Moving to Montgomery County

Whether you’re looking to rent or purchase a home, the Washington Metro Region has something for everyone.  If you’re not interested in living in Washington, D.C. itself, nearby communities located in Montgomery County, such as Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Olney, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Potomac, North Potomac, Annapolis, Damascus, and Frederick offer numerous housing opportunities. 
There are several reasons why now is an excellent time to move to the Washington Metro Region.  Although no one can be certain, it has been reported that housing prices in America and throughout the Region reached their bottom and are beginning to climb again.  In addition, the majority of cities located nearby benefit from appreciation rates that are either at or above the national average.  With such high appreciation rates, cheaper than usual homes, and record low interest rates many people have proven themselves wise investors by purchasing a home in the Washington Metro Region.  For additional information take a look at the market and appreciation information posted on neighborhoodscout.com.  There are also a number of rental opportunities in the area for those that wish to stay flexible or wish to live in more urbanized areas.  
There are numerous other reasons to move to the Washington Metro Region: some of the best educational opportunities in America, a more robust economy, vast recreational opportunities, and some of the best cultural experiences in the nation.  Just click on anyone of the city links to learn more about a specific city or town in the Washington Metro Region.  

Parks
Overview
Those that move to the Washington Metro Region are often surprised and delighted by the vast number of recreational opportunities available.  Unlike most major metro regions, Washington, D.C. itself and every surrounding community is located just a few minutes drive from a variety of local, state, and national parks. 
Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Olney, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Potomac, North Potomac, Annapolis, Damascus, and Frederick all offer a number of parks.  Click on anyone of the links to view more about these cities.   Some of the area highlights include Great Falls National Park.  Located in Potomac, Maryland along the shores of the Potomac River, Great Falls offers breathtaking views of some of the rapids located on the Potomac.  Another local favorite is the C & O Canal National Historic Park, which offers recreational enthusiasts the opportunity to walk, run, or bike along trails located over dozens of miles of trails located along the Potomac River and the old C & O Canal.  There are also a number of seasonal opportunities in the Washington Metro Region.  For example, every year the blooming of the cherry blossoms draws thousands of spectators.  Later in the summer there are the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks located on the National Mall.       
The Washington Metro Region also offers amenities closer to home.  In Montgomery County Maryland there are hundreds of acres of parkland maintained by a superb Parks and Recreation Department.  Together, these parks offer hiking, biking, boating, fishing, educational courses, access to basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields and much more.  To learn more, click on any one of the city and town links.  
Aquatic Activities  
It is amazing how often residents of the Washington Metro Region overlook all the water-based recreational opportunities available to them.  Boating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are just some the activities located along the Potomac River.  Located just west of Georgetown are a number of small rapids that are home to bass, rainbow trout, and perch.  On the other side of the Potomac River, in Potomac, Maryland, potential homeowners will also find a number of fishing opportunities along the old C & O Canal, which now serves as a hugely popular park in the area.   Local residents can also launch there personal watercraft from several parks located within Washington, D.C. or along the shores of the Potomac in Montgomery County, such as at the Pennyfield Lock located in Potomac.  Residents can also rent a canoe or kayak from one of several boathouses and enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Potomac.  Lastly, Annapolis, Maryland is a boaters haven with world-famous sailing and boating opportunities.  If you are all interested in sailing, Annapolis is not to be missed.  
Golf Courses
Those looking to purchase a home in the Washington Metro Region will be happy to know that the area offers over 60 golf courses.  While many courses are only accessible by their members, there are a number open to the general public along with dozens of driving ranges.  In fact some of the best courses are located in nearby Montgomery County.  Nine excellent courses are featured and profiled at www.montgomerycountygolf.com.  These courses do not require a membership, are available to the general public with a reservation, and are located in Potomac, Silver Spring, Laytonsville, Derwood, and Clarksburg.  If you’re looking to pick up the game to relax, or maybe just to increase your networking opportunities, many courses also offer lessons.  In Olney, Maryland, the Olney Golf Park is home to two instructors that were recently selected as two of the top 50 golf instructors in America by Golf Range Magazine.    



Walking Communities
According to Walk Score Washington, D.C. is the 7th most walkable city in America.   Due to abundant public transportation located in short proximity to most residential areas, it is no wonder that Walk Score deemed Washington, D.C. a “Walker’s Paradise”.   Outside of the city proper, in Montgomery County Maryland, there are several walking communities including, Silver Spring, North Potomac, Rockville, and Bethesda.  Each of these cities allow for reduced dependence on personal transportation, especially near the downtown areas.   Each of these cities is also served by numerous bus routes offered by WMATA and Montgomery County, and are located close to several metro rail stations.   The Washington Metro Region is also extremely accommodating to bicyclists, and offers alternative transportation methods such as Bikeshare and Zipcar.