Military Family moving to DC (Washington: renting, house prices, safe area)

[fabulousfab]

Hello There,
My family and I may be moving to the D.C. area sometime next yr from NYC. I am not that knowledgeable in the different areas around here so I would appreciate some suggestions. We are a military family with two young kids (one is school aged and the other will be in another 2 yrs). I will working be in Walter Reed Army Medical Center and my husband will be at the Pentagon or Ft Meade so nothing too far away (max1 hr travel time during rush hour). I am interested in an upper middle class area that will have a good school system, family friendly, diverse and safe area, house prices are around $400,000 or less. I don't mind going to Maryland or Virginia. I have been looking into Bowie, MD as a choice. Please list all the pro's and con's. Thanks in advance.

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

We're in the military and are getting ready to PCS out; 7 year veterans of the National Capital Region.
The big question is when does your husband find out which location? WRAMC is centrally located so won't be to unreacheable from wherever you live. The Pentagon vs Ft Meade is another story; it's an hour drive between the two locations. If the Pentagon, I'd recommend Arlington or Fairfax counties in Virginia. If Ft Meade, then the Silver Springs or Greenbelt MD areas.

As far as your requirements go: upper middle class area, Home less than $400K, and a sub-one hour commute will be extremely difficult to find. You'll need to prioritize these, I'd recommend elevating your housing budget to at least $500K.

SJ4

[BWALDON]

If you work at Fort Meade, Bowie would be great for you. Beautiful homes in Bowie. Also, the Michellville, Fort Washington area host an abundance of nice neighborhoods with beautiful single family homes in your price range. Their are some gems in this part of PG. County that aren't being scooped up YET. You may hear some stories re: PG. County but half of the people are speaking from a distance or reading the news to much. Anyway, those are three great areas. GL

[claremarie]

If you want a good public school system, stay out of Prince George's County. Spend some time researching the DC school systems and you will quickly learn that DC and PG County are dead last. There is a reason that homes are significantly less expensive in PG County than elsewhere in suburban Maryland.

I agree that you cannot begin a meaningful housing search until you know exactly where your husband will be working.

Unfortunately, $400K does not buy you into an upper-middle class community unless you are prepared for a commute over one hour. (One hour in DC metro traffic does not actually get you very far, either.)

[DCnative1990]

Look into Montgomery County (Burtonsville area) sinces its about halfway between Waler Reed and Ft. Meade. Since they have one of the best school systems in the country and finding a home for 400k or lower is easy. Since DC's school system is terrible.

[BWALDON]

Originally Posted by claremarie

If you want a good public school system, stay out of Prince George's County. Spend some time researching the DC school systems and you will quickly learn that DC and PG County are dead last. There is a reason that homes are significantly less expensive in PG County than elsewhere in suburban Maryland.

I agree that you cannot begin a meaningful housing search until you know exactly where your husband will be working.

Unfortunately, $400K does not buy you into an upper-middle class community unless you are prepared for a commute over one hour. (One hour in DC metro traffic does not actually get you very far, either.)

If you want a beautiful home in your price range look into the areas I suggested. If your kids are disciplined and respectful because of parenting, they will be fine in PG County Schools.