Commuting Times/Options to Arlington, VA? (Silver Spring, Bethesda: mortgages, home, neighborhoods)

[eastwesteastagain]

Hi folks-

My husband has an unexpected job opportunity in the Arlington, VA area. We're not that familiar with the DC metro area and are curious about options for living in MD and commuting to Arlington.

Does anyone do this and generally what methods do you use/how painful is it (especially WRT time)?

From a distance/commute perspective alone (taking out the variable of housing/cost) - how far into MD can one go to stay within a 90 minute commute radius of NoVa?

Thanks so much!

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by eastwesteastagain

Hi folks-

My husband has an unexpected job opportunity in the Arlington, VA area. We're not that familiar with the DC metro area and are curious about options for living in MD and commuting to Arlington.

Does anyone do this and generally what methods do you use/how painful is it (especially WRT time)?

From a distance/commute perspective alone (taking out the variable of housing/cost) - how far into MD can one go to stay within a 90 minute commute radius of NoVa?

Thanks so much!

Lot's of choices. Get out a map, pick some areas and google them.

R kids and school part of the equation?

[bowian]

If the job is near 395, I suppose some of the closest places may be the Rockville area (taking the GW parkway in) on the Montgomery County side, or Upper Marlboro (taking Route 4 to the Suitland Pkwy, SE/SW freeway to 395). Those are my rather vague remembrances of the Arlington routes. But maybe someone can add to this or clarify it. IMHO, the commutes will be painful. You don't want to live in Arlington?

[eastwesteastagain]

Thanks for the feedback!

At this point, I'd rather not get into a discussion of housing, kids, etc. as in the past I've found I get a lot of people's opinions on mortgages, pissing contests over neighborhoods etc. rather than a sense of how far away from Arlington we could live within in 60-90 minute commute.

Unfortunately, just looking at a map (transit or street, which we've done) doesn't help much, as choosing, say, anywhere in a 30 mile radius, doesn't necessarily translate into commute time. For example, I know it would be a poor idea to commute from Fredericksburg, VA to Arlington, but am unsure even which MD counties (other than Montgomery) would be reasonable options and which would be downright silly to consider.

I really appreciate any input on this specific question - if I can ever answer anything similar for Birmingham, Seattle, or LI, I'd be happy to do so!!

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by eastwesteastagain

Thanks for the feedback!

At this point, I'd rather not get into a discussion of housing, kids, etc. as in the past I've found I get a lot of people's opinions on mortgages, pissing contests over neighborhoods etc. rather than a sense of how far away from Arlington we could live within in 60-90 minute commute.

Unfortunately, just looking at a map (transit or street, which we've done) doesn't help much, as choosing, say, anywhere in a 30 mile radius, doesn't necessarily translate into commute time. For example, I know it would be a poor idea to commute from Fredericksburg, VA to Arlington, but am unsure even which MD counties (other than Montgomery) would be reasonable options and which would be downright silly to consider.

I really appreciate any input on this specific question - if I can ever answer anything similar for Birmingham, Seattle, or LI, I'd be happy to do so!!

If that's the case then, there're who lot of choice. Let me throw some out from the top of my head. Commuting by car that is..

Silver Spring
Rockville
Fort Washington Area
Upper Marlboro
Waldorf - beginning
Greenbelt
Laurel
Bowie
College Park
Bethesda
Chevy Chase
Wheaton.
Gaithersburg

From either of those areas, on good days without accidents, you should be able to get to Arlington in 45mins to an hour.

[tonyc]

Actually one of my co-workers commutes everyday from Fred' to DC.

Coming from southern MD area is quicker/shorter than coming in from nothern MD.

Eg, Forth Washington to Arlington is way easier than say coming in from Laurel.

[eastwesteastagain]

Thanks a bunch Tonyc! I'm dying out here trying to figure a metro from so far away! I had heard don't live in Fredericksburg from someone on the NoVa threads. Out of curiosity, do you know how long your friend's commute is?

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by eastwesteastagain

Thanks a bunch Tonyc! I'm dying out here trying to figure a metro from so far away! I had heard don't live in Fredericksburg from someone on the NoVa threads. Out of curiosity, do you know how long your friend's commute is?

He drives to Springfield metro, park the car and take either the yellow or blue line into DC. BRB..let me see if I find him.

[tonyc]

He's gone for the day, but I know it's over an hour, but not too stressed a commute. If 95 is backed up, he'll take RT1. He loves it down there in Spotsylvania County.

He just stopped by, 2.5 hours one way.

Left home 5.30 this morning, arrived 8.10...

[eastwesteastagain]

Thanks!!