Newbie here... job offer in Germantown, where to rent apartment? (Gaithersburg: townhome, safe neighborhood)

[pa_2_md]

Hi... I'm new here... currently living in Pennsylvania and now considering a job offer in Germantown, hence the name PA_2_MD...

What would be good places to rent in or around Germantown? Is finding something both safe and inexpensive (around $1000 a month) like finding the Holy Grail? I have a spouse, a toddler and a newborn... some place quiet and away from the highways would be nice, and I would be willing to put up with a commute if the commute time is within an hour or so even during rush hours...

I was in Gaithersburg recently and liked what I saw, but I heard its quite expensive... someone recommended Damascus, but others say it is too much of a commute... how about good locations within Germantown? And what about places outside Montgomery county?

I guess the perfect scenario would have me driving in the direction opposite rush hour traffic, and a relatively inexpensive townhome in a quiet, safe neighborhood... 1 bedroom is enough for the moment, given that I'm just starting out in my career... spouse won't be working at the moment...

Thanks!