I'm about to graduate college this June with my BA (at 28 years old, I'm a non traditional student) and have been looking for job opportunities online. I was turned to The State Department and it looks like there could potentially be some good paying career opportunities for me there. I'm just trying to do some research on the area first though. Right now I live rural town and to tell you the truth I hate cities, but to have the life style I want I need the pay of a good city job... Or start my own business but that's a whole different story.

I'd plan on living in the suburbs of DC, the more rural the better within about an hours commute. What are some good areas to look into, can be in MD or VA?

Also how is the wheeling? Anywhere nearby? What about big game hunting and fishing? What's the DOT like there, emmisions testing, inspections, etc...? Any thing else to consider that I might not be aware of?

 

DC and surrounding suburbs that bad eh???

 

You need to really decide what the farthest you are willing to drive. Also how much you will be able to afford in rent or mortgage. Are you looking for a condo, townhouse or a single family home. Do you want a yard. Those will be the most important decisions. Are you going to drive to a metro station and take the train or bus to work? Look at a DC Metro map and see how far it stretches out and in what directions.

An hours commute is really not much at all here. . .I'm only 27 miles from DC into MD but it takes me 1.5 hours to get to work and 2 hours to get home. If it rains or snows and there is an accident it could be 3 hours.

Here are some other observations:

Maryland has no legal spots to wheel.
Northern VA has plenty of spots to wheel including George Washington Nat'l Forrest
It's impossible to get a concealed carry permit in MD.
Transporting a firearm is a pain in the A$$ in MD.
Both Northern VA and MD have emissions testing.
Maryland has worse taxes.
Virginia has better gun laws.
VA is more conservative
VA has more jobs
Maryland has a better commute into DC
VA has better schools if you have kids
VA has higher taxes on alcohol
VA charges higher auto taxes
MD has a higher gas tax

All told, if you live in Montgomery County, MD and make $75,000 a year, you face the biggest tax burden in the region, at $8,469. Prince George's in MD comes in second at $8,408. The remaining jurisdictions are bunched closely together at a considerably lower price: D.C., $6,986, Fairfax VA, $6,903, Arlington VA, $6,886 and city of Alexandria VA, $6,769.

 

x2 on everything above. If you want a little more ride the eastern shore of md is cheaper to live than on the other side. I can get to dc in just over a hour.

 

Sadly nothing is "rural" and within an hour of dc during normal commute hours. Check housing prices before you commit.

 

Thanks for the replies, yea definately starting my research early. Just looking to get ideas of what areas to start my search for housing. Initially we'd be looking at renting, with the intent of buying asap. I'll have to look into commute times, I'm definately not one that's well adapted to city life. But by the way it sounds looks like Northern VA might be a better match.

Happy to have some direction now. Thanks, for the info everyone

 

You missed a big one, Northern Virginia has MUCH worse traffic. And thats saying a lot considering how bad things are in MD. Also in MD you get your vehicle inspected once then emissions every 2 years.

I would avoid DC by all means. Renting is wicked expensive and the DMV is a circle of hell Dante missed. From where I am its roughly a 40 minute drive to the State Departments main office in rush hour traffic and I am only a couple miles outside the city near college park MD.

Also Montgomery County MD is one of the best school districts in the country.

Crime is relative, there are bad spots in either area. PG County gets a bad rap, and a lot of it is deserved, but a lot of Arlington VA is not exactly safe and there is significant gang activity in both. Its a toss up really.

 

Thanks guys I'm thinking if I were to move there after hearing your replies and doing some further research there's a high probability I'd either kill myself or become clinically insane. Not sure you all do it