Small town feel in Montgomery County, MD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what really feels like a small town? Capitol Hill. Parts of Chevy Chase and AU Park DC. Brookland. I think there are several neighborhoods in DC that feel more townish than most actual suburbs. That's because they have walkable retail and a friendly vibe.

Some suburbs have that too.

But none of what you cite here feels like a small town. Neither do the suburbs.

We all make do.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Woodmoor in Silver Spring.

Yah, nothing hits the target other than the budget

Really? There is always a lemonade stand when the weather is nice, people are out and about constantly, tons of strollers and dog walkers, and insane number of kids, block parties in the spring and fall, easter egg hunt, Christmas tree lighting, octoberfest...what about that doesn't hit the target?

I think this is about a street rather than small town. There is nothing about silver spring that screams smalll town feel.

There is nothing in the Maryland suburbs that is a bona fide small town. We work with what is available.

Bull, Glen Echo is literally a small town in look feel and leagality.

[Anonymous]

Kensington Heights does have a nice small town-y feel. People are nice and not snooty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Woodmoor in Silver Spring.

Yah, nothing hits the target other than the budget

Really? There is always a lemonade stand when the weather is nice, people are out and about constantly, tons of strollers and dog walkers, and insane number of kids, block parties in the spring and fall, easter egg hunt, Christmas tree lighting, octoberfest...what about that doesn't hit the target?

I think this is about a street rather than small town. There is nothing about silver spring that screams smalll town feel.

There is nothing in the Maryland suburbs that is a bona fide small town. We work with what is available.

Bull, Glen Echo is literally a small town in look feel and leagality.

So is Brookmont, but both are way over OP's budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kensington Heights does have a nice small town-y feel. People are nice and not snooty.

Yes!

[Anonymous]

Laytonsville IS a small town.

[Anonymous]

Kentlands is fantastic for young families. Great neighborhood feel. You could get a 3 bedroom in good shape here for your budget.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are coming from NJ, you should keep in mind that 1) there are not many real towns in Montgomery County in the way that there are in NJ (with a mayor, a local school town school system, etc) and 2) several of the places mentioned in this thread are newish planned community type of places. I moved here from NY, and those two things were hard for me to get used to. It is a very different feel from a small town in NJ, even the larger NYC and Philly suburban towns.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the continued suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are coming from NJ, you should keep in mind that 1) there are not many real towns in Montgomery County in the way that there are in NJ (with a mayor, a local school town school system, etc) and 2) several of the places mentioned in this thread are newish planned community type of places. I moved here from NY, and those two things were hard for me to get used to. It is a very different feel from a small town in NJ, even the larger NYC and Philly suburban towns.

Thanks for the heads up! Im excited to start driving around to check places out soon

[Anonymous]

With this budget, I'd suggest looking at the following (and here are also some sample MLS listings so you know where to look; some are outside of your range because houses below $700k go fast):

-The Kentlands neighborhood- Gaithersburg: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Gaithersburg/701-Lake-Varuna-Dr-20878/home/10881735
You're more likely to run into the same people at the community pool, restaurants, shopping areas, trails, and schools in this neighborhood. There's lots to do, a big community center, a big community calendar of events, etc. A little generic because it's a master planned community and there are a lot of chain stores and restaurants, but close to amenities and lots of friendly families in the neighborhood. Amenities include community pool, tennis, lake, community center, trails, playgrounds, basketball courts.

-Fallsmead neighborhood- Rockville: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1827-Greenplace-Ter-20850/home/10520564
Has a close-nit community feel, neighbors get together a lot, everyone hangs out at the community pool, parades during holidays, etc. Feeds into a fantastic elementary school, middle school, and high school (everyone likes the "W" high schools in Montgomery County- Wooton, Whitman, Winston Churchill, & Walter Johnson). Amenities include community pool, trails, tennis, walking distance to elementary school, playground. The community pool is AWESOME for kids.

-Kensington- (I don't really think there are developed neighborhoods per se in this area- it's more the city itself that is like a small town. Since it's closer to DC, it's more transient and you'll get more turnover in neighbors. The homes are older, smaller, and more expensive due to proximity to Bethesda and DC). Drive on Connecticut Avenue through Kensington, also going through Kensington's Antique Row 3762B Howard Ave, Kensington, MD 20895. It will give you a good feel of the neighborhood. https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/11117-Mitscher-St-20895/home/11029418

-Garrett Park: (same thing as Kensington- older homes and not really developed neighborhoods, but cute town) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/4903-Flanders-Ave-20895/home/10502534 and also drive by Black Market Bistro at 4600 Waverly Ave, Garrett Park, MD 20896. It's a cute little restaurant tucked in the town.

-Old Farm/New Farm (South and North of Tuckerman Lane)- North Bethesda:
Has Farmland Elementary school in the neighborhood, so tons of kids and young families. Also convenient to 270/495
Old Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/6-Plantation-Ct-20852/home/10505274
New Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1010-Farm-Haven-Dr-20852/home/10538106
There is a nearby community pool you can join. There may be a short waitlist. There are also parks, playgrounds, basketball nearby.

[Anonymous]

^^North Farm, not New Farm. The neighborhood is slowly turning over. I grew up there and there are still lots of original owners who are now grandparents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With this budget, I'd suggest looking at the following (and here are also some sample MLS listings so you know where to look; some are outside of your range because houses below $700k go fast):

-The Kentlands neighborhood- Gaithersburg: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Gaithersburg/701-Lake-Varuna-Dr-20878/home/10881735
You're more likely to run into the same people at the community pool, restaurants, shopping areas, trails, and schools in this neighborhood. There's lots to do, a big community center, a big community calendar of events, etc. A little generic because it's a master planned community and there are a lot of chain stores and restaurants, but close to amenities and lots of friendly families in the neighborhood. Amenities include community pool, tennis, lake, community center, trails, playgrounds, basketball courts.

-Fallsmead neighborhood- Rockville: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1827-Greenplace-Ter-20850/home/10520564
Has a close-nit community feel, neighbors get together a lot, everyone hangs out at the community pool, parades during holidays, etc. Feeds into a fantastic elementary school, middle school, and high school (everyone likes the "W" high schools in Montgomery County- Wooton, Whitman, Winston Churchill, & Walter Johnson). Amenities include community pool, trails, tennis, walking distance to elementary school, playground. The community pool is AWESOME for kids.

-Kensington- (I don't really think there are developed neighborhoods per se in this area- it's more the city itself that is like a small town. Since it's closer to DC, it's more transient and you'll get more turnover in neighbors. The homes are older, smaller, and more expensive due to proximity to Bethesda and DC). Drive on Connecticut Avenue through Kensington, also going through Kensington's Antique Row 3762B Howard Ave, Kensington, MD 20895. It will give you a good feel of the neighborhood. https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/11117-Mitscher-St-20895/home/11029418

-Garrett Park: (same thing as Kensington- older homes and not really developed neighborhoods, but cute town) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/4903-Flanders-Ave-20895/home/10502534 and also drive by Black Market Bistro at 4600 Waverly Ave, Garrett Park, MD 20896. It's a cute little restaurant tucked in the town.

-Old Farm/New Farm (South and North of Tuckerman Lane)- North Bethesda:
Has Farmland Elementary school in the neighborhood, so tons of kids and young families. Also convenient to 270/495
Old Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/6-Plantation-Ct-20852/home/10505274
New Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1010-Farm-Haven-Dr-20852/home/10538106
There is a nearby community pool you can join. There may be a short waitlist. There are also parks, playgrounds, basketball nearby.

(Another house hunting out of towner): thank you, this detail and specificity is so helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With this budget, I'd suggest looking at the following (and here are also some sample MLS listings so you know where to look; some are outside of your range because houses below $700k go fast):

-The Kentlands neighborhood- Gaithersburg: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Gaithersburg/701-Lake-Varuna-Dr-20878/home/10881735
You're more likely to run into the same people at the community pool, restaurants, shopping areas, trails, and schools in this neighborhood. There's lots to do, a big community center, a big community calendar of events, etc. A little generic because it's a master planned community and there are a lot of chain stores and restaurants, but close to amenities and lots of friendly families in the neighborhood. Amenities include community pool, tennis, lake, community center, trails, playgrounds, basketball courts.

-Fallsmead neighborhood- Rockville: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1827-Greenplace-Ter-20850/home/10520564
Has a close-nit community feel, neighbors get together a lot, everyone hangs out at the community pool, parades during holidays, etc. Feeds into a fantastic elementary school, middle school, and high school (everyone likes the "W" high schools in Montgomery County- Wooton, Whitman, Winston Churchill, & Walter Johnson). Amenities include community pool, trails, tennis, walking distance to elementary school, playground. The community pool is AWESOME for kids.

-Kensington- (I don't really think there are developed neighborhoods per se in this area- it's more the city itself that is like a small town. Since it's closer to DC, it's more transient and you'll get more turnover in neighbors. The homes are older, smaller, and more expensive due to proximity to Bethesda and DC). Drive on Connecticut Avenue through Kensington, also going through Kensington's Antique Row 3762B Howard Ave, Kensington, MD 20895. It will give you a good feel of the neighborhood. https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/11117-Mitscher-St-20895/home/11029418

-Garrett Park: (same thing as Kensington- older homes and not really developed neighborhoods, but cute town) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/4903-Flanders-Ave-20895/home/10502534 and also drive by Black Market Bistro at 4600 Waverly Ave, Garrett Park, MD 20896. It's a cute little restaurant tucked in the town.

-Old Farm/New Farm (South and North of Tuckerman Lane)- North Bethesda:
Has Farmland Elementary school in the neighborhood, so tons of kids and young families. Also convenient to 270/495
Old Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/6-Plantation-Ct-20852/home/10505274
New Farm: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/1010-Farm-Haven-Dr-20852/home/10538106
There is a nearby community pool you can join. There may be a short waitlist. There are also parks, playgrounds, basketball nearby.

(Another house hunting out of towner): thank you, this detail and specificity is so helpful!

I love most of these suggestions except Kentlands. I have several friends that live in kentlands and I don't particularly think there is a large sense of community there. There are a lot of short term families here. Because there are a lot of townhouses and condos there are always people moving. It does have a lot of restaurants but I feel like Kentlands is just not what you want. I think the other suggestions are spot on. We have been looking for 3 months and those were all target areas. I would also add the horizon hill neighborhood in Rockville that is in the Richard Montgomery cluster. Very nice family friendly neighborhood and very easy access to 270. It has very nice houses for affordable prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Garrett Park or Kensington

This