Moving to Maryland from PA (Baltimore, Columbia: apartments, rentals, townhouse)

[nis5017]

Hello. My boyfriend and I are relocating to Maryland after graduating college in May. We are looking for a place between DC and Baltimore. I've noticed that rentals are outrageous! Any suggestions for a somewhat affordable place ($1000/month max) in a safe neighborhood, but also not far from nightlife and shopping?

I'm from northeastern Pennsylvania so I'm not so used to seeing one bedroom rentals for nearly 2000... thanks for the help!

[burnt]

Originally Posted by nis5017

Hello. My boyfriend and I are relocating to Maryland after graduating college in May. We are looking for a place between DC and Baltimore. I've noticed that rentals are outrageous! Any suggestions for a somewhat affordable place ($1000/month max) in a safe neighborhood, but also not far from nightlife and shopping?

I'm from northeastern Pennsylvania so I'm not so used to seeing one bedroom rentals for nearly 2000... thanks for the help!

What kind of place? Single-family home, townhouse, or apartment? How many bedrooms? How far of a commute is tolerable, and to where would you be commuting?

I have to admit that most people I know who have moved to the area have had severe sticker-shock, so it's not surprising you're finding yourself in that situation. $1000/mo. might get you a 2BR/1.5BA apartment in a decent complex. If that's what you want, say so. There are plenty of such apartments in good areas between DC and Baltimore. I had to search for my mother-in-law, and she ultimately settled on a 3BR/2BA townhouse with about 1215sqft. here in Columbia for $1400/mo.

[nis5017]

Thanks for the reply. We're looking more toward DC because he got a job in Bethesda and I'll be in either Rockville or Silver Spring. Any type of housing is fine as long as it has atleast one bedroom, we would prefer 2 if possible. Also as I said we want to be in a safe neighborhood but not too far from nightlife. I would prefer the drive to be no more than 30-45 min. with traffic. We have both considered the Metro as an option also. Jointly our income will be about 85-90K. The problem is he'll be making a lot more than I will at the start so I wanted something that I can also afford to contribute to.

[burnt]

I really think you'd do best to look exclusively in Montgomery County if you are both planning on working there. It's a little expensive in some areas, but Silver Spring, Rockville, Germantown, and Montgomery Village all have affordable housing in nice areas, and your commutes would be much better than if you were to try to live outside the county. I dream of riding the Metro to work, so if you can swing that, good for you.

[nis5017]

Thanks for the help. I think we've decided on downtown Silver Spring. Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice but not super expensive 1-2 bdrm apartment?