Relocating to North Bethesda area (Rockville, Potomac: townhouses, good schools, live)

[ARFJ]

We are looking into relocating to the Bethesda area. My husband would be working off 270, exit 1 in North Bethesda. We are in our late thirties/early forties and have two kids (age 7 & 4). Since my husband works long hours, we would like to be within a 30 minute commute. Where should we be looking for a house? We are moving from the Nashville area, so I know housing is more than double where we live now. Our budget would be anywhere from $350k-$600k maximum. The two most important things for us are good schools and the 30 min or less commute.

[Captain_Fingers]

Is Exit 1 Democracy Blvd?

[e30is]

Yes and houses there start more than $500k.

[Captain_Fingers]

I thought as much - I usually don't pay attention to the exit numbers..

You'd be lucky to get anything there for $ 500K. Townhouses on Democracy near Giants (Hamburger Hamlet etc) went for the low 700s last time looked, but maybe the smaller houses by the library are more affordable. Of course, if you think going further out is good, think again, right? You're heading to Potomac..

[e30is]

$600k is the exception rather than the norm around there but I'm confident that they'll find something within their budget. They have to up their starting budget though and they shouldn't head out West of Democracy which of course is Potomac and well out of OPs budget.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Captain_Fingers

Is Exit 1 Democracy Blvd?

Could "exit 1' mean Old Georgetown Rd on the other spur?

[Captain_Fingers]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Could "exit 1' mean Old Georgetown Rd on the other spur?

Very good point...but I think the OP mentioned going north.

[ARFJ]

Yes, it is Democracy. Would Olney be too far? We like the feel of the suburbs and would probably not be happy in a metropolitan area. Our current city has 40k residents and wouldn't like anything much larger than that. Our top priorities are good schools and the commute time.

[selhars]

The OP's options are plenty seems to me:
Realtor.com which may not the absolute MOST up to date, but still:

Zip codes
20852 -- which I would call generally N. Bethesda -- 39 properties 300-600-thou, 15 of which are 3 BR/2BA, and 6 - 4 BR/2 BA ……..there are 5 - 4BR/2BA properties in the 300-500-thou range

20817 -- which I would call generally Potomac -- 5 properties were 300-600-thou, 4 of which were 3BR/2BA….3 are 4BR/2BA…….there are 2- 4BR/2BA in the 300-500-thou range

20854 -- which I would call generally Cabin John -- 13 properties in the 300-600-thou range….all at least 3BR/2BA….10 are 4BR/2BA…..2- 4BR/2BA in the 300-500-thou range

20850 -- which I would say is Rockville NW of 355 -- 38 properties in the 300-600-thous range…32 of which are 3BR/2BA….8 are 4BR/2BA…..there are 3 4BR/2BA in the 300-500-thou range

When I just typed in Potomac and not a zip code per se I got:
13 properties in the 300-600 thou range all of which were at least 3BR/2BA….10 were 4BR/2BA…..and there were 2- 4BR/2BA in the 300-500 thou range.

So it's not like there's NOTHING out there well below the OP's upper range.
Seems to me they should be able to find something without much difficulty -- BELOW 600-thou…and even below 500-thou.

These areas are more 'affordable' than many people think.

[ay jayy]

Olney would put you on the edge if not beyond your desired 30 minute commute time.

Most of the area is suburban, so I dont think you need to go all the way out there to find that feel. I think you could get something in your price range with a much easier commute