work in College Park, live in ?? (Columbia, Bethesda: condo, houses, public schools)

[hotdogvf301]

Hi I am just getting started on a house search. Annapolis looks like a great place for a surfer, triathlete, and general water-guy. But what's the commute like to College Park? Do you have to be a crazy road warrior to do it? I can also live closer in -- like in Bethesda -- if the shorter commute make lots more sense. What do you think? Thanks! Mike

[smash731]

Annapolis is great for water people...the commute to CP (50/495) would be horrendous. That said, even though Bethesda is closer, I think it's a "worse" stretch of the beltway to drive (any commute between Montgomery and PG county will suck). That's a tough one! CP isn't a fun place to live unless you're a Terp student...anywhere else you go is going to have traffic, so you might as well go someplace fun...and Annpolis certainly is fun.

[hotdogvf301]

Thanks Smash! My takeaway on traffic is it's really bad everywhere most of the time there. But I didn't know CP is so congested or that Bethesda may not be much better than Annapolis in terms of travel time to CP.

[emsgoof]

Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Laurel would all be decent choices for working in CP. Just wander out to the shore on the weekends like all of the other people...
Glenndale probably wouldn't be that bad either.

[smash731]

i agree, hotdog you should check out Greenbelt and Berwyn. Most people hate on PG (I won't even go there) but there are some very pretty houses. Then you would be max 10 min from work.

[RoadTripGurl]

i feel bad for you just to have to work in CP during prime rush hour... I looked so forward to moving off campus and then was late everyday when I had to drive... HATED IT!!!

[Rmx Christina]

Mike,

There is University of Maryland College Park. That should paint a picture of traffic conditions. I-495 is pretty much congested 24/7. Choose wisely =P

[hotdogvf301]

Hi all Thanks for the ideas on Greenbelt and Berwyn. I am already checking them out. Roadtripgurl and Rmx Christina: too bad to hear that UMD has created all the delay and trafficin CP. Actually, joining the faculty there is my reason to move to MD! Oh well!!

Mike

[Tom Lennox 70]

HotDog, a lot of my professors at CP lived in Howard County, especially around Columbia. Howard has nice public schools and is very safe and peaceful.

I would not go with PG County, at least not the parts close to the school though I guess the more rural parts of PGC toward the Charles County and Anne Arundel County borders are better. Montgomery County is okay, but very snobby, elitist, typical East Coast brashness. Its more New York/New Jersey than the real Maryland.

Annapolis is a nice town. Traffic is bad everywhere around DC. Bethesda is ridiculously expensive and can give Long Island and Westchester a run for their snobiness.

[RoadTripGurl]

hotdogvf301 I would not recommend any of those areas unless you want to be stuck an hour+ trying to get to work. Montgomery is too expensive and you would still be commuting in bumper to bumper. You can try Greenbelt, way further down Greenbelt Road away from UMCP, my brother got a condo over there and its' actually quiet. Good luck!