Help!~: Seeking a Better Home (Germantown, Bethesda: apartment complex, rental, condos)

[MalVeritus]

Hello all, I'm new to the forums and registered in hopes some of you fine ladies and gentlemen could help me out.

Currently I live in College Park. I have lived there since my Junior year at Univ. of Maryland and have graduated (Class of 2011). I currently work at a very reputable and well respected research company making a good salary. I'm quite grateful for it as well given unemployment issues with new grads. However, I'm looking to, well, move.

Living in College Park was fine to live in during school, but my commute from home to work combined with some rising crimes in the area has made me more adamant to want to move (2 people in 1 year shot and killed outside my apartment complex).

I've been struggling to find a decently safe and slightly larger apartment in Rockville, Chevy Chase, or Bethesda (hah) for a while now between 900-1100. So far, I've found the fields of rockville, fields of bethesda, fireside park in rockville and well...that's it.

It's frustrating that, despite working for a college degree, I'm relinquished to only being able to live either far away in an unsafe area and being able to save SOME money, or living in a safer zone and being able to save...nothing.

So, my question, does anyone have any experience or apartment locations in one of the aforementioned areas that are safe and not bank breakingly expensive for a new grad? If it helps, my salary is $44k a year, but taxes really eat huge chunks out of it...

Thanks!

[Zimar]

It would be helpful to say where you work.

[MalVeritus]

Originally Posted by Zimar

It would be helpful to say where you work.

Sorry haha. I work right in the middle of the 270 and 495 spur on Rockledge Drive.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by MalVeritus

Sorry haha. I work right in the middle of the 270 and 495 spur on Rockledge Drive.

I usually recommend looking on Realtor.com for privately owned condos. However, all I turned up in your price range is a studio in Cabin John, and a basement room in North Potomac-- neither of which sound desirable. All I can suggest is to expand your search area, especially out towards Gaithersburg and Germantown or north and east towards Wheaton and Olney.

[MalVeritus]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

I usually recommend looking on Realtor.com for privately owned condos. However, all I turned up in your price range is a studio in Cabin John, and a basement room in North Potomac-- neither of which sound desirable. All I can suggest is to expand your search area, especially out towards Gaithersburg and Germantown or north and east towards Wheaton and Olney.

Thanks for the help! I also considered private condos and found a place in Rockville for 1200. But something hit me, if these places include utilities (water, heating/ac, electrical, and internet), I could actually afford rent of about 1200-1300, MAYBE 1400 if it has all the utilities. I literally clapped hands with glee at this revelation. Should have thought of it before

Anyone have experience with apartments in rockville or bethesda they could share that may include utilities?~

[motoreater]

I wouldn't look down at the garage/basement apartments available to you unless in a shady neighborhood.
Ya gotta start somewhere and the lower your rent the more you save, correct? I lived in a single room rented to me CHEAP 30 something years ago. I was able to move out to a bigger place and am in my own home now - paid in full.

[Fiasco22]

I would also check out Realtor.com, I live next to Montgomery College and the rent around here for a 1 bed room is north of 1K. If you work right off of Rockledge you can ideally live in North Rockville going North on 355 in Gaithersburg around Exit 8. Even in rush hour traffic if you take 270S to Exit 1 which is Rockledge it shouldn't take more than 45 mins.

Why not consult a realtor?

[rsh56]

I found something around the Pooks Hill area, though it maybe a rental condo as established earlier or some random studio.

[Zimar]

If I were you I'd look up the affordable housing program in Montgomery county. I think 44k for one person is too high for the moderate-income apartments but you might as well look it up.

[kikikans]

Germantown. I loved it an you can take a back road route into Bethesda rockville area.