Where to live in MD if you work in NOVA but dislike Montgomery county? (Baltimore: rentals)

[adriftinthebay]

Is there any place an hour or less to Fairfax? I don't want to move to VA/DC because I recently registered my car in MD and do not want to do it all over again for a job I may leave in a year or so.

[cat1116]

Brunswick, Md area, perhaps?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by adriftinthebay

I recently registered my car in MD
and do not want to do it all over again for a job I may leave in a year or so.

This is just silly. Get over it or find some other job NOW.

[Borntoolate85]

Prince George's County
Parts of Anne Arundel County
Northern Charles County, including Waldorf

Frederick would be an hour to Fairfax City, but I-270 is almost always jammed in Montgomery County. However, it's around or just less than an hour to Reston or Herndon from Frederick City.

Of course, if you work in Alexandria, Prince George's County is right across the river.

Parts of Howard County are also possible as Columbia to Tysons is usually 50 minutes to an hour during a typical morning commute. Of course, you'll have to drive through the busy section Montgomery County for much of the commute.

[dkf747]

I would just do North Bethesda, or Bethesda, if I were you. You will survive a year there. However, you have options like Oxon Hill or Point of Rocks / Brunswick.

[bus man]

OP, do you mean Fairfax County or Fairfax City?

Depending on where you'd be, I would consider Frederick County, MD. Point of Rocks is next to the U.S. 15 bridge over the Potomac River, from which you can get to Leesburg and points south. I've never tried this route during rush hour, but I can't imagine it wouldn't be better than doing I-270 and then I-495.

[adriftinthebay]

OP here, my current work is centered around Tysons and Reston -- location varies. I'm down there 2-3 days a week. Though I've been looking for work closer to home for the past year. Currently driving down from Baltimore one day a week and staying overnight two days to free up some commuting time, the rest of the time I'm remote. It's a good thing I have a girlfriend down there that puts me up but getting to her in DC is still a pain. I have done this for nearly two years now and getting exhausted, hence the desire to move a bit closer and take different roads.

I am most interested in Frederick county of the places mentioned. Considering that I will be renting first to test the commute and general area before buying, do you recommend Frederick City, Brunswick or Point of Rocks? The latter two seem harder to find rentals.

It also looks possible to drive down from Frederick county, park at a W&OD trailhead in Leesburg and bike the rest of the way to work. That's an easy 18 miles or so on a greenway trail to Reston.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by adriftinthebay

OP here, my current work is centered around Tysons and Reston -- location varies. I'm down there 2-3 days a week. Though I've been looking for work closer to home for the past year. Currently driving down from Baltimore one day a week and staying overnight two days to free up some commuting time, the rest of the time I'm remote. It's a good thing I have a girlfriend down there that puts me up but getting to her in DC is still a pain. I have done this for nearly two years now and getting exhausted, hence the desire to move a bit closer and take different roads.

I am most interested in Frederick county of the places mentioned. Considering that I will be renting first to test the commute and general area before buying, do you recommend Frederick City, Brunswick or Point of Rocks? The latter two seem harder to find rentals.

It also looks possible to drive down from Frederick county, park at a W&OD trailhead in Leesburg and bike the rest of the way to work. That's an easy 18 miles or so on a greenway trail to Reston.

Frederick is further away, but a bigger city. Brunswick and POR are best thought of as small towns with a growing commuter population. Depends on what living arrangement you prefer.

[MidValleyDad]

I did the Rt-15 commute for 10+ years but that was 15 years ago. With the car I have now (adaptive cruise control) it would be easier than it was then. But I understand traffic is worse. One accident can tie up the road since it is one lane each way (with almost no passing zones) all the way to Leesburg. It was less stressful than I-270

[cat1116]

Another possible option. Renting in the Frederick area, possibly within close proximity to either MARC train stations.

There are a couple homes around the Brunswick area that rent out.