Commute question -- need honest opinion! (Columbia, Silver Spring: apartment, home, neighborhood)

[maya08]

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are moving to Maryland and are trying to figure out where to live. He will be going to school at University of Maryland in College Park and I will be working in Laurel. We both really like Columbia, but are very nervous about what the commute will be like for him to College Park. Do you think it would be a reasonable commute for him (assuming he could have class at any time of the day), or would we be better off trying to live somewhere closer to College Park. The thought of 'urban living' does not really appeal to us -- we really want somewhere that is quiet, safe, and has lots of areas for running/recreation. We also liked the Piney Orchard community of Odenton, though not as much as Columbia, so opinions on that commute would be useful as well.

Thanks in advance!

[dkf747]

I think that that commute would be tolerable. The usual worst spot would be where 95 meets 495. However, the distaqce from there to Route 1 isn't very long. Once on Route 1 it won't take long to get to campus.

[KRB97]

I agree with the comment above. I would say the commute is around 20-30 minutes as long as there are no major accidents.

[Rmx Christina]

those areas will give you a decent commute to both areas....maybe piney orchard will be a little better than columbia

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by maya08

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are moving to Maryland and are trying to figure out where to live. He will be going to school at University of Maryland in College Park and I will be working in Laurel. We both really like Columbia, but are very nervous about what the commute will be like for him to College Park. Do you think it would be a reasonable commute for him (assuming he could have class at any time of the day), or would we be better off trying to live somewhere closer to College Park. The thought of 'urban living' does not really appeal to us -- we really want somewhere that is quiet, safe, and has lots of areas for running/recreation. We also liked the Piney Orchard community of Odenton, though not as much as Columbia, so opinions on that commute would be useful as well.

Thanks in advance!

As others have said the commute is not bad from either place. I would go with where your heart tells you that you will enjoy living the most. Columbia or Odenton might be a no brainer as you already know the answer. You will spend most of your time at home and in the community not commuting.

[maya08]

Thanks everyone for the info -- it's been very helpful! Also, one other question -- what about commuting from Bethesda? I forgot to mention that that is one of the areas we are looking at as well.

[dkf747]

Bethesda to College Park is probably worse than from Columbia, but 30 to 60 minutes is my guess, depending on starting point.

[CH Fisher]

we will be moving to maryland and are wondering where to live in Montgomery County. My husband is planning on taking the metro to school/work in Bethesda ( Military med-school ). Which area should we avoid and where would be a safe and easy to Metro area for us, as we also have small children.

Does Metro goes to Howard county? If so, where?

Thanks.

[koofie]

I disagree. There are MANY nice parts of lower MoCo - I would love to move to Silver Spring but cannot yet afford the neighborhood I like. Do you want to be walking distance to metro or a short or longer drive? Also, what other amenities are you looking for? Parks, religious communities, walkable neighborhood, apartment or house? All of these make a difference in what people might advise.