Best place to raise a family close to Silver Spring? (Bethesda: low crime, houses)

[Kbfrmaz]

Wanting a very family friendly, great schools, low crime area within 20 miles of Silver Spring. We have 3 school age children and are looking for a single family turn key home. Able to spend $500-600K. We like the suburban feel, love bike riding, hiking, trails, that would be ideal. City recommendations, or specific zip codes even.

Thanks!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Kbfrmaz

Wanting a very family friendly, great schools, low crime area within 20 miles of Silver Spring. We have 3 school age children and are looking for a single family turn key home. Able to spend $500-600K. We like the suburban feel, love bike riding, hiking, trails, that would be ideal. City recommendations, or specific zip codes even.

Olney or Derwood because there is more space surrounding the homes than in the closer in suburbs. There are plenty of parks for the bikes, recreation centers for swimming and other sports, skate parks, etc. The schools are decent, but I hope you are not obsessed about having the highest-rated high schools. Zadok Magruder and Sherwood are decent, but just don't rank as well as the Bethesda schools.

[bufflove]

20 miles each way is a really absurd distance to try and travel in the DC area. I'd recommend you tighten your search circle a bit if at all possible.

Places to search with at least a couple houses in your price range:
-East Silver Spring, Four Corners, Woodmoor (zips 20910 and 20901) will give you access to Sligo Creek, Northwest Branch Trail, etc.

-Kemp Mill (also in Silver Spring - about 250,000 people have a "Silver Spring" address. It's a massive swath of the county; in your post I'm assuming you mean within 20 miles of downtown Silver Spring)

-Kensington (finding a sub-$600K house will be tough)

-Garrett Park (again, your budget will be tough)