Washington, DC can be a great place to visit, but not everyone wants to live right in the middle of all that hustle and bustle. Many people with small children end up leaving Washington, DC in search of more affordable housing, more space and good school systems, and the suburbs surrounding the city have plenty of great perks that make suburban living worth it.
If you’re looking to branch out into the suburbs of Washington, DC, here are the best ones the promote a comfortable lifestyle and living.
Alexandria, VA
A favorite pick for young professionals, Alexandria is a historic city in Virginia with a gorgeous downtown and plenty of nightlife. This charming city has a good-sized population, which means there are plenty of schools, developments, parks and restaurants to keep singles and families engaged all year long. Because it is such an old city, there are historic sites relating to the Revolutionary and Civil wars around every corner.
Population: 157,613
Distance from Washington, DC: About 23 minutes
Median home price: $572,090
Median rent: $1,747
Bethesda, MD
Like Alexandria, Bethesda is much more of a city than a real suburb, but because there are no skyscrapers or other big-city traits, the city keeps its small-town charm. Bethesda boasts plenty of families and retirees, and it has one of the best school systems in Maryland. The biggest draw back of Bethesda is that the home prices and rents are not cheap. Though you may save money living so close to your job in Washington, DC, Bethesda can be an expensive place to live.
Population: 63,195
Distance from Washington, DC: About 23 minutes
Median home price: $911,000
Median rent: $2,026
Chevy Chase, MD
You’re probably familiar with Chevy Chase, the neighborhood in Washington, DC — and probably the famous actor — but Chevy Chase is also a town in Maryland that’s quite popular with those looking to move out of Washington, DC. The town has a small population, and most residents own their own homes. Its school system is highly rated, and because it’s so close to Washington, DC, it’s very easy to commute or pop into the city on weekends to tour a museum or visit the zoo with your family.
Population: 9,622
Distance from Washington, DC: About 19 minutes
Median home price: $944,700
Median rent: $1,957
Potomac, MD
For those searching for calm, serene neighborhoods, Potomac is definitely a quieter town compared to Washington, DC, and really many other suburbs in the area. This is because Potomac has more residential districts than commercial ones, and the homes often sit on larger plots of land, giving neighbors slightly more distance between each other.
Population: 45,940
Distance from Washington, DC: About 33 minutes
Median home price: $893,800
Median rent: $1,990
Annadale, VA
Another quiet suburb, Annadale sits just about a half hour from Washington, DC, and it’s popular with families and nature lovers. The easy commute makes it ideal for those that don’t want to spend too much time driving every day.
Population: 43,295
Distance from Washington, DC: About 26 minutes
Median home price: $489,100
Median rent: $1,695
Silver Spring, MD
One of the most important aspects of any suburb that people look for is its proximity to their jobs, and if you work in Washington, DC, then you’ll love living in Silver Spring. Being so close to the city keeps drive times down. Silver Spring is also an historic city, so there’s plenty of charm in its older homes. Like other suburbs, Silver Spring is seeing new developments come up, which means there are newer homes also on the market.
Population: 81,773
Distance from Washington, DC: About 25 minutes
Median home price: $516,900
Median rent: $1,665
Fairfax, VA
Fairfax the city is over 200 years old, and many of its streets are lined with beautiful trees, shading the gorgeous homes behind them. The city is home to top-rated schools, making it a popular choice for families.
Population: 25,531
Distance from Washington, DC: About 34 minutes
Median home price: $560,400
Median rent: $1,834
Rockville, MD
Want a more upscale lifestyle a bit farther away from Washington, DC? If you don’t mind a slightly longer commute or don’t need to commute as much, Then Rockville might be the perfect choice for you. The city is known for its low crime rates and highly rated schools, making it an ideal place for families to plant roots. For those that love exploring the outdoors, the town’s Civic Center Park offers tons of trails and green spaces to explore.
Population: 67,542
Distance from Washington, DC: About 41 minutes
Median home price: $540,000
Median rent: $1,921
Gaithersburg, MD
A diverse city, Gaithersburg has tons of entertainment for families and even young professionals. Children will enjoy the city’s skate park, indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and mini golf course while adults will love exploring the Old Towne district and the many restaurants in the area.
Population: 67,742
Distance from Washington, DC: 38 minutes
Median home price: $392,200
Median rent: $1,740
Hyattsville, MD
Looking for a suburb that’s big into the art scene? Look no further than Hyattsville, the DC suburb with a 25-acre Arts District. But don’t let its vibrant art scene fool you. Hyattsville is actually a pretty quiet community, and it’s wholly unique in that 16- and 17-year-olds can vote.
Population: 18,242
Distance from Washington, DC: About 23 minutes
Median home price: $336,300
Median rent: $1,433
Oakton, VA
It’s hard to find a small town in Northern Virginia. With Washington, DC and other big cities being so close, few suburbs in the area have that true small-town feel — except for Oakton. At just 10 square miles, Oaktown gives off that small-town vibe, but because it’s so close to other larger cities, residents never have to go far to find something to do. The town is also fairly diverse, and its school system is also highly rated.
Population: 36,997
Distance from Washington, DC: About 30 minutes
Median home price: $631,700
Median rent: $1,923
Forest Glen, MD
Silver Spring is always a popular suburb in Maryland, but if you go just a little bit north of it, you’ll find Forest Glen. A quieter suburb, Forest Glen is home to two large parks as well as the National Museum of Health and Medicine. It also has its own stop on the Metrorail, which means you can travel by train to work if you’d rather not drive.
Population: 6,469
Distance from Washington, DC: About 27 minutes
Median home price: $461,500
Median rent: $1,550
Ready to find your perfect home in one of these Washington, DC suburbs? Contact the professionals at Atlas Lane today and see which suburb is the best fit for you.
