Relocation-housing/school gen ??'s - MC/HC (Bethesda, Chevy Chase: new home, neighborhoods)

[kario]

Hello and thanks for your time:
My husband, 13 yo and 8 yo children and I will be relocating to Md/DC for my husband's job near NIH. We currently live in Madison WI but have both lived in other major metropolitan areas.

-I will also work PT and total family income will be approx 220K. We should have a downpayment of about 100K for house.
-Don't need a new home. biggish yard and older house needing cosmetics/new kitchen/new BR fine. Would want 2000+ finished sq ft, garage would be great.
-Husband would be willing to bike up to 8-10 miles most days, use public transpo, or drive (free parking). I work in healthcare so will likely have about 2 12-hr shifts/wk, commute not crucial.


So:
-Suggestions about housing/neighborhoods?
-Our kids might qualify for magnet/IB type programs. How does the "cluster" system work in Montgomery cty? And any advice about how to get them in the loop for this?
-Anything else we should think about?

Thanks so much for your time. I'll divide this post if too much for one thread.

[trying2moveup]

go to www.mcps.k12.md.us to find out about the Montgomery COunty (Md) school system.
With your salary you could do well in many areas, including some that could be within the 10 mile biking distance for your husband (there is also a Metro stop at NIH).
ANything inside the Capital Beltway is more expensive than outside it (I-495).
Be prepared for tax shock when you get here. Maryland taxes are high, property taxes are very high especially in the immediate surrounding counties of DC (gotta pay for those schools right??) and basically if you can dream it, Maryland can tax it.

[kario]

Thank you, trying2moveup. We can definitely see that the closer in you are, the less you get for your money. I think we are going to sell at least one car since the taxes are so steep to bring a car in to the state.

I lived in Philly many yrs ago and remember being surprised by all the extra taxes. Madison, Wisconsin has fairly high property taxes, but good schools,like MoCo, so that part I can swallow. I think it's the little things that will add up...

Thanks again.

[Marilyn Emery]

I think you can find what you need in and around NIH. Areas that comes to mind are Garrett Park, Bethesda, Kensington and North Chevy Chase. All would be an easy commute by bike for your husband. He could get close to Rock Creek Park and the trails so he wouldn't have to ride his entire commute on busy roads (just more pleasant). He could also use the bus system to get to the metro on the days he doesn't want to drive. The schools are fabulous, with great academic opportunities. The IB programs start in middle school in many of the area schools. Each cluster is alittle different so if you want more specific information about the schools than you can get on the website trying2moveup mentioned, you can always contact someone on the PTA. There is usually contact information on the indivdual school website. They may be a little biased but you should be able to get a more personal feel.

I moved here 18 years ago and wasn't sure if I would like it. I can't imagine ever leaving the area now. There has so much to offer.


Marilyn

[kario]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, Marilyn. The idea about contacting PTA members is a great one.

The tip about the bus to metro commute is worth checking into as well.
We are digging out from 10" of snow with wind chills projected to -20 in Wisconsin, so a coastal climate is sounding inviting!

Kari