I'm not saying you can't buy in Takoma Park for that price, but houses at $400K are rare. IF you can find one, it will be most likely zoned for Rolling Terrace (which I'm not saying is a bad choice), and it would be a hike from Metro and not as a direct commute to downtown SS or downtown DC as Four Corners or Forest Glen would be. Plus, you'd have to pay city of takoma taxes. In that price range, I think you'd get more for your money in Silver Spring.

Current listings in TP:
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Takoma-Park/6706-Prince-Georges-Ave-20912/home/11150452

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Takoma-Park/8007-Wildwood-Dr-20912/home/10974067

Anonymous wrote:But Olney might be hard for a non-driving spouse, no?

I live in Olney, and unless you live close to the town center not having a car would be a deal breaker. Might be doable in some of the neighborhoods that you don't need to cross Georgia or 108 to get there.

East Silver Spring.

If the OP is really saying he needs the best of the best MoCo high schools (i.e. Bethesda/Potomac), and near a metro, then he will need to pay more than double what he is hoping for. He would need to choose whether to compromise on either the highest-rated high schools, or the distance from DC. I personally would recommend what we have done (and it was more than 400K anyway, but still), which is live near an elementary we really like in a neighborhood we love and can afford, and reconsider whether to move or do private school if the middle and high schools are not what we want by the time we get there.

Anonymous wrote:You can buy in Takoma Park for that price. Schools are TPES, PBES, TPMS, Montgomery Blair HS. No, you will not be buying in "Old Town" Takoma. But there are many other lovely neighborhoods (and SAFE neighborhoods, I might add, before the "experts" start to weigh in) in the City of TP that would fit your needs.

I'm not saying you can't buy in Takoma Park for that price, but houses at $400K are rare. IF you can find one, it will be most likely zoned for Rolling Terrace (which I'm not saying is a bad choice), and it would be a hike from Metro and not as a direct commute to downtown SS or downtown DC as Four Corners or Forest Glen would be. Plus, you'd have to pay city of takoma taxes. In that price range, I think you'd get more for your money in Silver Spring.

I'm in Forest Glen and love it, but (based on reputation only), the middle and high schools are not stellar.

You can buy in Takoma Park for that price. Schools are TPES, PBES, TPMS, Montgomery Blair HS. No, you will not be buying in "Old Town" Takoma. But there are many other lovely neighborhoods (and SAFE neighborhoods, I might add, before the "experts" start to weigh in) in the City of TP that would fit your needs.

But Olney might be hard for a non-driving spouse, no?

Anonymous wrote:Olney.

yes - best bet

good schools

nice community

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring, right by Metro, straight shot to downtown SS, Oakland Terrace ES is well-rated.

Four Corners in Silver Spring (elementary school is Montgomery Knolls). Friendly, convenient, easy to get to Metro and downtown SS.

No to Olney if your wife doesn't drive.

Thanks for the suggestions. How do you feel about the middle schools and high schools for those neighborhoods?

For $400k, you're not going to get much better close-in.

Anonymous wrote:Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring, right by Metro, straight shot to downtown SS, Oakland Terrace ES is well-rated.

Four Corners in Silver Spring (elementary school is Montgomery Knolls). Friendly, convenient, easy to get to Metro and downtown SS.

No to Olney if your wife doesn't drive.

Thanks for the suggestions. How do you feel about the middle schools and high schools for those neighborhoods?

Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring, right by Metro, straight shot to downtown SS, Oakland Terrace ES is well-rated.

Four Corners in Silver Spring (elementary school is Montgomery Knolls). Friendly, convenient, easy to get to Metro and downtown SS.

No to Olney if your wife doesn't drive.

Olney.

Twinbrook in Rockville? You could take a bus to SS, and redline to downtown.

We would like to buy a house and never move again. What neighborhoods would be a good balance of school quality through high school and commuting time to downtown DC and downtown Silver Spring? Proximity to a metro station would be a huge plus, and being able to commute via public transit to downtown Silver Spring is a must. My wife can't drive. I would really like a SFH. It can be outdated and small as long as it is well-maintained. Two bedrooms plus a basement or three bedrooms even without a basement would be fine. Thanks!