neighborhoods in Montgomery county (Silver Spring, Germantown: to rent, houses, school district)

[livingbythesea]

We are moving to the area this summer and I'm searching for just the right spot for the whole family. We have 2 kids, ages 7 and 1. The oldest, a boy, really wants to be in a neighborhood where there are kids playing outside and that he can ride his bike. He also loves lego robotics, computer programming, and science in general. An elementary school that is big on science and technology would be great.

I also place a priority on being able to bike to things like grocery store, library, ice cream shop, etc. We love to bike and just got a new trailer for the 1 year old and want to be able to use it there! Access to a bike trail would be great. Nearby parks with playgrounds are needed as well.

I'm a full time mom and husband will be working in the Dupont circle area. I really liked Vienna, VA, but the commute is too far for husband. Anything similar in MD that would be closer in? We currently live in a small town in RI. We are initially looking to rent for $3000/month or less, but could go higher if necessary.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[Fissure226]

You should look at Kensington or Tilden Woods areas as well as the neighborhoods off Old Georgetown Road in Northern Bethesda, near the National Institutes of Health and the beltway. these are pretty convenient areas to the city that aren't quite as expensive as something even closer to the district. hope that helps. these areas are all close to the Rock Creek and Capital Crescent, two excellent bike paths. as for elementary schools with specialties, I'm not too sure on specifics but when it comes to purely academics the school in this area are top notch in the nation. here's the school district's web site http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

[mississippimagnolia]

Bethesda or Silver Spring...definitely not Germantown or Gaithersburg. Just my opinion.

[tercel95]

Olney is my recommendation... I grew up there... I used to ride my bike to elementary and middle school... There are lots of places for kids to ride bikes and places for little kids to play... There are parks in most neighborhoods and a couple of bigger campground type areas... The schools aren't bad either... Just keep an eye on your kid because a lot of the shady people from the crappier areas in MO county like to make day trips up to Olney to harass people...

[MDWanderlust]

I second the recommendation to look at neighborhoods along the Rock Creek Bike Trail. I know many people who ride their bikes along this trail to their offices into the city - especially along Connecticut Avenue and Dupont Circle. I believe neighborhoods along the Rock Creek Bike Trail you should focus on include: Garrett Park, Kensington, North Betheda, North Chevy Chase, Parkwood, and Rosemary Hills. Most of these areas should feed into the Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson High School Clusters. The communities are affluent, highly desireable and safe but are not as expensive as other parts that are closer to Downtown Bethesda and the Potomac River.

[TrippingJay]

Originally Posted by MDWanderlust

I second the recommendation to look at neighborhoods along the Rock Creek Bike Trail. I know many people who ride their bikes along this trail to their offices into the city - especially along Connecticut Avenue and Dupont Circle. I believe neighborhoods along the Rock Creek Bike Trail you should focus on include: Garrett Park, Kensington, North Betheda, North Chevy Chase, Parkwood, and Rosemary Hills. Most of these areas should feed into the Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson High School Clusters. The communities are affluent, highly desireable and safe but are not as expensive as other parts that are closer to Downtown Bethesda and the Potomac River.

I'd recommend these areas as well and you would most likely be able to find something within your budget.

Other alternatives are the City of Rockville, specially the areas off Montgomery & Maryland Avenues. The Kentlands in Gaithersburg might also be a place worth looking into. This is a "neo-classical" development, where the houses are on small lots and residents can walk and bike to restuarants and grocery stores. The only downside is that it may be a bit far to commute to Dupont Circle.

[lind1550]

I think the previous poster was referencing the "New Urbanism" developments of King Farm and Fallsgrove (both are close to Shady Grove Metro Station in Rockville).

[endersshadow]

Originally Posted by mississippimagnolia

Bethesda or Silver Spring...definitely not Germantown or Gaithersburg. Just my opinion.

Living on the border between Germantown and Gaithersburg, I'm offended! Though, I can definitely understand your point.

You will find casual biking in Bethesda or Silver Spring an ultimate pain. It's very high traffic in those areas so if you want to just start biking from your house, it'd be difficult if you're not used to all of the pedestrians, intersections, cars, etc. Of course, if you're willing to drive, there are parks in the area.

[tonyc]

Here are some nice homes in Gaithersburg, from 1 million up. It couldn't be all that bad.. Gaithersburg, Maryland houses | Laytonsville, Greenhill, Goshen

[skijmpr]

If you're looking for something more urban and buzzing with activity:

Bethesda
Rockville
Silver Spring

You could also look around the following Metro stop areas in DC:

Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase
Van Ness/UDC
Cleveland Park
Woodley Park

Glover Park is nice too, despite not being that close to the Metro. In addition, you could consider Arlington, VA, as some of it is very close to DC and only a short Metro ride from Dupont Circle.

If you are looking for someplace a little quieter, you could check out these places (in no particular order):

Gaithersburg
Germantown
Kensington
Takoma Park

Do bear in mind that with the exception of Takoma Park, the commute to Dupont Circle will likely be longer for these places. Hope this helps!