Moving to Maryland,need help (Columbia, Silver Spring: low income, apartment complex, rent)

[dorado0359]

Originally Posted by stonybrook00

thank you all very much. I did some research last night. Lots of people advice not to live inside the beltsway, the further away the better. Is this generally true? Also, my husband only needs to teach one day a week at GMU, so, travelling to VA is not our priority, we can deal with once a week bad commute. Besides, he is already a workaholic, If we live too far from Calverton, he will be working crazy to make up the time he lost in traffic. I want the kids see their daddy before they go to bed.

I can see from map, columbia, bowie, rockville are further out from DC, unless places like Laurel, beltsville, greenbelt, claverton are indeed bad, we won't be considering living too far. Then again, since all the towns metioned above are outside the circle, traffic may not be bad.

We are just looking for a 1-2 years rental, and the kid will just be in kindergarton, so I will put the school aside for now.

I really want a place there are nice parks, good library and friendly people and most importanly feel safe whatever we are doing.

And if we choose a place near Calverton, is it possible to commute to Fairfax by public transportaion (bus, subway)?

thank you very much.

I believe you would have to take both the MARC (Maryland Commuter Train) and Metro (D.C. Commuter train) to get to Fairfax.

Also, Laurel is good, but will add 20 minutes or so to your commute, because it's north of Calverton/Beltsville/Greenbelt/College Park.

[Lenagainster]

Some have mentioned Woodmoor. It is an area that borders on the north side of the Beltway, University Boulevard and Colesville Road. If you could find a house for rent in that area, I guarantee you would love it. Nice schools (Pinecrest and St. Bernadette RC school) and a great community spirit that has house decorating contests at Christmastime, Becca's Run to support cancer research and Fourth of July parades. Easy commute to Calverton, mostly opposite the heavy traffic.

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by stonybrook00

thank you all very much. I did some research last night. Lots of people advice not to live inside the beltsway, the further away the better. Is this generally true? Also, my husband only needs to teach one day a week at GMU, so, travelling to VA is not our priority, we can deal with once a week bad commute. Besides, he is already a workaholic, If we live too far from Calverton, he will be working crazy to make up the time he lost in traffic. I want the kids see their daddy before they go to bed.

I can see from map, columbia, bowie, rockville are further out from DC, unless places like Laurel, beltsville, greenbelt, claverton are indeed bad, we won't be considering living too far. Then again, since all the towns metioned above are outside the circle, traffic may not be bad.

We are just looking for a 1-2 years rental, and the kid will just be in kindergarton, so I will put the school aside for now.

I really want a place there are nice parks, good library and friendly people and most importanly feel safe whatever we are doing.

And if we choose a place near Calverton, is it possible to commute to Fairfax by public transportaion (bus, subway)?

thank you very much.

I'm not going to argue for or against PG anymore. The information is there, people interpret as they wish.

Your hubby can get to GMU via public transportation. Take the subway to Vienna and catch the bus.

[dkf747]

I actually lived in Beltsville for 7 years, and my daughter went to Calverton Elementary for a couple of years. We now live in Gaithersburg and the quality of school is way better. That's just my opinion though.

Anyways, the apartment communities in Beltsville are not that safe. Single family home areas are much better. If I were you, I would consider the area along Georgia Ave north of Glenmont station, or in the surrounding area. It's an easy drive down Randolph Rd to Calverton. On the days he needs to go to Fairfax, just drive down Georgia ave to 495. The Metro isn't far from that area if he wants to use it to get to work. I can't reccommend a specific community, I'm just thinking of the general area. Montgomery has good schools so that's another plus.

[stonybrook00]

Originally Posted by handy man88

I'm not going to argue for or against PG anymore. The information is there, people interpret as they wish.

Your hubby can get to GMU via public transportation. Take the subway to Vienna and catch the bus.

handay man, thank you very much for all the information. I think you have a genuine and warm heart to help people like me. I wish all the posts won't disturb your peace.
I finally found Woodmoor you mentioned on the map which is not far from power mill road that hubby will be working at. Also, there seems to be a river running throught it. Great.

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by stonybrook00

handay man, thank you very much for all the information. I think you have a genuine and warm heart to help people like me. I wish all the posts won't disturb your peace.
I finally found Woodmoor you mentioned on the map which is not far from power mill road that hubby will be working at. Also, there seems to be a river running throught it. Great.

I'm glad I could help. I just like to deliver the cold hard facts, because there's no sense lying on this blog.

Here's some more information on subway and bus routes that he can take to GMU.

Metro - Metrorail System Map
http://www.wmata.com/metrobus/maps/va.pdf

[Joykins]

Might want to consider the Colesville area of Silver Spring--North of Randolph Road off of New Hampshire Ave. -- Stonegate, Peach Orchard, Briggs Chaney, Cloverley, etc. The commute to Calverton is good from this area.

[stonybrook00]

Originally Posted by Lenagainster

Some have mentioned Woodmoor. It is an area that borders on the north side of the Beltway, University Boulevard and Colesville Road. If you could find a house for rent in that area, I guarantee you would love it. Nice schools (Pinecrest and St. Bernadette RC school) and a great community spirit that has house decorating contests at Christmastime, Becca's Run to support cancer research and Fourth of July parades. Easy commute to Calverton, mostly opposite the heavy traffic.

thank you. Woodmoor seems very attractive. But when I look up on Craigslist, there are only two houses for rent, both over $2k + utilities, that's almost our whole month income now. Oh, man, DC is expensive. This is our first real job, hubby spent his whole life studying, doing Postdocs, I feel sad for him, that's why nobody wants to be a scientist now. How aggressively should we save to buy a home for the kids! Does woodmoor has apartment complex? I can't find any.

[lscalder]

You need to stick to Beltsville area.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by stonybrook00

thank you. Woodmoor seems very attractive. But when I look up on Craigslist, there are only two houses for rent, both over $2k + utilities, that's almost our whole month income now. Oh, man, DC is expensive. This is our first real job, hubby spent his whole life studying, doing Postdocs, I feel sad for him, that's why nobody wants to be a scientist now. How aggressively should we save to buy a home for the kids! Does woodmoor has apartment complex? I can't find any.

I feel bad for you because $2K is no money to live on in those areas that people here (like handy man88) have mentioned. You thanked him for helping you. Don't you know he's on a mission?

I could recommend some decent places for you with an acceptable school for your child nearby via direct message. I don't feel like posting them here because I don't want to get attacked about Prince Georges County again.