Thanks 1153! All my High School info is from reading stuff online about schools, discussion forums, reviews and here https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/safetyglance/fy2012/fy2012.shtm

It seems most refer to WJ and WW as "pressure cookers" and they don't say that about BCC. So it's a pretty random evaluation of the high schools, but kind of all I have from Texas.

I'm the near-NCC resident from yesterday. Those streets you describe are heavily hemmed by asphalt and traffic - it's a little patch of homes wedged between one of the worst intersections in the country. And while NCC park is great, I don't think there is any kind of community center or other amenities (there is a preschool there, Outdoor Nursery School.) I'd stick to NCC east of Conn Avenue if you can.

BTW I don't know why you've concluded that BCC is less of a pressure cooker than WJ. BCC has higher stats and much better college acceptance rates. Maybe it's chill but based on my kids' experience to date (oldest about to start middle school) I doubt that. Frankly I am skeptical that there are any HS environments for in lower MoCo that aren't pretty competitive. That's not a knock on the schools - just the environment of highly educated, competitive parents who are heavily invested in their kids' academic success. Not a bad thing inherently but doesn't lend itself to an especially relaxed school environment.

Ok 1140...NCC resident. Do you know anything about the neighborhood behind the med center. Spring Valley Rd to Connecticut AVe. It's like 3 streets, but it's near the rec center and looks great.

Op here...husband is at NIH area. He thinks Takoma Park is too far. Everything I have read leads me to believe it's about 30 minutes, but we won't be there until late May to work it out and make a decision. I think it's no biggie and he would only catch it to drive home. In my view I live at home he lives at work so I should win this one. I would love to be in the Takoma Park Middle School cluster.

Anonymous wrote:Look into the purple line development with regard to that location.

The Purple Line stop will be at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Chevy Chase Lake Drive and the accompanying development will immediately surround that intersection on both sides of Connecticut. HHMI shields this neighborhood from that development very well and it would be within walking distance. Win-win for me - an NCC resident.

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you consider Silver Spring/Einstein (less of a pressure cooker than WJ)? Woodside Forest and Woodside Park are in your price range.

Further to NIH, though.

What general area will your husband be commuting to? Don't count out Takoma Park until you've realistically looked at the commute.

I would do garrett park, but there is one house on the market now right by the train tracks. I think it's a tough cult to buy into, sadly

I'm surprised no one has suggested the cult of Garrett Park...if you want Sesame Street, that's your best bet.

OP, why don't you consider Silver Spring/Einstein (less of a pressure cooker than WJ)? Woodside Forest and Woodside Park are in your price range.

Look into the purple line development with regard to that location.

OP here...My eldest daughter is quite smart (currently at the new BASIS in Texas and thriving) but super sensitive. So I'm worried about the culture of WJ from what I've read online regarding the wealth of the school population (as we can't match it) and the pressure cooker atmosphere. BCC seems a better match school wise, while we can afford 800 it is our upper limit. I think we could do well in Kensington...people need to start selling some houses though.

Anyone know about the neighborhood between Spring Valley Rd and Connecticut AVE in North Chevy Chase? It's a little island of a neighborhood but there is a great house on market there now.

https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&q=8808+SPRING+VALLEY+Rd+CHEVY+CHASE,+MD+20815&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x89b7c9387fe21577:0x866a0b816dcf24ef,8808+Spring+Valley+Rd,+Chevy+Chase,+MD+20815&gl=us&ei=G7dfU5iiKMLC8AH274HoDg&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA

Anonymous wrote:What are the zip codes for these neighborhoods?

North Chevy Chase and Rock Creek Forest, like all of Chevy Chase, are both 20815. All of Kensington is 20895.

PP with the opinion on Chevy Chase View - I live in NCC and my sister lives in CCV. They are both wonderful areas, but PP is tagging all of Chevy Chase View with a broad brush that applies better to the area directly surrounding Holy Redeemer, which is not in Chevy Chase View.

Anonymous wrote:And how about Garrett Park? It's like TP for folks with more money who aren't interested in the diversity or crime.

lol

And how about Garrett Park? It's like TP for folks with more money who aren't interested in the diversity or crime.