Another "where should I live?" post (Baltimore, Columbia: apartment complexes, hotel)

[NDgrad]

I would love any advice that would help with my relocation to Maryland!
I just graduated from college and have accepted a job at Ft Meade. I would like a 1 bedroom apartment and my budget is $1300 (I could probably swing $1400 if utilities were included). After some online searching, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm being unrealistic.

Here's the list of things I'm looking for in an apartment/neighborhood:

1) An area that's both safe but still young and vibrant. I want to be in an area that is home to other young professionals and it would be great if it were walkable. (I lived in Columbia for an internship last summer, and while it was a great community and fit my safety requirement, it was full of families and everything felt so spread out.)

2) No longer than a one hour commute to Ft. Meade. How far away from Ft. Meade can I live and still be within an hour of work? Is northern Virginia too far?

3) Closer to DC than Baltimore. (I don't want to offend any Baltimore residents but after a few visits I got the feeling that it wasn't for me.)

Two caveats:
1) A studio apartment just isn't an option.
2) Neither are roommates. I'm not opposed to living with another person, but I am strongly opposed to living with a stranger and I don't know anyone in Maryland.

I am moving in less than a week and starting to get a little desperate. I don't want to be stuck in a hotel for more than a week, and so I would like to arrive with a list of neighborhoods or apartment complexes to check out.

Thanks!

[BKmachine]

I'd highly recommend Silver Spring (Downtown Silver Spring to be exact).

-It's safe, tons of public transit options, lots of young professionals, commute to Ft. Meade is only 31 minutes assuming you have a car.

I got the 31 minute figure from mapquest: Driving Directions from Silver Spring, Maryland to Fort Meade, Maryland

During rush hour it may be more, be shouldn't be more than an hour.

Here's some more info about Downtown Silver Spring:

Welcome to Downtown Silver Spring
Downtown Silver Spring Md: Arts, Entertainment, Restaurants, and Events

[jayman1981]

Silver Spring is nice, but I think it would be more like 45 mins to hour with traffic. I would check out Laurel and Odenton. Laurel might be cheaper. Don't be scared of P.G. Laurel is nice.

Originally Posted by -.-

I'd highly recommend Silver Spring (Downtown Silver Spring to be exact).

-It's safe, tons of public transit options, lots of young professionals, commute to Ft. Meade is only 31 minutes assuming you have a car.

I got the 31 minute figure from mapquest: Driving Directions from Silver Spring, Maryland to Fort Meade, Maryland

During rush hour it may be more, be shouldn't be more than an hour.

Here's some more info about Downtown Silver Spring:

Welcome to Downtown Silver Spring
Downtown Silver Spring Md: Arts, Entertainment, Restaurants, and Events

[Fissure226]

I second Silver Spring (downtown) because It's within your budget, it's desirable, young, over the past ten year has greatly appreciated in value, it's a reasonable commute to Ft. Meade and it's adjacent to DC and only 20-30 from Downtown.

[jcrew10]

Just would like to comment if you are looking for an area of young professionals, they do not tend to congregate in Laurel and especially not Odenton.
I know you are opposed to baltimore but Federal hill area would be the spot for meeting other young professionals. There is also a lot of night life, rec sports, social gatherings in this part of baltimore. The commute wouldn't be to bad either.