2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Suburb in Maryland

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• Population 8,566

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  81 reviews

Current Resident: North Potomac is a very middle class and suburban area. The peace and quiet this area seems to have makes it all the more preferable compared to othe city areas. Residents here are rarely roudy and aggressive; they are friendly and welcoming people. My neighbors in particular are very much friendly and warm as they welcomed my family with in-person greetings and gifts of food when we first moved into the area. Although the variety and quality of restaurants and chains are not that all extraordinary, they are still likable. As I am Korean and many who also seem to be the same living in the area, I wish there were more varieties of Korean restaurants and supermarkets nearby. Not only this, I wish there were more attractions or eventful places here. To have fun, my family or my friends always have to travel out of the city.... Read 81 reviews

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• Population 24,449

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in this city for over a decade now and love it! It is only 10 minutes away from Bethesda and is not nearly as costly. Additionally, it has an elementary and middle school, and it only 10 minutes away from a high school. It is very safe and clean -- a great location for families with kids. I love it here!... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 9,889

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Community, landscaping are beautiful ,good public schools , have nice entertainment area , overall environment is really good for a family friendly atmosphere!... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 14,835

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  83 reviews

Former Resident: I love Potomac, I feel genuinely safe and comfortable here. Sometimes, the traffic is bad. Additionally, there have been so many fun new businesses within the past few years. It's amazing!... Read 83 reviews

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• Population 46,891

• Town in Maryland

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  140 reviews

Current Resident: Bethesda MD, is a big wide and populated city, it’s known for it’s known for it well developed composed and calm environment and also in housing its one of the expensive areas to get houses to live but it’s worth it, you get close by shopping mall the pack and fun stuff to do when bored at home or when on a off day and it’s also a clean environment where you could leave the government cleans the neighborhood every month which is one of the important part to look at when getting a house. There are good schools in Bethesda MD well profiled and secured schools also, jobs are easy to get in Bethesda.... Read 140 reviews

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• Population 66,294

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: We purchased our home in North Bethesda in 1986, when we had one son 6 months old. Now 37 years later, we smile at the good fortune in this choice. We love our neighborhood (Walnut Woods) and we love the area. The Farmland/Tilden Woods/Old Farm area has homes from the 1960's kept in good shape, nicely landscaped, with large old oak trees and many of the original cherry trees (planted by the builder) still blooming each spring. Neighborhood is quiet and safe. Excellent schools. Access to shopping and restaurants is outstanding, including the Park Potomac development to the west and Rockville Pike, plus Montgomery Mall. Access to Metro and I-270 is easy, you can get anywhere from here. Hard to imagine a better neighborhood!... Read 47 reviews

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• Population 50,695

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: The only crime I am really aware of that is visible in the area is adolescent pranks and vandalism, which only happens rarely... Read 1 review

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• Population 2,032

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: South Riding is an amazing community to raise a family. The schools, amenities and community events bring families and friends together. The community is also very diverse and inclusive. We have made many great friends and connections in this community.... Read 77 reviews

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• Population 33,828

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I liked how it is so close to DC and it is extremely safe I've been a resident for 18 years. It's a nice neighbourhood.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 2,847

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4 out of 5  11 reviews

Nearby Resident: Travilah is the classic American suburban neighborhood. The town is surrounded by some of the best learning centers in America, from John Hopkins University, which is down the street, from a combination of 13 top universities in Maryland molded together to become, The universities of Shady Grove.... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 11,052

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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• Population 1,693

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Arlington Virginia is simply the best of the best in the entire Washington DC area, and well beyond the DC area in my opinion. First and perhaps foremost, the city was designed with the metro stops in mind. Getting anywhere on public transportation is incredibly easy. In these clusters around each and every metro stop, you will find wonderful places to eat, housing, excellent places of employment and great shopping. There are parks galore and everyone seems to be enjoying where they live. The vibe is one of a vibrant city where there is lots to do. There is a reason that Arlington is considered the most desirable place to live in the area. Arlington, along with Alexandria, are the only two areas around Washington DC that feel like real cities; so much more than just bedroom communities that you find on the other side of the river. All this plus incredible history and only five minutes to all the attractions in Washington DC.... Read 1 review

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• Population 2,895

• Suburb in Maryland

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• Population 3,841

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: We moved 3 years ago to CCV and it was one of the best decisions we have ever done. We rented our house and got the opportunity to buy it later. It is a peaceful neighborhood where kids can walk/bike safely. We are a large family of 4 kids, a dog and parents, we have good space and a great backyard to fit comfortably all of us. The public schools in the area are great, we have Silver Creek MS very close for the middle school teens - school was built less than 5 years ago. BCC for HS and Chevy Chase Elementary. Everything is close, public transportation stops all over Cedar, making it easy to go to the Medical Center subway station. Safe, quiet, peaceful, full of nature. A great place to live.... Read 1 review

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• Population 1,103

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: As a Brambleton, VA resident, for 18 years, I feel that this is one of the better places to live in Northern Virginia. What I like is the proximity to Washington D.C, modern homes, fantastic schools, and cultural activities around. The area is bustling with restaurants, wineries, community centers, and libraries. You will meet people from many backgrounds here and you will make a home for yourself here. Surrounded by nature but giving you the city feel as you work, relax, and mingle!... Read 26 reviews

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• Population 21,986

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Last bit of country living left. Beautiful scenery and wildlife. Friendly neighbors and small shops and restaurants... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 6,689

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Franklin Farm is an amazing place to raise a family. Our children are constantly outside playing with other neighborhood children. There are lots of community events include ice cream socials, an egg hunt, breakfast with Santa, fall festival and food trucks! The neighborhood has 2 very nice pools (with a great swim team), lots of trails, playgrounds and ponds. The schools (Oak Hill, Franklin and Chantilly) are some of the very best! The shopping plaza has a grocery store, a few restaurants and other fun stops for kids (game store, ice cream shop) within walking distance. You can’t beat the location. It’s easy to see why year after year it is ranked as one of the top places to live in VA!... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 18,906

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Wakefield is very small but it is quiet. You have to drive 30 minutes to get into the city. Everyone here is very friendly, when they driver by they honk their horns, smile, and wave. There is also no crime, everyone knows just about everyone.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 11,534

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 4.48 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Lovely neighborhood community! Welcoming ever since my family moved here. Very friendly and inclusive, school is nearby and friends who live nearby are well within walking distance. Roads aren't busy and don't pose a danger to pets or children, and a lot of people spend time outside playing sports on their lawns or walking their dogs.... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 2,336

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Mantua for 23 years. It is a great neighborhood for all stages of life. It is easy to meet people through social media, the swim and tennis club, the parks or just by taking a walk! There are Bunko groups, bridge groups, tennis groups for all ages, gardening groups, the list is unending. The elementary school, middle school and high school are all within biking distance and walking distance for some. I feel like we are in a sweet spot for commuting as well. We are close to 66 and 495 and there are two Metro stations within 3 miles. As you can see, I highly recommend the neighborhood!... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 7,771

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  121 reviews

Current Resident: Pro: 1. great public schools. Some private schools, not the best nationally, but great schools. 2. Close to DC, Tyson’s, a lot of grocery stores. 3. Mostly clean and very green 4. Library and community center is good 5. Close to a lot of parks 6. Overall safe for families, but is deteriorating Cons: 1. A lot of cookie-cutter houses 2. no walkable or bikable downtown 3. No Wholefoods within the town boundary, but Balducci's, overpriced and sell out-of-date meat... Read 121 reviews

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• Population 49,310

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Niche User: Although traffic may be a little rough during rush hour, this area is amazing! As a student I was able to network and volunteer with the EU and NIAF, as well as other non-profits, like PAVE. When my school had to perform at the Kennedy Center, I was just a metro ride away. Simply wonderful to live in an area so convenient, safe, and clean.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 3,369

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here for about three years now and being the pessimistic and boredom prone person that I am, I have to admit that I love it here. It's a very nice and calm place (despite being so close to the metro station) with a very welcoming community. There are lots of stuff to do, too; the area is surrounded by cool stores.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 8,210

• Town in Maryland

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  292 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in a nearby town. I always dreamed of living in Rockville at some point in my life. Two years ago, I was blessed to finally live here! It’s a perfect city with many local restaurants, a movie theater, metro station, grocery stores and parks. I have two young children and we can walk to town center from our home. I love living here and would recommend Rockville to anyone who is looking to move to the area. I only wish they would invest in a city shuttle for residents. That would be amazing.... Read 292 reviews

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• Population 67,095