If you are searching for a condo with an indoor pool in Montgomery County, you have more choices than you might expect. The right one depends on whether you want a walkable location, room to downsize without feeling cramped, a lower purchase price, or a retirement community with services close at hand.
An indoor pool changes the way you use a building. You can swim in January, exercise when it is raining, or take a quiet dip without planning a trip across town. For some buyers, that is a pleasant extra. For others, it is the amenity that makes a condo feel like home.
Here are six Montgomery County communities I would put on a pool lover’s tour. The Elizabeth, Somerset House, and The Wisconsin are condominiums. The Promenade is a cooperative. Leisure World offers several types of homes, including condos and co-ops, while Fox Hill combines condominium ownership with retirement living.
The Elizabeth: An indoor pool and a Friendship Heights address
The Elizabeth in Chevy Chase is a good place to begin if you want an indoor pool without starting your search at a luxury price point. Its heated indoor pool is joined by a fitness room, front desk, and conveniences within the building. Friendship Heights puts shopping, restaurants, groceries, and Metro close to home.
The Elizabeth has one-, two-, and three-bedroom possibilities. Prices vary considerably with size, condition, and parking: a buyer may see smaller homes priced under $300,000 and larger homes reaching the mid-$800,000s. Those are useful search benchmarks, not a promise that homes at either end of the range are available today.
Lise’s tip: If you want to swim regularly and drive less often, see The Elizabeth early in your search. This should be the first building on your search list! Pay close attention to the floor plan and monthly condo fee as well as the asking price.
The Promenade: A pool and a long list of amenities
The Promenade in Bethesda has both indoor and outdoor pools, along with a fitness center, tennis facilities, and other amenities. For a downsizer who wants activities and services nearby, it can feel like a vacation that does not require packing a suitcase.
The Promenade is a co-op, which changes how you should read the numbers. Its purchase prices can look attractive compared with many nearby condos, while its monthly fees can look surprisingly high. The fee includes items such as property taxes and utilities, as well as access to amenities. I would compare the total monthly cost with that of a condo, adding the condo’s property taxes and utility bills before deciding which is more affordable. Confirm the precise inclusions for any apartment you consider. Click here to see all the coops currently on the market at the Promenade. Here are all the other condos and coops for sale in the 20814 which are similar to the Promenade.
Somerset House: Space to downsize, plus indoor swimming
At Somerset House in Chevy Chase, the indoor pool is part of a larger recreational offering that also includes an outdoor pool and fitness facilities. The residences can be generously sized, making Somerset especially interesting if you are ready to leave a house but are not ready to give up substantial living and entertaining space. There are three towers which are connected by underground walkways, providing access to the recreational facilities in inclement weather.
This community with its attentive staff and park like setting is a luxury-priced option. I think of it as a way to downsize the work of owning a home without necessarily downsizing the rooms. The pool, clubhouse, and proximity to Friendship Heights make it worth exploring if that combination suits your budget and daily routine.
The Wisconsin: Indoor swimming near Pike & Rose
The Wisconsin on Nicholson Lane in North Bethesda has indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and other recreational amenities. It generally sits at a higher price point than The Elizabeth, but it offers a different location and lifestyle.
From The Wisconsin, buyers can explore shops and restaurants around Pike & Rose and reach the North Bethesda Metro on foot. If your ideal day includes a swim, errands, and dinner out without getting in the car, the walking routes are worth trying for yourself during a visit. The building has a Rockville mailing address, though it is commonly described as being in North Bethesda.
Leisure World: Indoor pools in a 55-plus community
Leisure World in Silver Spring deserves its own category. It is a large 55-plus community, rather than a single condo building, with a range of home styles and ownership arrangements. Its indoor pool complex in Clubhouse II includes a lap pool, a social pool, and a whirlpool. That gives residents different ways to enjoy the water, whether they want exercise or a more relaxed swim.
If you are comparing homes at Leisure World, look at the individual mutual or association as carefully as the apartment itself. Fees, services, and rules can differ. The attraction is the chance to choose a home that fits your budget while enjoying the broader community and its activities.
Fox Hill: Indoor swimming with retirement services
Fox Hill in Bethesda is a different kind of choice again. It offers condominium ownership within an independent living retirement community. Residents have access to a heated indoor pool and fitness center, as well as dining, transportation, and other services associated with the community. Assisted living and memory care services are also available on site through Sunrise.
For someone planning a move with the years ahead in mind, the pool may be what catches your eye, but the service model may be what shapes your decision. Ask for a full explanation of the purchase and monthly costs and which services those costs cover. Fox Hill should be compared with other retirement living options as well as with conventional condos.
Which indoor-pool community is right for you?
If you want a Friendship Heights location at a comparatively accessible purchase price, start with The Elizabeth. If you want a lower co-op purchase price and a broad amenity package, look at The Promenade, then examine its all-inclusive fee. If generous rooms are a priority, tour Somerset House. If you want indoor swimming and a walkable North Bethesda location, add The Wisconsin. For retirement living, compare Leisure World’s 55-plus community with Fox Hill’s condominium ownership and services.
One last piece of advice: before falling in love with a pool, confirm its current hours, access rules, and any planned repairs. I also like to see the route from the apartment to the water. A pool you can reach comfortably and use often is worth far more to you than a beautiful one you rarely visit.
Frequently asked questions about Montgomery County condos with indoor pools
Which Montgomery County condos have indoor pools?
The Elizabeth in Chevy Chase, Somerset House in Chevy Chase, and The Wisconsin in North Bethesda are condominium choices with indoor pools. Fox Hill also offers condominium ownership within a retirement community and has an indoor pool.
Are there Montgomery County co-ops with indoor pools?
Yes. The Promenade in Bethesda is a co-op with an indoor pool. Leisure World also has cooperative homes within its larger 55-plus community, which has an indoor pool complex. The pool at Leisure World is a community amenity, so check the location of any home you are considering in relation to the clubhouse.
Why are the Promenade’s monthly fees so high?
A Promenade co-op fee covers more than a typical condo fee. It includes property taxes, utilities, and access to amenities. Compare your complete monthly housing costs, rather than comparing the co-op fee with a condo fee by itself.
Do I have to be retired to live in a condo with an indoor pool?
No. The Elizabeth, Somerset House, The Promenade, and The Wisconsin are options to explore without choosing a retirement community. Leisure World is a 55-plus community, and Fox Hill is designed around retirement living.
What should I check before buying for the pool?
Ask about pool hours, accessibility, guest rules, maintenance plans, and whether the pool is currently open. Then review the condo or co-op documents and total monthly costs. The best choice is the one where both the apartment and the everyday swimming routine work for you.
Thinking about a move?
I have spent 38 years helping buyers and sellers in the Washington, DC, area, and I know that choosing a condo is about much more than its list of amenities. If an indoor pool is high on your wish list, I would be happy to help you compare the buildings, the monthly costs, and the homes themselves. Call me at 240-401-5577 or email lise@lisehowe.com. You can also visit The Lise Howe Group.
About Lise Howe: Lise is an Associate Broker with RLAH RE LLC, a Bethesda resident, and a real estate professional with 38 years of experience. She helps clients navigate condos, co-ops, downsizing, and moves throughout the DC metro area.