Germantown vs. Laurel (Bethesda, Potomac, Cabin John: apartment complexes, rentals, crime)

[lgr2011]

I will be working in McLean VA but plan to live in MD (i think!), moving from TX. I am looking at apts in Germantown and Laurel. Any ideas as to which is a better place to live? Germantown is near the church I plan to attend and Laurel may be a little bit closer to family. Thanks for any help.

[goldenage1]

Laurel has some sketchy apartment complexes. Both are terrible commutes to McLean, but overall I would choose Germantown, as I find the appearance of the area and the shopping more pleasant. Most of Germantown is probably newer. There is some crime in Germantown also. If that's a concern, look for crime maps thru Google.

[lgr2011]

So the 30 minutes identified in Google maps is not realistic?

[goldenage1]

Hell no! I used to commute from Falls Church to Wheaton, and on a good day, if I left at 3:30, it would be 45 minutes. On bad days, it could be an hour and a half to 2 hours.

Your only relief would be to live closer to McLean, like Bethesda, but the expense will be greater. You might check the commute from Leesburg, VA to McLean, and ask on the Northern Virginia board.

[lgr2011]

Sigh... Thanks.

[goldenage1]

The problem with living on the Maryland side of the river and working in Virginia is that there is no good alternative to crossing the river on 495 (the beltway). If there's an accident or snow or rain, it is a bottle-neck. There is usually also a construction project going on somewhere.

But, if you like the church in Germantown and find a nice apartment, it can be a good place to live for a few years.

[selhars]

On a daily basis EITHER Germantown or laurel to McLean coul be 'a great test of your patience.' I really want to say it will be a nightmare but let's just say it will be long and could be a 'challenge' quite often.

Oh, you'd be taking major roads, so no problem there. But the distance, traffic volume and possible accidents along the way could slow your time.

As with any commute around here a key issue is: what TIME of day would you be traveling from Grmntwn/laurel? And by what time would you need to be at work in McLean?

[Cruzincat]

It will be a lot easier to "commute" to church on Sundays, if you live nearer to McLean.

[selhars]

You are driving right?

I'm with Cruzincat...I know family/friends are in MD and you want to be near them.....but if you work in McLean I'd really suggest living in VA....OR..... if you must be in MD, live as close to the 495 bridge as possible to your commute across is as quick as possible.

However, those areas near the bridge Cabin John, Glen Echo and Potomac are quite expensive. I'm no expert on those areas, but I don't think they have that many rentals. They do have some. It's fairly easy to get to Germantown from those areas. (straight up 270, or back roads if you have to take the long way around). Laurel is farther, of course.

But, if you just have to live in MD, I suppose you'll just HAVE to do it. But.....

[lgr2011]

Not used to dealing with Rivers in Houston (except when it floods), so I had not considered the crossing the river issue. It is just that anything around McLean is way out of price range. Is Reston nice?