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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD/VA area?
We are exploring moving to the DC area, possibly suburban Maryland.
Just wondering what neighborhoods are best. We are looking into Bethesda, Rockville, Chevy Chase and Silver Spring.
Is anyone familiar with these neighborhoods?
eta: We are also exploring N Virginia - McLean, Alexandria, Arlington and Vienna.
Message edited 3/1/2011 12:12:29 PM.
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Posted 2/22/11 4:20 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Chevy Chase is a nice area. I would recommend it - I had family who lived there.
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| Posted 2/22/11 5:50 PM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
I currently live in Baltimore and work in DC. I've also lived in DC and Silver Spring.
Each one of the areas you mentioned has some really high-end areas and some of the ones you mentioned (Silver Spring, most notably) have some less-desirable areas. I don't think there are "bad" parts of Chevy Chase or Bethesda, and Rockville is pretty consisent too. Silver Spring is HUGE... so you can get pretty much any type of area there.
Sorry so vague.. 
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| Posted 2/22/11 5:58 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19453 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
After college I lived in Chevy Chase (Friendship Heights), MD. I loved it. FM me if you have any questions about the area.
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| Posted 2/22/11 6:25 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
DH lived in Friendship heights and we loved it there...i wish i could live there now but we could never afford a home in that area...basically Bethesda/Chevy Chase you can't go wrong..beautiful homes, great shops and restaurants.
We live in Crofton MD near Annapolis/Baltimore. We like it here, its a cute town and close to a lot, but miss those areas of MD so much...maybe one day we'll move back if we hit the lotto!! Lol.
OH and silver spring has good and bad areas. I know its supposed to be VERY up and coming..lots of people moving there especially near the metro area where there are cute shops and restaurants..
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| Posted 2/22/11 6:57 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by maybebaby
DH lived in Friendship heights and we loved it there...i wish i could live there now but we could never afford a home in that area...basically Bethesda/Chevy Chase you can't go wrong..beautiful homes, great shops and restaurants.
We live in Crofton MD near Annapolis/Baltimore. We like it here, its a cute town and close to a lot, but miss those areas of MD so much...maybe one day we'll move back if we hit the lotto!! Lol.
OH and silver spring has good and bad areas. I know its supposed to be VERY up and coming..lots of people moving there especially near the metro area where there are cute shops and restaurants..
Is Friendship Heights in Bethesda? I know it is a metro stop on the red line outside the DC line and right before the Bethesda stop.
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| Posted 2/22/11 7:01 PM |
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MelissaMac
Life is Good
Member since 6/06 2135 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
I went to college there. Chevy Chase is beautiful.
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| Posted 2/22/11 7:33 PM |
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LML
Twins!
Member since 10/09 1320 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
I've lived in Bethesda for the past 6 years. FM me and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I love the area, but be prepared to pay a LOT of money for child care!
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| Posted 2/22/11 7:34 PM |
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LML
Twins!
Member since 10/09 1320 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by maybebaby
DH lived in Friendship heights and we loved it there...i wish i could live there now but we could never afford a home in that area...basically Bethesda/Chevy Chase you can't go wrong..beautiful homes, great shops and restaurants.
We live in Crofton MD near Annapolis/Baltimore. We like it here, its a cute town and close to a lot, but miss those areas of MD so much...maybe one day we'll move back if we hit the lotto!! Lol.
OH and silver spring has good and bad areas. I know its supposed to be VERY up and coming..lots of people moving there especially near the metro area where there are cute shops and restaurants..
Is Friendship Heights in Bethesda? I know it is a metro stop on the red line outside the DC line and right before the Bethesda stop.
Friendship Heights is actually in Chevy Chase. It's 2 metro stops away from Bethesda.
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| Posted 2/22/11 7:35 PM |
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MamaB17
Back for baby #3
Member since 5/09 4065 total posts
Name:
N
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
If you can afford Bethesda or Chevy Chase I would live there. I prefer them over Silver Spring or Rockville. You might also like Northern VA. Arlington, Mclean, Fairfax. I live in Nova so I am partial. Fm if you have questions.
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| Posted 2/22/11 7:42 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by MrsB0118
If you can afford Bethesda or Chevy Chase I would live there. I prefer them over Silver Spring or Rockville. You might also like Northern VA. Arlington, Mclean, Fairfax. I live in Nova so I am partial. Fm if you have questions.
I know it's just one resource but I was looking at high school rankings and Rockville (both Richard Montgomery and Wooton) is ranked very high in the country. Bethesda also has some of the best high schools in the country - BCC, Walt Whitman and Walter Johnson.
Does Rockville have a much worse reputation than Bethesda?
We visited briefly last year for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and thought some of the homes in Rockville were really nice. They seemed newer than Bethesda?
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| Posted 2/23/11 11:13 AM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19453 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Yes Richard Montgomery has a much better recommendation that Rockville.
If I had to look there I would look in:
Potomac
North Potomac
Chevy Chase
Friendship Heights
Bethesda
Rockville would be towards the bottom of the list. HTH
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| Posted 2/23/11 11:16 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by LSP2005
Yes Richard Montgomery has a much better recommendation that Rockville.
If I had to look there I would look in:
Potomac
North Potomac
Chevy Chase
Friendship Heights
Bethesda
Rockville would be towards the bottom of the list. HTH
We have a handful of friends from the area and they are from Potomac, Bethesda and Rockville. They all love where they grew up and recommend the town they grew up in. I feel like we have too many options, which I guess it not a bad thing.
The most successful one is from Rockville but it's relative. I liked the IB program that he mentioned. The one we know from Bethesda went to private school - Landon i think it was called. He said his sister went to BCC and did equally well.
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| Posted 2/23/11 11:21 AM |
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wanttobeamom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 2448 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Just moved back to NY from NVA. I don't know MD as well as NVA but I have some friends in that area. The public schools are definitely really good in those areas. Like others mentioned, you have to be the most cautious about Silver Springs. Northern VA has great schools too. I taught in McLean VA for 5 years and the elementary school,part of Fairfax County Schools, was really good. That being said, the houses are really expensive in McLean and many of the other areas you mentioned. If you are interested in the area I would drive down and check out some of the schools. My principal and guidance counselor was always giving tours.
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| Posted 2/23/11 11:43 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by wanttobeamom
Just moved back to NY from NVA. I don't know MD as well as NVA but I have some friends in that area. The public schools are definitely really good in those areas. Like others mentioned, you have to be the most cautious about Silver Springs. Northern VA has great schools too. I taught in McLean VA for 5 years and the elementary school,part of Fairfax County Schools, was really good. That being said, the houses are really expensive in McLean and many of the other areas you mentioned. If you are interested in the area I would drive down and check out some of the schools. My principal and guidance counselor was always giving tours.
I did not realize that schools gave tours to potential residents. Thanks for the tip. It seems like there are so many amazing schools (both public and private) in that area, which is why we are drawn to it. Education is #1 in our book when picking neighborhoods.
Would it be strange for us to tour schools when my son is only 2 years old?
We were originally planning to buy but now we are thinking of renting for a few years until we can feel out the neighborhoods. We would like to rent in the area we think we'd ultimately buy though.
Message edited 2/23/2011 11:47:20 AM.
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| Posted 2/23/11 11:46 AM |
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NYimport
LIF Infant
Member since 6/08 290 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
I grew up north of the areas at which you are looking. I would recommend Bethesa or Chevy Chase. Rockville and Silver Spring are nice, but are more hit and miss.
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| Posted 2/23/11 12:42 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
My friend lives in Annapolis & loves it.
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| Posted 2/23/11 12:56 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD area?
Posted by wanttobeamom
Just moved back to NY from NVA. I don't know MD as well as NVA but I have some friends in that area. The public schools are definitely really good in those areas. Like others mentioned, you have to be the most cautious about Silver Springs. Northern VA has great schools too. I taught in McLean VA for 5 years and the elementary school,part of Fairfax County Schools, was really good. That being said, the houses are really expensive in McLean and many of the other areas you mentioned. If you are interested in the area I would drive down and check out some of the schools. My principal and guidance counselor was always giving tours.
McLean, Vienna and Arlington all seem to have top high schools.
My friend recommended Alexandria, specifically Old Alexandria.
Any thoughts on those neighborhoods?
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| Posted 3/1/11 12:11 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD/VA area?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by wanttobeamom
Just moved back to NY from NVA. I don't know MD as well as NVA but I have some friends in that area. The public schools are definitely really good in those areas. Like others mentioned, you have to be the most cautious about Silver Springs. Northern VA has great schools too. I taught in McLean VA for 5 years and the elementary school,part of Fairfax County Schools, was really good. That being said, the houses are really expensive in McLean and many of the other areas you mentioned. If you are interested in the area I would drive down and check out some of the schools. My principal and guidance counselor was always giving tours.
McLean, Vienna and Arlington all seem to have top high schools.
My friend recommended Alexandria, specifically Old Alexandria.
Any thoughts on those neighborhoods?
Old Town Alexandria is great. I used to work there and we lived 1 mile up the road in Fairlington (arlington). Love love love all these areas, can't say enough good things. Good schools, good people, restaurants/shops, the waterfront area, all so nice...I miss it!
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| Posted 3/1/11 12:56 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD/VA area?
Posted by maybebaby
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by wanttobeamom
Just moved back to NY from NVA. I don't know MD as well as NVA but I have some friends in that area. The public schools are definitely really good in those areas. Like others mentioned, you have to be the most cautious about Silver Springs. Northern VA has great schools too. I taught in McLean VA for 5 years and the elementary school,part of Fairfax County Schools, was really good. That being said, the houses are really expensive in McLean and many of the other areas you mentioned. If you are interested in the area I would drive down and check out some of the schools. My principal and guidance counselor was always giving tours.
McLean, Vienna and Arlington all seem to have top high schools.
My friend recommended Alexandria, specifically Old Alexandria.
Any thoughts on those neighborhoods?
Old Town Alexandria is great. I used to work there and we lived 1 mile up the road in Fairlington (arlington). Love love love all these areas, can't say enough good things. Good schools, good people, restaurants/shops, the waterfront area, all so nice...I miss it!
Yes, my friend was raving about Alexandria and I trust her judgment very much.
Are there any other areas in Alexandria that we should look into?
I am doing all my research online. I want to drive down with DH but i'm now 36.5 weeks pregnant. I think we are going to have to wait until the baby is born first.
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| Posted 3/1/11 1:00 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD/VA area?
my good friend just bought a house in the Arlington area. she really loves it down there.
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| Posted 3/1/11 1:11 PM |
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USAFmrs
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/06 796 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Is anyone from or live in the DC/MD/VA area?
I lived in Alexandria for 4 years and loved it!
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| Posted 3/1/11 1:21 PM |
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