Help! Husband is moving to Carderock, West Bethesda, MD (Rockville: apartment, rental market)

[Mfloresca]

Hi! My husband just accepted a job in Carderock, West Bethesda, Maryland. We never lived outside California and doesn't know what to expect from Maryland. Only my husband is moving and the entire family will remain here in California. We are busy looking for apartment through the internet but we have no idea which areas we need to avoid when choosing the area to live at. What we are looking for is within 20 miles radius from Carderock Naval Base. We also have no idea which area we need to concentrate when finding an apartment; would it be DC area, Northern Virginia or Maryland side? Any idea/s is highly appreciated. Thank you.

[tonyc]

First off, define Affordable! It's all relative you know..

[Mfloresca]

We are looking for just one bedroom apartment for him and no more than $1,100.00 is what we can afford. We are currently maintaining 2 households here in CA (our main home and daughter's apartment who's attending college). Therefore, we can only afford to get another one for him no more than $1,100.00. Is that a reasonable?

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by Mfloresca

We are looking for just one bedroom apartment for him and no more than $1,100.00 is what we can afford. We are currently maintaining 2 households here in CA (our main home and daughter's apartment who's attending college). Therefore, we can only afford to get another one for him no more than $1,100.00. Is that a reasonable?

First off you want to live as close to Bethesda as possible, since commuting around these parts is a nightmare.

I THINK he should be able to find something decent in Rockville for that price.
I've been out of the rental market for many years, so hopefully more knowledgeable folks would chime in. GL.

[Mfloresca]

Thank you. We will do some research on Rockville area.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by Mfloresca

Thank you. We will do some research on Rockville area.

Also look at the Kensignton area, older but relatively close and quaint.

[tonyc]

You could start here to get an idea...

classifieds - craigslist

[Nonna2trips]

Areas in MD to look are Bethesda, Cabin John, Potomac, Rockville, Chevy Chase or Kensington. VA areas close are Langley, McLean and Reston. It is a high cost of living area. There are a lot of quaint older homes so you might consider a basement apartment in a private home esp. as it seems to be a temporary position since you are not also moving.

[Mfloresca]

Thanks for the feedback. It may not be a temporary one. The family might be moving as well after this school year and/or if I could find another federal job on which I would be allowed to transfer. After living here in California for such a long time plus living in the middle of the desert, it would be a good experience to live in a place where you could see "green". Though I love it here in the desert but it won't hurt us to try a little different lifestyle. I will check on those areas you mentioned but which side of Carderock you think is a little bit safer to live. NoVA or Behesda?

[Nonna2trips]

I would say they are similar as the state line in the middle of the beltway with half in MD and half in VA. I personally live in MD and prefer it. My hubby commutes to VA. There are plenty of federal gov't jobs so that is not a problem. The Washington DC Temple is lovely to look at near the Kensington/Chevy Chase exit of the beltway. Traffic backs up there sometimes as it does with the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Dulles Toll Rd. in VA.