Social worker in Mongomery county (Baltimore, Frederick: apartments, renting, how much)

[Brie83]

I'm a single mom of a three year old dauhgter. I'm graduating this coming December with a BSW(Bachelors of Social Work). I currently live in Cleveland, OH. I plan on moving to the DC/MD area soon after I graduate. I did a search on MD schools and it looks like PG county schools are rated very low. Montgomery county schools seemd to rate pretty well. I want my daughter to go to a good school. My question is:

DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT ON A SOCIAL WORKERS SALARY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY?

[childofaaco]

Unless other jurisdictions pay significantly more than Montgomery County I'd say not. Because you only have a BSW, in Montgomery Co you'd only be eligible to be a Public Administration Intern which is $42k a year PLUS you have to be enrolled in a MSW program. So of that $42k, you'd have to find housing (quick search on apartments.com puts the cheapest 1 bed apts in montgomery county at $800 a month, I don't know what the complex, neighborhood or schools are like...) in the good school districts in Montgomery County (the county is good as a whole, but apparently some schools are not quite so good), pay for tuition for the Master's program, pay for childcare while you're working and at school and still have money left for other expenses. Unfortunantly it does not sound very feasable....

[kinkytoes]

I think I would agree. It seems to get a "good" SW job you need to have at least a Masters. Would it be worthwhile to stay put and get your MSW before moving. I would recommend that. I think I heard on WAMU radio that some DC agencies only higher SW employees at the master's level . . .

[itlchick]

I agree with this. I think you need a Masters in Maryland.

I think at University of Baltimore you only have to do a year if you did SW as an undergraduate.

MontCo is expensive. I know people who are SW that do it, but they don't have kids. Honestly, you'd get better mileage out of somewhere more remote (better schools), like Frederick or something.

[Shadozer]

I don't know how much your salary is but I can tell you Montgomery Co. is one of them most expensive places to live in Maryland. Renting a decent apartment in a good neighborhood will cost you atleast 1300 a month for a 1 bedroom, the cheaper ones are that way for a reason. And you are right about the schools. I have gone to both P.G. and Montgomery Co. schools and can tell you from personal experience that montgomery is far far better. Somebody suggested Frederick, it is a bit cheaper to live there and the jobs are growing and growing since many people from mont co. are moving there. The schools may not be mo. county schools but I would say they are way better than pg. Good luck.