Located less than a half-hour northwest of Washington D.C., Bethesda is a charming community in Montgomery County, Maryland. Part of the Washington Metropolitan Area, Bethesda is defined as an unincorporated, census-designated place with no official boundaries. In addition to being home to several corporate and government headquarters, Bethesda is notably home to the National Institutes of Health main campus and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

What is the community of Bethesda like?  

Ranked by Niche as the 6th best place to live in Maryland, Bethesda is one of the most highly educated and affluent communities in the United States. Home to around 64,100 residents and spanning over 22 constituent neighborhoods, Bethesda is the 11th largest community in the state of Maryland. 
Today, Bethesda is a vibrant district that enjoys top-notch outdoor recreational opportunities including 20 art galleries, almost 200 restaurants, two theatres, and some of the best shopping in the area. For more than thirty years, Bethesda is home to Strathmore, which offers affordable and exciting performances at the Bethesda Music Center.  
Spanning over 16 acres, Strathmore is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts venue that hosts performers who entertain visitors with a variety of musical performances across all genres. The venue is also home to several music rooms, an outdoor performance pavilion, a sculpture garden, and a boutique, and supports musical education in the community by partnering with various organizations such as Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The National Philharmonic, and Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras.  
In addition, Bethesda is home to Cabin John Regional Park, which offers a unique mix of nature and recreation. Cabin John boasts a variety of attractions, including the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, the Cabin John Ice Skating Rink, the Locust Grove Nature Center, the Tai Chi Court, and the Robert C. McDonnell Campground. The park is also loved by kids who come here to enjoy several picnic areas and playgrounds that are equipped with tables, grills, pavilions, and even snack bars, as well as a mini-train with a two-mile track. 
Also, if jazz music is your thing, you can visit the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, which is the premiere spot for enjoying jazz music from top artists. Each night a different performer takes the stage as guests enjoy delicious soups, salads, and entrees. The elegant concert hall seats 500 people in total, and there is a dance floor that is made available on the club's specified “dance nights.” In addition to nightly performances, Bethesda Blues & Jazz is available to rent for special events.  

What is Real Estate like in Bethesda?     

Real estate in Bethesda has shown an average growth of 3.86% per year since the year 2000. Since 2000, the prices of homes in Bethesda have overall appreciated by a strong 123.62%. National real estate firm, Berkshire Hathaway, categorizes Bethesda’s housing market as ‘very competitive.’ The sale prices of homes in Bethesda have experienced decent growth of more than 10.4% since May last year.   
The median home price in Bethesda is $999,975. Currently, there are 456 active homes for sale in Bethesda, and at present, it typically takes just 39 days for a listed home to sell. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Bethesda is $3,006 per month. Currently, there are 25,835 homes and apartments in the city, 65.3% of which are owned, and the remaining 34.7% are rented.  

How is the economic landscape of Bethesda?    

Bethesda is home to several corporate and governmental headquarters and offices. Some of the notable organizations based in Bethesda include Ritz Carlton, NBC Sports Washington, Marriott International, Lockheed Martin, and Cambridge Information Group.  
Over the last year, Bethesda’s job market has grown by 0.8%, while its unemployment rate stands at 5.7%. The US average is 6%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 31.0% over the next ten years. 
At the same time, Bethesda is one of the most affluent communities in the United States. On average, a Bethesda resident earns around $86,000 per annum, substantially higher than the US average of $28500. The city’s median household income of almost $145,200 per resident is also much greater than the US average of approximately $53000. Most of the residents of Bethesda work in retail, finance, information, and real estate.  

How are the schools in Bethesda?     

Bethesda is covered by Montgomery County Public Schools, which encompasses 207 schools and more than 151,000 enrolled students. Bethesda also lies in proximity to many colleges including, among others, Potomac College Washington, Corcoran College of Art and Design, and Montgomery College. 
When it comes to higher education, Bethesda lies in the vicinity of several top-notch universities, most prominent among them being the prestigious Georgetown University. Founded in 1789 as Georgetown College, the university has grown to comprise ten undergraduate and graduate schools, among which are the School of Foreign Service, School of Business, Medical School, Law School, and a campus in Qatar.   
Georgetown is ranked among the top universities in the United States and admission is highly selective. The university offers degree programs in forty-eight disciplines, enrolling an average of 7,500 undergraduate and 10,000 post-graduate students from more than 135 countries. Georgetown's notable alumni include 27 Rhodes Scholars, 32 Marshall Scholars, 33 Truman Scholars, 429 Fulbright Scholars, 2 U.S. Presidents, and 2 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, as well as international royalty and 14 foreign heads of state. 

Bethesda in a nutshell        

To sum up, Bethesda is a thriving, sophisticated community that enjoys the highest quality of life and is recognized as one of America’s most educated and affluent communities. Lying just a stone’s throw away from Washington D.C., Bethesda offers a plethora of exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as unparalleled professional and business landscapes. If you are mulling over moving to Maryland, Bethesda would make an ideal choice to be your next hometown.