Anonymous wrote:If your wife can drive to Baltimore, then consider upper NWDC or Bethesda MD. Either of those places is close to the red line and a straight shot downtown if you are planning on taking metro. The drive to Baltimore would be a reverse commute and maybe 45-60 minutes but if only 2 days a week that would be bearable. The schools in Montgomery County MD are generally good. For upper NWDC, the elementary schools are also generally fine (specifically, Janney, Key, Layfette, Murch, Mann) and once you move in-boundary you are guaranteed a spot. Pretty much the only well-regarded middle school in DC is Deal in upper NWDC, so you would want to make sure you are in-boundary for Deal too.

Not the OP, but wondering whether a commute by metro/train is feasible from the red line route (Bethesda or upper NW, or Silver Spring) in the event OP's wife is unwilling to drive.

One more thought. We bought a big, beautiful house in Annapolis, MD. Fantastic schools (Broadneck). Great lifestyle. Husband drove in before traffic and home in it--2 hrs total commute per day and spent the time on audiobooks. I worked in Baltimore 2 to 3 days per week and did the same. We arrived home tired but happy; weekends were a dream on the water (we weren't on the water but close). You might want to consider Annapolis!

If your wife can drive to Baltimore, then consider upper NWDC or Bethesda MD. Either of those places is close to the red line and a straight shot downtown if you are planning on taking metro. The drive to Baltimore would be a reverse commute and maybe 45-60 minutes but if only 2 days a week that would be bearable. The schools in Montgomery County MD are generally good. For upper NWDC, the elementary schools are also generally fine (specifically, Janney, Key, Layfette, Murch, Mann) and once you move in-boundary you are guaranteed a spot. Pretty much the only well-regarded middle school in DC is Deal in upper NWDC, so you would want to make sure you are in-boundary for Deal too.

OP, my DH has worked in both DC and Baltimore. We live in Rockville near Olney. For DC he took the metro. For Baltimore he drove. We are about in the middle and it's been good. If you are looking to move to montgomery county, Rockville is a good place to live and easy to get to both DC and B'more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I commuted to Balto from Silver Spring 2 days/week for a year, never took me more than 45 minutes. Traffic into Baltimore is nothing compared to DC. Driving to downtown DC is about 30 minutes, metro is 35-40 depending on parking situation.

Plus great schools, which is not happening in PG or DC.

I've been on threads recently where people say that isn't happening in Silver Spring either.

We must be reading different things. Silver Spring isn't as "hot" schools-wise as Bethesda or Chevy Chase, but it's still MoCo. I've heard some consistent positive reviews here, and my own experience backs up that strength.