Bethesda v. Kensington

[Anonymous]

Rock Creek Hills neighborhood...North Chevy Chase Elementary, Westland Middles, BCC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most people on this board would tell you that Kensington Parkwood ES is the only good ES in Kensington. Oakland Terrace is a school that many of my neighbors send their children to and they are very happy with it. I have volunteered at events there and find the community to be engaged and welcoming. Homewood feeds into OTES and you can find some great houses there. Everyone plays outside and at the park and it is an awesome place for families.

Homewood here too. We love that everyone is out and about, there are quite a few parks and still a mix of new families and original owners (and others) who are welcoming the new families.

[Anonymous]

I vote for House #1. From the sound of it, it sounds like one of the more friendlier and down-to-earth areas of Bethesda, with a sense of a real neighborhood. We live in such a split level, with 2 bedrooms up and 2 bedrooms down, and we love it. Even with a child on a lower level, it's not that many steps down, and as they are older, will appreciate their own space. For now, we use the lower level for guests and it's great.

We have also been looking at other neighborhoods, but keep coming back to the fact that we are so fortunate to be in the BH/Pyle/Whitman district and we LOVE our neighborhood. We've noticed about a 100K difference between identical houses in BH/Pyle/Whitman vs. Wyngate/WJ districts. I can't help but think there must be something to it.

Anyway, I know the lure of extra space and renovations is enticing. (the reason we've also been looking). However, I'm having trouble justifying leaving this school district (and neighborhood) just for a house. Could you possibly add onto the house #1 (like a back family room) or do some small renovations eventually?

How do the yards compare? Space for the kids to play outside? Space for a garden? Shade vs. sun? That's another big thing I consider when comparing houses.

[Anonymous]

I think I lived in House #1 for 10 years. The 2 up/2 down thing wasn't too bad and we had a baby downstairs. The tiny kitchen was a challenge but it worked. On the plus side we had a very large lot for Bethesda and were on a quiet dead end street with friendly neighbors. We've moved but are still in Pyle/Whitman and taking full advantage of the schools at the HS level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone living in Parkwood noticed the impact of Walter Reed closing and the additional people commuting to the naval hospital in terms of more traffic in the area?

IF the transition to naval has happened I haven't noticed a difference. But last I heard the transition was delayed until 2012. I'm scared of the impact on both the local roads, Rockville Pike, and 495...

The transition has already happened and WRAMC is already closed.

[Anonymous]

I am thinking in terms of resale for you. You want to be in a good school district, which Kensington is not in some parts. If you go to resell your house down the road, it will be on the market a lot longer. Please look at the houses in Kensington v. Bethesda and see what the average time on the market it. I guarantee that Kensington homes will be a longer time on the market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking in terms of resale for you. You want to be in a good school district, which Kensington is not in some parts. If you go to resell your house down the road, it will be on the market a lot longer. Please look at the houses in Kensington v. Bethesda and see what the average time on the market it. I guarantee that Kensington homes will be a longer time on the market.

OP notes the particular schools the houses are zoned for, and the Kensington example is considered in a "good school district."

[Anonymous]

The house zoned for Bradley Hills.

[Anonymous]

By really outdated, do you mean "doesn't even have a dishwasher or garbage disposal" or "ugh, the countertops are SOOOO 80s!"? If the latter, then you can suck it up. If the former, then figure what'll make it acceptable and factor in that cost.

If cost is not a factor, then #2, as that has the most space and you can always renovate the kitchen. It's a LOT pricier to add space to an already-small house.

Another factor to consider -- which one is better for a generic commute should you decide to switch jobs?