Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:37     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
New poster but have lived in both so can give an honest assessment of my personal experience. I prefer McLean over Bethesda but these are personal choices. I like the lots and feel of McLean over bethesda. I prefer the restaurants and shopping in McLean and nearby Tysons. Schools are pretty much a wash. Taxes are obviously better in McLean.

But this is a personal decision so suggest you try each. Best of luck!!
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:34     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
We live in Fairfax County and need to move in a few years for better schools. I can't get excited about anything I see on the market in Mc Lean or Vienna. Too big, too expensive and no charm. I didn't realize how unattractive the housing stock was here when we first arrived. Maybe Bethesda is where I should be looking.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:33     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:"downtown" Bethesda is a joke. Shouldn't even be compared to Tysons


Really? I love going to downtown Bethesda. There are some great shops and cafes and the farmers market is fun.


Rather go to Mosaic, 10 minutes from McLean and more to offer
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:31     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Tysons is not McLean.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:17     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:"downtown" Bethesda is a joke. Shouldn't even be compared to Tysons


Really? I love going to downtown Bethesda. There are some great shops and cafes and the farmers market is fun.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 19:15     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:Obviously Bethesda if you can afford it.


You’ll have to do better than that, especially since McLean is more expensive.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 18:56     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Obviously Bethesda if you can afford it.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2023 18:04     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
If you're a younger family and prefer the new build feel, I would say Mclean over Bethesda. Better value.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 19:05     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
"downtown" Bethesda is a joke. Shouldn't even be compared to Tysons
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 18:52     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have to laugh if someone thinks Tysons is equivalent to Bethesda.

I live in Bethesda and have worked in Tysons for 15 years. Tysons is the armpit of the entire DC area. A bunch of people who think, or have a lot of money, but absolutely no class. Random buildings, massive streets, zero walkability and people who overextend themselves. It truly is a bizarre area and the major reason why I WFH most of the time.

If I never needed to step foot in Tysons ever again my life would be 100% better. Do people actually say they want to go have date night in Tysons Corner, VA?!


If people think a date in Bethesda is a big deal, they probably don’t have end up having second dates.

That might explain some of the over-the-top, incel-level hostility in your post.


Bethesda is just sort of an outdoor mall now - not very charming. Granted, still nicer and more walkable than McLean. Not sure why Tysons is part of this discussion.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 18:44     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:Both are nice places to live with good public schools.

I would NOT want to cross the river every day to work. That commute is just awful. Not many bridges across the river, so alternate routes are very limited. Every day the Potomac bridges’ multiple issues-du-jour are mentioned during commute times on WTOP-FM’s traffic reports.

If I worked in MD, I would live in MD. If I worked in VA, then I would live in VA. If worked in DC, I might live either place, but only after understanding the specific commute options for my workplace.



OMG, what? Commuted b/w McLean and Bethesda and it was easy, lovely when using back roads, and about 30 minutes. Two bridges to choose from.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 18:41     Subject: Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:Got kids?
UVA or UMD in state tuition costs.


Exactly - more (and better) in state tuition options for Virginia than Maryland. So many co-workers who live in Maryland mentioned that.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 18:32     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:I have to laugh if someone thinks Tysons is equivalent to Bethesda.

I live in Bethesda and have worked in Tysons for 15 years. Tysons is the armpit of the entire DC area. A bunch of people who think, or have a lot of money, but absolutely no class. Random buildings, massive streets, zero walkability and people who overextend themselves. It truly is a bizarre area and the major reason why I WFH most of the time.

If I never needed to step foot in Tysons ever again my life would be 100% better. Do people actually say they want to go have date night in Tysons Corner, VA?!



This is bizarre. Tyson’s is just a bunch of offices with two malls. How did it hurt you?

Bethesda has charm and character of old houses and a Main Street feel. “Downtown” McLean looks straight out of the 50s and there’s nothing charming about it. I live in a McLean and like it very much anyway. I’d rather live in Bethesda but it doesn’t make sense for the work commute.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 17:49     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:I have to laugh if someone thinks Tysons is equivalent to Bethesda.

I live in Bethesda and have worked in Tysons for 15 years. Tysons is the armpit of the entire DC area. A bunch of people who think, or have a lot of money, but absolutely no class. Random buildings, massive streets, zero walkability and people who overextend themselves. It truly is a bizarre area and the major reason why I WFH most of the time.

If I never needed to step foot in Tysons ever again my life would be 100% better. Do people actually say they want to go have date night in Tysons Corner, VA?!


I’m no fan of Tyson’s like that, but what kinda stupid question is this?

Your post lost all credibility here.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2023 17:34     Subject: Re:Bethesda or McLean?
Anonymous wrote:I have to laugh if someone thinks Tysons is equivalent to Bethesda.

I live in Bethesda and have worked in Tysons for 15 years. Tysons is the armpit of the entire DC area. A bunch of people who think, or have a lot of money, but absolutely no class. Random buildings, massive streets, zero walkability and people who overextend themselves. It truly is a bizarre area and the major reason why I WFH most of the time.

If I never needed to step foot in Tysons ever again my life would be 100% better. Do people actually say they want to go have date night in Tysons Corner, VA?!


Work in a low tax state, live in high tax state with a commute. Not the sharpest tool in the shed are we?