Commute from Columbia/Clarksville to FDA White Oak, Silver Spring (Olney: apartment complexes, renting)

[kslim96]

Hi, I'll be considering a job at FDA, White Oak campus. (I'm not living in MD, DC or VA now.)
Four family members including 12/10 years old kids. So safe area with good schools; firstly renting apartment (3 beds 2 bath), then buying a house 2-3 years later.
I read some previous posts mentioning close area to FDA, like Four Corners (near Montgomery Blair High). However, I'm also considering Howard County because I want to buy a house 2-3 years later (considering budget).
Commute from Columbia or Clarksville to FDA seems 30 min drive via Google Map. Is it possible considering traffic during rush hour? Thanks in advance!

[bufflove]

Originally Posted by kslim96

Hi, I'll be considering a job at FDA, White Oak campus. (I'm not living in MD, DC or VA now.)
Four family members including 12/10 years old kids. So safe area with good schools; firstly renting apartment (3 beds 2 bath), then buying a house 2-3 years later.
I read some previous posts mentioning close area to FDA, like Four Corners (near Montgomery Blair High). However, I'm also considering Howard County because I want to buy a house 2-3 years later (considering budget).
Commute from Columbia or Clarksville to FDA seems 30 min drive via Google Map. Is it possible considering traffic during rush hour? Thanks in advance!

I don't have personal knowledge of that commute, but Google Maps' "depart at" feature is usually pretty accurate. They put the AM rush hour commute between 25-45 minutes and the PM commute between 25-50 minutes. 30 minutes each way, on average, seems a bit optimistic for rush hour.

[papichulo2]

You would have to go from 29 columbia pike all the way down. I would recommend fulton md. colombia is more congested. Also, burtonsville is not that bad with schools.

[kslim96]

Thanks bufflove, I'll consider it.

papichulo2, great suggestion! I'll be digging into these candidates.

[Turnerbro]

You could try the Howard county side of Laurel to. Also maybe Olney.

[kslim96]

Thanks Turnerbro.

Currently I'm considering Fulton, recommended by papichulo2. It looks great regarding schools/communities. One issue is expensive housing. It seems there is no apartment. Renting a townhouse (3 beds/2.5 baths) seems a bit expensive.

[papichulo2]

Originally Posted by kslim96

Thanks Turnerbro.

Currently I'm considering Fulton, recommended by papichulo2. It looks great regarding schools/communities. One issue is expensive housing. It seems there is no apartment. Renting a townhouse (3 beds/2.5 baths) seems a bit expensive.

There are apts around that area more east but they are expensive. The area is great so why not? good luck

[kslim96]

Yes, why not? Thank you again.

[Mutiny77]

There are also vanpools from various parts of the area (even far out into MD and VA) to the FDA campus that you could consider.

[tarheel_indc]

The morning commute is fine from Columbia/Clarksville, there is traffic but it will flow fast. The evening commute has significantly more traffic. I think you can probably keep your average evening commute to under 40 minutes if you live in Fulton (25 minutes), Clarksville, Columbia near Town Center (there are plenty of apartment complexes in that area), or in zip code 21046 close to Rd 29.