I really appreciate all of the help!

UMD doesn't have infant care, but our son will be at the CYC and our daughter will attend when she's 3 too. She'll go to one of the local daycares (or we'll get a nanny) until she's old enough for the CYC.

UMD faculty live all over - I think a lot has to do with where spouses work.

And I'd love to live close to the university, I just would rather live somewhere that if the kids were to go to the local public middle schools or high schools, it would be okay. We aren't affluent enough to be able to afford private school if things with public schools aren't great.

Where do UMD faculty tend to live?

RE: Columbia--look into Clemens Crossing or Thunder Hill ESs.

Both neighborhoods should be doable for your budget (Thunder Hill more affordable).

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/19106-Starkey-Ter_Brookeville_MD_20833_M65714-42650

Low inventory right now, but this neighborhood in brookeville is wonderful...Manor Oaks. Excellent schools (greenwood elem, rosa parks middle, Sherwood has).

I'd see if I could get into Takoma Park elementary. It's a good feeder pattern (Piney Branch, TPMS, Blair) all the way through.

I hear what you are saying about University Park, but it seems to me that one of the things that is attractive about working at a university is being part if that community. You'd have walk ability and TONS of things to do with the kids, not to mention 35K babysitters at your disposal.

But if UP's not your thing I understand. What kind of neighborhood vibe are you looking for?

I didn't know there was daycare on campus for babies. CYC, which is a fantastic program, starts at age 3.

Thanks everyone - OP here. My husband is okay with a long commute because he'll work off hours (like 6-3) and I figure with him going from the DC area north, traffic will be in his favor.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I'd love to just buy now and stay in one place until our kids are out of high school, but with a budget maxing out at 600k, our options are limited.

I would rent, but I don't want to have to move again in a few years - I'd much rather just buy now since prices are a little lower and rates are low, and then move later on if we decide we want a more expensive home.

I'll commute to UMCP every day for 5 years and then once my youngest is done with preschool or kindergarten there, I can work from home 2-3 days a week and/or keep less 9-5ish hours.

I've looked into University Park, but that's just as expensive as the other areas and I don't know much about the elementary school there - on paper it looks just okay. I figure if I'm going to spend 500-550k, I may as well shoot for MCPS or HCPS, right?

I'll look into the areas of SS suggested as well as Olney/Brookeville.

I've heard to avoid certain areas of Laurel/Columbia. Any suggestions on particular elementary schools or zipcodes to look? Based on test scores - it looks like feeders to River Hill and Atholton are good, yes?

Olney (20832) or brookeville (20833). My DH commutes to CP everyday....easy with back roads. I commute to DC....longer commute, but doable. Silver Spring would be easy. Baltimore would be easy as well thanks to the ICC. Excellent schools in Olney and Brookeville.

Sorry OP, I spaced out that you want to stay put for 6-7 yrs. If you are not sure where your husband will be working, you might want to rent for a year, close to UMD so you don't have to commute, until you are situated. Housing inventory is low so it's not the best time to buy.

If you are OK with moving when your oldest starts school, why not live in College Park, Hyattsville, or University Park. People like the elementary in UP and some like the schools in Hyattsville as well. It is much cheaper and that way you can save for some in MoCo or HoCo once you know where you need to be. You could rent for a year or so and get situated. Also, you might look at houses in Hillandale. It's close to 95 and CP and houses are not expensive there. But if you want a secure bet and don't want to move in a few years, Takoma Park or Silver Spring, the neighborhoods mentioned above, are good. Schools are improving so don't sweat the details on middle and high schools at this point. Focus on a strong elementary and there are many in all the areas mentioned.

I would look into the Columbia and North Laurel areas. The Howard County school system is now the strongest school system in Maryland. It's around 25 minutes normally and probably about 35-40 minutes peak. While that is outside your range, it's the most reasonable place to live with the best schools and not kill your husband. If your husband works at UMD hospital in Baltimore, and you live anywhere in Montgomery County, he's looking at essentially an hour commute each day (it's about 45-50 minutes from the closer parts of Montgomery County to downtown Baltimore and the traffic once you get inside the Baltimore beltway will make that an hour each way.

There are a number of very good schools in Howard County including south Columbia which is closest to College Park/UMCP.

When will your husband know where he'll be working? That's kind if a wild card. Will he have a 9-5 commute?

Silver Spring 20910: Woodside, Sligo Park Hills, downtown SS. (Woodside might be tough on your budget though). Also, closer to the beltway, people like Indian Springs and the areas around there (not sure what the zip is).

Check archives.

I'll be working at UMCP and my husband will either be working at UMD Hospital in Baltimore or locally (Silver Spring or Bethesda).
I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old - both of whom will attend preschool on the UMCP campus.

I'd like to keep my commute as short as possible since I'll be doing drop-off and pick-up for daycare, but I also want to live somewhere that has a great elementary school (bonus for great middle and high schools). Once we are done paying for 2 in daycare, our budget will be a bit larger and I don't mind moving again in 6-7 years.

Would love to be able to afford a single family home (we have 2 dogs), but I grew up in Baltimore and am plenty used to rowhomes. Our budget is ~500k-550k, maybe 600k.

Any recommendations for neighborhoods/elementary schools? (would love a commute <30 minutes at peak times - is that even possible here?)