Poolesville, softball or baseball? Help! (Germantown, Frederick: real estate, neighborhoods, magnet school)

[jroh]

I need some advice. We are relocating to the DC area with a daughter in middle school and a son in high school. We are from the midwest and my kids have never known "big city" life.

I am looking for safe schools with good neighborhoods and a good athletic program for both girls and boys. A friend suggested Poolesville.

Is this a good fit for a midwestern family who likes neighborhood parties, barbecues and lots of athletic activities?

Also, does anyone have a contact for girls softball or little league, and Babe Ruth baseball?

[Fissure226]

If you're looking for good sports, and good schools? Olney, MD (and surrounding areas) by far would be the best area for that. As far as sports are concerned there are clubs like Onley Boys and Girls Club (OBGC (http://www.obgc.com/home/default.asp - broken link)), the Olney swim center, the athletic facilities at Brook Manor Park, or even Sherwood High School teams (which has more state championship titles, i believe, than any other high school in the county.) Speaking of Sherwood, this is a great school, one of the best in the region. The neighborhoods are of course very nice, safe, quiet and well maintained.

But of course there's a catch, the real estate in olney, or any where in the DC area for that mater, is very expensive compared to the Midwest. Just be forewarned

Poolesville is a nice town (don't stop considering it), safe and all, but it's very remote and small for it's proximity to DC. You say your kids have never known "big city" life, well Poolesville would not give them a big city feel by any means.

What would be your budget for a house? given your answer that might possibly rule out both towns. where will you be commuting? Because for poolesville's sake, it might end up being an hour 1+ commute

[Poolesville Mom]

HI - I am a 20 year resident of Poolesville with three kids - one in college, one a HS senior, and one a HS sophomore. All three of my daughters are active in sports - field hockey, softball, track and field - and play club field hockey and softball. My oldest daughter is on a DIII Collegiate Track team, my other two will probably play FH in College ...We have commuted to NVA via the Ferry, Frederick and around the beltway. It is about 30 minutes from the beltway via River Rd - 20-30 minutes to major shopping areas.

Poolesville is a town like no other when it comes to raising a family. It is a town where everybody knows your name- and your kids so if you are looking for anonymity you won't find it here. Your kids know this too ...On the other hand - we watch out for each other - and each others kids in a way that simply doesn't exist in many towns. Of course it does make for longer trips to the grocery store since you are bound to run into neighbors and friends who will stop to catch up - but that's a good thing. I am sure if anyone from Poolesville reads this post -they will accurately guess who wrote it . Parents are very involved in the schools, and the community and the kids grow up with this sense of connection and citizenship. The town is also welcoming to new families - we welcome families every year because our high school is a world class magnet school (1100 students - perfect size) that receives students who compete for entrance into the whole school magnet program (open to all local students who qualify) with strong athletic programs. You can read more about it at the school website - the middle school is a nurturing environment of about 350 students.

There are plenty of club softball and baseball opportunities in the area. We practice in Germantown, Rockville depends on the sport. Lots of opportunity because of our school size - we are a 2A school . More opportunities to stasrt and play ...

Our HS just rose in the wp post challenge index from 47 to number 5. We welcome you to come explore Poolesville- housing is affordable - one of the reasons that drew us to the area 20 years ago. There is a variety of housing in the town (affordable) and two new, final developments that are being built. The town has a growth capped at about 7500.

Really you can't go wrong in Montgomery County when it comes to the schools - all in what you are you looking for ... and the sports club teams tend to draw from across the county. There are plenty of programs available.

Good luck in your search -