The Right Places to Downsize in Montgomery County: Reflections on the Choices

There are a number of right places to downsize in Montgomery County.  The choice of the perfect place really depends on your priorities!  At this stage of life, many of us start craving something a little simpler. Not smaller in spirit — just easier, lighter, more walkable, more connected. After decades of caring for a larger home, raising families, hosting holidays, and tending to endless home maintenance to‑do lists, the idea of downsizing can feel like a gentle exhale.

If you’re considering this next chapter in Montgomery County, you’re in good company. I am pondering the same questions myself, and I’ve learned that choosing the right place isn’t just about square footage. It’s about how you want to live, who you want nearby, and what kind of community makes you feel grounded and welcomed.

Here are some of the neighborhoods that offer exactly that.

Kentlands: A Village That Feels Like a Hug

There’s something comforting about Kentlands. Maybe it’s the tree‑lined streets, the lakes, the activities like tennis and swimming, the local acting company, or the great restaurants and wine bar or maybe it’s the simple pleasure of strolling to the town center for a cup of coffee.  The Kentlands is one of the first local communities to be developed (in the late 1980s) focusing on building a walkable, mixed-use city neighborhood or new town to provide an attractive alternative to the spread out, automobile-centric, subdivisions common to post-World War II American suburbia.) Kentlands is built around a farmstead previously owned by Otis Beall Kent.

Why it’s wonderful for downsizing

• Walkable and friendly, with everything close by
• Low‑maintenance condos and townhomes that free up your time
• Lakes and paths perfect for gentle daily movement
• Lots of activities like tennis courts, swimming pools, a local acting company, crafts fairs and art shows.
• A true sense of community — the kind that reminds you of how neighborhoods used to feel

Kentlands is ideal if you want charm, convenience, and a slower, sweeter pace.  Be sure to check out my favorite restaurant, Vasili’s Kitchen for Mediterranean food and Vine Alley for its great selection of wines.  Better yet, let’s go together!  Just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com and we can check out the atmosphere at the Kentlands!

Downtown Crown: Modern Living Without the Fuss

If you prefer something a bit more contemporary, Downtown Crown is a more recent addition to the planned communities of Montgomery County.

Why it’s a great fit

• Newer condos and townhomes that keep maintenance low
• Restaurants and shops just steps away
• Easy access to I‑270 for visiting family or getting around
• Walkable plazas where you can enjoy an evening out without needing to drive

Crown is smaller than the Kentlands and closer to 270 but it still offers an amazing collection of restaurants and shops.  It is also very close to Rio with its downtown shopping area that includes a large Target, Uncle Julio’s, a large movie theater and the glorious path around the lake (perfect for letting small children and big dogs burn off some energy!)  I feel like Crown gives you the double benefit of all the newer homes there (including some single family detatched homes with elevators) and the proximity of Rio.  Be sure to check out the Downtown Crown Wine and Beer store which is so well stocked that friends of mine drive there to check out their craft been selection!

Downtown Bethesda: Upscale, Energetic, and Organic

If you already live near Bethesda, you probably don’t want to leave!  Your doctors are here.  You know the dry cleaner and you can find everything you want at the Giant or Trader Joe’s without having to wander the aisles for long periods!  You definitely want to stay near your friends and favorite restaurants – and you can!  Downsizing here doesn’t feel like scaling back. It feels like stepping into a lifestyle where everything is at your fingertips.

One of the things I adore about Bethesda that is that it is constantly changing but somehow still feels familiar.  Restaurants come and go, new stores open and old friends get a new lift.  Unlike Downtown Crown, the Kentlands or King Farm, downtown Bethesda has just grown organically over the last number of years.  I remember when there was a working cement factory at the corner of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road where Uncle Julio’s is now. There was a thrift shop and a used bookstore just up the street in the arcade, next to the county liquor store.  Now we have a big Apple store, a Lululemon, Blue Mercury, Sephora and car dealerships galore.  Bethesda has definitely changed over the years.  Be sure to check out Bethesda condos perfect for downsizing like the Chase and the Christopher.

Why it shines

• Luxury condo buildings with amenities that simplify daily life such as the Darcy and rental buildings like the Flats
• Bethesda Row for dining, shopping, and people‑watching.  Check out Hawkers and Luke’s Lobster Roll for great meals.
• Metro access that makes getting around effortless
• Arts and culture that keep life interesting.  Be sure to check out our annual Art Show and the Taste of Bethesda.

If you enjoy being in the center of things, Bethesda offers a beautiful blend of energy and ease.

Woodmont Triangle: Urban Living With a Softer Edge

Just next door to the bustle of Bethesda Row, Woodmont Triangle has a quieter, more intimate feel — like a tucked‑away corner of the city. Unlike downtown Bethesda, just 5 blocks away, there are very few branded stores like Apple.  Instead you have unique shops and restaurants.  Of course, this is all likely to change as Marriott now calls the Woodmont Triangle home for its international headquarters and GEICO is moving in just south of Old Georgetown Road at Wisconsin Avenue.

Why it’s appealing

• Smaller condo buildings that feel personal like the Cheval, Stonehall and Madison Park.
• Local cafés and restaurants that become familiar favorites
• Parks and green spaces for peaceful afternoons
• Walkability without the crowds

It’s perfect if you want urban convenience with a gentler rhythm.  This part of Bethesda is well stocked with grocery stores: the Harris Teeter, a Trader Joe’s, and Lidl (in the old subterranean Safeway spot.)  Some of my favorite restaurants here in the Woodmont Triangle include Jetties for their clam chowder and turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberry sauce and Dog Haus for an amazing selection of hot dogs.  Commuting is easy here with quick access to the Bethesda metro and the NIH/Walter Reed metro stop.

If you have a few more years at Marriott, GEICO, NIH or Walter Reed, the Woodmont Triangle is a perfect place for you to move.

Friendship Heights: Where City and Suburb Meet

Friendship Heights has long been a favorite for people looking to simplify without giving up access to great shopping, transit, and amenities.  Saks, Brooks Brothers, Homegoods, Tiffany and Bloomingdale’s are all there.  Grocery stores are covered by Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh are there too.  Total Wines just move in too!   Restaurants abound with Clyde’s, Sushi-Ko, LIa’s, PotBelly and more.

Why it’s a standout

• High‑rise condos with helpful services like concierges, pools and fitness centers.  Be sure to check out the Willoughby, the Elizabeth, 4620 N Park, the Carleton and Somerset House.  Regardless of your price point, there is a home for you in Friendship Heights.
• Metro right in the neighborhood — a blessing if you prefer not to drive and all these buildings have lots of garage parking.
• Shops and restaurants within easy reach
• A polished yet welcoming atmosphere

It’s a place where you can live comfortably, confidently, and connected.  My favorite restaurant in Friendship Heights is probably Lia’s with its covered patio in front for happy hours in the warm weather months or Mei-Wah with its roof top patio.  Shopping is great with discount stores like Michaels and Home Goods and upscale shopping like TIffany’s and Saks! Let’s meet at Lia’s for a glass of wine and a plate of pasta and talk about your plans to downsize!

💛 A Final Thought From Someone Who’s Been There

Downsizing isn’t just a real estate decision — it’s an emotional one. It’s about choosing a home that supports who you are now, not who you were decades ago. It’s about giving yourself permission to live with more freedom, more walkability, more community, and less stress.

These Montgomery County neighborhoods offer exactly that:

• Walkability that keeps you active and engaged
• Low‑maintenance homes that lighten your load
• Amenities and shopping that make daily life easier
• Warm, welcoming communities where it’s easy to feel at home

Rest assured though that there are lots of other neighborhoods I can suggest like Sumner Village or Kenwood Forest – and there is always Leisure World in Silver Spring, Fox Hills on River Road, Maplewood on Old Georgetown Road or the Jefferson in Arlington, which are age restricted and offer more targeted amenities.

Downsizing at first blush may seem complicated and even overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  You have lots of choices, regardless of your budget and needs.  There is a place that will make you happy.  Let’s find it together.  Just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.