Takoma Park all the way. It's an awesome community.

Takoma Park, yes.

Takoma Park Elementary, Takoma Park Middle School, Blair High School. All are great.

OP, i too looked for all that too once but you won't find a small downtown in any of the burbs around here, it's all sprawl. Downtown SS, Bethesda, the Arlington sprawl and Old Town do not count. You'll have to compromise.

Woodlin in SS is good, has a great reputation. Many schools in downtown SS are xoned for Woodlin.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - OK, what are the "good schools" in SS and Takoma park? I'm totally overwhelmed by Montgomery County schools because ALL of our friends live in Virginia.

That's actually a very good reason to remain in Virginia. I speak for experience that if you move to Maryland, you will never see those people again.

Also about DTSS or TP - inside the beltway, super close to DC, but also a 10 minute drive to any of the big stores (Target, Costco, IKEA, etc) you want and also 10-15 min drive at least a couple big malls. We love it.

OP here - OK, what are the "good schools" in SS and Takoma park? I'm totally overwhelmed by Montgomery County schools because ALL of our friends live in Virginia.

Totally Takoma or downtown SS! Good-sized homes but not massive and cookie cutter. Downtown areas where people congregate, good public schools depending on the neighborhood, super friendly neighbors with tons of young kids around, almost too many playgrounds, etc, etc. and def under $600k. Look around SS Metro or Takoma Park MD.

Vienna

Anonymous wrote:Downtown Silver Spring!

I was thinking the same thing.

Downtown Silver Spring!

Check out Shepherd Park: http://www.trulia.com/property/3043719960-1305-Geranium-St-NW-Washington-DC-20012

Try Westover in Arlington- little main street type area, with beer garden and farmer's market, newly built library, ice cream store, cleaners and a few restaurants (Lebanese Taverna, Lost Dog). There is a very nice park right off the main street.

You can find a house for $600-650 (though it will likely need work and rooms will be small). Will probably have a nice yard-not huge, but enough for a playset. Great schools.

What I envision as the perfect neighborhood for my family is in my mind pretty simple - a decent sized house (1800-2200 sq ft) with a small yard, great public schools, able to walk to playgrounds, elementary school, and a central downtown "main street" area, friendly neighbors, safe neighborhood, decent shopping (nice grocery store, target, etc.) in a 10-15 drive and all for under $600,000. And we'd like to stay within 20 miles of DC for commuting.

Why does this not exist around here? I guess it's the "main street" feel I'm missing. Why don't places like Burke or Alexandria (FFX county) have a "main street" area. I guess it's just a midwest thing? (I'm from the chicago burbs and they all have that) Does a main street feel exist in more expensive neighborhoods?