Anonymous
Post 05/03/2012 06:01     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

OP,

Some homes in Olney Mill are just under $400K. They are not big - most having 3 BR. But the neighborhood is nice and the schools are solid.

Tanterra is also reasonable; homes have that mod look to them. Greenwood is the ES, and it's excellent.

You can also find more "upscale" TH in your price range.

Of the two middle schools, I prefer Farquhar to Rosa Parks. So you can check out feeder patterns, too.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2012 05:58     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to stay in MoCo? What about Clarksville or other parts of Howard Cty?


Clarksville?

LOL!

the land of the McMansions!

Have you researched western parts of Ho Co?
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2012 00:17     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

1) I'd consider Howard if you work from home.
2) If you don't have to factor in commute, then move far out. I am not sure what SFH prices are in Olney but I hear good things about those schools and it seems a like a nice "town" feel. Perhaps look even further beyond that in that more rural northern part of the county.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 22:44     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

OP, here's an example of a home for sale in Derwood area. The ES is Candlewood (great schools 9 out of 10 rating) MS is Redland and HS is Magruder. All are good schools and the home is less than your 400K budget. Don't settle, it is possible.

http://mocorealestate.com/idx/mls-mc7822020-16505_baederwood_ln_derwood_md_20855
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 20:45     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Anonymous wrote:OP here - No, definitely doesn't have to be a "W" school, but we want to be in a solid cluster that includes ES, MS, and HS. I like the downtown Silver Spring and Four Corners area, but the schools at the elementary level and middle school level are really uneven. Plus, I'm not convinced that Blair is a great school unless you're in one of the magnet programs.

I'll explore some of the options listed here and appreciate the responses.

Thank you!


Those of us who live and use the schools here disagree with you, but it's your choice, obviously.

Good luck finding something in a neighborhood slated for what you consider a "great school" with a $400K budget.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 20:44     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

You can get a decent house in Derwood for 400K and the schools are good. You are also close to Red Line metro and easy access to freeways as well.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 20:42     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Anonymous wrote:We love our neighborhood-- Woodmoor in Silver Spring. There are a handful of houses on the market right now for under $400K. Schools are pretty good. Just a stone's throw from Blair High School. The neighborhood is packed with kids and wonderful neighbors.


I agree - we've also been very happy with the elementary school.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 19:58     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Do you have to stay in MoCo? What about Clarksville or other parts of Howard Cty?
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 19:48     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

OP here - No, definitely doesn't have to be a "W" school, but we want to be in a solid cluster that includes ES, MS, and HS. I like the downtown Silver Spring and Four Corners area, but the schools at the elementary level and middle school level are really uneven. Plus, I'm not convinced that Blair is a great school unless you're in one of the magnet programs.

I'll explore some of the options listed here and appreciate the responses.

Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 19:32     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Forest Knolls ES - many houses in Four Corners are in the $400K range.

Oakland Terrace ES as well.

Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 18:51     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

You will get a nice house in Poolesville. Just don't tell anyone else. We don't need a whole lot of "W" type people moving up here.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 18:40     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Derwood, near Shady Grove metro. Magruder High, not bad although not a W.

20855
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 14:53     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

We love our neighborhood-- Woodmoor in Silver Spring. There are a handful of houses on the market right now for under $400K. Schools are pretty good. Just a stone's throw from Blair High School. The neighborhood is packed with kids and wonderful neighbors.
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 14:36     Subject: Re:Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

Which schools do you think are good schools? Do you think QO, Poolesville, Damascus and Clarksburg are good schools? Are you just referring to WJ, Wooton, BCC, Whitman?
Anonymous
Post 05/02/2012 14:28     Subject: Affordable neighborhoods with good schools in MoCo - is there such a thing?

We'd like to buy in MoCo in a neighborhood with good if not great schools. Our price range is up to 400K and we'd prefer a single family home but it doesn't have to be fancy.
We're open to virtually all areas of the county as DH and I work from home.

Is this even possible?