Bethesda, Maryland–With close proximity to the nation’s capital, a vibrant downtown culture, artsy boutiques and eateries, and a variety of entertaining outdoor activities, Bethesda, Maryland is one of the most renowned communities of the DC metro area. This cozy suburban neighborhood offers all of the attractions of a big city and all of the comfort of a close-knit community. Families of all stages of life are drawn to this walkable and beautiful town. It has a population of 62,448 and a median home value of $897,400. Rent usually runs around $2,000 and the median household income is $159,431. Many residents not working in DC, work for local companies like GEICO, National Institutes of Health, and Enviva Partners.

Founding Farmers and Barrel and Crow are cooking up delicious brunch items, while cultural and exotic flavors come from the kitchens of Mon Ami Gabi and Jaleo. Spend some time shopping at the Westfield Montgomery Mall or some of the specialty boutiques in Downtown Bethesda. The Shops at Wildwood give local and tourist customers a taste of upscale retail and fine dining.

Spend some time outdoors on the Capital Crescent Trail or the Cabin John Regional Park. These parks and trails give residents a serene break from the busy life of city life. Strathmore, Imagination Stage, and Round House Theater provide various events of performing and visual arts. Catch a film at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema or stroll the halls of the Waverly Street Gallery.

Schools serving the area include Walt Whitman High School, Walter Johnson high School, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Bannockburn Elementary School, and Burning Tree Elementary School.

The community proves to be a safe place for families of all ages and stages to live because of its lower than average crime rates.

Frederick, MarylandA smaller town of 70,166 in Frederick County Maryland is Frederick. Its Dense suburban atmosphere offers residents a beautiful and charming place to live. Most residents here own their homes and have a household income of $72,088. The median home value is $265,500 with a median rent of $1,351. Job opportunities within the town are Frederick Memorial Hospital, Welocalize Life Sciences, and ClearView Communities. Frederick’s diverse county gives its people plenty of social opportunities and unique events to enjoy. Children enjoy the top rated schools of Oakdale High School, Orchard Grove Elementary School, Oakdale Middle School, Yellow Springs Elementary School, and Frederick Classical Charter School.

The town rates as a fairly safe community as its crime rates are lower than the national average.

Check out a variety of dining choices within Frederick’s forty block historic district. Tasty and wonderful dishes are enjoyed at Cafe 611, The Cellar Door, or Crabapples. Head over to Francis Scott Key Mall along Buckeystown pike for a favored place to shop.

Gaithersburg is a small town in Maryland with a population of 67,529. Residents in the urban-suburban area own their home, and often have a median home value of $389,700. Household income in the area is $86,427, with a median rent of $1,697. Parents and adults can find work at Sodexo, Emergent BioSolutions, and Edgewood Management, while children attend either Thomas S. Wootton High School, Quince Orchard High School, Northwest High School, Fallsmead Elementary School, or Robert Frost Middle School. Schools spend approximately $16,548 per student, slightly higher than the nation’s average of $12,383 per student. Gaithersburg is a clean, safe, and convenient place to live offering many options for recreation and entertainment. Check out the Aquatic Center, the Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, the Casey Community Center, and various musical concerts and theatrical presentations.

Gaithersburg is ranked as #1 for best cities for teleworking in extra large metro areas, #1 for most secure large cities in the U.S., #2 for healthiest city, and #2 for most difficult cities to navigate. Overall, Gaithersburg is a great place to live, offering employment opportunities of being within commuting range of D.C. without the congestion of D.C.

Sitting as the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, Rockville is a hub for local government, as well as an outskirt community for those working for the federal government. Rockville is home to over 65,000 citizens, and is booming with retail shops, unique restaurants, and a host of entertainment options. Green spaces and parks are just a few Metro stops away from the heart of D.C. making it the perfect respite for a work weary individual. Navigate and move through the Rockville suburb on foot, bike, car, or conveniently on the D.C. Metro Red Line. Based on a plethora of positive reviews and key factor analyses, CareerBliss has ranked Rockville as 9th on its “10 Happiest Cities to Work.” Popular eating places in the area are Urban Hot Pot, Mission BBQ, and Mosaic Cuisine. Visit Rockville Town Square, Downtown Crown, or The Rio Washingtonian Center for shopping, entertainment, dining options, spas and salons. Outdoor activities are convenient and alluring in the Rockville area. Visit Lake Needwood to take a canoe or kayak trip out on the water. Fly over trees on the Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course zipline. Natural landscapes and rolling hills provide the perfect scene for the Needwood Golf Course and Needwood Golf CourseFalls Road Golf Course.

Real Estate in Rockville is considerably higher than that of the national average. The median home value is $521,700, with median rent being $1,909, and the median household income being $105,376. Places to work in Rockville include Shady Grove Fertility-Rockville, Quality Inn, and Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc. Children are safe and well educated at top public schools in Rockville including Thomas S. Wootton High School, Walter Johnson High School, Richard Montgomery High School, Farmland Elementary School, and Crime rates in Rockville are below the national average.

Silver Spring, a DC affiliate city in Maryland is home to 79,750 residents. Most citizens in this area rent their home and pay median rent of $1,624 monthly. Home values are high, coming in at $497,200. The household income receives a rating of C+ at $80,787. If not working in the District, many people work at Lifematters, Discovery Communications,Inc., or Hostelling International. Silver Spring schools serve its community children by providing safe, clean, and intellectually stimulating programs and curriculum. Top public schools include Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Montgomery Blair High School, Westland Middle School, Takoma Park Middle School, and Chevy Chase Elementary School. Silver Springs diverse culture contributes to its atmosphere, restaurant options, and entertainment. The Public Art Walk, AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, The Fillmore Silver Spring, National Capital Trolley Museum and Veteran’s Park all serve as wonderful public places for evenings, weekends, and time with friends and family. Although Silver Spring has many worldwide cuisine dishes, it has its own local delicious treats, as well. Stop in for a jerk chicken sandwich or some cinnamon cappuccino ice cream. You are sure to find whatever you are craving here on the streets of Silver Spring. There are over 150 downtown restaurants to choose from.Within the city limits, Twin Towers, Summit Hills, and Silver Spring Towers offer convenient urban living. Many of these apartments, towers, and condos have great amenities such as fitness rooms, rooftop swimming pools, outdoor entertainment space, and banquet halls for rent.

The close commute, the suburban and urban feel, and a front row seat to the nation’s capitol’s action are quality reasons to consider living in Silver Springs, Maryland.