There's more "old money" feel in the Jewish community of Maryland.

I know tons of people who go to temple Rodef shalom in falls church. It’s a lovely community. I would definitely go visit. I grew up in moco and now live in Arlington. I do think that nova is much more down to earth. I could never go back to living in Bethesda. The women just seem to be so full of themselves and stuck up, and the traffic in and is awful. It seems like the county actually works hard to make you go from one red light to another. Taxes are also much higher in moco vs Mckean or Arlington.
I have also lived in nyc and the suburbs there. You won’t find a town here similar to nyc suburbs. We just don’t have cute small towns that are situated around a train station.

Anonymous wrote:People who live in Montgomery County are scared to cross the Potomac because they get lost in NOVA. Likewise I never go up to Rockville or Silver Spring.

Nowadays, there's GPS.

Anonymous wrote:I find it very silly that some posters are saying that Arlington has a "southern" feel. If you were blindfolded and dropped first in the middle of Clarendon in Arlington and then dropped in Bethesda in MoCo, you would not be able to tell any difference. Both places are full of rich white people. I grew up in Maryland but have lived in NoVA for more than 20 years because I don't want to spend hours commuting.

Arlington used to have a southern feel - but no longer.

I find it very silly that some posters are saying that Arlington has a "southern" feel. If you were blindfolded and dropped first in the middle of Clarendon in Arlington and then dropped in Bethesda in MoCo, you would not be able to tell any difference. Both places are full of rich white people. I grew up in Maryland but have lived in NoVA for more than 20 years because I don't want to spend hours commuting.

People who live in Montgomery County are scared to cross the Potomac because they get lost in NOVA. Likewise I never go up to Rockville or Silver Spring.

I wonder what the OP ended up doing.

I'm muslim, not Jewish so take it with few grains of salt but share similar concerns. Imho, if you two can have shorter commute, you'll have more time to give to yourself and your family, which means you can focus more on religious life too if it matters to you. If you are tired and short on time, it affects all aspects of your lives.Hope, it makes sense.

Anonymous wrote:Choose where you will be working. Commutes are a nightmare.

The Potomac River bridges are a nightmare during rush hours. It will not get better anytime soon. One really ought at least live on the same side of the river as one’s workplace.

Anonymous wrote:Choose where you will be working. Commutes are a nightmare.

This. Then, paramount is access to great public schools (FCPS) even if you go private because it affects your estate values. The public college and university system in VA is much better than MD. Lower taxes in VA. Lots of temples. I've been to bat and bar mitzvahs in Reform, Cons and Orthodox shuls. I have lots of very happy Jewish friends in VA. They would never move to MD. On the other hand, I know several who got fed up with the congestion and taxes and moved to VA. For a quick (well, better, not quick, but better) commute to DC, locate near the Georgetown Parkway in McLean or Arlington. That's where the DC Jewish law partners locate. Look at Rodef Shalom, which is in west McLean on the Arlington border.

Here, you live as close to your job as you can afford. My dh works in MD, so we live in MD, and are Christians living in a major Jewish area. It's fine.

It's more important you minimize your commute here at this point in time.

My boss is an observant Jew from NJ originally, and worked at Inova and lived in the Nova exurbs. He’s a republican so I think in addition to a better commute, the area aligned more with his political leanings.

Surprised no one has noticed this thread is over 2 years old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think of Northern VA as being more "laid back" than MoCo.

+1 Very surprised to see so many posts seemingly agreeing with OP's assessment that Arlington and McLean are "down to earth". Have never heard that used as a descriptor for either place, even if you got to list 10 attributes.

I certainly haven't heard anyone refer to Arlington or McLean as "laid back" or "down to earth," but West Springfield, Burke, and Fairfax could easily fit that description, and plenty of Jews there for anyone looking for Jewish community.

Anonymous wrote:The desire for religious connections will be secondary to commuting once you live here. Have to go to a different jurisdiction in this area for work is hell on earth. You cannot underestimate how living close to your job matters until you spend time here. For as many people as we have, our public transportation is horrendous.

+1

Also, off topic and not what you’re asking, but if you plan to utilize state schools for college, VA has a multitude of options compared to MD. I live in VA with kids approaching college and we have it much easier than our friends in MD. There are many great state schools and even a guaranteed admissions program with between all of the state schools and the community colleges. If you’ll be utilizing state schools, the college situation is worth considering, IMO.