Columbia to Tysons Corner! Where to live?? (Silver Spring, Bethesda: new home, safe area)

[boltongirl]

I've gathered a lot of information on this forum, it's been really helpful. I was hoping for some suggestions. We are planning to relocate to MD from MA in June but will be house hunting before then.
The problem is that my husband's client is based in Columbia where he would be spending 3 - 5 days a week and his office is in Tysons corner where he would be 1 - 2 days, it will vary. Public transport looks spotty, esp to get to Tysons, so from what I can gather this is a hideous commute either way.
We have 2 children, 1 preschooler and 1 going into 2nd grade. We would like great schools, a safe area, a town with some character and would have around $650k to spend on a single family home. I love old homes but having spent what feels like the last 7 years painting, new homes are starting to look appealing! I would also like an area with lots of outdoor activities and sports/swimming etc.
The towns I have considered are Ellicott city, Columbia, Olney, Kensington and Bethesda but either way there is the commute issue.( He does sit in traffic for about 40 mins now for a couple days a week so he is used to it) I've even looked at Annapolis but is the commute to Columbia worth it? I know I need to visit to get a feel for these places but do you think stay north and suck up the commute or further south making it a little easier?
I would really appreciate your opinions.
thanks in advance!

[Bigbluelandrover]

Kensington/Bethesda--"if" you can find something for $650k. My husband drives to Tysons from Silver Spring and getting home is the killer. We looked at Columbia (I work in BMore) but that commute is not worth it.

[dkf747]

What is wrong with public transportation to Tyson's? My wife takes the Metro to Falls Church and a bus to Tyson's without any issues.

[Bigbluelandrover]

From Columbia? How long does that take?

[trying2moveup]

nearest Metro stop to Columbia would be Silver Spring, I think. That's a hike.
You are going to be spending a lot of time commuting, whether it be you doing the driving or someone else. Columbia to Tysons is really, really long (way more than 40 minutes, I'll tell you that and that's w/o accidents or acts of God (i.e., weather).

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Bigbluelandrover

From Columbia? How long does that take?

I apologize. I was talking about public transportation. She does it from Gaithersburg. From Columbia you can take MARC to New Carrollton, or Union Station and get to West Falls Church from there via Metro. There are buses from there to Tyson's corner. I probably takes a long time though, but it would take a long time driving too. You could also drive to Greenbelt station and take Metro from there.

Olney could work. Drive down Georgia Ave and park vat Glenmont station, or head over to Shady Grove. From Olney to Columbia isn't too bad, yet, via rt. 108.

[PenguinSix]

I wouldn't split the difference. Splitting the difference means every single day you are going to have a commute. I'd probably find a place in or near Columbia so some days the drive is minimal. On the days he is called to the office he can slog it.