Living in Alexandria vs Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Can anybody give me some thoughts? We currently live in Alexandria by Mount Vernon area. Possibly thinking of relocating to Maryland to be closer to a job. Jobs are in Silver Spring and downtown DC with hybrid schedule for both spouses. Thinking maybe Bethesda area? We have elementary age kids.

[Anonymous]

We love Alexandria but weren't comfortable with the schools, so settled in Bethesda. Definitely recommend for schools and the commute is fine via the beltway to DC and SS. Do you have more specific questions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love Alexandria but weren't comfortable with the schools, so settled in Bethesda. Definitely recommend for schools and the commute is fine via the beltway to DC and SS. Do you have more specific questions?

How are the taxes? Prices comparable? We currently have a 2400 sq ft 4 bedroom/3 bath house that would bought for $700k but could probably sell for closer to $900k.

[Anonymous]

Silver Sptimg would be closer to work and you could get more house for your money than Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Silver Sptimg would be closer to work and you could get more house for your money than Bethesda.

How are schools in silver spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Silver Sptimg would be closer to work and you could get more house for your money than Bethesda.

How are schools in silver spring?

Varies by school, but overall very good. I agree that you should look in Silver Spring, also more likely to find a comparable house for the price. Bethesda real estate is nuts, you'd have to go higher to get something comparable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Silver Sptimg would be closer to work and you could get more house for your money than Bethesda.

How are schools in silver spring?

Varies by school, but overall very good. I agree that you should look in Silver Spring, also more likely to find a comparable house for the price. Bethesda real estate is nuts, you'd have to go higher to get something comparable.

Or split the difference and look in Rock Creek Forest/Rosemary Hills neighborhoods in between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love Alexandria but weren't comfortable with the schools, so settled in Bethesda. Definitely recommend for schools and the commute is fine via the beltway to DC and SS. Do you have more specific questions?

No PP, but thinking about Alexandria. Are the school really that bad?

[Anonymous]

Not sure you can get a SFH for <$1m walkable to downtown Bethesda, but someone might post a link that proves me wrong!

[Anonymous]

Commute is king. And the schools are considerably better. Do it if you can. And, if indeed, the commute is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love Alexandria but weren't comfortable with the schools, so settled in Bethesda. Definitely recommend for schools and the commute is fine via the beltway to DC and SS. Do you have more specific questions?

No PP, but thinking about Alexandria. Are the school really that bad?

Depends on the school. OP is in Fairfax County (near Mt. Vernon) which is different than Alexandria City. Some of the FCPS elementary schools in that area are of Fairfax County are very good (Waynewood, Stratford Landing, etc. ) while others less so.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda is a much more desirable location than Alexandria. It is safer, has better housing stock, is well connected, and has great access to the outdoors when compared to both the City and FFx-Alx. It will also be more expensive but if you can make it work will definitely be the right move. Schools are all excellent in Bethesda so you will have peace of mind that your next home can be your forever home.

It just is not a contest. Welcome to the community

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is a much more desirable location than Alexandria. It is safer, has better housing stock, is well connected, and has great access to the outdoors when compared to both the City and FFx-Alx. It will also be more expensive but if you can make it work will definitely be the right move. Schools are all excellent in Bethesda so you will have peace of mind that your next home can be your forever home.

It just is not a contest. Welcome to the community

I don't live in either locale but the above is laughable. What does "well connected" mean? Also Alexandria not only has better access to the outdoors but also has a beautiful riverfront and boating community that is not available in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is a much more desirable location than Alexandria. It is safer, has better housing stock, is well connected, and has great access to the outdoors when compared to both the City and FFx-Alx. It will also be more expensive but if you can make it work will definitely be the right move. Schools are all excellent in Bethesda so you will have peace of mind that your next home can be your forever home.

It just is not a contest. Welcome to the community

Highly disagree with this. I don’t live in either community, but Alexandria is not lacking in housing stock at all. There’s plenty of gorgeous homes there, especially closer to the waterfront. Bethesda doesn’t have anything like it at all. Downtown Bethesda is awesome, but it doesn’t have the same charm Alexandria does, which feels like a larger and more cosmopolitan version of Annapolis, MD. The only category Bethesda has the edge over Alexandria in is schools and commute into DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is a much more desirable location than Alexandria. It is safer, has better housing stock, is well connected, and has great access to the outdoors when compared to both the City and FFx-Alx. It will also be more expensive but if you can make it work will definitely be the right move. Schools are all excellent in Bethesda so you will have peace of mind that your next home can be your forever home.

It just is not a contest. Welcome to the community

Highly disagree with this. I don’t live in either community, but Alexandria is not lacking in housing stock at all. There’s plenty of gorgeous homes there, especially closer to the waterfront. Bethesda doesn’t have anything like it at all. Downtown Bethesda is awesome, but it doesn’t have the same charm Alexandria does, which feels like a larger and more cosmopolitan version of Annapolis, MD. The only category Bethesda has the edge over Alexandria in is schools and commute into DC.

Many families in Alexandria (both FFC County and city) "solve" the mediocre schools problem via the plethora of private schools (including inexpensive parochial schools).