How insane would this commute be? (Bowie, College Park: construction, college, live)

[itmtmd]

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are relocating to MD. She has a job in Riverdale. We're thinking of moving to Laurel as the housing prices look half way sane and she would be able to ride MARC to work. I might have a line on an IT job in Alexandria, so I'm trying to determine how insane the commut would be from Laurel to Alexandria. The gig is rotating shifts, so two of the three rotations would be in off hours. If it's too insane does anyone have other suggestions on where to move with a decent commute and halfway sane (200 - 275K) housing prices?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

[dkf747]

I don't think it is insane, but on some days it will feel like it.

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by itmtmd

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are relocating to MD. She has a job in Riverdale. We're thinking of moving to Laurel as the housing prices look half way sane and she would be able to ride MARC to work. I might have a line on an IT job in Alexandria, so I'm trying to determine how insane the commut would be from Laurel to Alexandria. The gig is rotating shifts, so two of the three rotations would be in off hours. If it's too insane does anyone have other suggestions on where to move with a decent commute and halfway sane (200 - 275K) housing prices?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

You will end up wanting to "off" yourself after the first week. The WW bridge is a nightmare virtualy all the time. If you decide to go north, there is non-stop construction and jammed traffic at all hours.

[itmtmd]

Thanks for your responses. Does anyone have an alternate suggestion on where to move that would be a decent commute to both Alexandria and to Riverdale?

Thanks Again,
Brian

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by itmtmd

Thanks for your responses. Does anyone have an alternate suggestion on where to move that would be a decent commute to both Alexandria and to Riverdale?

Thanks Again,
Brian

I would think NW DC or Arlington, but the cost would be way more than Laurel or Bowie. Be careful of the hyperbole here. The Wilson Bridge area will improve somewhat when the construction is completed. Another thought is that you can live close to any Metro line and commute to both Riverdale Park (College Park Metro and bus combo right?) or to Alexandria by Metro. That would give you more options.

[childofaaco]

Depending on where in Alexandria you need to get, and what times you need to commute, the MARC trains may work for you as well. MARC/VRE have an agreement (http://www.vre.org/service/marc.htm - broken link) to honor each others' tickets in directions opposing rush hour (ie - your MARC ticket from Laurel to Washington in the morning would be valid to get you to from Washington to Alexandria on the VRE) Just check the schedules on the MARC Camden line (they don't really have mid-day service) and your off-peak commutting by car (especially at night) will not be as much of a headache.