Montgomery County (Silver Spring, Germantown, Bethesda: crime, townhouse, established neighborhood)

[mmmmmmmm]

Live in San Diego.
Hubbie looking at job in D.C. metro area off the green line.
Have children ages 6 and 9.
My six-year old has adhd. I'd like adhd-friendly schools meaning not schools that are going to make him feel left behind. More relaxed with academics yet inspiring teachers. He loves science and animals.
My daughter loves softball and aikido.
We have about $425K to about $550K to spend on a single-family home.
I love nature and yoga.

Any input/opinions in regards to which areas of Montgomery County would be greatly appreciated.

[mississippimagnolia]

I've heard good things about Silver Spring and Bethesda. Also, there are some nice areas in Rockville. The schools in Silver Spring and Bethesda are supposed to be outstanding.

We moved to Germantown a year ago to look for a house. We are moving in about two weeks to Burke, Virginia. Needless to say, we were not happy with this area.

[tercel95]

I do not recommend most areas in Silver Spring... Bethesda is very nice and some parts of Rockville are nice... Olney is a bit more laid back and out of the way... Most schools in those areas are very competitive, you will probably have to enroll your kid in some kind of special education program if you really feel like they would feel "left behind"...

[mmmmmmmm]

Are the schools competitive in Rockville as well?

[tercel95]

For the most part Montgomery county public schools are competitive academically... Meaning that there are a lot of smart kids that go there and that there are lots of opportunities for smart kids to take advantage of, like AP classes, advanced learning, etc... However, a lot of these schools also have crime issues which you really don't see on paper... I went to sherwood and even though it was competitive academically it was kind of a rough school...

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by mmmmmmmm

Are the schools competitive in Rockville as well?

Definitely.

[endersshadow]

From personal experience, Oakland Terrace (in Silver Spring) is excellent. It's a huge school with a great staff and students. Strathmore (also in Silver Spring) is kind of the opposite. It's a small school (grades 3-5) and has inept teachers with uncontrollable kids. Bell Pre, the feeder school to Strathmore, is nice though.

[LovinCO]

I lived in Mont Co for 40 years and raised two children. Here are your best areas and schools....Bethesda, Potomac and Chevy Chase.....period. BUT, to find a single family home in any of those areas for 450k-550k....gonna be tough- I was raised in Potomac and went thru the public school system and when I got married and had kids, we move to Gaithersburg to a GREAT neighborhood with a fantastic Elem. school (prices were lower). Im being specific b/c I know what it is like to move to a new area and know nothing....(we move to CO 1 1/2 yrs ago) - OK, look at Washintonian Woods neighborhood - may be able to get one of the smaller houses in your price range - and Fields Road Elem. school - parents are very involved, teachers were terrific! Neighborhood is tons of kids, really friendly people, close community - any specific questions, just ask!! Good Luck

BTW - all the people I went to school with in Potomac.....we all lived in G'burg

[LovinCO]

Ohhhh - one more great neighboehood - but u'd have to look at a townhouse - the Kentlands (also in Gaithersburg) - Elem is in neighborhood. If anything, look it up on line - really neat neighborhood!

[RelaxRevive]

My Parents are in Bethesda and its just a beautiful area. Well established neighborhoods with beautiful big brick homes. There also happens to be a wonderful Nature walk/running trail right behind their development. A farmers market some great dining and the white flint mall right around the corner.