Live in Chesapeake Beach and Commute to Bethesda - Doable?

[cissp]

I'm presently faced with two job opportunities and would like to know about the commutes associated with each, in terms of possibly living in Chesapeake Beach. Here's the first one.

My current employer here in Florida has offered me a position supporting a government agency in Bethesda, which although I don't know that area at all, can tell you that it is on Sangamore Road, and close to MacArthur Boulevard. Since the facility is not close to the Bethesda Metro station, I will have to drive, and/or a combination of driving and utilizing a van/car pool. The question is, would it be a doable commute to work at this location, and live in Chesapeake Beach? I ran a route in Mapquest, which, though certainly not exact, indicated it would be a little over 40 miles one way for the drive. If this would be 1 to 1 1/2 hours drive one way, then it may be doable from my perspective. I'm looking at moving into a great community for good, and a place where my kids will attend all their schools. There is also the possibility of working someplace closer within a few years, so the long view has to be the priority.

The second option is a job with another company that would be in Lexington Park. The pay wouldn't be as good as the job in Bethesda, but still better than what I'm getting here in Florida, and includes basic relocation. I could then either commute from PAX to Chesapeake Beach, or purchase a home further south in the county.

At any rate, I'm sure most of you that respond will say that I should take the position in Lexington Park. Still, to research all my options, I would still appreciate your thoughts on living in Chesapeake Beach and working in Bethesda--drive time, routes, and possibilities of van or car pools.

Thanks!

 

[cattitude]

Chesapeake Beach to Bethesda. You are nuts! 40 miles isn't the bad part, but 1.5 hours, when...at 2 a.m. If I were you, I'd take less money and less commute and enjoy your quality of life.

 

[crabcake]

If I were you, I'd take less money and less commute and enjoy your quality of life.

Don't get sucked in!

 

[CMC122]

Chesapeake Beach to Bethesda. You are nuts! 40 miles isn't the bad part, but 1.5 hours, when...at 2 a.m. If I were you, I'd take less money and less commute and enjoy your quality of life.

I used to have to commute to Bethesda one day a week. Went from Bowie to Bethesda in about 1 1/2 hours one way

 

[huntr1]

Sounds like job #1 is with National Geospatial Agency. You do NOT want to work there. I work with a BUNCH of people who call themselves "escapees" from NGA. They have horror stories of the working conditions there. There is nothing in the area in the way of food joints. Traffic sucks the big one (no matter what time you go, or in which direction you are going). I commute from Charlotte Hall to Silver Spring. Even further than C.B. to NGA. I would not do the proposed commute. In other words, take the L.P. job instead.

 

[crabcake]

As far as car pooling, you could always check/request participation here.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I commute from Charlotte Hall to Silver Spring. Even further than C.B. to NGA. I would not do the proposed commute. In other words, take the L.P. job instead.

You poor nut...er..a.... I mean man!!

My company offered me milage or a hotel to commute from Budds Creek to Rockville..... I tried the commute for one week.... Been in the hotel since Dec. of '03. Should be done by end of July.

 

[Otter]

Only way I would consider Bethesda is IF they let you work 6am to 230pm. Your morning commute wouldn't be too bad(maybe 1.5 hrs), but your afternoon ride home would be easily 2 plus hrs.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Only way I would consider Bethesda is IF they let you work 6am to 230pm. Your morning commute wouldn't be too bad(maybe 1.5 hrs), but your afternoon ride home would be easier 2 plus hrs.

I leave here at 2:00 on fridays and am home by 4:00 (barring rain). Sometimes 3:30 (on a good day). Chesapeake Beach is a lil closer so maybe not so bad if you can get the hours.

 

[Dixie]

I was stationed at a reserve center five miles shy of Bethesda and commuted from Dameron, MD (ten miles from Pax River) for nearly two years. It was 95 miles one way and it seemed like the longest part of the drive was from I95 to that point. I've driven to Bethesda Naval Hospital since then for early appointments and it's horrible. Bumper to bumper and an hour tie up due to an accident. On the way back (which was earlier than most people leaving work) I ran into construction. Pax River is heaven in comparison especially in you can live south of the base.

 

[johnson0424]

i commute from saint leonard which is more south of cheasapeake beach and it takes me almost 2 hours depending on the day but i have to leav at 4:45a.m. to get there by 7a.m. i commute to rockville and mont. co is going to pay more b/c i am in the same predicament. the commute sucks.

 

[cissp]

Chesapeake Beach to Bethesda. You are nuts! 40 miles isn't the bad part, but 1.5 hours, when...at 2 a.m. If I were you, I'd take less money and less commute and enjoy your quality of life.

Okay, you're right, this was NOT a good idea. I guess I was trying to get the best of both worlds, but that's not realistic. I've decided to go with a position at a company in Lexington Park and eliminate the Beltway type commute. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.

 

[Vince]

Okay, you're right, this was NOT a good idea. I guess I was trying to get the best of both worlds, but that's not realistic. I've decided to go with a position at a company in Lexington Park and eliminate the Beltway type commute. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.

Besides the time you would have wasted, think of the gas, oil changes, wear and tear on your vehicle. My friend did it for years and after he retired, he was making almost as much with his retirement as he was working just due to the savings in car expenses.

 

[BuddyLee]

Besides the time you would have wasted, think of the gas, oil changes, wear and tear on your vehicle. My friend did it for years and after he retired, he was making almost as much with his retirement as he was working just due to the savings in car expenses.

Don't forget that car insurance. I find it amazing what people will pay just to travel to and fro.

 

[huntr1]

I've decided to go with a position at a company in Lexington Park and eliminate the Beltway type commute.