commute from Frederick or VA to Bethesda (Germantown, Gaithersburg: house, transfer)

[mltaf034]

I just took a job in Bethesda. My family and I are debating a house in the Frederick/Germantown area or something in VA. We have 2 boys late teens and I would prefer to use public transportation if possible to get to work. OR public transport easy enough that my husband could use once he finds a job. It looks like if we pick VA that would not be an option. We were trying to find a location that might have a "reverse commute"

Any suggestions.

Thanks for your help!

[htownterp]

Commute from Frederick can be rough. I'd look for something closer to the metro, like Germantown or Gaithersburg. VA might give you a reverse commute, but I'm not sure. I think VA is more expensive.

[mamaecho]

Germantown would not be a bad location to Bethesda. You could also ride the bus... the drive to the metro from Germantown isn't too far away (it's in Gaithersburg)

[cgordon]

Frederick to Bethesda will be painful. You CAN do the MARC train from here, but would have to negotiate the transfer from MARC to Metro and I don't think that's particularly simple.

I've looked at jobs in Bethesda and the communte from here is the one huge reason I won't go down there.

[laminmd]

I live in Bethesda and commute my son to a private high school in Fairfax, VA. There isn't a reliable "reverse commute" on the beltway. But there are plenty of public transportation options in Northern Virginia. If you locate within easy access of the metro somewhere like Falls Church, Vienna, or Alexandria, then you can ride to Bethesda. You will have to change trains and it is not a short trip, but ironically, it might actually be faster some days than trying to drive. I would strongly suggest that you plan a visit of at least a few days to the area to get the lay of the land and see if you are more drawn towards one or the other side of the river. If you prefer Maryland, you should understand that Bethesda itself is extremely expensive but there are some places within a half hour to 40 minute drive on the Maryland side that might be more affordable.

[WilliamsH]

What part of Bethesda will you be working in?

Generally, that area is so urban and heavily traveled that there is no such thing as a "reverse commute". But Bethesda is on the Red Line of the Metro (subway).

Bethesda is an expensive area to live in so I hope your new job pays well, and hubby shouldn't dawdle in his search for new employment, lol.

Montgomery County public schools are among the best in the nation for your boys.

Good Luck and Welcome to Maryland.

[tonyc]

Move to Kensignton.....

[mamaecho]

Originally Posted by mltaf034

I just took a job in Bethesda. My family and I are debating a house in the Frederick/Germantown area or something in VA. We have 2 boys late teens and I would prefer to use public transportation if possible to get to work. OR public transport easy enough that my husband could use once he finds a job. It looks like if we pick VA that would not be an option. We were trying to find a location that might have a "reverse commute"

Any suggestions.

Thanks for your help!

You say Frederick/Germantown, consider Clarksburg, Urbana and Ijiamsville Also New Market & Mt. Airy.

[nickey12]

where do you get marc train from. I live in new market and i might take a temp position in falls church va? I have always driven and I am not familiar with these trains? Where does the train leave you off in Falls Church

[BKmachine]

If you live in Gaithersburg or Germantown you can always catch a bus to Shady Grove station and catch the red line about 6-7 stops down to Bethesda, which would only take 30mins to an hour max commute time. I would pick those instead of NoVa or Frederick.