From Columbia to Silver Spring or DC (rent, car insurance)

[dave08]

Hi,

Can anyone offer some insight on moving to Silver Spring or DC from Columbia, MD? I'm in my 20s, currently living and working in Columbia, but I'm thinking of moving for a change of scenery, a more urban environment with things to do nearby, and to maybe meet more people.

I will still have to commute to Columbia, so from that perspective, Silver Spring seems pretty good. Plus, it would allow me to be next to the metro, have an urban environment, and have Rock Creek Park right there. However, it seems to me that Silver Spring lacks the unique, almost cozy? feel of many DC neighborhoods that would make DC appealing, not to mention being even closer to everything there is to do in the city. However, the daily commute to Columbia from DC scares me. So does the possibility of higher rent and higher taxes and car insurance (is this right?). I'm not really into clubbing or partying too often, but I do enjoy coffee shops, local bars, dining out, interesting bookstores, hanging out, just being in the city, that sort of thing.

Anyway, if anyone could offer some thoughts on living in Silver Spring vs. DC (or whether I'm crazy to even consider moving south) as well as the possible commute, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[JimGriffith]

A. Yeah, it's true, your cost of living will go up. No way around that.
B. Depending on your tolerance for driving pain, the commute wouldn't be too terrible. A lot of people around here do worse. If you were going from Glover Park of course, yeah it would be awful. But somewhere around Mount Pleasant or even Capitol Hill could be manageable.

C. Have you considered Baltimore? I totally understand if you ruled it out, there are plenty of reasons. But you might give it a second look.

D. Have you considered Annapolis? Completely different scene, but one of the prettiest, oldest cities in America with no shortage of great bars, bookstores, and restaurants. And the ride up and down 32 ain't bad.

While the weather is still good you might do well to spend some time around Silver Spring or the northern neighborhoods. See how it feels to you, and if you get serious maybe try out the commute just to see.

[MDDCtoATL]

Originally Posted by dave08

Hi,

Can anyone offer some insight on moving to Silver Spring or DC from Columbia, MD? I'm in my 20s, currently living and working in Columbia, but I'm thinking of moving for a change of scenery, a more urban environment with things to do nearby, and to maybe meet more people.

I will still have to commute to Columbia, so from that perspective, Silver Spring seems pretty good. Plus, it would allow me to be next to the metro, have an urban environment, and have Rock Creek Park right there. However, it seems to me that Silver Spring lacks the unique, almost cozy? feel of many DC neighborhoods that would make DC appealing, not to mention being even closer to everything there is to do in the city. However, the daily commute to Columbia from DC scares me. So does the possibility of higher rent and higher taxes and car insurance (is this right?). I'm not really into clubbing or partying too often, but I do enjoy coffee shops, local bars, dining out, interesting bookstores, hanging out, just being in the city, that sort of thing.

Anyway, if anyone could offer some thoughts on living in Silver Spring vs. DC (or whether I'm crazy to even consider moving south) as well as the possible commute, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Silver Spring has everything you're looking for even some night clubs if you so desire later.

[HomerBrink]

Silver Spring is going downhill. Crime is soaring. Bethesda might be a better spot.

[MDDCtoATL]

Originally Posted by HomerBrink

Silver Spring is going downhill. Crime is soaring. Bethesda might be a better spot.

Did you just wake up from a ten year comma? Silver Spring is booming with a capital B. Discovery Communication's headquarters is there, it has A LOT of development in the pipeline, several large projects under construction as we speak. There's so much development going on there it leaves Bethesda in the dust.