Bethesda, MD

Forbes magazine called Bethesda "the most educated small town in the country" as more than 50 percent of the southern Maryland city's residents over 25 have either a PhD or a master's degree. Just northwest of Washington, D.C., Bethesda is the home of a number of federal research institutions and major corporations' headquarters. The town of more than 55,000 people ranks as one of the most affluent in the country. Along with the city's economic and educational wealth, Bethesda's downtown has seen significant investment in high-rise apartment buildings, cafes, restaurants, and shopping districts in recent years. Bethesda has the most restaurants and eateries per capita than any other city in America. The arts have flourished as well, with numerous art galleries, dance studios, and theaters available to residents. While the city's development and abundance has grown significantly, the population has decreased since the 1990s, preserving Bethesda's small-town environment.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Bethesda has become one of the wealthiest areas in America, thanks to government agencies and major corporations that base themselves here. Right outside of Washington, D.C., agencies, such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division are positioned in Bethesda within the reach of nation's capital. Bethesda has also been the site for the headquarters of several major companies, such as Coventry Health Care and Chevy Chase Bank. Other major government agencies and corporations include:

• Marriott International: The global franchiser of hotels and lodgings is headquartered in Bethesda and owns more than 3,000 properties in the United States and around the globe. The Marriott Corporation originated as a root beer stand that J. Willard and Alice S. Marriot opened in 1927. The company has about 150,000 employees worldwide and reported more than $13 billion in revenue recently.
• Lockheed Martin: Employing approximately 140,000 people worldwide, the conglomerate specializes in multinational aerospace manufacturing and development of advanced technology of defense weaponry. The world's richest defense contractor earned more than $41 billion in revenue recently. Lockheed Martin serves the U.S. Department of Defense and Foreign Military, and has even recently won a contract to build a spaceship for NASA.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): This agency receives more than a quarter of the country's funding for biomedical research for its efforts toward the prevention, treatment and recognition of disease and disability in all of its forms. The NIH comprises more than 25 individual institutes and the Office of the Director that oversees the policies and execution of the various institutes. The National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institute on Aging are a few of the organizations within the NIH.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): This agency acts independently of the U.S. government as a watchdog against consumer products that risk injuring consumers. The commission oversees products ranging from cribs to automobiles with the goal of preventing harmful products from reaching the public. The commission issues recalls on products that are found to cause injury or death.
• National Naval Medical Center: The flagship hospital of the U.S. Navy's medical centers, the National Naval Medical Center has a history of medical excellence. The center serves the president and the president's family as well as many of the nation's leaders. The hospital was built at the request of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and both Ronald and Nancy Reagan had surgeries performed there. The center has seen renovation and expansion over the years, presently constructing the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that would replace the deteriorating and controversial Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Bethesda is mostly urban and many young professionals and families live in condominiums and houses either in downtown Bethesda or nearby. Bethesda is also a stop on Washington's Metro and its walkability is very good. There are many restaurants, retail stores, coffee shops and entertainment venues that are nearby, making a car more hassle rather than a convenience. Additionally, the city of Bethesda has a free shuttle that circles the city and operates daily. The median house price for Bethesda nearly triples the state's median value.

Downtown Bethesda offers 200 restaurants, dozens of charming boutiques and retailers, three theaters, and 13 art galleries. The area also has an urban residential community, featuring luxury apartments and condominiums.

FOR VISITORS

• Farmers Markets: The town has two farmers markets that are held in the spring, summer, and fall seasons in Bethesda. The Bethesda Farmers Market offers the fresh fruits, vegetables, and breads of local residents in Veterans Park on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market has been around since 1932 and features a wide selection of fruits, furniture, and more for shoppers to peruse. It is located in the center of the city on Wisconsin Avenue.
• Bethesda Row: The $77 million project located where Bethesda Avenue, Elm Street, Bethesda Lane, and Woodmont Avenue all meet. The retail center features more than 30 stores, 20 restaurants, and a movie theater. Above the outdoor "Row" of retail and dinning, luxury apartments rent for around $2,000 to $4,000 a month.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Round House Theater: One of the leaders in theatrical arts in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, the Round House Theater Company puts on a couple hundred performances a year in its 400-seat Bethesda-based theater. The company also operates a theater in Silver Springs, Maryland, as well functions as an educational resource to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The theater is nationally recognized for its interpretation of classical and contemporary novels that are featured in the company's Literary Works Project. The theater's educational programs are available to children, adults, and seniors.
• Heineman Myers Contemporary Art: The Heineman Myers Contemporary Art gallery is a center of exhibitions, art discussions, performances, business functions, wedding receptions, and book signings. The gallery features both traditional and nontraditional works spanning the art forms of painting, sculpture, and photography. The Washington Post has named the Heineman as one of the premier places to hold social and private functions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
• Bethesda Theatre: Owned by the Bethesda Cultural Alliance, the 650-seat Art Deco theater puts on off-Broadway and cabaret productions. The now-renovated theater first opened in 1938 and went through phases as a movie theater and playhouse. The 2001 renovation project restored the Bethesda Theater close to its original appearance.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Bethesda Gazette
• Bethesda Magazine