For families looking for a place to live close to Washington DC, without being in the urban sprawl, Germantown is perfect. It offers a beautiful suburban oasis just minutes from nature. It's a great place to live, work, and play, all year round.
Located about 30 miles outside of Washington DC, Germantown sits amid historic Montgomery County, Maryland. Many of its residents work in and around the DC area. They can drive into the city via Interstate 270 or take the Maryland Area Regional Commuter train. While other regions of Maryland claim the "Germantown" title, this city is the only one recognized by the USPS.
This part of Maryland was rural until the 1830s and 1840s when immigrants settled into the area. Several German families opened businesses along the main thoroughfare and thus the name was given. The community was divided during the Civil War with some families fighting for the Union while others sent troops to the Confederacy. The town itself was spared physical destruction, though both the Union and the Confederacy raided the town for supplies and food.
Germantown's closeness to DC made it an ideal place for government agencies as well as private companies to set up shop there. In 1958, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission set up shop in Germantown, relocating from DC due to fears of a nuclear strike. Today, that facility remains part of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Today, Germantown is home to many corporate headquarters. They like the ease of getting into DC without the high cost of real estate involved there. Qiagen North America, Earth Network Systems Inc., and Digital Receiver Technology Inc. are just a few of the companies that call Germantown home.
Germantown has never incorporated despite its clear identity as a united community. Due to this lack of legal identify, the town is governed by the Montgomery County council.
The Maryland Soccerplex is located within Germantown. It's been host to the Washington Spirit team of the National Women's Soccer League since 2013. The venue is also used for various soccer matches on the local, state, and regional levels. It offers multiple fields in natural grass and artificial turf. It also has an indoor court for basketball and volleyball. The complex also includes other activities such as a tennis center, bike park, and miniature golf.
The BlackRock Center of the Arts also calls Germantown home. It offers a performance auditorium, dance studios, and display galleries. It plays host to learning camps throughout the year for beginners and experts alike.
Living in Germantown
The Montgomery County Public School System handles primary and secondary education in Germantown. Kids in the area go to over a dozen elementary schools including Cedar Grove, Great Seneca Creek, and Waters Landing Elementary Schools.
For middle school, kids go to one of four campuses including Kingsview Middle, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle, Neelsville Middle, and Roberto W. Clemente Middle. For high school, it's either Northwest High or Seneca Valley High. Montgomery College offers classes on its Germantown campus, near downtown.
Locals enjoy getting outdoors in the area's many parks. Great Seneca Valley Stream Park offers biking and walking trails through natural woodlands and along streams. They can get out on the water in a canoe or paddle boat. Clearspring Park is a small enclave in the downtown area offering a beautiful lake and geese galore.
Farming is still a part of the Germantown experience. Many families enjoy visiting Butler's Orchard to pick strawberries and other treats throughout the growing season. Their farmer's market offers delicious, fresh produce. Their annual Pumpkin Festival lets kids enjoy a hayride and pick their own pumpkin.
Lawn Care in Germantown
Lawns in Germantown need to be able to handle the colder winters and the moderate summers of the area.
Tall fescue is a cool season grass that does well in this part of Maryland. It greens up early in the spring and stays that way until the latter part of autumn. It's exceptionally durable and a good choice for areas where people congregate and walk. This variety of fescue is resistant to disease and requires less water than Zoysia lawns.
Kentucky bluegrass offers a lush green lawn that can withstand regular traffic. It does require extra water during the summer months and does not do well in drought conditions.
To give your lawn the proper care, you need to find a qualified lawn care expert. Lawn Love offers affordable, professional lawn care services, try us today.
