Germantown 81 Exceptional
Germantown Livability #37 ranked city in Maryland#1,199 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Germantown, MD - A Suburban Gem

Living in Germantown, MD offers a suburban lifestyle with a rich blend of culture and convenience. Known for its excellent public transportation and diverse community, Germantown is an ideal place for families and professionals. The BlackRock Center for the Arts is a cultural hub, offering performances, exhibits, and community programs that enrich the local arts scene.

Germantown's dining options are diverse, with a range of international cuisines reflecting its multicultural population. The annual Oktoberfest at the Germantown Oktoberfest site is a local favorite, celebrating German heritage with food, music, and entertainment. The town center provides a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it a vibrant part of the community.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Germantown has plenty to offer. The Seneca Creek State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and boating. The Germantown Indoor Swim Center and the SoccerPlex are great for year-round sports and recreation. The community also benefits from a variety of parks, including Ridge Road Recreational Park, which offers sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Germantown’s location is a significant advantage, providing easy access to Washington, D.C., and the surrounding metropolitan area. The MARC train and numerous bus routes make commuting convenient. The area is also known for its commitment to education, with several top-rated schools and higher education institutions nearby.

For those considering a move to Maryland, Germantown offers a perfect blend of suburban comfort, cultural diversity, and accessibility. Whether you're drawn by its arts scene, outdoor activities, or excellent transportation links, living in Germantown, MD provides a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Germantown

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

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What's it like Living in Germantown?

Germantown is a medium-sized city located in the state of Maryland. The city has a population of 89,529 residents. In Germantown, there are 5,256 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Germantown entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 36 minutes.

Living in Germantown can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Maryland, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Germantown and in the areas around Germantown is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 80/100, Germantown is ranked #1,192 in the United States and #38 in Maryland. Clearly, Germantown is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Germantown has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Germantown ranks very well for housing (A+). There are some categories that Germantown does not rank well for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Germantown can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Germantown. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Germantown are affordable. Median real estate prices in Germantown come in at $349,400, which is 20.3% higher than the Maryland average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Germantown, the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 7.9% lower than the Maryland average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Germantown

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Compare Germantown, MD Livability

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      Germantown transportation information

      Statistic Germantown Maryland National
      Average one way commute36min32min26min
      Workers who drive to work70.3%73.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.5%8.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home7.9%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Germantown, MD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).