Help a single parent find the right neighborhood and school (MD)

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I'm moving to the DC area this summer from the Northeast and would love to know which areas might be the best fit, within out budget, for my family.

Some background:

I'm a single parent. I'm in the education non-profit sector and make around $80k per year. I have one son who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. The absolute maximum house I can afford is $515k. We're also Jewish so an area with some Judaism, cultural more so than religious, would be appreciated.

I'm not overly familiar with the DC area, escaping NE due to an abusive EX. I'll have full custody.

Schools are definitely a top priority for me and my son. We'll be going the public route.

I'd ideally like the following in a school and neighborhood:

Friendly and social neighborhood (kids playing outside while adults socialize and watch, people help each other out in a bind, etc.)

Not to be the only Jewish family in the school and neighborhood

Racial, ethnic, and linguistic is a plus.

A decent commute to Bethesda (ideally under 25 minutes)

Other parents who are well educated (professors, scientists, teachers, lawyers, etc.)

A high FARMS or ESOL rate doesn't scare me but I don't want my son to be the only student who is white / Jewish.

Can anyone help point me in the right neighborhood or school? Any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome!

[Anonymous]

I am sure that others will chime into this thread with specific neighborhoods, but Rockville generally would be a good fit given your criteria (possibily Silver Spring, too, but definitely more Jewish families in Rockville). Easy commute to Bethesda (drive or metro), "old-fashioned", friendly neighborhoods, good schools, sizeable population of Jewish families. Best of luck to you with this move - you sound like a great parent, and positive and brave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that others will chime into this thread with specific neighborhoods, but Rockville generally would be a good fit given your criteria (possibily Silver Spring, too, but definitely more Jewish families in Rockville). Easy commute to Bethesda (drive or metro), "old-fashioned", friendly neighborhoods, good schools, sizeable population of Jewish families. Best of luck to you with this move - you sound like a great parent, and positive and brave.

There are lots of Jewish families in Silver Spring. Probably more than in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would consider the Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring, zoned to Flora Singer ES. People are very happy with it, the neighborhood is terrific and friendly, and your commute would be easy.

Do you need a single family house or would a condo or townhouse do?

[Anonymous]

Kensington Heights, Forest Glen, Woodside. I would do Silver Spring over Rockville, given that you would have equal proximity to downtown Silver Spring or Downtown Bethesda depending on where you end up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that others will chime into this thread with specific neighborhoods, but Rockville generally would be a good fit given your criteria (possibily Silver Spring, too, but definitely more Jewish families in Rockville). Easy commute to Bethesda (drive or metro), "old-fashioned", friendly neighborhoods, good schools, sizeable population of Jewish families. Best of luck to you with this move - you sound like a great parent, and positive and brave.

There are lots of Jewish families in Silver Spring. Probably more than in Rockville.

There is a large population of Orthodox Jews in Silver Spring. I'm thinking that Rockville will be more your cup of tea. Bel Pre Woods would have homes in your price range. Your kids would go to Wood MS and Rockville High School. You might also try area west of there in the Wooten High School area-- probably more Jews there.

[Anonymous]

We have friends on this street, which is teeming with kids. Super friendly, zoned to Flora Singer:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1705-Brisbane-St_Silver-Spring_MD_20902_M67485-22185

[Anonymous]

Search this forum for King Farm community. It is awesome and it sounds
like it has everything you have on your list and more. Fantastic
and caring Jewish community.

Here are some pictures:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/King+Farm+Community+Center/@39.109145,-77.170564,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s-gA7tEFZNSD4%2FV7oOB2Ih1LI%2FAAAAAAAALS8%2FuYPkGD8Je08d9LZI1Ebkv_FrLtVRlP7WQCJkC!2e4!3e12!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2F-gA7tEFZNSD4%2FV7oOB2Ih1LI%2FAAAAAAAALS8%2FuYPkGD8Je08d9LZI1Ebkv_FrLtVRlP7WQCJkC%2Fs114-k-no%2F!7i4032!8i3024!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sking+farm!3m4!1s0x89b7d29f71c43bef:0x72a7c64550d0022c!8m2!3d39.10902!4d-77.1711378!6m1!1e1

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone who has responded. A townhouse or SFH would be preferred over a condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Search this forum for King Farm community. It is awesome and it sounds
like it has everything you have on your list and more. Fantastic
and caring Jewish community.

Here are some pictures:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/King+Farm+Community+Center/@39.109145,-77.170564,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s-gA7tEFZNSD4%2FV7oOB2Ih1LI%2FAAAAAAAALS8%2FuYPkGD8Je08d9LZI1Ebkv_FrLtVRlP7WQCJkC!2e4!3e12!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2F-gA7tEFZNSD4%2FV7oOB2Ih1LI%2FAAAAAAAALS8%2FuYPkGD8Je08d9LZI1Ebkv_FrLtVRlP7WQCJkC%2Fs114-k-no%2F!7i4032!8i3024!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sking+farm!3m4!1s0x89b7d29f71c43bef:0x72a7c64550d0022c!8m2!3d39.10902!4d-77.1711378!6m1!1e1

OMG, get the heck outta here King Farm Troll. OP you do NOT want to live in King Farm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that others will chime into this thread with specific neighborhoods, but Rockville generally would be a good fit given your criteria (possibily Silver Spring, too, but definitely more Jewish families in Rockville). Easy commute to Bethesda (drive or metro), "old-fashioned", friendly neighborhoods, good schools, sizeable population of Jewish families. Best of luck to you with this move - you sound like a great parent, and positive and brave.

There are lots of Jewish families in Silver Spring. Probably more than in Rockville.

I'm the poster you are responding to. My opinion, as a fellow NE Jewish transplant, is that Rockville is more culturally Jewish than SS. An above poster is right that there is an Orthodox Jewish community in SS (as there is in Rockville), but that is not what the OP requested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that others will chime into this thread with specific neighborhoods, but Rockville generally would be a good fit given your criteria (possibily Silver Spring, too, but definitely more Jewish families in Rockville). Easy commute to Bethesda (drive or metro), "old-fashioned", friendly neighborhoods, good schools, sizeable population of Jewish families. Best of luck to you with this move - you sound like a great parent, and positive and brave.

There are lots of Jewish families in Silver Spring. Probably more than in Rockville.

I'm the poster you are responding to. My opinion, as a fellow NE Jewish transplant, is that Rockville is more culturally Jewish than SS. An above poster is right that there is an Orthodox Jewish community in SS (as there is in Rockville), but that is not what the OP requested.

Definitely Rockville over Silver Spring. Schools are better, and more culturally Jewish people.

[Anonymous]

Silver Spring resident here.

Downtown Silver Spring is great and all of Silver Spring has deep Jewish roots.

Look in 20910 and 20901. Elementary schools: Sligo Creek, Forest Knolls, Flora Singer.

[Anonymous]

I posted in the other thread, but try Rockville, 20853 zip code.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone who has responded. A townhouse or SFH would be preferred over a condo.

OP, I posted on the other thread about the neighborhood that goes to Farmland ES. You might not be able to afford a house with a yard in that area, I don't know. But there are plenty of nice condos and apartments, with a lot of kids that live in them, and the location is extremely convenient.