New job in Gaithersburg. Relo'ing from Long Island (Columbia, Germantown: apartment, townhouse)

[Kennisgranni]

I will be starting a job at Lockheed Martin in Gaithersburg in July. No idea where to live. I don't have children/schools to worry about. Based on Internet views, considering G'burg, Germantown, silver spring, Bethesda. Is Frederick feasible? How long would the following commutes be: Frederick -> G'burg; SS -> G'burg; car or train?
I want to be somewhere that is basically built up, not city'ish but not rural. Thoughts? Would Laurel or Columbia be entirely too far?

[goldenage1]

Gathersburg is fine to start with. If you can afford it and would like a little more upscale living, then look at Bethesda. Frederick is nice but I think it's too far to travel. There's no need to consider Laurel or Columbia, if you don't have kids.

The Lockheed Martin office is not near a train station unless it's moved since I was there. I think you have to limit your self to car commuting.

[kajimenez]

Single, no children... I believe best bet is Bethesda. Frederick is a commute. I think many people moved to Frederick to get away from the hustle. However, now Frederick is part of the hustle of the DC area. Good luck.

[MrMaryland455]

Since you have No kids I recommended either ROCKVILLE (King Farms, Fallsgrove, or Rockville Townsquare) easy access to Bethesda and D.C........or just pick Bethesda (if you can afford it)..........if you want something feasible and still upscale in Gaithersburg ( I recommend the "KENTLANDS")

[goldenage1]

I would second Kentlands if you are looking for an up-scale apartment or townhouse. It is a "neo-urban" development with an emphasis on walkability.

[reiflame]

The two important questions:

1) What is your budget
2) What is the maximum commute you'd consider (time-wise)

People can recommend anywhere, but without that info it's impossible to give you an actual recommendation.

[dkf747]

Based on the OP's last couple of sentences, i would say Germantown would fit well.

[MrMaryland455]

Originally Posted by reiflame

The two important questions:

1) What is your budget
2) What is the maximum commute you'd consider (time-wise)

People can recommend anywhere, but without that info it's impossible to give you an actual recommendation.

I agree what is your budget.....

[mwruckman]

I moved from Long Island in 2000 to take a job in Gaithersburg. The company is located on Clopper Road less than a mile from Quince Orchard Road. By the Lockheed-Martin I am going to guess its at the Lockheed-Martin Systems facility at the corner of Md 355 and Quince Orchard Road MD-124 just off of I 270. I find the area similar to Long Island (Suffolk more than Nassau). The traffic on I 270 is a lot like the LIE from Exit 60 into the Queens. We don't really have any other major Expressways to share the traffic load like the Southern State or Northern State does on the Island. I would compare MD 355 to NY Rt 25 (think Jericho Tpk). So we have some of the worst commutes in the Nation. I would say locating close to the job is worth every penny if you can afford it. I bought a place in Montgomery Village which gave me a commute of 6 miles round trip. Unless you are a senior executive forget Bethesda-Chevy Chase-Potamac (where a smart little colonial will set you back over a million dollars) which is just as pricey as places on the North Shore like the Manhasett Three Villages or Cold Spring Harbor. Apart from Montgomery Village, other places like the Kentlands, or Kings Farm (Both mixed use developments are reasonable a two bedroom town house can be had for the the 300s). In Montgomery Village single family homes usually list for the low 400s.