Bethesda neighborhood advice (for sale, houses, buying)

[AnotherSanDiegan]

Hello! I will be moving to the DC area to start a new job in a couple of months. I'm moving with my husband, 4-year-old, 2-year-old and 2-month-old. We've heard Bethesda is the best area - good schools and shortish commute on the Metro (I'd like to keep it to 30 mins). We can spend $700k. Several of the homes in our price range are located next to what looks like large antennae in a big field. The areas are called Fernwood and Stratton Woods on Google Maps. This area is just south of Democracy Blvd (Montgomery Mall), east of the 270 and north of the 495. I'm feeling a little bit cautious since there seem to be several houses for sale in that one spot. Is this a location that should be avoided? Generally, are there any locations in Bethesda that we should stay away from? Thanks for your help!

[dkf747]

I can't think of a reason to avoid there.

[claremarie]

There are radio towers in the wedge between 270 and 495, on the edge of the Stratton Woods neighborhood. Depending upon the location of the particular house, Beltway noise might be an issue, but otherwise this is a perfectly fine areas.

[AnotherSanDiegan]

Great! Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

[ep1234]

Hi, An important factor to consider is where exactly is your job - is it Metro accessible, do you need to drive? There are some nice places around North Bethesda as well, but in general it is too crowded, large strip malls, etc.. Downtown Bethesda area is also a good place (near Metro station), but it is more of a mixed crowd and mixed activities - which actually for some people works out well. The only negative vibration about Bethesda (where I happen to live as well) is the attitude of the govt. - Bethesda is the largest source of taxes, but the downtown area could definitely use some of that money (too many potholes, ugly sidewalks, old deteriorating buildings, pedestrian unfriendly and unsafe places such as the Edgemoor Ln entrance to the Metro station [http://geocities.com/edgemoorlane/index.html] (broken link), etc., etc.). Well think it through what is or are the most important thing(s) for you (commuting to work, enjoying your free time, hobbies, living in a nice neighbourhood, etc.) and make a decision based on that. Good luck.

[AnotherSanDiegan]

Thanks for the advice. We ended up buying a place close to the Medical Center Metro on the red line. I think this will work out well since my job is just a couple of blocks from Union Station. We also ended up spending more than we'd originally wanted to, but I guess that's what happens when you want to be close to the metro and in a good school district. I'm still curious to see what the actual commute on the metro will be like. I've lived in California most of my life and we drive everywhere! I'm glad I won't have to sit on a freeway anymore.