About Darnestown, and Some of My Other Favorite Areas 

Though I am truly widely experienced, a relocation specialist, and anxious to provide my services for home buyers and sellers all over the greater capital area (licensed in MD, DC and VA), I have provided some information here about the various areas of Montgomery County Maryland that I specialize the most in: My hometown of Darnestown especially, as well as Potomac, North Potomac, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Chevy Chase, and my Coldwell Banker office location for ten years, Bethesda. 

Darnestown Maryland 

The lovely residential community of Darnestown Maryland, located in northwestern Montgomery County, surrounded by park and agricultural land, and beside the Potomac River, has a quaint, rural feel, with picturesque neighborhoods of mixed architecture, set among rolling hills and large trees. It also offers close proximity to all the best things that the national capital area has to offer. Darnestown is an ideal place for those who want to live in upscale country suburban style, outside of the bustle of the beltway, and yet be close enough to easily access everything.  

In 1812, one of the earliest settled areas in the county, with its center now at approximately Route 28 (Darnestown Road), and Seneca Road, was named Darnestown in honor of the family who originally owned the land. Though the town has voted a number of times to remain unincorporated (principally for tax reasons), it is a recognized community of distinction and charm, with great civic pride and spirit.  

Unincorporated municipalities have no officially defined boundaries, and you may see census information describe it as a bit larger, but the Darnestown Civic Association roughly defines Darnestown as an area of approximately 12 square miles, which includes over 1,800 homes and 5,000 residents. Some neighborhoods in this community lie within zip code 20874 (Germantown), some within 20878 (North Potomac/Gaithersburg), and some within 20854 (Potomac). Nearly half the area households are represented as paid, voting members of the Darnestown Civic Association. (very high membership for a civic association) The Civic Association holds quarterly town meetings, hosts several annual social events, and publishes quarterly newsletters and a directory.  

Proud, mostly very upscale neighborhoods, both older and new, with names like Spring Meadows, Ancient Oak, Quail Run, and The Paddock, alongside fine schools, active churches, horse farms, ponds, parks, the C&O canal, and the Potomac River, make up Darnestown. It is situated on the edge of Montgomery County’s “green wedge,” which was designated in the “wedges and corridors” master plan, for preservation of agriculture and green space, so home sites are large, due to local zoning and septic restrictions. (no townhouses or apartments to be found) Much of the area is thickly wooded with tall oak, chestnut and hickory trees, and the rest is open or converted farm land. Locals often comment that Darnestown reminds them of neighboring Potomac a decade or more ago, before the most recent round of development. Darnestown has had some of the most rapidly appreciating home values in Montgomery County, however, buyers have found they are still able to get more home and more land, for less than in Potomac, and certainly Bethesda and Northwest DC. Though you may find some bargain homes under $500,000, and some palatial estates for as much as several million dollars, most are currently selling between $650,000 and $1.25M. 

Schools, both public and private are excellent. Darnestown Elementary was given the national honor of being named a “blue ribbon” school. Local private options are excellent as well, including the Circle School, Butler School, Mary of Nazareth, Bullis School, and others.  

Darnestown’s little town center, at the intersection of Darnestown and Seneca roads, is experiencing some exciting changes recently with new development. New upscale grocery chain, Harris Teeter has become hugely popular. Some additional retail and office space has also just been made available alongside the convenience store and dry cleaner there. Zoning has been approved for a country inn style restaurant at the town center as well, and plans are taking shape for that to likely happen at some point. As president of the Darnestown Civic Association Lisa Patterson is the one to talk to for the latest.  

Though Darnestown residents enjoy the very highest median household income in Montgomery County, according to recent census data, the area and people are probably better characterized as inclusive, rather than exclusive. Perhaps it is because Darnestown residents enjoy so much space and privacy, that when they chose to see their neighbors, they appreciate them that much more. The local civic association, school parents associations, church organizations, and swim and racquet club are popular centers of activity, open, and very friendly. The Darnestown Civic Association sponsors a Spring Social event, and a Fall Hoedown (paying homage to the town’s agricultural past), at charming Smokey Glen Farm, which sell-out annually. The DCA also sponsors a local softball league, which plays at Darnestown Park, and an open golf tournament, played at Bretton Woods Country Club.  

Access to the best of the capital area from Darnestown is remarkably good (considering how quiet and removed it can feel). Darnestown borders Potomac, North Potomac/Gaithersburg, and Germantown, is only a few miles to Rockville, and less than 10 miles to Bethesda – all Montgomery County areas with much to offer in the way of activities, shopping, restaurants, etc. River Road offers direct access to the Washington Beltway. Darnestown Road, via 270 does as well. From that point, it is just a few miles over the American Legion Bridge to Fairfax County Virginia, and a dozen or so miles on the inner loop to Prince Georges County Maryland. If it seems as though getting to Georgetown (DC), is particularly direct, that’s probably because Darnestown began as a point on the most direct trade route along the C&O Canal, between important points west (especially Frederick), and what was initially Montgomery County’s shipping port – that’s right, Georgetown was once part of Montgomery County, and a major shipping port. (see my Montgomery County History page for more info) Darnestown is only 13 miles, as the crow flies, approximately 20 miles on your odometer, from the Washington DC line - A quick shot down River Road and Canal Road gets you to Georgetown, in a hurry. From Canal Road the newly reopened Whitehurst Freeway throws you right into the heart of the downtown northwest DC business district. Commuting to and from DC is relatively good, by most accounts, unless there is an accident to slow you down. The thing to be concerned with, as a commuter (and this is not at all unique to Darnestown), is using the Washington Beltway. If you expect to travel on the Beltway, either direction (especially into Virginia), as early as 7:30 am to 9:30 am, and from 4:30 pm to 7pm on weekdays, you can expect to experience a lot of frustration. This is just a reality of the capital area.  

Potomac 

Beautiful, elegant Potomac Maryland, home of western Montgomery County’s sprawling “grand ole estates” is perhaps suburban Washington DC’s most exclusive address. Entering the area, on Potomac’s main thoroughfare, River Road, as you pass Congressional Country Club, and then try to maintain focus on the road while driving past one gorgeous custom gated estate home, after another, it is not difficult to imagine why. Potomac has the highest median home value in Montgomery County.  

The rough boundaries of the Potomac area are the Potomac River to the south, Bradley Boulevard to the east, Seneca Road to the west, and Rt 270 to the north. The town center - Potomac Village, at the crossroads of River and Falls roads, offers Safeway and Giant supermarkets, a Starbucks, a package store, several other businesses, and a number of quaint neighborhood restaurants. Most of the activity in the area is centered around the restaurants/taverns and coffee shop of Potomac Village, the excellent public and private schools, renowned Great Falls Park, on the Potomac River, the Potomac Community Center, as well as private country clubs, to which many residents belong.  

Potomac has a history as Washington’s hunt country, and annual community events include the Potomac Hunt, held each spring, and the Potomac festival, held each fall. Though most of the horses and equestrian clubs, such as Potomac Hunt Club, and Potomac Polo Club, have actually moved up-county a bit (to places like Darnestown, Poolesville, Barnesville and Boyds), the town has certainly maintained that upscale equestrian image.  

The most exclusive, and certainly most expensive homes, are found for the most part in the region northwest of Potomac’s town center, while some more modest subdivisions can be found on the Rockville side of town. The large majority are single family homes, while there are a very limited number of upscale town homes and condominiums.  

Highest end home buyers who are looking for the most exclusive properties in the area, larger home and lot sizes than in similarly exclusive Bethesda and Chevy Chase, and a relatively close-in address, will want to look in Potomac. (They often look at Great Falls Virginia, as well, for a somewhat comparable community on the other side of the river.)
 

North Potomac  

North Potomac Maryland first came into existence as a recognized area in western Montgomery County in the early 1990’s, when local residents began to lobby that their lovely residential area, with its town center at the crossroads of Rt 28 (Darnestown Road) and Quince Orchard, deserved a distinct identity. Its unique personality and flavor had become one of a growing, desirable, family-oriented area just north of Potomac, rather than as an enclave in southern Gaithersburg, hence the name “North Potomac.”  

The approximately 6.5 square mile area that is North Potomac, bordering Potomac, Darnestown, and Gaithersburg, is roughly bounded by Darnestown road, Travilah Road and Jones Lane. The community’s town center actually lies on its border geographically, with a drug store, health club, Starbucks coffee shop, several other businesses, and several restaurants, at the crossroads of Quince Orchard and Darnestown Road.  

Homes in North Potomac are, for the mast part, relatively new, large, and of the most popular recent traditional style. Subdivisions include upscale single family home development, as well as luxury town homes and condominiums. Every form of real estate in the area has appreciated in value significantly over the past decade.  

Area homeowners are mostly young, highly-educated professionals, and the recreation and development of their children are a major focus of the community. The North Potomac Civic Association is active in advancing the interests of the area.
 

Gaithersburg  

Gaithersburg Maryland, a desirable, award-winning, western Montgomery County city, with a population of over 52,000, offers a little bit of everything – thriving businesses, abundant park land, a diverse population, and housing to fit just about every taste and budget.  

A finalist on CNN/Money’s most recent “Best Places to Live in America” list (#17 – the only Maryland finalist), Gaithersburg stood out to the judges in such categories as employment, education, quality of life, leisure and cultural activities, weather, air quality, and affordable housing. Truly, this was a great honor.  

Gaithersburg grew rapidly in the 1960’s, when the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) decided to locate their sprawling campus in the area. Many of the businesses that have begun to thrive more recently in the area are of the hot biotech variety. With an abundance of office space, as well as retail business, it is certainly, for many residents, a great place to work, as well as live.  

The area offers a remarkable 23 parks, and a total of 522 acres of parkland, much of it the wonderful Seneca Creek State Park, used by walkers, runners, hikers, bikers, picnickers, etc. – a very convenient natural resource. The Winter Lights Festival in Seneca Creek State Park is a very popular holiday affair. Gathering places include the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, which includes a fitness center, basketball court, miniature golf and more, the Upcounty Senior Center, and the many restaurants and watering holes.
In Gaithersburg one can find beautiful custom homes on large lots, traditional modern single family subdivisions, luxury town homes, more modest town homes, condominiums, apartments, even some working farms… you name it – from the highest end, to the most affordable.  

One Gaithersburg area of undeniable distinction and charm is the Kentlands. This award-winning neo-traditional community, of over 1,800 homes, was built as a fully planned community, with over 1 million square feet of business and office space, giving it the feel of a mature, independent traditional town. The Kentlands has been applauded as the world’s largest and most successful example of “new urbanism,” and will surely be copied, due to its great success. It includes single family homes (some with “carriage house” accessory apartments), urban cottages (smaller single family homes), luxury townhouses, garage townhouses, rental apartments and condominiums. Residents are extremely family-oriented, involved and well-organized, loyal to the community, and friendly. They enjoy strolling the neatly-kept streets to one of the many cafes, shops, hair studios, or to the community Arts Barn, to see a performance, or view an exhibit. Home prices for all have appreciated at a phenomenal pace, even by recent Montgomery County standards.
 

Germantown  

Named for the large number of German immigrants who initially settled the area, Montgomery County Maryland’s Germantown, is very similar to its neighbor Gaithersburg, in many ways. The population is diverse, business is thriving, recreational space is plentiful, and there are many different types of housing options.  

With Rt. 118 as its primary thoroughfare, and the town's lovely new Town Center at the crossroads of 118 and Middlebrook Road, Germantown offers an abundance of shopping venues and restaurants.  

The community’s Oktoberfest, in early October, is a great annual event.  

The town’s recreational offerings are especially fine. The South Germantown Recreational Park offers the best indoor sports facility in the county. Two brand new NHL regulation-sized hockey rinks, which can be converted with turf for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, or baseball, add to a 66,000 square foot complex used for soccer, basketball, and volleyball, among other things. The park also offers outdoor ball fields, a golf driving range, miniature golf course, a fantastic children’s “adventure” playground, and splash water playground.  

Black Hill Regional Park, at Little Seneca Lake is a 1, 843 acre recreational treasure unknown to many in Montgomery County. It offers a visitor’s center, scenic picnic spots, hiking trails, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and more, as well as 505 acres of lake. Little Seneca Lake is popular with boaters. Pontoon boat tours are run by a local naturalist group. Canoes, rowboats and sailboats are welcome (electric motors only). Canoes and row boats may be rented, and a small fee is charged for use of the boat launch. Fishing can be quite good.  

Much of the best residential real estate borders the park. Areas like the Churchill Town Sector offer homes of all kinds - Moderately and higher priced houses on ¼ - ½ acre lots, town homes, condominiums, and apartments. Homes are appreciating in price rapidly everywhere, but there are still some nice values in this growing area.
 

Bethesda  

Bethesda Maryland is one of the wealthiest and most educated cities with a population of over 50,000, in the country, according to recent census data; still it offers housing options for nearly everyone (at a price). Once just a nice bedroom suburb to DC, Bethesda has grown very rapidly, beginning in the 80’s, when the Washington Metro was extended with three stops in the area, one right at the center of town. Now, with a downtown workforce almost as large as its residential population, nearly 200 restaurants, and over 500 retail businesses,
Bethesda has become the most thriving metropolitan city in Montgomery County.  

Bethesda is home to the National Naval Medical Center, the National Institutes of Health, as well as a number of large corporations such as Marriott International, and Lockheed Martin. As close as it is to Washington DC, it offers so much on its own, many residents prefer to spend most of their time locally. It’s nearly impossible to run out of new restaurants to try, new shops to visit, and new events to experience. Bethesda has an impressive performing arts and exhibition center, Strathmore, and it even has its own baseball team, the Bethesda Big Train (AAA).  

Many of the community’s events are organized by the Bethesda Urban Cooperative. Among the most popular events are Taste of Bethesda, in October, which gives people a chance to taste sample food items from the many fine local restaurants, while listening to live musical performances; and Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, in May, which gives people a chance to admire and buy local artists’ crafts. A popular weekly activity is browsing the food items and other wares at the Montgomery Woman’s Cooperative Market, which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday, and has been in existence since 1932.  

The Capital Crescent Trail runs from Silver Spring to Georgetown, through Bethesda, and is popular with runners, walkers, and bikers, who enjoy a scenic route with views of Rock Creek Park, and the Potomac River. The trail connects to the C&O canal towpath as well. Cabin John Regional Park is available for soccer, softball, tennis, and even offers one of the few public indoor skating rinks in the county. Recreational activity for some families center around one of the many exclusive private golf/tennis/swim clubs, such as Columbia, Congressional, Chevy Chase, Burning Tree, or Kenwood.  

In Bethesda you’ll find Grand Victorians, large modern homes, and fine luxury apartments and condominiums, which can stretch even the largest of budgets; but with the right guidance, you’ll also discover more modestly priced colonials, capes and ramblers, many of which still offer great value, in emerging neighborhoods, with great schools. There are also limited rental units (though most of them are never publicly listed, when available).
 

Chevy Chase  

There are ten neighboring municipalities that in one way or another make up the area known as “Chevy Chase,” Bethesda’s sister community. These incorporated areas are: Town of Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase Village, Village of North Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase Section 3, Chevy Chase Section 5, Chevy Chase View, Town of Somerset, Village of Martin’s Additions, and Village of Friendship Heights (in Montgomery County, Maryland), along with Chevy Chase, DC.  

Chevy Chase, has long been a place where the most wealthy and influencial of the DC area, who want to live close to the district, and close to each other, have chosen to make their homes. Most of the area’s development occurred during the building boom after World War One, so the majority of large colonial style homes are 70-80 or more years old. These houses are generally situated on ¼ acre or smaller lots, in carefully laid-out neighborhoods, with narrow tree-lined streets.  

More recently, to meet the great demand for larger homes in this highly desirable community with no new available building space, homeowners and speculative developers alike have expanded or rebuilt many older houses. Community organizations are active in promoting thoughtful, responsible development, to ensure that the character of the neighborhoods is not overly disturbed by this trend of “mansionizing.” There are a limited number of apartments and condominiums in Chevy Chase, very few that are modestly priced – Some are well over $1M.  

In 1906 and 1907 a Chevy Chase resident named David Fairchild, a US Department of Agriculture officer, and plant explorer, had over 300 cherry trees brought over from Japan, and planted in the area. These inspired the wonderful gift of cherry trees from the Mayor of Tokyo, to America, which now line the capital, and have become one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions. The Spring blossoming of the Chevy Chase trees is every bit as spectacular, and draws crowds as well.  

With access to Bethesda’s bustling downtown, the shops and restaurants of Wisconsin Avenue, beautiful Rock Creek Park, and DC at your doorstep, Chevy Chase is certainly a wonderful place to live, for those who want to be in the middle of it all.
 

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