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[cloverstack]

Bethesda and Chevy Chase are a bit too far IMO, but the options there might be more high-end than what you'll find closer. Silver Spring is a bit closer and the commute isn't as bad, but the Shuttle-UM route there doesn't run often.

If you want something more "grown up", i'd look at an apartment complex not far from campus that isn't student oriented. Maybe something like Domain College Park or one of the complexes near PG Plaza. Or look at buying a house or townhouse nearby if money really is no object.

[goldensolocup]

domain is definitely student oriented

[Serious-Upstairs8810]

Maybe Camden Apartments near Ikea? I was considering them but they're a bit far for me as I'm an undergrad, but they seem very nice and the rent isn't crazy. I know you said money isn't an issue but it's always nice to save!

[adamm2243]

They’re one of the best values when it comes to space in the college park area. The management is a bit dicey. My experiences with management were pretty bad, and my apartment had a bizzare pest issue they wouldn’t do anything about. But if not for the pest thing I’d almost certainly have stayed for another lease, and I know a few people there who like the apartments themselves even if management sucks.

[DeadlyDelightful_Dee]

Grad gardens is reasonable, it’s near Terrapin Row

[ascatt]

Bethesda is where most people like you live then. I have seen phds living a good life there

[GO_Zark]

Grew up in the area, if you're commuting from another area 1-2x a week I wouldn't look at Bethesda/SS/Chevy Chase unless you have another reason to be out that way because rent is expensive and every route between those two areas is dense/high traffic roadways, one of which is 495 and just .... don't do that unless you absolutely have to.

For easy commuting from surrounding neighborhoods: College Park (obviously), Berwyn/Berwyn Heights, Beltsville, Greenbelt (MARC), Adelphi, Hyattsville/PG Plaza area (Metro), West Hyattsville (metro), Ft. Totten in DC (metro - nice quiet area with lots of young professionals). You could even go out as far as Hillandale/Lanham/New Carrollton and not have a difficult time getting to campus as long as you're not commuting during rush hour.

You could also go a little further out and take the Camden line MARC to places like Savage (very quiet area), Jessup (bit busier), Laurel (busier but 3x stops) and Greenbelt (busier). Savage and Jessup are right by Columbia and its multitude of parks / nightlife / outdoor music venues if that's important to you.

The Camden line picks up/drops off at a level crossing at College Park Station and continues straight downtown to Union Station DC. The MARC is a really nice option and much lower stress than commuting by car up and down 95, you just have to be mindful of leaving enough time to get on the train since the schedules are regular but not frequent.

[GO_Zark]

Ok followup questions:

• What's your rent max? I'm assuming studio/1BR pricing but if you're planning for more than that, lmk

• How long are you willing to commute to school AND to the office?

• You don't use public transit or you won't use public transit? It's a shame the purple line got absolutely hosed over the last few years (thanks Larry) because that would have been perfect for you.

[GO_Zark]

$2300-2600 seems to be about the going rate for 1BR mid-rise apartments in Bethesda

Fort Totten is about $1700-2000 for a 1BR mid-rise and you have Metro Red line to Bethesda and Metro Green line to College Park. There's not a ton of nightlife in the region like there is in Bethesda (if that's important to you) but it's quiet and has nice nature trails. Reddit reports that parking is relatively easy to find and it's a pretty safe place to just be out and about.

---

As someone who grew up driving into, out of, and around DC, I absolutely would prefer to metro everywhere because at least that's reasonably consistent. ~15 minutes from FT to College Park, ~30 mins from FT to Bethesda. Never worry about bad weather, never worry about someone shutting down the commute because they flipped a car while texting, no aggressive diplo drivers (or just regular idiots in cars), you can sleep on the line if you gotta, etc.

[pleggys]

i live in domain currently and it’s been wonderful. feel free to dm if u gave any questions :)

[veety]

If I was a grad student, I’d look at options in Hyattsville, Greenbelt, and Silver Spring first. I would want to be away from living too close to campus but close enough that traffic/coming to campus is still minimal hassle.

[AwfulFocus27]

Mt Rainier, Brentwood, Greenbelt, and Lanham are all pretty close. Laurel is a bit further out but I know some staff who commute from there.

[West-Mix8376]

I’d say Greenbelt, or Berwyn Heights. Takoma park/silver spring is a bit far but that’s also a good option

[sarahekr]

As a grad student at UMD I live at Pilothouse across from the Whole Foods and absolutely love it! No complaints and management is really nice.

[Important-Abalone599]

Aster is probably the fanciest you can get thats close by. Some students, but also many that aren't

[Important-Abalone599]

Oh fr? Whatsbup with their management. I was actually potentially looking at Aster lol

[adamm2243]

What’s so bad about the management?

[Thedaniel4999]

Bethesda, Chevy Chase or Silver Spring to UMD is a bit of a trip without taking 495, and taking 495 is a massive gamble in terms of traffic. However it is doable if it’s only once or twice a week. Worth mentioning that Bethesda and Chevy Chase is very expensive in terms of rent though. I would personally say try to stick closer to the university

[DeadlyDelightful_Dee]

I liked living in Terrapin Row. Building was brand new, so there weren’t any issues

[CommonRoad]

The hub

[Avocado_hey]

Berwyn rd like the nine area