If you're looking for a DC suburb with an affordable cost of living and a manageable commute, you can't do much better than Bowie, MD. Located just 15 miles from downtown Washington, DC, Bowie has diverse population of about 56,000, and a wealth of amenities to appeal to everyone from parents with small children to singles and empty-nesters. Best of all, Bowie is ranked among the safest cities in Maryland, making it an attractive choice for DC commuters.
Moving to the DC area? Here are a few reasons to consider Bowie MD real estate for your next home.
Bowie is a little melting pot with an ethnically diverse population; in fact, about 14 percent of its residents are foreign born. In addition, the city's residents are evenly spread across other demographic categories. Half are married, for example, and half are single, and females and males are fairly equally represented. All age categories are represented, as well, and the number of homes with children is nearly equal to the number of homes without kids present. Even the percentage of people who belong to a major religion is almost identical to the percentage that claims no religious affiliation.
Basically, no matter what you are looking for in friends or neighbors, you'll find it in Bowie.
The city's proximity to Washington, DC, might account for the high median household income (over $105,000, compared to about $72,000 for the state as a whole), as well as the high percentage of professionals. Nearly half the city's residents have at least a bachelor's degree, and over 21 percent have a graduate degree. Unemployment in Bowie is lower than in other Maryland cities, too.
The three industries most heavily represented in Bowie are public administration, science and technology, and professional services; the most common occupations are management and administration, computer-related technologies, and mathematics and/or analytics.
Wondering about average commute times? They're definitely better than in many DC suburbs, with the average Bowie resident spending about 30 minutes in his car each way. There is also a MARC commuter train station in Bowie with transportation to both Washington and Baltimore, and the New Carrollton metro station is just a few minutes away. You'll also find van pools and other private commuter options to simplify your daily drive.
If getting a bachelor's or graduate degree is in your educational future, you have plenty of degree program options in and around Bowie. Bowie State University, with over 4,500 full-time students, is located right in the city and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. If you can't find what you're looking for at BSU, there are seven other institutes of higher learning within a 15-mile radius of Bowie:
Of course, all of these colleges and universities mean sports fans can enjoy all the college sports events they can handle; the University of Maryland and the Naval Academy are both NCAA Division I and attract a devoted, almost fanatic fan base.
If you have school-aged children, there is a wide variety of both private and public elementary and high schools; the city's public schools are part of the Prince George's County Public School System.
Bowie has an outstanding array of homes available for sale at any point in time, including everything from compact urban townhomes to sprawling suburban estates with oceans of emerald lawn. The city came into existence in the mid-19th century and there are areas of the city with charming historic homes and architecture, as well as plenty of chic, modern, new construction homes.
Building materials are as varied as the home styles themselves. If you love the look of a solid colonial with oversized porch, you'll have plenty to choose from. If lovely red brick is more to your taste, there are hundreds of homes that will appeal to you. You can also find a home to meet any budget, whether you're looking for a starter home or a posh new abode with every convenience. Average home prices were right around $300,000, with an average price of $156 per square foot, affordable by the standards of DC suburbs.
Neighborhoods are as diverse as the residents, too, with everything from casual family-friendly neighborhoods with wide walks and plenty of trees to quiet gated communities with country club-style amenities.
You'll have no trouble finding things to do on weekends or your afternoon off. Shopaholics love the Bowie Town Center, an outdoor shopping village with upscale shops and an eclectic food court. The Bowie Ice Arena has hockey leagues and figure skating lessons, as well as open skate sessions just for fun. The Bowie Baysox, Baltimore's farm team, play at the Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, and the Six Flags amusement park is just a few minutes away. There's even a tour operator offering popular wine tours of Maryland wineries.
No matter what you're looking for in a DC suburb, you'll find it in Bowie. Its diverse population, attractive and affordable housing market, pleasant and safe quality of life, and educational opportunities make it a natural choice for singles, couples, and families alike.
