Germantown area info?? Please help!!

My hubby will possibly be applying for a job in Germantown and he grew up on the other side of the Potomac in Sterling VA. We would have to live close to the job for traffic reasons ... Can anyone from the area offer advice? How is the MARC train for getting around to DC, connecting to VA? What kind of commute can one expect if you go farther out towards say New Market or Frederick? Point of Rocks? 270 is a parking lot are there any back roads that are decent??? any help would be greatly appreciated....our only negatives are traffic and housing prices. 450-500k for a TH kills us but if that is what we have to do...so be it. What are the closest hospitals to that side of town? I am a Respiratory Therapist and would either do RT at a hospital or Sleep Labs (any independents that you guys have used/liked). Schools in Montgomery County or Frederick County OK?? I know that Northern VA schools are outstanding but don't know anything about MD. Thanks again feel free to email me directly at [email protected] Shannon

HI Shannon, I currently live in Mount Airy, MD near New Market and work in Greenbelt... If you are thinking about New Market, check out Mount Airy too...Mount Airy has 4 counties right inside the town...check the Carroll County side as the real estate taxes are cheaper than Frederick, howard or montgomery. Frederick Hospital is a GREAT hospital, much better reputation then Carroll County...my husband and i have been there several times...that is another story, LOL...also my mom who is 79 has been there several times for serious concerns and they are wonderful. LOTS of money coming into frederick these days...lowes, home depot, hechts (smaller one), 2 malls, etc, etc etc..right in Frederick...takes us about 15-20 minutes to get there...the only time we do not go is on friday night unless it is later because of traffic.... To get to Germantown from Mount Airy...it is only about 11 miles or so...but the road is single lane most of the way...you could actually get to most places in germantown without ever having to get on RT 270.... The road from Mount Airy to Germantown is Rt 27...also known as Father Hurley Blvd near to 270 then the name changes to Ridge Rd closer to Mount Airy. Mount Airy does have a few restaurants, small town atmosphere, also a walmart. Housing is not cheap in Mount Airy, but it is a nice town and if you live on the carroll county side, the real estate taxes are MUCH cheaper than the other counties... Also New Market might be another good idea too...at least one or two builders are putting in a HUGE new neighborhood...you might get lower prices because it is just starting....but you will be paying frederick county real estate taxes. We don't have any children but the kids in my neighborhood all go to public schools and there is enough money around for folks to send to private schools if they wanted/needed to...Carroll County schools have an excellent reputation. Feel free to contact me privately if you need more info. Rebecca

Hi Shannon - I live in Germantown - have been here for about 7 years now but my in-laws lived here for about 20. As far as MARC train, it is very convenient. There's a MARC station right in the middle of Germantown and some say is better than Metro. Shady Grove is our closest hospital and they're very good too - I had my surgery there. THey're currently undergoing a HUGE renovation. The schools here are great - some better than others though. For a HS, I'd definately look to be in the Northwest area. For MS I'd try to avoid Roberto Clemente. There are plenty of back roads to avoid 270, but unfortunately, everyone else seems to know them and when 270 is bad, they can be as well. You might want to check out Boyds & Clarksburg - both are close to Germantown, and recently developing neighborhoods. Good luck, Lynn

Shannon, In addition to the excellent ideas "Rae" and Lynn have provided, let me also suggest that, at least for housing, you also investigate Washington County, which is immediately to the west of Frederick County. The "hub" city for Washington County is Hagerstown. Also, people working in Montgomery County, particularly the northern part of the County, are looking for housing in Jefferson County, West Virginia, which connects to I-70 via Rt. 340 and several other major routes. Jefferson County, WV includes towns such as Charles Town, and Harpers Ferry (I think that's also in Jefferson County); WV property taxes may be a little lower. That said, I don't know how good the schools are in Washington County or Jefferson County. I was raised in Montgomery County, MD and its public schools, and live in Rockville/North Bethesda so I am sort of biased in that direction. As for sleep centers as a potential employer for you, check out this link: http://www.awaken1.com/ The Greater Washington Sleep Disorders Center. They have locations in/around the DC area (and, I believe, possibly even in Frederick). I know they get many referrals for the sleep studies required by Dr. Greene (my bariatric surgeon) and probably other bariatric surgeons, as well. Their main office is on Research Boulevard in Rockville, near Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Good luck in your potential relocation efforts. Leesa

Thanks for everyone's help! Unfortunately we found out the job isn't what we thought it was but things are always popping up and at least next time I will have a head start. Currently hubby is waiting to hear about 2 jobs in Atlanta and the other ones with promise were closer to Baltimore.