A busy D.C. suburb
At the center of Montgomery County and just 22 miles north of Washington D.C. is Gaithersburg. With a population of about 70,000, residents enjoy small-town living within the bustling D.C. metropolitan area. Neighborhoods encircle The National Institute of Standards and Technology at the city's center, while most shopping and retail dot along the two major thoroughfares running east to west through Gaithersburg. What was once vast swaths of farmland has now been paved over for developments with an expansion of over 4,000 businesses, becoming a major magnet for tech companies. It is an international epicenter of biotechnology, aided by its proximity to regulatory agencies and federal research facilities. Experiencing a significant growth of nearly 10,000 residents from 2010 to 2020, Gaithersburg has developed into an urban area and a suburb of D.C. while maintaining its small-town feel.

Bohrer and Seneca Creek State Park
Bohrer Park is home to Gaithersburg’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, as well as the city’s oldest building. This 45,000-square-foot facility features two gymnasiums, three multi-purpose rooms and a fitness center. This tree-lined green space is also home to picnic pavilions, a scenic pond, a miniature golf course, a water park and a skate park. Seneca Creek State Park offers 6,300 acres of forest and farmland, providing ample opportunity for hunting, hiking and freshwater fishing.

Arts and events in Gaithersburg
With a vibrant arts culture, the streets of Gaithersburg are populated with permanent art installations and statues; all concentrated within and around the centralized downtown. Arts on the Green hosts various live music performances each year, including the Gaithersburg Chorus, which showcases talented locals who perform various musical styles in homegrown concerts. In addition, the Theater at the Arts Barn has a performing arts program that includes comedies, musicals, dramas and magic shows. The city also has four galleries that exhibit rotating works by regional artists. Engaging and family-friendly events throughout the year include Oktoberfest in the Kentlands neighborhood, a Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park, a St. Patrick's Day Parade, Paws in the Park, a Book Festival, the Jubilation Day Gospel Concert and much more.

Dinner with a lakeside view
Restaurants cluster along the major roadways of Interstate 270 and Maryland Route 355, serving a range of regional and international fare and offering everything from fast food to casual sit-down restaurants to fine dining. “There’s such a diverse food culture here,” says Piantone. “Right across from my office, there are Peruvian, Middle Eastern, Indian and Japanese restaurants.” Mexican and Nuevo Latino cuisines are also particularly popular. Residents can purchase locally grown produce and artisan-made goods at the Main Street Famers Market and at Casey Farmers Market, the former of which is open year-round. Located at 136 Boardwalk Place, The RIO Washingtonian Center offers lakeside views, shopping, restaurants, a carousel, a playground, a movie theater and a pond with paddle boats.

A booming housing market
With a competitive housing market, homes, on average, sell after 17 days compared to the national average of 41 days. “There is a scarcity in the market due to the volume of people moving here,” says Philip Piantone, local and real estate agent with 20 years of experience in the greater D.C. Metro area. “Housing prices have increased due to a lack of inventory.” From March 2023 to March 2024, the average home sale price was $569,120, while the average price per square foot settled around $270. Prices differ depending on the neighborhood. Homes in Washingtonian Woods tend to sell on the higher end, ranging from $700,000 to $1,100,000, whereas homes in Shady Grove tend to go for between $350,000 and $550,000.

Travel in and around Gaithersburg
Served by Montgomery County Ride-On Buses, MARC trains, Metrorail and Metrobuses at the Shady Grove Station and by taxis and shuttles, residents have plenty of options for public transportation. Residents can also use the subway service operated by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to get to D.C. Departing from the Shady Grove, Red Line Center Platform and arriving at Washington Union Station, the trip covers 19 miles and typically takes around 43 minutes. Major thoroughfares include Interstate 270 and Maryland Route 355, which bisect the city, along with Interstate 370, which runs east to west through the southeastern portion of Gaithersburg. For regional, national travel and international travel, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 28 miles south.

Ranked the second-best school district in Maryland
The highly rated Montgomery County Public Schools serves Gaithersburg, earning an A on Niche and ranking No. 2 in Best School Districts in Maryland. Renowned for its rigorous curriculum, Montgomery offers a range of academic programs such as AP, International Baccalaureate, magnet, CTE and special language. The district features an extensive catalog of 211 schools, including 136 elementary schools, 40 middle schools, 25 high schools, five special schools, two early childhood centers and a technology high school. Some of the highest-rated schools include Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School, Herbert Hoover Middle School and Poolesville High School. There are also several high-ranking private schools to choose from, such as Covenant Life School, Church Of The Redeemer Christian School and Rise Hybrid Private Academy.

Local crime rates
Gaithersburg experiences less crime than the average U.S. city, falling within the 73rd percentile for safety. Overall, the rate of crime is 16.66 occurrences per 1,000 residents during a standard year, but the odds change depending on the location within the city. The odds of being a victim of crime can be as high as 1 in 39 in the southeast neighborhoods, while in the northeast, they can be as low as 1 in 77.