Maryland or Northern Virginia? (condos, low crime, townhouse)

[Jaded]

I've been reading a lot of threads and posts on Maryland and Virginia. My husband will more than likely be relocated to a job in DC and we will need to live in either MD or NOVA, as I know we cannot afford DC.

My question is to those who have lived in both states. What state has a better commute in your opinion? What state has better schools? What state is more metropolitan/progressive? From what I've read, both are pretty diverse, so I'm not concerned with this aspect of either.

I've read that PG County in Maryland has a lot of crime, but I need specifics, i.e. is the crime specific to certain areas? I've also read that areas of NOVA aren't that safe either.

In your responses, please list the commute times to DC from the cities/counties, you recommend/promote.

Thanks!

[histmaj]

A lot has to do with the amount of money you are willing to spend, and the amount of time willing to commute. Crime is generally much better in Montgomery County, and NOVA than it is in PG (not saying there arent nice areas). Many young professional types are living in NOVA and that gives a progressive feel which you mentioned. Montgomery County(Bethesda, Silver Spring) is great for an urban living outside of DC proper. All are expensive! More specifics about your requirements would help with getting better details about areas.

[McOctopus]

Every area has trade offs. PG County does have higher crime and more troubled schools, but by far the most affordable housing--though there are relatively safe and less safe parts of every county. NOVA (with the exception of Alexandria) probably has the best schools overall, though Montgomery county is also one of the best school districts in the country. Nova is probably better for singles, but I know more liberal/progressive families with children who live in Montgomery county. While NOVA is more liberal than the rest of Virginia, it is still part of Virginia and has some fairly heinous gun and anti-gay laws that would apply. Almost any gay couple with children would have to be crazy to remain in Virginia because of some of the laws they have passed. With all of these areas the farther out you live, usually, the cheaper it is. It is also more expensive to live by the metro, but if you want an urban lifestyle that is essential. If you are commuting by Metro, your commute depends on which line is closest to where you are commuting to. My job is on the red line, I live in South Rockville/North Bethesda and my commute to downtown DC is about 25 minutes. I used to live to Silver Spring, and it was probably closer to 20 minutes. If I lived in VA right now I would have to transfer which would add some time to my commute, but when I worked at Gallery Place and lived in Crystal City that was a quicker commute (5 stops on the Yellow line). The quickest metro commutes in VA are in Arlington County, but anything by a metro there will cost you a pretty penny. If you are talking about driving, NOVA by far is the worst. Even routine errands can become traffic nightmares.

[donovan]

NOVA is expensive, you might as well live in DC. Also Bethesda is the most expensive place in the entire US. Try to live in Georgtown or Friendship Heights if you can. It's expensive but the DC area is just high unless you live in unsafe parts like PG county which you'll regret.

[Jaded]

Thanks for the responses so far...

I don't think we want to spend more than $400K on housing. Townhome or SFR. A two-car garage is essential. The housing does not have to be new. Living by Metro would be nice, but can't we live farther out and drive to the Metro stations and then continue our commute into DC?

What would traffic be like from NOVA; Montgomery County and PG County if one were to live 15 miles outside of DC and need to drive in or take Metro...would it be 30min commute or 1 hour?

Again, Thanks...

BTW...what are the nicer areas in PG, schools and neighborhoods? What are the less expensive areas of NOVA? Manassas?

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by donovan

NOVA is expensive, you might as well live in DC. Also Bethesda is the most expensive place in the entire US. Try to live in Georgtown or Friendship Heights if you can. It's expensive but the DC area is just high unless you live in unsafe parts like PG county which you'll regret.

Off the subject, but Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego County, is the most expensive place in the entire US...followed by Jupiter, FL I believe

[rlchurch]

Originally Posted by Jaded

Thanks for the responses so far...

I don't think we want to spend more than $400K on housing. Townhome or SFR. A two-car garage is essential. The housing does not have to be new. Living by Metro would be nice, but can't we live farther out and drive to the Metro stations and then continue our commute into DC?

What would traffic be like from NOVA; Montgomery County and PG County if one were to live 15 miles outside of DC and need to drive in or take Metro...would it be 30min commute or 1 hour?

Again, Thanks...

BTW...what are the nicer areas in PG, schools and neighborhoods? What are the less expensive areas of NOVA? Manassas?

You probably need to readjust your concept of housing prices and amenities in DC -- two car garage, $400k, etc. are not things that are easily supportable in DC. Way out in the burbs, an hour or more away maybe. DC is an urban area, single family home are not the most cost effective solution in many cases, and two car garages are even more uncommon. Don't think suburban USA, you'll set yourself up for disappointment. Consider public transportation, townhouse or high rise living, $600k prices, and there's a lot to love.

[McOctopus]

I agree with the above poster; you will have to readjust your expectations if you want to live closer to DC. Anything with a two-car garage remotely in your stated price range with be at least an hour away from the city, minimum. I live ten miles outside the district in a 3br condo (no garage) for about your price range. My commute is about a half an hour by Metro, driving would probably take longer with traffic. Driving into the district on a daily basis is not recommended because of both traffic and parking costs. Some nicer areas of PG county include Bowie (which is on the Marc train, not metro) or Mitchellville. Good luck!

[Jaded]

We wouldn't drive into DC. We're just not ready to give up our cars. We're fine with commuting via the various train systems though.

Does your condo offer underground parking at least? I know that townhomes are popular in the area just by going onto Realtor.com and looking at the new home websites. We would probably be okay with a townhome too. But unfortunately, we still want a place to put our cars.

I know it will be a challenge, coming from driving states (California and Arizona) to non-driving states/district. But I lived in Los Angeles for over 8 years and dealt with traffic because there was NO public transporatation, so I look forward to not having to drive to work! Hubby went to school in NY and commuted from San Diego to Long Beach, and then from San Diego to Calexico for years...so, we aren't too green when it comes to commuting. Right now we are both spoiled by having less than a 20 minute drive to work...that will be missed!

So, in NOVA, I think there is a town called Lee's something (more south I think) that offers townhomes with two-car garages, but I'm not sure of the commute time.

Where do people live who have children? Surely families with children don't all live in condos with no cars??? Are do they?

How is the cooling housing market affecting the overall area? It may take awhile to reach the overall DC market.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Jaded

I've been reading a lot of threads and posts on Maryland and Virginia. My husband will more than likely be relocated to a job in DC and we will need to live in either MD or NOVA, as I know we cannot afford DC.

My question is to those who have lived in both states. What state has a better commute in your opinion? What state has better schools? What state is more metropolitan/progressive? From what I've read, both are pretty diverse, so I'm not concerned with this aspect of either.

I've read that PG County in Maryland has a lot of crime, but I need specifics, i.e. is the crime specific to certain areas? I've also read that areas of NOVA aren't that safe either.

In your responses, please list the commute times to DC from the cities/counties, you recommend/promote.

Thanks!

For better schools, Virginia's schools are rated higher than Maryland's nationally. I disagree with one poster who said that Alexandria's schools aren't good. Alexandria's schools are pretty much the average for the non-NoVA Virginia. The system's only problem is that Alexandria is sandwiched between two highly-rated (and in my view, somewhat overrated) systems in Arlington and Fairfax Co. For MD schools, Howard County is considered the best system in MD, Montgomery Co. is also considered elite (again in my view somewhat overrated), PG schools across the board have gotten negative ratings (somewhat deserved) but PG does have great elemantary schools in the more affulent parts like Bowie and Upper Marlboro. PG's main problem is the state of the high schools the only one that most would agree is very good is Elanor Roosevelt.

Crime: PG does have a major crime problem, but the crime is mostly concentrated inside the capital beltway in spots such as Forrestville, Glassmanor, Temple Hills, etc. The parts further from DC have less crime worries. Montgomery mostly has low crime but a few spots such as Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Montgomery Village do have a lot of compliants about crime. Arlington's crime is low but the parts closer to baileys crossroads are a little rough. Alexandria City has a low crime rate also but the parts around the Braddock Rd metro station and Arlandria have high crime rates. Fairfax County has a few spots which illegals are impacting gang crime such as Seven Corners/Bailey's Crossroads, Rt. 1 south of the beltway, Edsall Rd. west of the Alexandria City line, around Springfield Mall, and Herndon.

For a family that had to commute to DC i think that West Springfield in NoVa would give you a great mix of everything you need.