Downtown Bethesda vs. North Bethesda (Rockville: apartments, how much, living in)

[NJResident]

I am moving to DC area soon next month. I have been looking for apartments in Bethesda area. I have noticed that the apartments in downtown Bethesda is more expensive than North Bethesda. I would need some information from friends on this forum: what is the real difference between downtown Bethesda vs. North Bethesda? Is North Bethesda safe?

I am interested in an apartment located at 5750 Bou Avenue. I looked at the area on google map. it seems it is in the heart of shopping malls. Can someone please share some information about this area? is it good idea living in an apartment which is literately inside a shopping mall? Thanks very much.

[opequon]

North Bethesda includes the White Flint metro area, Shopping Mall and apartments in the area that are less expensive than downtown Bethesda which is about 3 miles and 3 metro stops away. Like anywhere else, if you like the area and it works for your commute, then North Bethesda can be just as nice as Downtown Bethesda, but DTB has more restaurants and organized activities ( farmers markets, music in the parks, etc) than it's cousin to the North. Hope this helps

[NJResident]

Originally Posted by opequon

North Bethesda includes the White Flint metro area, Shopping Mall and apartments in the area that are less expensive than downtown Bethesda which is about 3 miles and 3 metro stops away. Like anywhere else, if you like the area and it works for your commute, then North Bethesda can be just as nice as Downtown Bethesda, but DTB has more restaurants and organized activities ( farmers markets, music in the parks, etc) than it's cousin to the North. Hope this helps

Thanks for the information. I assume North Bethesda is also very safe, right? Thanks.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by NJResident

Thanks for the information. I assume North Bethesda is also very safe, right? Thanks.

Very safe.

[Biggest Baller]

Bethesda is closer to DC, more urban and has more Restaurants, bars, etc. Bethesda also has night life which North Bethesda lacks (outside of Dave & Busters).

North Bethesda is more suburban. Thats the main difference. Both are equally safe.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by NJResident

I am interested in an apartment located at 5750 Bou Avenue. I looked at the area on google map. it seems it is in the heart of shopping malls. Can someone please share some information about this area? is it good idea living in an apartment which is literately inside a shopping mall? Thanks very much.

I think that everyone above comparing the safety and amenities of North Bethesda to downtown Bethesda was thinking about the White Flint area and didn't actually look where Bou Avenue is located. Bou Avenue is actually just south of Twinbrook Parkway and there is a big difference between living there and living in downtown Bethesda. Even though Bou Avenue technically has a mailing address of North Bethesda, most people consider that area to be Rockville.

I think that you'd be much happier living in downtown Bethesda. (BTW, I lived four blocks from the Bethesda Metro station for 10 years before relocating out of the area earlier this year.)

[danjros]

I have lived in downtown Bethesda for 6 years and love it. My gf and I have been looking into moving to N. Bethesda only because you can get more for your money and afford a newer(a few are brand new) place and possibly save some money as well. At this point though we prefer to live in an older high rise to be able to live where we want in downtown Bethesda and walking distance to everything. The only thing that we dont have that we wish we did was a washer/dryer in the apartment instead of a laundry room in the basement.

[NJResident]

Originally Posted by danjros

I have lived in downtown Bethesda for 6 years and love it. My gf and I have been looking into moving to N. Bethesda only because you can get more for your money and afford a newer(a few are brand new) place and possibly save some money as well. At this point though we prefer to live in an older high rise to be able to live where we want in downtown Bethesda and walking distance to everything. The only thing that we dont have that we wish we did was a washer/dryer in the apartment instead of a laundry room in the basement.

Hi danjros: Thanks for the reply. Do you have any recommended apartment communities in North Bethesda that you have looked at? Thanks.

[danjros]

Well I have only looked online at this point, havent taken any tours recently. Mostly looking on apartments.com and similar sites and reading reviews online. Some new ones I have looked at online are the Morgan, Monterey, Jefferson @ Inigos Crossing, as well the Grand, Strathmore Court, and Fenestra in Rockville town square. I dont really have any recommendations though for North Bethesda because I probably only have seen what you have looking online.

I think you should definitely look at downtown Bethesda apartments though to see if you like the area and the different apartment buildings. It is definitely a different feel and a much more walkable community than N Bethesda/Rockville, which is mostly strip malls and shopping centers. After looking at prices for North Bethesda though vs how much I pay now, I am probably staying in downtown, it would have to be much cheaper or be much nicer for me to leave where I am at now.

Downtown I have lived in Bethesda Place(very nice and a block from metro), Triangle Towers(older but renovated and very large 1 bedrooms) and the Glens on Battery(much older, but decent and much cheaper)

The thing that gets me though is the parking fee for most apartments in the area, both downtown and N.Bethesda. I have paid $90-120/month to park my car and North Bethesda seems to have similar fees, maybe a tad cheaper(Strathmore court is one that I think is free though)