Is it totally crazy: job in College Park, live in Frederick? (Columbia: renting, how much) - Maryland (MD) -Frederick County - City-Data Forum

jlbr21 · 09-29-2018, 07:17 AM

Hello all,

My family and I moved to the College Park area a couple of months ago from Upstate NY. I took a position at UMD. So far, can't say I am impressed or utterly taken by the College Park area. Also, since my family is right now supported by my income, as my wife is a stay-at-home mom, we can hardly, or simply can't afford to live in the nice parts of College Park or University Park.

We like Frederick to live and buy (we are currently renting) but a couple of people have told me it would be insane to move there and commute to College Park because of the traffic.

A couple of other people have told me it isn't crazy and to just try to make the commute during non-rush hour traffic.

My schedule is flexible to a certain extent, meaning I don't have to be at work at 9 on the dot and can leave when I'm done with classes (I'm a professor). So that would afford me a certain extent of liberty.
I have two small children, and what we like about Frederick is the mid-sized town feel, the historic downtown, the good school system. To me, it's a bit reminiscent of certain parts of Upstate NY.

I would appreciate all your comments and suggestions.

Thanks!

MrRational · 09-29-2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbr21

Is it totally crazy: job in College Park, live in Frederick?

Close to.

Quote:

...simply can't afford to live in the nice parts of College Park or University Park.

The nicer parts of the area will cost you even more.

I blame the employers/recruiters who don't explain these matters
(or pay enough for people to actually afford to live near their jobs).

neirbod · 10-01-2018, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbr21

We like Frederick to live and buy (we are currently renting) but a couple of people have told me it would be insane to move there and commute to College Park because of the traffic.

As you already live in Frederick you know how long the commute it. I expect around 90 minutes each way, right? It is purely a personal choice if that is "crazy" or not. I for one would not live more than 45 minutes from work if there were any other choice - time is precious, especially with kids. I know others who commute 2 hours each way and feel it is worth it.

How much have you looked around the CP area? Greenbelt, Laurel, Bowie etc. are all within easy commuting distance and may have housing that suits your needs. Schools (assuming you want to stick with public ones) can be a challenges, but there some good ones.

Rufus Clay Banger · 10-01-2018, 02:41 PM

How old are your kids? I think there's a good chance you'll regret the long commute after you realize that 10-15 hours of commuting per week cuts greatly into the time you have with them. I speak from experience. My current commute from the Columbia area to downtown DC is about 1 hour 15 minutes doorstep to doorstep taking the MARC train from Laurel to Union Station, and then Metro-ing over to the Navy Yard. That's 2.5 hours per day...4 days per week (one telework day)...10 hours. At this stage of life, all I really have time for in the evenings is dinner, about an hour of play/reading/TV time with the kids, and then it's bathtime and bed time for them. I commute more time than I get in the evenings with them, which sucks.

What's your budget? A meet-in-the-middle option would be for you to look for a place in Howard County. Are you able to take public transportation, or do you insist on driving? The MARC Camden line stops in College Park, and presumably there is a shuttle from the station to UMD. You could preserve some of the rural feel that you like while not being as far away as Frederick.

LesLucid · 10-01-2018, 06:54 PM

It’s hard to say since we don’t know you. Some people have an ability to kind of turn off and go with the flow. Others don’t. I knew a guy who used to drive to the train station to catch a train in Brunswick going to Union Station in DC, transfer to the metro in DC and take it to New Carrollton and then catch a car pool there to take him Annapolis. I would have killed myself. He just seemed to take it as a good way to get to work.

If you don’t get that wound up by congestion and idiocy on the road then go for it. If you wish your car could fire Hellfire missiles when your stuck in traffic, then probably not a good idea for your sanity.

david518301 · 10-03-2018, 08:06 AM

I completely understand how you feel. I moved to the College Park area from upstate NY too. I wasn't too impressed with the College Park area either. The Frederick area also reminds me of home. The rush hour commute will be terrible and I would not recommend that at all. However, if it seems the bulk of your travel time might be outside rush hour then I don't think it's crazy to consider the move. Another thing to consider is that the purple line is under construction. It will be probably another 5 years at least until it's completed but when it is you could do something like take a bus from Frederick to Shady Grove (I know someone that does this from Frederick), then take metro to Bethesda and then take the purple line over to College Park. It's still a long commute but you won't be driving in terrible traffic. I am not sure if something like that would be good for you, but your commuting options may expand in the not too distant future if you make the move.

LesLucid · 10-03-2018, 10:37 AM

You know, I completely forgot about it. This might also help. However, I’ve not traveled the route so if any here have, I yield to their experience. There is a toll road called the inter-county connector that gets close for you. Scroll down at this link destination to see the map.

Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 | mdta.maryland.gov

seanlax · 10-03-2018, 07:24 PM

There are somewhat affordable commutes in good neighborhoods near College Park that perhaps you haven't considered. Berwyn Heights, Greenbelt, Adelphi, along and east of Riggs Road, the vast majority of New Carrollton and Lanham. But I totally understand your preference for a feeling like you'd get in Frederick.

seanlax · 10-03-2018, 07:26 PM

If living in Maryland has taught us anything, its that your commute will absolutely NOT get any better. Ever.

hearn4 · 10-18-2018, 10:24 AM

I live in Frederick and work in Bethesda near Montgomery Mall. On average, on a good day, it takes me 90 minutes to get to work. It it is raining, about 2 hours. Snowing, forget it! Driving home is usually better though, consistently about an hour. Frederick is a very nice "big" small town. However, it has grown tremendously in the 17 years we've lived here. Traffic is slow and tedious here as well.