Relocating with Job in Navy Yard (Silver Spring, Kemp Mill: apartments, rental, insurance)

[Dream41180]

I read the sticky which was very helpful, but I am feeling very overwhelmed. I am relocating summer 2017, and I am struggling to narrow down the options for living with a family that consists of husband (Stay-at-home/part-time worker), 18 month old and almost 4 year old. I am hoping to commute by train with a max commute of 45 minutes. I am open to DC, Maryland or Virginia, and we do not care if house, condo, apartment, duplex, etc.

Our housing priorities are as follows:
1. Safe
2. Walkable (within 0.25 distance with sidewalks to grocery store, park, restaurants, metro station etc.)
3. School District (if preschool and/or kindergarten are offered)
4. Commute of less than 45 minutes
5. 2 bedroom for $2,500

Other issue is preschools/schools:
-What is the birthday cut-off in DC, Maryland or Virginia...my current state is September 1, and my oldest just misses the cut-off with a September 13 birthday.
-Is preschool at offered by public schools in DC, Maryland or Virginia either at 3 or 4?
-If not public, how expensive is private preschool and do they have a date cut-off?
Really any assistance this area is greatly appreciated.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Dream41180

Our housing priorities are as follows:
1. Safe
2. Walkable (within 0.25 distance with sidewalks to grocery store, park, restaurants, metro station etc.)

Walking distance to a grocery store is tough is you want to rent a house. However, you could achieve that in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring, and parts of Kemp Mill. You could expand your options a lot if you drop that requirement. There is a great network of Ride-on buses in Montgomery County. In addition, if the worker commutes by bus and train, then the stay-at-home dad should have the car available to shop. You can get to the Navy Yard in 45 minutes if the dad can drop the commuter at the Metro Station, otherwise it is more like an hour if she has to transfer from bus to train.

You probably won't be able to achieve your budget if you insist on being walkable to the Metro, unless you are willing to live in a condo in downtown Silver Spring. One example is The Veridian where you can rent a 2-bedroom for $2040.

The Kindergarten cut-off date is age 5 by September 1. The preschool has the same cut-off date for 4-year olds, but it is only for low-income families. There are some religious pre-schools in Kemp Mill, as well as Montessori schools in Silver Spring. One example is the Evergreen Montessori in Silver Spring. The Full-day program for 3-4 year old is $17,000, and half-day is $11,980: http://evergreenschool.com/admission/tuition/ I suspect costs may be less at Catholic schools, but I will have to leave that research to you. You options are simply to braod to give average costs.

BTW, you ought to ask the question about KG cut-off dates in the Virginia and DC forums. IDK what they are, but suspect the answer is the same. Public preschools are only available to low-income families.

[Dream41180]

Thank you for responding. In terms of walkability, within 0.5 miles of metro station is pretty important unless on a high frequency bus line....mainly worried adding bus to metro commute will greatly increase the time. Grocery store could even be a quick mart or drug store....cooking is an event in house but we always forget something.

I am not sure how far my salary will go in area. I know my overall salary range (92,000-108,000), but I am unsure how much I will actually be bringing home with taxes, insurance, retirement coming out.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Dream41180

Thank you for responding. In terms of walkability, within 0.5 miles of metro station is pretty important unless on a high frequency bus line....mainly worried adding bus to metro commute will greatly increase the time.

Then look at the Wheaton Metro area. There is a new Safeway built right next to the Metro Stop. Look at the The Exchange Apartments or the MetroPointe apartments. The Exchange is built right over the Safeway, and adjacent to the Metro stop. The MetroPoint is a bit over $2000/month for 2 bedrooms.

They are zoned for Arcola Elementary School. I would recommend driving a child to it, because of the distance and heavy traffic. So you would need at least one car for the stay-at-home parent. The Solaire Apartments on the other side of Georgia Avenue is zoned for Oakland Terrace Elementary, and it is a better-rated school.

BTW, I think your salary will be fine for the rental budget. However, I am not sure you ought to put out $17K for a private preschool. You could pay for a lot of daycare if the husband needs to work part-time. If you want private preschool, the Evergreen Montessori is just down the street from these apartments. They handle kids as young as two.