Where to live Bethesda/Silver spring?

[selhars]

Odenton is a nice area – I don’t know if I’d agree that it’s “close” to Annapolis – but close is relative.

That aside....... it IS what I’d call convenient to get to other places – 20 mins to Baltimore – 20 mins to Annapolis, 20 mis to Columbia -- 45 mins drive to DC (NON rush hour)
Schools shopping libraries, parks – all good.

SOME parts of Crofton Gambrills and Odenton CAN BE “close” to each other and overlap – but some parts don’t. The SOUTH part of Crofton and the NORTH part of Odenton are not near each other....But you do have Gambrills in between the two – so part of Gambrills is near the Northern part of Crofton and the northern part of Gambrills is nearer to Odenton.

I also second the positive comments about Davidsonville/Riva although they’re about the same DISTANCE from DC as the other places mentioned – they’d make for a different commute because they’re to the south.

How far you are from a main commuter artery – and whether there’s a commuter train stop nearby could make a place that’s farther away MILEAGE-wise, have a shorter commute TIME-wise.

Again all of those are in Anne Arundel County.
Just like anywhere else you'll have to decide.....is farther out worth it....IF you can get a train to get into work.

When I moved to the DC area for my job 20 years ago...I had a 30 minute commute time limit -- PERIOD...I literally drew a 30 minute circle around the city...everything at or inside the circle was fair game...anything outside the circle was just not an option.
BUT, I'm the kind of person for whom a commute time is primary. So an hour commute is NOT an option in any way, shape, or form.

[DigPlantWeed]

You might check for a rental townhouse in Derwood, MD, near the Shady Grove metro station.

[Tuneful]

I wouldn't knock living in VA. I worked for a couple of years on Capitol Hill and had colleagues who either took the Metro in from Arlington, Alexandria, etc., or took the VRE (nice trains that I found relaxing on a couple of jaunts). Someone took an express bus from home on the Eastern Shore (research the possibilities at the MD Department of Transportation web site). Most employers and bosses are understanding that transit delays happen in our area. I live in Silver Spring (it's BIG, I'm in northern part), nearest Metro is Glenmont but I know the Red Line in MD well. I do not find the area friendly and it's high in stress (although that seems to be standard for greater WDC area). MD is very diverse if that is what you are looking for. Read some of the MD. vs. VA threads. If I had a family to raise I'd seriously consider VA, even down to Woodbridge. Good luck.