Comparing Bethesda to Vienna, VA Similarities? Differences?

[rdflk]

Middlin, who said about the Smithsonian?
Is that where the OP said s/he would work? Id, so I missed it.
If not, why is that even am issue?

Bethesda over Vienna in a heartbeat. Not even close.....

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by rdflk

Bethesda over Vienna in a heartbeat. Not even close.....

I have read a lot of publicity about the "family-friendliness" of Vienna, and I think it is much over-rated. The traffic on Route 123 makes getting anywhere in Vienna a nightmare.

Unless the OP has friends or family in Vienna, I would tell them to take the house in Bethesda. They will be very happy with it.

[JD984]

Bethesda is a much easier commute to DC than Vienna.

The public schools are very good in both Vienna and Bethesda. The Bethesda schools might look slightly better on paper, but it's not a significant difference. More students in Bethesda will attend private schools.

Bethesda has a more materialistic, competitive vibe. People in Vienna are friendlier. The easiest way to describe it is that, if you ask people in Bethesda and Vienna to compare the two, people in Vienna will be more likely to tell you what they like about Vienna, and people in Bethesda will be more likely to tell you why it is "better."

If those are the choices I would go with Bethesda for the shorter commute, but I would visit and try to get a feel for the place first because Bethesda is not for everyone.