Where 2 live--will commute to D.C. (Columbia, Silver Spring: budget, for sale, maintenance)

[Skatergirl]

I'm trying to find suggestions on towns to live for a commute to D.C. We are a family of 6 and would like a 4 bdrm NON-FIXER-UPPER. We have just under $500k to spend. We would like to keep the commute under 1 hour to D.C. and schools are important. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Skater

[RoadTripGurl]

Columbia, MD

[Skatergirl]

Naked woman waiting for a response. Gee, I was really hoping for more input. More than two words from one poster. I really offer input for all posts on my state board--did I do some faux paus I'm unaware of here??? What's it take to get some real responses????????

[Kensington]

People may not be posting much because honestly your budget is too low, and we don't know what to say. Columbia is nice, but not under 1 hour commute to DC unless you can commute at off hours. The parts of Montgomery Co. that would be under 1 hr. and fit within your budget do not have the best schools. I don't even know where to go with the whole fixer-upper issue. You may be able to find a home that has been decently renovated in Montgomery Co. for under $500,000 but it is still going to be old and tiny. Best of luck with your search.

[smash731]

i agree with kensington, you can't buy a cardboard box in the dc metro area for half a mil.

[Njrover0216]

Check into Anne Arundel County. I sent you a private email. The commute into DC is not that bad from here. Once you get on RT50 it may take you about 45 minutes to an hour. I do not work in DC but I drive into DC a lot at different times and it usually takes me about 30-40 minutes.

[lscalder]

Yoy should be able to find a nice size home in the Silver Spring area for 500k or around 400k thats in good condition. Check out this website. HomesDatabase

[MikeK]

Kensington made some good points, but I also agree with Iscalder that you can find something in Silver Spring for under $5ooK (barely). Silver Spring covers a large area running from the DC line to 6-7 miles beyond the beltway. The close-in schools and those on the eastern end are not the best, though the housing is often more affordable. Crime is also higher in those areas.

If you can raise your housing budget $50-$100K there are many more options north of White Oak and much farther south than Columbia. The schools are better and in some cases you have a choice of high schools. I live in this general area and worked in DC for many years.

The hour commute may be a problem at times depending on where in DC you're working.

I don't know much about Anne Arundel, but that may also be an option.

You have some tough criteria. Best of luck!

[MAC104]

Originally Posted by Skatergirl

I'm trying to find suggestions on towns to live for a commute to D.C. We are a family of 6 and would like a 4 bdrm NON-FIXER-UPPER. We have just under $500k to spend. We would like to keep the commute under 1 hour to D.C. and schools are important. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Skater

Southern Anne Arundel County (Lothian) is a very nice place to live. We are moving to NC to be with family but have lived here for many years. GREAT schools, <1 hour to downtown DC, yet in a country atmosphere. Just over 500K will get you a house like ours (which is for sale) - 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2 acres of land in a really nice, quiet, community.
Lothian gets you out of the city without being to far from it. There are also many shopping areas, doctors, etc within 20 minutes. Good Luck.

[Skatergirl]

Are Maryland homes prices going to be more expensive than living IN D.C., say the Capitol Hill area? It's pretty shocking to see that half a million gets a dumpy box, but I'll gladly take my dose of reality to make an informed decision. My husband would like to expand our search without going rural. Specifically, in D.C. We're more than willing to give up lawn maintenance and extra car. We're also willing to up the anty for housing cost to under $600. That's in stone, though. Any more input? Thank you all.