Considering making the leap from DC to Bethesda or CC. Advice?

[CJV]

We are returning to the DC area after two years away. Before we left, we were in NW, DC, at a public elementary school, and my kids were very happy. Now we are thinking of making the leap over the Maryland border -- to either the Whitman or BCC area -- because of all the wonderful things we've heard about the schools. Most of our friends in DC, however, are staying put, and insist the schools are good. Can anyone comment on the comparison with NW, perhaps who has made the leap?

[Anonymous]

We haven't made the leap but Ive spent enormous amount of time evaluating this very situation. I've visited schools, run spreadsheets, talked with DH at depth about moving to MD. I generally think the schools are better run in mont county. But they are still public schools and have some of the same problems that DC schools - probably without the huge variation among schools. I think the class sizes are smaller in dc. I think the HS are appreciably better in MCPS. Middle schools i didn't find it to be a startling difference. Deal is nice and well run. Wilson, though, i really don't like. Yes you can a decent education but you have to be in a weird "tracked" situation. Charters are interesting but yet still up and coming for upper grades.

We made the decision that we would not move to MC just for the schools - we want an improved house for our family. We've been looking for a while now and its not a no brainer choice. The houses that we really both like and are in good locations cost $400K more than our house would sell for. It would cost $100K (sunk cost) to move. So $500K is a lot of money. Going with a lower price means that we don't both love the house at best.

We may stay after all in DC. I give it 50/50 that we stay. We like where we live very much and the house is not perfect but we've made it home. We'd end up almost certainly doing private school for HS and maybe some middle school. St Johns is attractive. We have a weak connection that might help us get in to another school or two. The instate college break of $10K helps.

I would suggest running your own numbers, visiting the schools both in md and dc so you can make your own comparison. See a charter or two. Go to a few open houses. It helps to set the right perspective. My worst nightmare was that we made leap to MD, hated our house/neighborhood. and switched to private schools anyway!

[Anonymous]

We are also considering the move to have a bigger house. My sense is that for the same money, the houses are bigger (maybe not perfect) if you're willing to be a bit farther out and not right next to a metro. But I've only looked on line so far since we're not in town yet. Still, I wish the choice were clear for the schools, which would justify everything.