Gaithersburg? Go or no go? (Bethesda, Frederick: rentals, crime, houses)

[emotiioo]

We recently looked at some houses in Gaithersburg which are older and more historic. We currently live in downtown Frederick and work in Bethesda/Rockville. We used to live in DC but are selling our place there. I have been in the area for years, but never considered Gaithersburg.

Our main concern is finding an older house with charm, somewhat walkable neighborhood and decent schools. Gaithersburg looks a lot like Arlington to me but without the hipster vibe. Honestly I don't think it has much charm in the way of a Frederick or an Old Town Alexandria, so I am curious to hear what others think. Its definitely a better commute.

[dkf747]

Would need an idea about the location to answer this. Gaithersburg has good and so-so parts.

[emotiioo]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Would need an idea about the location to answer this. Gaithersburg has good and so-so parts.

We are looking at some houses in Realty Park, Chestnut Meem Historic District and the "old town" part of town near the train station.

[papichulo2]

Gaithersburg is nice. the downtown area is OK.

[filmsniffer]

No go. As someone who has lived in the original section of G'Burg for so long, I'd avoid the older areas. It cannot sustain the current population, and it hasn't been this century. The older areas are much more narrow and confined. Parking is a terrible issue because there aren't enough spots for visitors...and residents. The majority of the area is rented, so you always have rentals that have 3-5 residents all with cars or two. Parking police knows this, and they're all too happy to slap all kinds of parking infractions.

The majority of local roads are one-lane, and during rush hour you can expect some streets to turn into a parking lot.

Chestnut & Meem sees a lot of vehicular traffic. Can you stand living in an historic home with cars zipping by at all hours in your front yard? The streets also intersect with a train track. I can't remember if MARC uses that particular track. Expect a train to go by at least once a day.

Gaithersburg is somewhat walkable, yes, but not that much. You walk on streets along busy roads, and paths sometimes are through woods or bush.

[Undeposable Hand]

There is a Marc train from downtown that will get you to work quick...

[Rufus Clay Banger]

What's your tolerance for increasing poverty and illegal immigrants? Poverty and illegal immigration has been steadily moving north up the I-270 corridor for more than a decade....and you are looking to move south. So, these are things to consider.

Edit: Here's a visual representation of what i'm talking about:

https://ggwash.org/view/31707/watch-...tgomery-county

[Celeste16]

If you live in the Old Town area your kids will go to Gaithersburg Middle and Gburg HS. My kids graduated Gburg HS in the early 2000's. I don't know how it is now, it's never had a great rep, but I will say my kids did OK there because they were in all AP classes. I think you get a lot of behavior problems in the regular classes. Top HS's in MoCo are Churchill, Whitman and Wootton.

I wouldn't live in the Chestnut Meem area because if the traffic and the train. The neighborhood surrounding Asbury Senior Living might work and also Washington Grove....these areas also go to GHS. You will also hear the train in these areas.

[dkf747]

If you live in 20878 zip code, your kids will likely go to Quince Orchard High, which is a very good school. My oldest graduated from there in 2012.

[CherryhillRob]

Gaithersburg is what you make of it depending on what side of 270 you are on....most of the new developments and desirable places to live are west of 270 *kentlands the crown that whole area that likes to be considered north potomac* the crime ridden areas are found to the east of 270 *old towne emory grove neighborhoods...Mont village...lakeforest mall* even in those areas crime isnt random for the most part...mind your buisness you are just fine....the schools clusters east of 270 are watkins mill gaithersburg magruder *more cuturally diverse schools*

School clusters west of 270 would be mainly Qo or Wootton