Comparing Silver Spring and Arlington

[Anonymous]

Has anyone here lived in both? Currently live in Arlington but Silver Spring would be closer for my commute. I’m a single mom and would need to move further out (Vienna, maybe) to buy a townhouse near me. I think I could afford something in Silver Spring, though. Can anyone compare the two?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone here lived in both? Currently live in Arlington but Silver Spring would be closer for my commute. I’m a single mom and would need to move further out (Vienna, maybe) to buy a townhouse near me. I think I could afford something in Silver Spring, though. Can anyone compare the two?

"Silver Spring" can refer to a lot of different areas, about 8 different zip codes. It might help if we knew which neighborhood you were looking at.

[Anonymous]

The nicer parts of Silver Spring are about as good as South Arlington ascetically. Schools are comparable between the two with Yorktown being a little better than Blair but Takoma Park being better than any middle in Arlington. But the previous poster is correct Silver Spring is much bigger so it varies a lot. There are parts to avoid like Wheaton or White Oak

I grew up in Silver Spring and live in Arlington now, I still maintain some rental properties in SS. I will say Silver Spring to Arlington is a hard commute for about the last 5 years, between the increased population and the work on Rock Creek it can be miserable unless you live a block from a metro and work a block from the metro. Piney Branch is getting undrivable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nicer parts of Silver Spring are about as good as South Arlington ascetically. Schools are comparable between the two with Yorktown being a little better than Blair but Takoma Park being better than any middle in Arlington. But the previous poster is correct Silver Spring is much bigger so it varies a lot. There are parts to avoid like Wheaton or White Oak

I grew up in Silver Spring and live in Arlington now, I still maintain some rental properties in SS. I will say Silver Spring to Arlington is a hard commute for about the last 5 years, between the increased population and the work on Rock Creek it can be miserable unless you live a block from a metro and work a block from the metro. Piney Branch is getting undrivable

Wut?

[Anonymous]

I'd check the crime maps. Crime has stayed pretty steady in Silver Spring but I think its been declining in Arlington. Your appreciation will be much better in Arlington than Silver Spring. Schools seem to be improving each year in Arlington while MCPS is a mess and Silver Spring is generally viewed as having the worst schools in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The nicer parts of Silver Spring are about as good as South Arlington ascetically. Schools are comparable between the two with Yorktown being a little better than Blair but Takoma Park being better than any middle in Arlington. But the previous poster is correct Silver Spring is much bigger so it varies a lot. There are parts to avoid like Wheaton or White Oak

I grew up in Silver Spring and live in Arlington now, I still maintain some rental properties in SS. I will say Silver Spring to Arlington is a hard commute for about the last 5 years, between the increased population and the work on Rock Creek it can be miserable unless you live a block from a metro and work a block from the metro. Piney Branch is getting undrivable

Wut?

Aesthetically, maybe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd check the crime maps. Crime has stayed pretty steady in Silver Spring but I think its been declining in Arlington. Your appreciation will be much better in Arlington than Silver Spring. Schools seem to be improving each year in Arlington while MCPS is a mess and Silver Spring is generally viewed as having the worst schools in the county.

Again, painting with too broad a brush. Parts of Silver Spring have lower crime rates and better schools than others. Most areas near downtown SS, Forest Glen, Four Corners, and near Wheaton and Kensington will have affordable townhouses and good elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. Thanks for your help. I’m trying to get a short commute to NOMA, so being near a metro (or being able to drive and park at a metro) is good, and I want good schools. I am open to suggestions about where I should be looking in Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. Thanks for your help. I’m trying to get a short commute to NOMA, so being near a metro (or being able to drive and park at a metro) is good, and I want good schools. I am open to suggestions about where I should be looking in Silver Spring.

What is your price range?

[Anonymous]

$500 or $550 max

[Anonymous]

OP again. I only need 2 bedrooms but would prefer a TH over a condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500 or $550 max

four Corners, Forest Glen, Glen Haven

[Anonymous]

You could buy a decent house for that price in Silver Spring around Four Corners. Specifically, the neighborhood that feeds into Forest Knolls elementary.

You might find townhouses too closer to Downtown silver spring.

Your money will go a lot farther here, and since it shortens your commute, it seems a good choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I only need 2 bedrooms but would prefer a TH over a condo.

Maybe look around Forest Glen? Zoned for schools that people seem happy about, and only about 7 stops to NoMa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd check the crime maps. Crime has stayed pretty steady in Silver Spring but I think its been declining in Arlington. Your appreciation will be much better in Arlington than Silver Spring. Schools seem to be improving each year in Arlington while MCPS is a mess and Silver Spring is generally viewed as having the worst schools in the county.

I am always baffled by the appreciation argument. Arlington is so much more expensive that I doubt anyone who has bought recently will see much appreciation because the high prices + mortgage interest rate narrows the potential pool of buyers.

OP, I lived in DTSS for a few years prior to moving in Arlington. Just bought in N Arlington this year. The downtown area of silver spring is fantastic and you can find a relatively affordable home (though not cheap) zoned for a decent elementary school. I’ve also heard that Blair high school can be good. Both APS and MCPS have overcrowding issues. Ethnic food options are 1,000xs better than Arlington. It’s also much more diverse. And more dog friendly. However, taxes in Arlington are much better.

If you work in Silver Spring (you just say it is closer) you might also consider looking in Howard County. There are some great schools in HoCo and it is cheaper than MoCo and Arlington county.