Where to live to have 20 min driving commute to Capitol Hill?

[Anonymous]

I live on Capitol Hill and love it! Lots of new development and costs are on the rise. Buy now before it's too late to get in.

Lots of families. I was shocked by how tight in the parent community is here.

[Anonymous]

would never commute from Chevy Chase to the Hill---would be an absolute nightmare. Crystal City area, Alexandria (though schools issue there) or try the Hill itself if you are willing to do urban living (smaller house, little to no yard but lots of walking amenities)

[Anonymous]

West side to east ?(i.e. Bethesda/CC) is easily an hour during rush hour. If you really want to live outside the city, downtown Silver Spring to Cap Hill can be done in about 30-35 minutes. Still, would recommend somewhere in DC and privates.

[Anonymous]

Op here - are we better off in Silver Spring or Arlington, strictly from the commute standpoint?

[Anonymous]

east silver spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:east silver spring

She still won't make it in 20 minutes. She has to get through NW first.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I hate commuting. The only problem with silver spring is the schools. I think we'd want a better school pyramid than what you find generally in silver spring. So I'm thinking I may have to suck up the Arlington commute to get better schools. Somehow I don't know anyone who actually makes that drive, and looking at it on google maps just doesn't illuminate things.

[Anonymous]

Live in Arlington, maybe Rosslyn; hop on 110 South and zip up 395 and you should be able to be there in 20 minutes. I travel to Maryland from there Arlington along this route, and my door to door is often 30 minutes. Though downtown traffic could be a bear, but that will be a case for any commute other than walking...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I hate commuting. The only problem with silver spring is the schools. I think we'd want a better school pyramid than what you find generally in silver spring. So I'm thinking I may have to suck up the Arlington commute to get better schools. Somehow I don't know anyone who actually makes that drive, and looking at it on google maps just doesn't illuminate things.

People lie about there commutes anyway. I'd get myself to your chosen neighborhood at the hour you'd normally leave and just do the drive yourself a couple times, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. That'll give you the idea.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you looked about any property around Capitol Hill? There are so many parks that the back yard issue has been non-existent for us (plus we meet so many others at the parks/playgrounds that it's great for socialization.

We are very happy with our school. There are some great school options (elementary) and we believe things will improve (or we'll have more options) by the time our child reaches middle.

[Anonymous]

WHy has your DH ruled out DC proper? Sounds to me like he isn't really considering the effects of that decision - you are the one getting screwed in the commute. I love in SS and believe me, the drive from SS to the Hill is AWFUL.

[Anonymous]

Also, OP - what about your housing budget? Are you able to afford housing in those areas (CC/Bethesda)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I hate commuting. The only problem with silver spring is the schools. I think we'd want a better school pyramid than what you find generally in silver spring. So I'm thinking I may have to suck up the Arlington commute to get better schools. Somehow I don't know anyone who actually makes that drive, and looking at it on google maps just doesn't illuminate things.

I sort of do this drive. I commute from the Cherrydale neighborhood in N. Arlington to 4th and Eye NW, passing right by (or, depending on what route I take, under) the Capitol. So I can tell you with certainty that you can't make it from my house to the Hill in 20 minutes, except during non-rush hours. Depending on where you are going on the Hill, 30 minutes, door-to-door, would be a very good day, but I think you have to plan for 40, especially in the evening. Of course, there are places in Arlington closer to the Hill than Cherrydale, but your big choke points, traffic-wise, are the bridges, and you have to cross them no matter where in Arlington you are coming from. So living further east or south in Arlington will help, but not as much as you might think.

We moved to Arlington from the Hill, and I truly hated the commute at first. (Because I live a mile from the metro and have to switch lines to get to work, it's quite a bit faster for me to drive than metro, so that's what I do.) But I've gotten used to it and don't really mind it anymore, especially in the morning. Evening rush hour is more annoying, both because it is often longer and because I am just crankier at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

People trying to convince the OP to move to the Hill- she already said they have ruled out living in the city. Respect that personal choice, just as everyone should respect your choice to stay in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I hate commuting. The only problem with silver spring is the schools. I think we'd want a better school pyramid than what you find generally in silver spring. So I'm thinking I may have to suck up the Arlington commute to get better schools. Somehow I don't know anyone who actually makes that drive, and looking at it on google maps just doesn't illuminate things.

I sort of do this drive. I commute from the Cherrydale neighborhood in N. Arlington to 4th and Eye NW, passing right by (or, depending on what route I take, under) the Capitol. So I can tell you with certainty that you can't make it from my house to the Hill in 20 minutes, except during non-rush hours. Depending on where you are going on the Hill, 30 minutes, door-to-door, would be a very good day, but I think you have to plan for 40, especially in the evening. Of course, there are places in Arlington closer to the Hill than Cherrydale, but your big choke points, traffic-wise, are the bridges, and you have to cross them no matter where in Arlington you are coming from. So living further east or south in Arlington will help, but not as much as you might think.

We moved to Arlington from the Hill, and I truly hated the commute at first. (Because I live a mile from the metro and have to switch lines to get to work, it's quite a bit faster for me to drive than metro, so that's what I do.) But I've gotten used to it and don't really mind it anymore, especially in the morning. Evening rush hour is more annoying, both because it is often longer and because I am just crankier at the end of the day.

Also live in Arlington and commute to the Hill -- no one's asked what time you'll be driving. 6:45 am caught my attention in your original post -- at that time you can easily do it in 20 from North Arlington. By 7:30-8 am you're talking 30 min if you're lucky, could just as easily be 40. On the way home around 5, I do 30 door to door on a decent day but if bad traffic 45 minutes easily. And you're talking only a few miles door to door. It's crazy. There's nowhere closer, however, to live without being in the city.