Germantown MD , Washington Suburb Guide

Twenty-five miles northwest of Washington, DC lies scenic Germantown, MD. One of the most populated cities in the Old Line State, Germantown boasts over 90,000 residents and is an official suburb of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Germantown, MD real estate includes single family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments. And although the city has never officially incorporated to become an actual town that's run by a mayor and city council, Germantown is still a sought-after market due to its proximity to the Nation's Capital. 

Single-family homes in this area cost an average of $539,900. Condos and townhouses average around $242,500 and rent here costs between $1,300 and $2,700 per month, which is nearly twice the national average. Surprisingly, the cost of living in this historic suburb is high -- rated 122 on a scale of 1 to 100, considering household incomes here hover around a modest $88,000 annually. 

If you're thinking of concentrating your home search in or near the area of Germantown, MD, you'll be pleased to find there are plenty of good reasons to do so.

What Forms of Transportation Are Available in Germantown?

Navigation in and out of this booming Washington suburb is easy. The area is neatly bisected by I-270 that connects residents to both I-495 heading into DC and to I-70, heading east or west. And for those who don't drive, the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train services Germantown as does the city metro bus line at the Shady Grove Metro Station. Transportation into and out of the city is made simple by the sheer variety of options available. The average commute time here is about 36 minutes, which makes Germantown, MD real estate a hot commodity for those working in nearby DC. 

But if you're more interested in hiking and biking, you'll find plenty of space to engage in these activities too. Seneca Creek State Park and the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail pass right through this DC suburb, offering a spectacular opportunity to commune with nature. You'll traverse scenic meadows, forests, and a variety of interesting ecosystems when you take time out for hiking and biking along one of Germantown's many trails.

Can I Count on Germantown Schools?

Public schools in Germantown offer families quality educational advantages. Several schools such as Cedar Grove, Germantown, Ronald A. McNair and Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary, Kingsview and Martin Luther King, Jr Middle, and Northwest High School all scored ratings of 7 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10 by Greatschools.org. Schools in Germantown average only 15 students per teacher -- slightly lower than the national average. 

In addition, Germantown hosts one of three campuses of Montgomery College, a two-year community college that offers a number of degrees including Associate in Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, and Associate of Fine Arts. Montgomery College has one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, with enrollment including students from at least 170 different countries. Sixty percent of the children who graduate from Montgomery County Public Schools choose Montgomery College as their source for secondary education. 

Is History Important in Germantown?

Germantown celebrates a rich Civil War and railroad history, and countless intriguing sites still stand inside the Historic District, including homes, banks, stores, mills, chapels, and train stations. The Germantown Station Historic District encompasses the area between Mateny Hill RD and Walter Johnson RD to the north and south and stops just shy of Liberty Heights Lane and the U.S. Post Office to the east and west. All of the sites within this area were built between 1800 and 1920, respectively.

Outside the historic district, but still located conveniently in and near Germantown, you'll find a wealth of other attractions significant due to their history:

• Blackrock Mill -- Built in 1815 by Thomas Hilleary, the restored Blackrock Mill still stands in what was once Brownstown -- an area of Germantown that was classified as free and black during the years preceding the Civil War. It was a combined sawmill and gristmill that's now owned by the state of Maryland and open to the public. 
• Cider Barrel -- the Cider Barrel, a structure that was built to mimic the container that cider was once stored and transported in, still stands along Frederick Road. Constructed in 1926 by orchard owner Andrew Baker, the Cider Barrel was conceived as a gimmick to help Baker market his overabundance of apples as cider during Prohibition. 
• Waring Viaduct -- Built in 1906 to span Great Seneca Creek, the Waring  Viaduct still stands today. Made of stone to replace a failing wooden railroad trestle, the viaduct is now a scenic stop along the hiking trail that stretches to Seneca Creek State Park. 

If your new home search takes you on a tour of suburban Washington, DC, don't forget to ask your realtor about all the amazing features of historic Germantown, MD real estate. You're going to love everything this highly populated area has to offer, including the close connection to its past, quality schools, and readily available transportation options.