Gaithersburg, Md (Bethesda: for rent, calculated, maintenance)

[prorok]

I'd like to offer an alternative point of view. Before moving to Gaithersburg from the Mid Hudson Valley region of New York, I spent many hours over many months studying this forum and left with the impression that the only acceptable place to live in Gaithersburg was the 20878 zip code / Kentlands-Lakelands area / west of I-270 and that Montgomery Village, Lakeforest Mall, and, especially Olde Towne were places to be feared and avoided. Prior to looking at housing, my wife and I compiled a list of places to see only within the "approved" areas. After several days of mediocre and unexciting choices amongst the stale architecture, chain stores, and cultural homogeneity, we expanded our search and fell in love with the first place we found in Olde Towne, a little over a block north of N Summit and E Diamond.

That was six months ago and I am happy to say that while we have tried hard to find a reason to regret our decision to move to Olde Towne, but it keeps getting better. The area has interesting architecture and is laid out in a way that makes it possible to genuinely walk to places, in a way the Kentlands tries to recreate in a sterile corporate chain store sort of way. (I walked to get my hair cut yesterday. I walk to pick up food. I *LOVE* that the MARC train station is a block and a half away so it's easy to get into DC or connect to a train to BWI or NYC for work without using a car at all and dealing with the traffic! Yes, I need to hop in the car to head northwest a few blocks to get to Trader Joe's (near Lakeforest Mall!! GASP!!) or Whole Foods in the Kentlands, but I rarely need to venture further than Germantown or Rockville to find anything I need. Hint: All things equal, go to Germantown for shopping when you can to avoid the traffic that gets worse as you go south!)

If it bothers you that there are people in stores or walking down the street who speak a language you only understand bits and pieces of (be it Spanish, Mandarin, or Korean), you won't like it here. I have found the people, however, to be friendly. There is true cultural AND economic diversity here. I haven't seen any indigent people on the streets, but if you can't bear to see a laborer amongst the suit-cladded commuter on his way to MARC station, you ought to avert your eyes and head directly to the other side of I-270 as so many here advise.

I'm not an expert on Montgomery Village, but I have to admit I was impressed the few times I ventured up there as well, with leafy wide boulevards, a large pond, and lots of green.

My only reservation about living in Olde Towne is that every time I start investigating the schools, I am disappointed by what I find. With so many top quality schools in Montgomery County, it's hard not to want to take advantage of them and a pity that the schools in Olde Towne aren't nearly as good as many others in the county. My better half and I, professionals with graduate degrees, value education, so when push comes to shove and kiddo's ready for school, I foresee a househunting trip in North Potomac in our future. In the meantime, I plan to enjoy living in Olde Towne. It is second only to Bristol, England, amongst the best places I've lived. I encourage you to give Olde Towne a look. It might not be for you, but the Kentlands ain't for everyone, either.

Good luck with your search!

[dkf747]

That was an awesome post. Glad to see someone speak positively about a good place. My earlier post was sarcastic.

I need to correct an earlier poster. Gaithersburg does have good sidewalks. I can't think of too many places within the city limits that don't have sidewalks. I know because I use them quite often, and not just in one place, but rather all over the city. I often get around on Ride-on buses, which is another good thing about Gaithersburg, and use the sidewalks to get from the stops to the places we go.

[GennyMac]

My husband and I have lived in the Gaithersburg area since November 08. He works on the west side of 270, right at the edge of the Kentlands, but we live on the east side of 270, past Montgomery Village, almost to Laytonsville. We take the train into DC regularly, even some evenings to listen to the Navy Band at the Archives and have dinner. From Shady Grove (last stop on this end of the line) it is definitely an hour or more into downtown. One issue with living out in this area will become more of an issue for the metro crowd - that end of the metro is scheduled for maintenance work through 2012 - so be prepared for much slower commutes for several years.


The elementary school in Laytonsville is fantastic. Homes in the area are reasonable and there are plenty of stores close by in Olney or Gaithersburg. Old Towne is really quite nice - there is abundance of ethnic diversity, but heck - where else can you find a peruvian restaurant two doors from an indian, moroccan, cuban, thai, vietnamese, mexican, etc. If you want to live in a place where everyone looks like you, then I would not advise a move to the DC area at all.

Montgomery Village is very nice, loads of walking trails, lakes, lots of amenities. Further out in our area thereis an abundance of 'pick your own' vegetable/fruit farms. Loads of organic growers in the area, fresh lamb, dairy, eggs from local organic producers. The Montgomery County Recreational department catalog of programs is over 300 pages and there is everything from Yoga, Tai Chi, sports, nature alks, to day trips to local attractions. Summer camps for the kids are really very good and reasonable. Baltimore is a straight shot up the highway, plenty of rivers for boating or kayacking. MD coast is an hour away and man the seafood is fantastic.

We came here from central NC, and the weather has been a dream for us - cooler temps in the summer and low humidity. We've planted a small container garden and have loved the fresh herbs and produce we have access to at the local fresh markets.

Hope this helps those who are looking at moving to the area. We are only here temporarily for work, but love it and are taking advantage of everything the area has to offer.

[tercel95]

Good post GennyMac although I don't really know what you are talking about with low humidity... I live in FL now and more often than not it is more humid in MD... MD can be an absolute bear in the summer...

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by GennyMac

We take the train into DC regularly, even some evenings to listen to the Navy Band at the Archives and have dinner. From Shady Grove (last stop on this end of the line) it is definitely an hour or more into downtown. One issue with living out in this area will become more of an issue for the metro crowd - that end of the metro is scheduled for maintenance work through 2012 - so be prepared for much slower commutes for several years.

When the trains are running normally, it takes 30 minutes from Shady Grove to downtown. Since the crash, it takes longer, and with the maintenance work (most of the early work will be on the other side of downtown) there can be delays, but it will eventually be back to 30 minutes.

[OrdinarySoul]

Originally Posted by cafm70

I'm just looking into all of my real estate options and am looking into different areas near Washington, DC. One area I had not considered moving to is Gaithersburg. I have co-worker who lives there who loves it, though the commute to DC can be long.

If you live in Gaithersburg, could you let me know what your viewpoint is about the area and living there? Good and bad info is welcome. Thanks.

Try visiting the community at the end of I-370, which is actually Rockville (20850), but it's right next to Gaithersburg, Washingtonian Center. It's a very nice community with townhouses, condos, and maybe some single family homes. Very safe, quiet, and convenient for commuting.

[vsmoove]

I have a good friend (single female) that starts working in Bethesda in August... she mentioned that she's seen some good apartment deals in Gaithersburg... her budget is about $1,200 max... is Old Towne doable? Where else would you recommend? She does not drive so would depend on public transportation. Thanks!

[prorok]

Originally Posted by vsmoove

I have a good friend (single female) that starts working in Bethesda in August... she mentioned that she's seen some good apartment deals in Gaithersburg... her budget is about $1,200 max... is Old Towne doable? Where else would you recommend? She does not drive so would depend on public transportation. Thanks!

Park Station Apartments is in Olde Towne, seems like a nice enough place, and has 1 bedroom apartments that start at under $1200 a month. There are numerous other apartments around, but, to my eye, many of them look significantly more run-down that Park Station.

The commute from Olde Towne to Gaithersburg relying on public transportation is possible, but not the most convenient. The MARC train doesn't go to Bethesda, so the Metro seems like the likely choice. There's a bus that runs from the center of Olde Towns to Shady Grove about every 15 minutes, but takes a roundabout way of getting there, so it takes almost 30 minutes. Then on to the metro for about 20 minutes. Finally, whatever it takes to get to her final destination from the metro station.

[tonyc]

Hmmm..'really bad' ..parts. I've lived there since 1987 and as time passes, there're some areas that are not what they used to be. I wouldn't classify them as 'really bad'. And the not so nice areas are tiny pockets when compared to the overall size.

[vsmoove]

Originally Posted by prorok

Park Station Apartments is in Olde Towne, seems like a nice enough place, and has 1 bedroom apartments that start at under $1200 a month. There are numerous other apartments around, but, to my eye, many of them look significantly more run-down that Park Station.

The commute from Olde Towne to Gaithersburg relying on public transportation is possible, but not the most convenient. The MARC train doesn't go to Bethesda, so the Metro seems like the likely choice. There's a bus that runs from the center of Olde Towns to Shady Grove about every 15 minutes, but takes a roundabout way of getting there, so it takes almost 30 minutes. Then on to the metro for about 20 minutes. Finally, whatever it takes to get to her final destination from the metro station.

Thanks for the info. Are there other cities with a better public transportation route to Bethesda (NIH building) than Gaithersburg that are in a comparable price range for rentals?