Hi , definitely use Google maps to your advantage to change the times when you look up your commute. There’s several areas in between such as Hanover, Elkridge, Laurel, Columbia, etc.

If you’re interested in looking at condos and townhomes for rent,(not apartments) let me know and I can assist. I’m happy to help.

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My bill is usually $180ish, it was $350 for the same billing period as yours. It sucks.

Also suggest looking into Burtonsville, housing is a little cheaper (food/fun too) and it's closer for both of you. Columbia is nicer developed tho. Don't buy gas in Columbia it's outrageously expensive.

29 is painful during the rush, but if you're headed to BW parkway 32 isn't bad and you get on it before 29 clogs up. You can also pick up 95 to/from the beltway if it's running fast.

Definitely wouldn't consider it ideal tho. I commuted to Arlington from Columbia and couldn't do it long-term. Especially after getting rear ended 3 times, just not worth it. If you're taking 29 all the way be prepared for a side of misery.

EDIT MARC Train from Hanover would or BWI would be ideal, approx 15-25 mins away from Columbia.

Check out Laurel and Savage, they’ll be a little better priced (maybe) but right by 32 and the Marc

Yeah my bill went from 120 or so a month to 230 or so. For a townhouse. Sucks.

I commuted from laurel to 19th NW and it was such a pain. 70 minutes spent on just going one way. I highly recommend using the metro; I moved to college park for school and the commute is much more enjoyable tenfold

I take the MARC from Savage to DC 4-5 days a week. Then about a 1.5 mile walk into the office or metro when the weather is bad. The MARC is a MUCH better ride than the metro and you get to avoid getting on the beltway's or 95 (in most cases)

if you have a smart meter from bge, when you log onto your account, you can view usage and there is a daily and hourly view on how much electricity and gas is used. could help pinpoint whats using the most energy

Also is taking the MARC train from Hanover or Laurel an option for commuting to DC? Or if you're patient there are commuter buses from Columbia to various places downtown DC.

29 south, which would be your main route to MoCo and DC, during the week is not a very fun commute. Did it for years to Bethesda and Silver Spring and I got tired of it very quickly.

I also have to go to DC a few days a week for my job, but only into northern DC, not all the way into downtown. For my case, commuting is quite easy; I just take US 29 all the way down to 16th St NW.

If you have to go all the way into downtown, you could consider the option of driving to Glenmont Metro Station (Red Line) or Greenbelt Station (Green/Yellow Line) and taking the Metro the rest of the way in, depending on how much you hate driving in rush hour, and where your work is located.

I keep our house around 67 at the thermostat. Routinely that's 64 elsewhere. Hat, sweatpants and sweatshirt. Still ~$350 gas/elec bill.

Have you considered Laurel? A little closer to DC and MoCo, and is on the metro line but still not too far from Bmore. My boyfriend currently commutes from Ellicott City to Herndon and the commute is soul sucking.

LOL my gas one is usually reasonable tho. And before the EV they did praise me sometimes.

Commuting south sucks during rush hour. But, it’s doable.

I mean, it sounds like it's one of your best options. The commute won't be fun, but since your husband works on MoCo, and you need to be close to Baltimore, and you work in D.C.... it's pretty central.

It's a really nice area and I love it. I just moved here a year ago with my wife, and it'll be hard to convince us to leave.

It's really expensive though, that's the only downside. Even aside from rent, cost of living is just high.

It does seem a bit high, but I would suggest turning it down to 60-65 when you leave for work, 68-70 when you go to bed, and 55-60 when you're away for extended periods of time.

If the water heater is accessible, and it's on gas, on extended periods of leave you can turn it down to 'Vacation' mode.

I bought my house last Fall and BGE would not provide the true usage over the past 12 months, just the average utility bill amount.

29/200 takes you to Montgomery County in a hurry, and Baltimore is fairly accessible, but Laurel might be better travel time to both. Columbia is nice, though

I am convinced they all show the recipient is the energy hog. We have a beach condo where no one is over the winter. The heat is set at like 40. I think we’ve had a handful of days that even got below 40 and it always shows we use more than anyone else.

Thank goodness (besides that stretch) we have had a mild winter so far!

Last month my BGE was around $500. That one week cold snap did a number on my old house

I agree 100% after OP clears up WTF is happening now because that's not just "BGE more expensive per therm."