Talk to me about living in Merry Go Round Farm

[Anonymous]

We love our Bethesda neighborhood but want some more space and access to nature (ie ease of hiking, biking, running, etc.). We are not horse people but I wonder if my child might enjoy it. That said, I fear the location may be isolating and the commute (one to Bethesda the other to downtown DC) might get old quickly. We're also not country club people and are curious about the vibe. Appreciate your experiences/thoughts.

[Anonymous]

This isn’t the 2000’s anymore — Potomac is no longer desirable, hence why it has become a bargain. It sucks — it has a lot of very ugly 80’s-2000’s mcmansions with no discernible architectural style, and it is far from everything and therefore isolating. The commute would be soul sucking to downtown, but Bethesda is doable.

That being said, Merry Go Round is one of the prettiest enclaves in Potomac and it is in fact nice to have the trail there. I just wouldn’t touch Potomac with a 10 foot pole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t the 2000’s anymore — Potomac is no longer desirable, hence why it has become a bargain. It sucks — it has a lot of very ugly 80’s-2000’s mcmansions with no discernible architectural style, and it is far from everything and therefore isolating. The commute would be soul sucking to downtown, but Bethesda is doable.

That being said, Merry Go Round is one of the prettiest enclaves in Potomac and it is in fact nice to have the trail there. I just wouldn’t touch Potomac with a 10 foot pole.

Besides Bethesda, what are some other desirable neighborhoods in Montgomery County if Potomac is no longer desirable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t the 2000’s anymore — Potomac is no longer desirable, hence why it has become a bargain. It sucks — it has a lot of very ugly 80’s-2000’s mcmansions with no discernible architectural style, and it is far from everything and therefore isolating. The commute would be soul sucking to downtown, but Bethesda is doable.

That being said, Merry Go Round is one of the prettiest enclaves in Potomac and it is in fact nice to have the trail there. I just wouldn’t touch Potomac with a 10 foot pole.

What a still thing to say. You do know in places like Avenal in Potomac the Bethesda/Potomac line runs through complex. A home in Potomac can be next door a home in Bethesda.

Merry go Round is super nice I wish I bought there. The massive trails and it goes right up to the Potomac river and you can even have horses. Each house is designed differently so no cookie cutter houses. There are zero McMansions in Merrry go Round, they are all custom homes built by rich people with taste.

It is like an extra 15 minutes out. BTW Potomac Village has nearly everything you need and that is very close by. But yes DC and metro is further away. Thats life, cant have it all.

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Potomac/9908-Kentsdale-Dr-20854/home/10916300

This house in Potomac you are on 270 or 495 in like three minutes. Not all houses in Potomac are far out.

Potomac is very big. I live near the house listed above and they sell very quick.

[Anonymous]

How did the equestrian center work out? Do homeowners board there? Is there a trainer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t the 2000’s anymore — Potomac is no longer desirable, hence why it has become a bargain. It sucks — it has a lot of very ugly 80’s-2000’s mcmansions with no discernible architectural style, and it is far from everything and therefore isolating. The commute would be soul sucking to downtown, but Bethesda is doable.

That being said, Merry Go Round is one of the prettiest enclaves in Potomac and it is in fact nice to have the trail there. I just wouldn’t touch Potomac with a 10 foot pole.

Besides Bethesda, what are some other desirable neighborhoods in Montgomery County if Potomac is no longer desirable?

Rockville is perfectly fine

[Anonymous]

I don't live in Merry Go Round but very close by off River. It's lovely. We moved from DC and while I do miss being closer to good restaurants, etc, the tradeoffs have definitely been worthwhile for my family. I work in DC 3-4 days/week. It's 40-45 minutes in the morning (I leave at 7 am) and it typically takes an hour to get home. Not ideal, but I make the most of the time and it doesn't actually take me that much longer than when I commuted by bus in DC. When we moved I assumed we'd grocery shop, etc in Potomac because I didn't know the area well but we actually do most of our shopping and local errands in Kentlands (15 min), Rio, Crown, etc with all the suburban conveniences. The houses are far apart so it's not super social among neighbors, but Merry Go Round might be different if there are neighborhood socials. We run on the canal most weekends, walk the dog on the trails, enjoy the 2 wineries not too far away. You do have to close your eyes passing through the McMansions on River but once you get past the village area it's more rural and very peaceful. Overall, I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did the equestrian center work out? Do homeowners board there? Is there a trainer?

Homeowners Own it. It is part of the HOA

[Anonymous]

I read Merry Go Round's HOA rules a while back, before they were moved behind a login page. They have very strict architectural standards. IIRC, each house has to adhere to a consistent architectural style. Any style you want, I guess, but it has to be consistent. If enforced, this means no hodgepodge McMansions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did the equestrian center work out? Do homeowners board there? Is there a trainer?

Homeowners Own it. It is part of the HOA

Yeah but the challenge with horses is it’s difficult to find a place with good footing, care you like, a trainer you trust, etc. Being in the HOA doesn’t mean it will be a good fit because the most important part (arguably) is the people they hire to manage it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love our Bethesda neighborhood but want some more space and access to nature (ie ease of hiking, biking, running, etc.). We are not horse people but I wonder if my child might enjoy it. That said, I fear the location may be isolating and the commute (one to Bethesda the other to downtown DC) might get old quickly. We're also not country club people and are curious about the vibe. Appreciate your experiences/thoughts.

The thing is that being near a barn doesn’t mean it’s a good fit. If you want your kid to get into horses, you want to start at a barn with a lesson program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t the 2000’s anymore — Potomac is no longer desirable, hence why it has become a bargain. It sucks — it has a lot of very ugly 80’s-2000’s mcmansions with no discernible architectural style, and it is far from everything and therefore isolating. The commute would be soul sucking to downtown, but Bethesda is doable.

That being said, Merry Go Round is one of the prettiest enclaves in Potomac and it is in fact nice to have the trail there. I just wouldn’t touch Potomac with a 10 foot pole.

What a still thing to say. You do know in places like Avenal in Potomac the Bethesda/Potomac line runs through complex. A home in Potomac can be next door a home in Bethesda.

Merry go Round is super nice I wish I bought there. The massive trails and it goes right up to the Potomac river and you can even have horses. Each house is designed differently so no cookie cutter houses. There are zero McMansions in Merrry go Round, they are all custom homes built by rich people with taste.

It is like an extra 15 minutes out. BTW Potomac Village has nearly everything you need and that is very close by. But yes DC and metro is further away. Thats life, cant have it all.

NP. Potomac is a hard no.

[Anonymous]

Big homes, not that far out, lots of space, no crime, elite schools basically help ensure your kids will be rich and successful like you.

Potomac is still a huge YES.

[Anonymous]

What does the Merry Go Round HOA fee cover? Is it similar to Avenel where regular lawn maintenance/snow shoveling, etc is covered?