Potomac neighborhoods that allow you to avoid 270 spur (Bethesda, Rockville: renting, townhouse)

[ciimplex]

Hello everyone: We are looking to buy a place in Bethesda/Potomac. Our criteria are (a) Good schools - W cluster (b) Kid friendly neighborhoods with walking distance to playground/park/tot lots and (c) Shortest commute to downtown DC where husband and I work.
We have sort of given up on Bethesda given our price range (700-800k). What are the Potomac neighborhoods that would meet criteria (b) above and that can be reached taking the River Road exit off 495, avoiding the 270 spur which is where I see most of the traffic congestion? Would greatly appreciate advice on which neighborhoods to look at and any suggestions you might have on travel times. Please help!

[tonyc]

Welcome to the Copenhaver Homes Corporation I think, however you may have to increase your budget a bit.

here's one http://www.trulia.com/property/30155...tomac-MD-20854

and http://www.weichert.com/36283654/

[dkf747]

Any part of Potomac will work. There are several ways you can go.

[LynchburgLover]

"W cluster" -- I assume you mean Whitman?

Have you looked at Carderock (Fenway Rd, Hamilton Springs Dr, Peck Place) -- granted I've been out of the area a while but I've still got friends up there and I think that's still in Whitman.

Also, there's some smaller houses off Falls Road (Garden Way, Holbrook Lane, Donegal, Falls Bridge) that aren't too far from that price. You could scoot down Brickyard to MacArthur. I believe they are in the Winston Churchill cluster.

Check the other side of Seven Locks (Cindy Lane, Honeybee La) -- not sure which school they go to.

Did you look at all in Chevy Chase? Somerset is a great family neighborhood -- smaller, 1950s ramblers but neighborhood schools, swim/tennis, tot lots. An older, un-remodeled should be close to your price. But, I think it still goes to BCC. Fabulous commute location.

Good luck.

[sallyjenkins]

I'm moving to the area to begin a job that will be moving soon to Ft. Belvoir (BRAC). I'd love to live in MD or DC rather than VA (I grew up in MD). What would the rush hour commute time be like if I lived near the Beltway in Potomac? Or am I better off somewhere in NW DC? Which roadways/bridges should most be avoided?

Looking for a house (or townhouse with yard), $700,000 or so price. Would also consider renting a house for a while.

Or should I just give up and live in NOVA?!

[macroy]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

"W cluster" -- I assume you mean Whitman?

I usually take W cluster was Whitman, Wootton, or Winston Churchill.

I agree with the W. Bethesda/carderock area though as I grew up off of Persimmon Tree. Another option would be to look in the neighborhood of Potomac Glen - which is in the areas of Glen Rd/Piney Meeting House and Shady Grove Rd. This neighborhood is pretty much the north west point of Potomac bordering on N. Potomac/Rockville.

A TH is in the 6's now (down from almost 8) and SFH's are in the upper tier of your range. As I said, its still Potomac (20854), but you are about 2 min from Shady Grove Hospital, Fallsgrove etc. and feeds into Churchill. I commuted from there into NoVA via the back roads to Clara Barton Pkwy to 495. DC can be accessed down CB Pkwy to Canal by G'Town. The community has a tot lot/pool/community center and there are other lots/parks nearby as well.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by sallyjenkins

I'm moving to the area to begin a job that will be moving soon to Ft. Belvoir (BRAC). I'd love to live in MD or DC rather than VA (I grew up in MD). What would the rush hour commute time be like if I lived near the Beltway in Potomac? Or am I better off somewhere in NW DC? Which roadways/bridges should most be avoided?

Looking for a house (or townhouse with yard), $700,000 or so price. Would also consider renting a house for a while.

Or should I just give up and live in NOVA?!

I think NOVA or MD south of DC is your best bet. Bridges will be the least of your concerns from Potomac. The back roads will get you to the American Legion Bridge (495). It is the Beltway through Tyson's area to Springfield that will drive you crazy. If you do choose Potomac, you'll be okay but eventually it may wear you out. I'd rather do this commute from Potomac than from NW DC though.