Apartments for rent in Bethesda, MD

Geographic orientation: Montgomery County, Maryland

Landmarks: National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Capital Crescent Trail, Round House Theatre

Why You'll Love This Area:The urban neighborhood has first rate schools, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues, all conveniently located within a close proximity to Washington D.C.

Bethesda, MD is one of the most desirable and expensive places to live in Montgomery County. It is located just north of the city boundary of Washington, D.C. and has its own walkable downtown which is home to 20 art galleries, more than 200 ethnic restaurants, two live theatres, music and dance studios and numerous boutiques. It is a very wealthy and well-educated area and has some of the region's best schools including both public and private institutions. The surrounding areas offer suburban communities with large properties and tree-lined streets. The housing is a mix single family homes, town homes, condos, and apartments.

Downtown Bethesda

The area commonly known as Downtown Bethesda is centered at the intersection of MD-Route 355/Wisconsin Avenue, Old Georgetown Road and East-West Highway. It is walkable area featuring a variety of shopping, dining and cultural attractions. Major attractions include the Round House Theatre, Bethesda Row Cinema, Regal Cinemas Bethesda 10. The urban center has undergone dramatic improvements in recent years with the development of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, creating programs that contribute to the artistic, cultural and economic growth of the area. Annual events include the Bethesda Film Fest, Play In A Day, the Bethesda Literary Festival, Imagination Bethesda, Taste of Bethesda, Winter Wonderland, a summer concert series, outdoor summer concerts and other festivals.

Major Employers in Bethesda

Bethesda is home to many large employers. The area is renowned for three of the world's leading biomedical research centers -- the National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Other federal institutions in the area include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division. The headquarters of defense conglomerate Lockheed Martin, managed health care company Coventry Health Care and hotel and resort chains Marriott International and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. are located in Bethesda.

Bethesda encompasses a large geographic area. Bordering communities include Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, Cabin John, Potomac, Glen Echo, Friendship Heights, Kensington and Silver Spring.

Getting Around

Bethesda is ideally situated to easily commute around the capital region. There are two Metro stations: Bethesda and Medical Center. Metrobus, Ride-on Buses, and the Bethesda Circulator Bus provide additional public transportation options.

Bethesda is located within an easy drive to the regional airports. Distances are as follows: Reagan National: 11 miles; Dulles International: 24 miles; Baltimore- Washington International: 35 miles.

Parks and Recreation

The 2.1-acre Elm Street Park features a playground and picnic area just east of Wisconsin Avenue and south of the Bethesda Metro Station. The Capital Crescent Trail starts in the heart of downtown Bethesda and follows the old tracks of the B&O Railroad stretching from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. to Silver Spring in Maryland. Nearby Cabin John Park has one of the area's largest playgrounds, a nature center, a miniature train, hiking trails, picnic areas, indoor/outdoor tennis courts, and an ice skating rink. Also, Glen Echo Park is a National Park for the Arts featuring year-round dance, theater and visual arts programs.

Bethesda Development

Bethesda is continually growing and redeveloping. Many new condominium units are currently under construction.

If you can afford the price tag, Bethesda is a prime place to live in the Washington D.C. suburbs.