Frederick County: Places you like, the future. (Germantown, Potomac: section 8, townhouse)

[Tiger Beer]

I explored a bit into parts of Frederick recently.

I was particularly interested in the areas that were relatively commutable to DC.

Mt. Airy looked interesting. When I drove around, it seemed larger than I thought. A bit of hills and quite pleasant. Probably a bit of a hike to get into DC though.

Brunswick is right on the MARC train. I can see why people might suggest further and get into West Virginia. However, Brunswick is a bit closer, and had an interesting feel in general. A mini-Pittsburgh. Not much around there for restaurants or larger stores. But interesting in itself.

Point-of-Rocks is quite small, but interesting enough seems to have a small group of residential housing as well. Interesting.

I didn't explore much of the others, but driving down 355 looked quite interesting off the major highway. Some nice rolling hills....wondering how long before it starts to look like Germantown and that south?

Just for general discussion....what changes do you assume might take place in some of these various towns, or throughout the county in general?

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

I bet downtown Brunswick will continue to improve and attract train commuters, adding urban amenities. The addition of that monstrosity of a Ryan Homes development off of 340 will also fuel demand for a "destination" downtown much closer than the drive to Frederick.

Brunswick reminds me a lot of Cumberland, which is why I think I like it so much. I am betting Brunswick will look a little bit more like Shepherdstown in 20 years.

[westsideboy]

The I-270 coorridor will continue to be developed. The Monocacy National Battlefield and the MoCo ag. reserve will cause the Urbana region to keep developing rapidly and densely. The suburbanization of the Middletown valley will continue.

Frederick City will be feast and famine. The inner city will continue its gentrification, the oldest townhouse burbs around the central city and in Walkersville will become the new ghetto, probably worse than now as the Section 8 population keeps getting encouraged to move west.

North and east of Walkersville will remain mostly farm country. Development will limited to large lots or centered around Thurmont.

That is all, the crystal has gone dark.

[jessy0780]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

I bet downtown Brunswick will continue to improve and attract train commuters, adding urban amenities. The addition of that monstrosity of a Ryan Homes development off of 340 will also fuel demand for a "destination" downtown much closer than the drive to Frederick.

Brunswick reminds me a lot of Cumberland, which is why I think I like it so much. I am betting Brunswick will look a little bit more like Shepherdstown in 20 years.

I live in that "monstrosity" (Brunswick Crossing). It's actually a beautiful and appealing neighborhood, with homes by both Ryan and Advantage. There's wonderful trails, nice tot lots, a future pool and community center, and a lot more planned as the community develops. We've only been here a few months, and we rented in downtown Brunswick while our house was being built, after moving from Howard County. I could not be happier with the area. People are so friendly, the scenery is gorgeous, we are close to the Potomac River, we like the elementary school, and we're a short, easy drive to Frederick, Leesburg, and Harper's Ferry. My husband takes the Marc train into DC everyday, and though his commute is about an hour, he can sleep right through it. Downtown Brunswick is really working on improvements, and has a few nice little shops. Eventually, Brunswick Crossing will open a marketplace with a grocery store, shopping, and restaurants. I look forward to that, especially once we get some good restaurants.

[andrew_s]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

The I-270 coorridor will continue to be developed. The Monocacy National Battlefield and the MoCo ag. reserve will cause the Urbana region to keep developing rapidly and densely. The suburbanization of the Middletown valley will continue.

Frederick City will be feast and famine. The inner city will continue its gentrification, the oldest townhouse burbs around the central city and in Walkersville will become the new ghetto, probably worse than now as the Section 8 population keeps getting encouraged to move west.

North and east of Walkersville will remain mostly farm country. Development will limited to large lots or centered around Thurmont.

That is all, the crystal has gone dark.

...and the urbanization of the state continues. Im afraid anything within the triangle of DC, baltimore and fredrick will become a great big giant city.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by jessy0780

I live in that "monstrosity" (Brunswick Crossing). It's actually a beautiful and appealing neighborhood, with homes by both Ryan and Advantage. There's wonderful trails, nice tot lots, a future pool and community center, and a lot more planned as the community develops. We've only been here a few months, and we rented in downtown Brunswick while our house was being built, after moving from Howard County. I could not be happier with the area. People are so friendly, the scenery is gorgeous, we are close to the Potomac River, we like the elementary school, and we're a short, easy drive to Frederick, Leesburg, and Harper's Ferry. My husband takes the Marc train into DC everyday, and though his commute is about an hour, he can sleep right through it. Downtown Brunswick is really working on improvements, and has a few nice little shops. Eventually, Brunswick Crossing will open a marketplace with a grocery store, shopping, and restaurants. I look forward to that, especially once we get some good restaurants.

Jessy I didnt mean to dis your place . The "monstrosity" was more a comment about its sheer size - it's HUGE! It's got to be bigger than the town of Brunswick itself.

I thought it was closer to 90 minutes on the MARC from Brunswick to Union Station?

The homes looked much nicer than they average subdivision's. Those types of developments are not my cup of tea, though.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

I thought it was closer to 90 minutes on the MARC from Brunswick to Union Station?

I read the same on the MARC website. 90 minutes.

60 would be pretty cool!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

There's about 55 miles of old B&O track between Brunswick and DC so yeah, 60 minutes would be a real feat.

[jessy0780]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

Jessy I didnt mean to dis your place . The "monstrosity" was more a comment about its sheer size - it's HUGE! It's got to be bigger than the town of Brunswick itself.

I thought it was closer to 90 minutes on the MARC from Brunswick to Union Station?

The homes looked much nicer than they average subdivision's. Those types of developments are not my cup of tea, though.

No biggie, I know subdivisions aren't for everyone. I actually wasn't interested in living in one until we built our home here. You're right about that- it will be huge when it's done!
I asked my husband- he said it usually takes him about an hour and 20 minutes to get to DC on the train. It's perfect for him- in the morning he sleeps, in the afternoon he answers emails and looks at the internet.