Montgomery County

Maryland's Montgomery County is 497 square miles of both heavily populated areas and extensive "green space" located right next door to Washington, D.C. Inner suburban areas such as Bethesda and Silver Spring are as built up as any urban city, while the northern half of the county retains much farmland and rolling hills. The large number of businesses located within the county and the proximity to DC make the real estate and housing industry a very big part of life in the county. Communities along the Potomac River, such as Potomac, are among the most expensive places to live in the country, while other parts of the county include housing more likely to be affordable for everyone.

Montgomery County is governed by an elected county council and county executive. The Montgomery County Public School system is considered one of the best in Maryland - and it's the biggest: there are 125 elementary schools, 38 middle schools and 24 high schools. Over 139,000 students enrolled during the 2005-2006 school year.

The county operates an extensive Department of Recreation. There are 18 community centers, 4 indoor aquatic centers, 7 outdoor pools and 5 senior centers. And then there's The MNCPPC (we won't bother spelling it out), which operates the big network of parks and athletic facilities in Montgomery County. Brookside Gardens is an excellent outdoor and indoor garden facility located on 50 acres within the Wheaton Regional Park. Brookside has several locations available for weddings, receptions and corporate events.