Germantown

The bustling DC suburb of Germantown in Montgomery County Maryland is filled with families who love the town’s excellent schools, numerous recreation opportunities, and lively town center, where you’ll find popular restaurants and shops and the Black Rock Arts Center. Originally settled by German immigrants (hence its name) and those of English and Scottish descent in the 1830s and 1840s, it managed to avoid physical destruction during the Civil War. The war did have a profound affect on residents, though: with sons from German families fighting for the Union Army and those of English ancestry fighting for the Confederate Army, the town was divided and friendships were permanently destroyed. Fast forward to today, and you’ll again find a tight-knit community who share a love for the outdoors: The town is surrounded by large parks. Black Hill Regional Park and Little Seneca Lake are to the west, while North Germantown Special Park and Great Seneca Valley Stream Park are to the east. Combine the idyllic location with easy access to I-270 and the MARC train’s Brunswick Line, and you’ve got a winning place to call home.