Western Montgomery County suggestions for move? (Germantown, Gaithersburg: rentals, house, neighborhoods)

[KelleyBennett]

We are relocating UK to Gaithersburg for work (americans hanging out in the UK for the past 5 years). We will have a week in the area to look for a rental vs a house to buy.
We are looking around $650K prices for a 4br house in a neighborhood.
We have 2 boys 8 and 10 when we move so schools are important.

Suggestions on areas to look? Someone we know suggested the Wootton area, but also noted it's like a pressure cooker for academics.
thoughts?
other areas to look at?
we were advised to stay left of 270.
north potomac, poolesville, germantown?
would like to keep drive low if possible (medimmune) so we don't think we want to look as high up as frederick just north of there.

TIA!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by KelleyBennett

we were advised to stay left of 270.
north potomac, poolesville, germantown?

My first choice would be North Potomac which shares a zip code with Gaithersburg. Second choice: Poolesville used to be rural, but is being developed quickly. Germantown would be my third choice.

Or you could try to find a reverse commute from Derwood or Rockville. Your price range would get an older house, but an easier commute.

[papichulo2]

Derwood Gaithersburg or Germntown

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

My first choice would be North Potomac which shares a zip code with Gaithersburg. Second choice: Poolesville used to be rural, but is being developed quickly. Germantown would be my third choice.

Or you could try to find a reverse commute from Derwood or Rockville. Your price range would get an older house, but an easier commute.

What he said above.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

My first choice would be North Potomac which shares a zip code with Gaithersburg. Second choice: Poolesville used to be rural, but is being developed quickly. Germantown would be my third choice.

Or you could try to find a reverse commute from Derwood or Rockville. Your price range would get an older house, but an easier commute.

This.

[KelleyBennett]

Originally Posted by dkf747

This.

ok. so- north potomac. does above vs below muddy branch matter?

[md93r1]

The easy way to search, use Redfin.com and search by typing the name of an Elementary school, below is a list of high rated and corresponding good neighborhoods that you should consider. All of the below will have homes in your price range, you cant go wrong with any of the neighborhoods that feed the elementary schools listed below. Using the method below you dont have to worry about good vs bad neighborhood, the list below is comprehensive of highrated schools. Also all of these are within 15 minutes of Medimmune

Use the elementary schools below to search...

Germantown/Boyds 20874:
Ronald McNair
Spark M Matsanagu

Gaithersburg/Darnestown/North Potomac 20878:
Thurgood Marshall
Diamond
Jones Lane
Darnestown
Rachel Carson
Dufief

[KelleyBennett]

thanks md93r1

[ckprite]

You should also probably use padmapper.com. It's a little more helpful when it comes to the geography of things. Mostly for rentals but I can't imagine it not being useful.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by KelleyBennett

ok. so- north potomac. does above vs below muddy branch matter?

No. Muddy Branch is not the dividing line. I would say western side of Great Seneca highway. That would be the side The Kentlands is on. Most of the homes you will want would probably be to the western side of Darnestown Rd (MD-28). I should clarify. I'm thinking of Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg (east of Great Seneca), and I just realized you might be talking about the area of Muddy Branch down past 28. I would be happy on either side of Muddy Branch down that way. Quince Orchard or Wooton are the schools for that area, and both are good.