Anyone commuting from Laurel/Columbia to DC via MARC Train (Silver Spring: apartment, renting)

[moredatamoreproblems]

Hello all!

I've searched and found some similar threads, but looking to get some more recent feedback. I'm currently living in Silver Spring and renting a small apartment (I know ugh), but I'm looking into buying within the next year or so.

The Howard County area and Laurel looks to be promising with single family and large townhouses within my price range of 380K max.

Currently, I commute into DC (Georgetown) from Silver Spring via Metro but if I were to move into Columbia /Laurel I would take the MARC train.

I took the MARC train from Odenton, Maryland into DC (Farragut North) for about a year and LOVED it, the express trains were amazing, parking wasn't that bad and everyone was so friendly, but this was 3 years ago. The only barrier was being restricted to time of the MARC trains.

Anyone currently commuting via MARC train to DC from the Laurel/Columbia area? I'm just looking for some pros/cons and things to consider that I'm not thinking about.

I tried taking the MARC from DC to Silver Spring and understandably it was jammed packed standing room only with no two level cars. Commuting from and to Odenton, I always had a seat.

I don't have any kids, just a dog, but my wife gets home earlier than me, so this it wouldn't be an issue of needing to be home at a specific time to walk the dog. I'm in my late 20s, but don't do the happy hour scene much anymore so I'm not worried about that.

Alright I'll shutup now, but just looking for some feedback on if I'll regret this commute. My job is pretty flexible so I could do an 8 - 4 if needed.

Thanks in advance!

[CBMD]

That's the Camden line, I believe. Have never taken it to DC, but did take it once from Balto to Laurel, and well it got me where I needed to go, but I wouldn't describe it as The Orient Express....yet.

OTOH, I do a fair amount of driving in the Laurel area, and I note that the parking lot in Laurel is mostly full, and Muirkirk, one stop further south, bigger lot is mostly half full.

[paytonc]

MTA commuter buses go directly from Columbia to downtown DC:
Commuter Bus | Maryland Transit Administration
Route 929 Schedules | Maryland Transit Administration

MARC's Penn Line (to/from Odenton) does not share its tracks with freight trains and so has more frequent trains (and bi-level cars) compared to the Silver Spring/Frederick line.