Moving for a New Job in Baltimore — Torn Between Montgomery County and Howard County for Our Family

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I’m getting a new job in Baltimore city, and my family(with two school age kids and currently in new England area) and I are deciding between two areas to settle down: Montgomery County (looking specifically at Rockville or North Potomac) and Howard County in Maryland.
Each option has its pros and cons I can think of:

Montgomery County: Excellent public schools, closer to Washington, DC, which is a plus since my family would love to spend more time exploring the city

Downsides: higher housing prices and a much longer commute to my office near Baltimore(the new job requires 3 days in the office)

Howard County: Much closer to my office, meaning a more manageable commute, More affordable housing

Downsides: farther from DC.

My wife works from home, so both locations works well for her. Our household income allows us to afford a home in the $800K–$1M range(1m is a little strech).

We’d really appreciate any advice, experiences, or perspectives—especially from families who’ve faced a similar decision. School quality, community feel, and quality of life are all important to us.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I live in Montgomery County, but I work in DC. In your position, I'd live in Howard Co. without question. Howard Co. has some excellent schools as well (and Montgomery Co has some not so great ones). A 3x a week commute is a bigger consideration, IMO, than occasional trips to DC (which are definitely still doable from Howard Co). Baltimore has some great spots to visit with kids as well.

[Anonymous]

I’ve commuted to Baltimore from Montgomery County (Silver Spring and later Rockville) and it was BRUTAL. Definitely go for Howard if you’re working in Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Montgomery County, but I work in DC. In your position, I'd live in Howard Co. without question. Howard Co. has some excellent schools as well (and Montgomery Co has some not so great ones). A 3x a week commute is a bigger consideration, IMO, than occasional trips to DC (which are definitely still doable from Howard Co). Baltimore has some great spots to visit with kids as well.

+1

We looked between HoCo and MoCo. We wfh. Ultimately, we chose MoCo to be closer to DC in case we needed to go into the office, but if we didn't have to think about going into the office, or our office was near Baltimore, we'd have chosen HoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Montgomery County, but I work in DC. In your position, I'd live in Howard Co. without question. Howard Co. has some excellent schools as well (and Montgomery Co has some not so great ones). A 3x a week commute is a bigger consideration, IMO, than occasional trips to DC (which are definitely still doable from Howard Co). Baltimore has some great spots to visit with kids as well.

Howard has excellent schools. I grew up in MoCo. Baltimore commute, HoCo is better. I would choose HoCo either way.

[Anonymous]

Hoco all the way. Twenty years ago it would have been Moco- but particularly coming from New England public schools ALL Maryland schools will be a come down but HoCo less so.

Any chance you could not do this move?

[Anonymous]

Massachusetts- #1

https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-ranks-1-in-national-education-assessment#:~:text=Boston%2520%E2%80%94%2520Today%252C%2520the%2520U.S.%2520Department,programs%2520to%2520address%2520those%2520gaps.

Maryland - #20

https://news.maryland.gov/msde/2025-naep/

[Anonymous]

If you like 1950s white bread UMC suburbia, you might like Severna Park in MD in Anne Arundel County. My aunt raised kids there. This is a serious rec. It's not diverse. That's the downside.

I lived in MoCo twice in "W School" neighborhoods. Did not enjoy being a middle schooler there. Chose not to raise kids in MoCo. Live in another state now.

You can park at New Carrollton or Shady Grove Metro for the day, spend a marvelous day in DC and then return home pretty easily. At some point living out in the suburbs, you will not go downtown much unless it's very convenient. Like living in Bethesda in walking distance to the Metro.

[Anonymous]

You should prioritize good schools for your kids, a good community and short commute. Living near DC is like #1000 on the list of things to be concerned about.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been in this region for decades. We moved out of Montgomery County when our kids were school-aged. I also recommend Howard.

For a day out, we actually prefer going to Annapolis over DC.

[Anonymous]

I live about 1.5 miles outside of DC, and have for about 30 yrs. We go into DC maybe once every two months. Once you've been here a long time, unless there is a specific reason to go, you really don't. Special exhibit at the museum, concert, sure. But otherwise only for work.

TL;DR Don't move to be close to DC, move close to your office

[Anonymous]

Look into Anne Arundel county!

[Anonymous]

Do your kids play lacrosse? Why don’t you live in Howard county? Schools are generally good and it’s a lot cheaper. Baltimore is far. Do you really want to drive 3-4 hours a day? River hill is the best high school in Howard county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Montgomery County, but I work in DC. In your position, I'd live in Howard Co. without question. Howard Co. has some excellent schools as well (and Montgomery Co has some not so great ones). A 3x a week commute is a bigger consideration, IMO, than occasional trips to DC (which are definitely still doable from Howard Co). Baltimore has some great spots to visit with kids as well.

This is the right answer.

[Anonymous]

MoConis awful. I would not leave Howard for it.