Job in Silver Spring -- some questions (Bethesda, North Bethesda: apartment complexes, lease)

[GeorgeSpelvin]

I've posted before about a job in Silver Spring and received a lot of helpful advice about both Maryland and Northern Virginia. Well, the job finally came through and in fact, I'll be moving up there in just a few weeks. Since we're not selling our house and moving most of our stuff for at least a year, we'll have some time to consider where to buy.

I'm going to initially rent a place. In fact, I need to quickly find something. My job is located very close to the intersection of East-West Highway and Colesville Road (which happens to also be practically next to the Silver Spring Metro station).

My first choice is to rent an apartment walking distance to the office. From the research I've done so far, rents have definitely gone up in the area and they seem to gouge you wherever they can, too (like charging extra for parking). Life in the city, I guess. However, I might have to bite the bullet if I want the convenience of being very close. As I've mentioned before, I've come to despise commuting -- at least by car.

On the other hand, since my office is practically next to Silver Spring Metro, I don't necessarilly have to rent a place in that area. But I do want to still be close (like within a few Red Line Metro stops either direction) because there will be times when I will need to drive in rather than take Metro.

So, my questions are:

1) For anyone familiar with apartments in the immediate vicinity of the Silver Spring Metro, any suggestions? I would like a place that's safe and clean -- don't care about luxury amenitites. Of course I realize that the lower the price goes, the riff raff tends to be present in larger numbers...

2) Does anyone know what the area is like around the Wheaton Metro stop? I noticed a couple of apartments that seemed nice and were very close to the station. I think one was also close to the mall. But I know little or nothing about that area. Will I be in danger of getting mugged every time I walk to and from the station?

3) What about the Takoma Park stop? I noticed a fairly expensive, new Gables complex is located right there...but some of the other housing possiblities near that station seem dumpy.

4) Finally, any other general recommendations would be of interest...

[TrippingJay]

I would start with the vicinity closest to downtown Silver Spring, specifically within the 20910 zip code. Living as close to your work will make your life so much better. Two apartment communities that would be good choices are Summit Hills and Falkland Chase. I recall looking at both of these areas a few years back and they were reasonably priced (for the area) and don't have unnecessary frills that cost extra. Although most of the area around the Metro is fairly safe and clean given that SS is a city that borders DC.

Wheaton has it's good and not so good areas. There is a newer Archstone community that seems decent and while there has been some crime along Georgia Ave, if you use some caution you should be fine. I've shopped in Wheaton, even in the dreaded Wheaton Mall and never had a problem.

Good luck!

[GeorgeSpelvin]

Originally Posted by TrippingJay

I would start with the vicinity closest to downtown Silver Spring, specifically within the 20910 zip code. Living as close to your work will make your life so much better. Two apartment communities that would be good choices are Summit Hills and Falkland Chase. I recall looking at both of these areas a few years back and they were reasonably priced (for the area) and don't have unnecessary frills that cost extra. Although most of the area around the Metro is fairly safe and clean given that SS is a city that borders DC.

Wheaton has it's good and not so good areas. There is a newer Archstone community that seems decent and while there has been some crime along Georgia Ave, if you use some caution you should be fine. I've shopped in Wheaton, even in the dreaded Wheaton Mall and never had a problem.

Good luck!

I also see a lot of postings for apartments within small buildings (4-unit, 6-unit, etc) in what look like residential areas in Takoma Park. Streets such as: Flower Road, Garland, Kennebec, Greenwood, Roanoke. A lot seem to be located between "Long Branch" and "Sligo Creek Park" I guess. Many seem like they would be kind of quiet and somehow better than some of the mega-towers I saw in Silver Spring...but without actually being there to see these neigborhoods, it's hard to know. Based on Mapquest, many of these small-building apartments in the aforementioned areas are between 2 and 3 miles from job location. Certainly not walkable, but perhaps not a bad drive. Any thoughts on these areas?

[scrapper105]

Originally Posted by GeorgeSpelvin

I also see a lot of postings for apartments within small buildings (4-unit, 6-unit, etc) in what look like residential areas in Takoma Park. Streets such as: Flower Road, Garland, Kennebec, Greenwood, Roanoke. A lot seem to be located between "Long Branch" and "Sligo Creek Park" I guess. Many seem like they would be kind of quiet and somehow better than some of the mega-towers I saw in Silver Spring...but without actually being there to see these neigborhoods, it's hard to know. Based on Mapquest, many of these small-building apartments in the aforementioned areas are between 2 and 3 miles from job location. Certainly not walkable, but perhaps not a bad drive. Any thoughts on these areas?

George, that area can vary a lot from block to block. I would be surprised if they were considered "unsafe" areas. As I've written before, I have a pretty liberal definition of "unsafe" and I don't think I would consider those areas to be unsafe. The buildings you describe are exactly that: small buildings within residential areas in Takoma Park. If you enjoy long walks on nice shaded trails, then being close to Sligo Creek Parkway (and it's bike path) will make for a nice quality of life for you. Lots of people like Wheaton - but it's just too crowded for me.

You may want to look at Craigslist for apartments in Takoma Park. There are lots of big houses that have apartments in them for extra income and you can be guaranteed of safety there. In exchange for you being a good tenant, they may also be more flexible on terms of the lease.

The houses and apartment complexes that are right on Piney Branch seem a little bit gritty to me, but there are some nice complexes on Sligo Avenue. But a lot of complexes in metropolitan areas seem to have problems with bugs...so check that apartment rating site that gets referenced on here frequently.

[Mrs. 14th & You]

I'm not a fan of Wheaton, but daily muggings really aren't a concern. My issue with the area is more that the commercial activity is mostly centered around ugly strip malls along busy roads. It's also kind of ugly.

Takoma Park is, by far the most attractive suburb you are considering.

[GeorgeSpelvin]

For my transition year, I ultimate decided on a small apartment in Silver Spring, 5 minute walk to my office (and Metro). After driving around here (including some Beltway trips of about 25 miles), I want as little to do with driving as possible.After experiencing this for even a week, I'm more and more convinced that our permanent housing is going to have to be a shoebox in someplace like Bethesda or North Bethesda, or perhaps Takoma Park....places with reasonable drives...or....someplace up the MARC line.