Need info on neighborhoods and best public/private schools. (Silver Spring: townhouse, best schools)

[Trina2010]

Moving to the DC area this summer and need information on neighborhoods with good schools (both public and private). Also, my husband will be working in the DC area, so commuting information would be very helpful.

Kid friendly areas are on our agenda--we have a 5-year old and a 2-year old.

[LynchburgLover]

There's a great little book http://www.amazon.com/Independent (broken link) about private schools in the DC area. I don't know if it's still at Barnes & Noble or used books stores but see if you can pick up a copy. They may even have it in libraries. The tuitions might be a little more now but it's a great guide.

As far as neighborhoods, you need to be a lot more specific -- especially regarding price range.

Good luck.

[yayayards]

Where are you planning on living in MD it really depends on the area MOC has the best schools no doubt. There are a couple of nice pg county schools, (if you can find them).

[Trina2010]

Thanks for the info. We are looking at spending around $600,000

[Trina2010]

We aren't sure where we are going to live--we are undecided between Maryland and Virginia.

[sandkrab]

WHen you say he will be "working in the DC area" does that mean down town DC or in the surrounding area? Silver Spring, Bethesda, Beltsville, Rockville, etc?

[tonyc]

Here Maryland/MD Private Schools - Private School Review

[LynchburgLover]

I think you'll get more responses if you are a bit more specific. The Washington metro area is quite large and diverse. You need to zone in on type of house -- single family? townhouse? 1950s rambler or brand-new 2 story colonial? How big of a yard? Is proximity to public transportation a priority? Do you want a more urban feel (Silver Spring/Alexandria) or a more semi-rural feel (Darnestown or Loudoun County). How long is your husband willing to commute? Etc.

Regarding the schools, same thing. The "best" is a very subjective description. What attributes of the school are important? Religious based? Montessori? Very small classes?
Big campus with mega-athletic facilities? Are you looking for the "big names" that will pave the way to an Ivy League? What I might define as "best" might not be the same for you. I have two children -- what was best for one, wasn't the right fit for the other.

I know you don't want to devulge a lot of personal info on the internet but a little more info will be helpful.