Anonymous wrote:I think this question really depends on where exactly in DC you are commuting to. There are different places that would be more convenient to Georgetown vs. Gallery Place vs. Capitol Hill, esp. If you're taking metro. Heck at rush hour driving from Georgetown to Cap Hill could take 45 min!

EXACTLY. OP, where in downtown are you commuting to? I think that will make a huge difference.

Anonymous wrote:I just posted but reading through the thread and laughing at people who are in fantasy land. Also, places like Kensington and Bowie door-door to DOWNTOWN aren't 45 minutes during peak rush hour but if you are able to leave EARLY then I think they could work.

Actually, it depends *where* downtown you are going. There are some downtown destinations that are actually 30-45 minutes door to door from Bowie (unless there is a horrible accident or some out-of-the-ordinary event).

PG county will likely get you the most bang for your buck while still being reasonable commuting distance. You can get a lot closer in there than any if the neighboring counties. Just do your research on schools if you have kids.

Rockville, Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, North Potomac, North Bethesda, Germantown, Silver Spring, Olney

I think this question really depends on where exactly in DC you are commuting to. There are different places that would be more convenient to Georgetown vs. Gallery Place vs. Capitol Hill, esp. If you're taking metro. Heck at rush hour driving from Georgetown to Cap Hill could take 45 min!

Bowie's probably your best bet. SFH for under 400k, decent options via car/public transit, and acceptable to good public schools from K-12.

Fairfax City may work on the other side albeit with better schools, more to do (Old Town Fairfax/GMU), but SFHs are under 500k there.

Problem is, both of these are only 45 minutes away during off-hours.

LOL, I think a lot of these PPs are either smoking crack, or they are talking about commuting via helicopter.

I just posted but reading through the thread and laughing at people who are in fantasy land. Also, places like Kensington and Bowie door-door to DOWNTOWN aren't 45 minutes during peak rush hour but if you are able to leave EARLY then I think they could work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can drive during off-peak times, but there is still congestion then, sometimes. I will look at Germantown and Springfield. Thanks.

Round Hill/Purcellville (VA)
Odenton/Glen Burnie/Lithintcum (MD)
Stafford (VA)
La Plata (MD)

WTF! LOL! None of these places are a 45 minute drive to DC even with no traffic!! And I have lived in Germantown and Springfield which are much close than this crazy list. Springfield is the only one that could be doable if you leave your house by 6am or so. Or if you pick up sluggers for the HOV-3, though I am not sure how consistent that is especially with the construction on 395.

I would try Silver Spring, alexandria/arlington/falls church inside the beltway.