARC? Could we hop on that to visit DC?

I really appreciate these forums. My husband has been job hunting (Federal) for months, and I can get out here, read about the ups and downs of communities, get the scoop on weather, crime, and traffic.
Frederick sounds like a lovely place.

Let's hope I have more questions for you, soon!
:-)

Thanks again,
Edge

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by edge_gordon

What's the scoop on the MARC? Could we hop on that to visit DC?

I haven't ridden the MARC into DC, but it does go there. I think it takes a roundabout route, all the way down to Point of Rocks, MD, and then into DC. I also think it only goes once, maybe twice a day. [Maybe someone else on the forum has more info?]

[edge_gordon]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

I haven't ridden the MARC into DC, but it does go there. I think it takes a roundabout route, all the way down to Point of Rocks, MD, and then into DC. I also think it only goes once, maybe twice a day. [Maybe someone else on the forum has more info?]

Maryland Transit Administration Home Page
Looks like it only runs on weekdays. Guess we can "Park and Ride" if we want to play tourist.

Edge

[edge_gordon]

Okay, we're going to be "Merlanders" sometime after April 1, I guess!
Hubby's got a job offer in the works. I'm hoping the little rental I found near Fort Detrick is still available. We would rather stroll than drive.

I've got questions about gardening, hiking, bicycling (seems to be an active bicycle club) and fishing. We also love to cook: Asian, Middle Eastern, TexMex, and Greek.

Should I start a new thread, or just chat here about all that good stuff?
Thanks everyone for your help.
City-Data has really helped us out.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by edge_gordon

Okay, we're going to be "Merlanders" sometime after April 1, I guess!

Should I start a new thread, or just chat here about all that good stuff?
Thanks everyone for your help.
City-Data has really helped us out.

Edge, congrats and I personally think a new thread is in order - maybe something that references Frederick vs. only Ft. Detrick.

Here is a cool little blog for Frederick that I came across not too long ago - it's updated frequently and has some good info.

http://frederickmarylandonline.com/

[carolina_guy]

Originally Posted by edge_gordon

Okay, we're going to be "Merlanders" sometime after April 1, I guess!
Hubby's got a job offer in the works. I'm hoping the little rental I found near Fort Detrick is still available. We would rather stroll than drive.

I've got questions about gardening, hiking, bicycling (seems to be an active bicycle club) and fishing. We also love to cook: Asian, Middle Eastern, TexMex, and Greek.

Should I start a new thread, or just chat here about all that good stuff?
Thanks everyone for your help.
City-Data has really helped us out.

I'm glad to see this thread was as helpful to you as it was for me...and congrats on your DH landing a job! Since I started this thread, I have no problem if you would like to continue your questions here (maybe you already did start a new one since your post is in February).

As for me, well, I never did get the job I interviewed for in December, BUT, there is an offer in the works on another position!! I should receive it by Friday, and if all goes according to plan, we should be Southern transplants by mid-May!

One question while I'm thinking about it--is the Potomac close to Gaithersburg? And does it offer outdoor recreation like camping, hiking etc.? Are there spots along the river that anyone can recommend?

And Virginia people, what lakes are close by to this part of Maryland that offers lots of activities?

Well ya'll should be hearing a lot more from me...talk soon and thanks again for everyone's help!