King Farm versus White Oak, Silver Spring (Rockville, Brookeville: real estate, apartment)

[DM1012]

I am currently on the market to buy and have found an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome that would be custom built near the White Oak area of Silver Spring. It is right off of Rt. 29. Alternatively, I have seen a nice townhome in King Farm in Rockville - it does not have all of the amenities that the other home has, but has the basics - 2 car garage, granite countertops, etc, however, it costs about 35k more than the brand new place and without all of the upgrades. My husband works in Silver Spring, while I currently take the metro into DC, as we rent an apartment right by the Twinbrook metro station. Obviously with King Farm, I would still be able to take the metro, however with the Silver Spring place, I would probably drive into DC, which after checking, would take between 30-45 min.

I am just unsure about whether it is prudent to spend that much more money in King Farm for a place that isn't as nice, or if it is a sure bet to spend a bit more and gain more in the future? Please let me know if anyone has any thoughts and/or if you live in either of these places. Also, if anyone does do the drive into DC from Silver Spring, what that is like? Look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

[Marilyn Emery]

Personally I would prefer King Farm over White Oak. White Oak is much more car dependent. If you are working with a Real Estate agent ask them to do comparisons on how each area has held it's price. King Farm may not have the amenities the property in White Oak does but it may still have better appreication.

The commute from White Oak to DC is pretty tough in the morning. I sometimes do the reverse drive taking my kids to the dentist/ortho just north of White Oak and the traffice seems pretty heavy.

[Bigbluelandrover]

I can't compare the two but we are looking at buying in the same development in White Oak. At first I was not fond of the location but there are numerous developments coming to White Oak that will rival the Rockville Science corridor. The FDA will have 8,000 employees by 2012, a new hospital will be built behind the FDA and there are going to be some new condos coming. I will look up a link if you want it.

I will say that my husband used to drive to Alexandria and I live near W.Oak and it would take him about 40 mins.

[tonyc]

No comparison KF > White Oak. My nieces live in KF, and I lived in White Oak some twenty years ago. Now getting out of there (KF) in the morning is ah ..

From SS to DC, it's an easy drive. Either use Rockcreek Parkway, or go south on New Hampshire, left on North Capitol, right on NY...easy 30 mins or so. Nothing compared to driving into DC using either 270 or 355 during rush hour.

[jhm680]

I would go with King Farm based upon my experience. While Eastern Montgomery County has improved a lot it is still not what Western Montgomery County is. You should also check school ratings. I will say that White Oak Middle School has a wonderful guidance counselor her name is Joan Foster she was a former Math Teacher of mine and neighbor of mine in Brookeville.