Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD
Living in Bethesda
If you’ve watched the movies “The Pacifier” or “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” you’ll have an idea of the idyllic community that is Bethesda, Maryland. This census designated place (CDP) is a laid-back suburb without the incorporated status of towns and cities. Just northwest of Washington D.C., Bethesda is far from its pre-colonial tobacco-farming roots and is now home to a mix of D.C. commuters, long-time residents, and foreign dignitaries making for a diverse mix of cultures. Its central location means you have quick access to the nation’s capital plus hip, trendy Georgetown and the nightlife of Silver Spring.
Things To Do in Bethesda
Many residents visit Bethesda Row on the west side of the city to shop at local upscale stores, see a movie or dine in one of the many restaurants. This area is especially pleasant at night because the trees that line Bethesda Avenue are festive and inviting. Living in Bethesda is a cultural experience with access to live theater, museums, and natural parks, plus the cityscape is dotted with murals by local artists. Plus, on weekends, you can enjoy two large farmer’s markets with each offering local food as well as live music and crafts.
Recreation is emphasized, too, with the Capital Crescent Trail leading right through the heart of town between Bethesda West and Wisconsin South neighborhoods. This 11-mile paved trail follows the old B&O Railroad line and is one of the most popular recreational paths in the country for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Living and Working in Bethesda, MD
Bethesda is divided into neighborhoods, including Downtown Bethesda, Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda West, Wisconsin North, and Wisconsin South, each with its own particular flavor. Employment opportunities at the corporate headquarters of many large companies, as well as federal institutions and medical facilities, is the main attraction.
Homes for sale in Bethesda, MD range from single family homes, including ranch style, split- and bi-level homes, and spacious new construction to multi-million dollar mansions. Apartments and condos are also available, and Bethesda real estate includes many renovated historic homes, with some dating back to the 1700s.
Getting Around Bethesda
Traffic in Bethesda can be a bit congested, so commuters often opt for public transportation. The Capitol is just eight miles away via the Metro in downtown Bethesda. For in-town travel, hop on Montgomery County Ride On buses or the Bethesda Circulator for free rides from one Bethesda neighborhood to another, with no parking worries.
Living in Chevy Chase
With its leafy streets and early 20th-century architecture, Chevy Chase, Maryland, has a wonderfully relaxed vibe. Just seven miles from Washington, D.C.’s neoclassical buildings and historic monuments, this unincorporated census-designated place in Montgomery County is a friendly suburb with plenty to see, do, and experience. The community centers on Connecticut Avenue, which lies north of the District of Columbia, and includes a neighborhood of the nation’s capital, which also called Chevy Chase.
Things to Do in Chevy Chase
In the evening, head to Connecticut Avenue, which snakes through the Chevy Chase neighborhood. Known to locals as “the Avenue,” the thoroughfare intersects the neighborhood’s commercial and entertainment center, with cocktail bars, grills, and piano lounges lining the route.
Chevy Chase, Maryland, is a stone’s throw from Friendship Heights, a popular shopping district with malls, boutique stores, and restaurants just two and a half miles from Connecticut Avenue. The area has been referred to the East Coast version of the famed, California-based Rodeo Drive. Here you’ll find big-name fashion outlets, independent shops, and department stores—it’s the perfect place to spend a weekend afternoon. The nearby National 4-H Conference Center, with its 40,000 square feet of meeting space and 41 rooms, plays host to the National Science Bowl, which rolls into town every spring.
Transportation In and Around Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase provides speedy access to nearby Bethesda, less than two miles away and home to research cent
ers like the National Institutes of Health, National Naval Medical Center, and National Library of Medicine. Bus route J2, which departs from Wisconsin Avenue and Jones Bridge Road, will transport you to Bethesda Station. If you work in the capital, bus route 1 and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Red Line Metro will take you to Farragut North Metro Station in downtown Washington, D.C., via Friendship Heights.
Alternatively, explore the local area by bike. Chevy Chase is a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly neighborhood with a plethora of cycling trails.