10 THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU JUST MOVED TO BETHESDA, MARYLAND

This is the time of year when many people relocate to Bethesda - for school, internships or work.

Welcome to Bethesda! I've lived here all my life, and can assure you you've made the right decision to move here; it's a great place to live.

It's always a challenge to relocate to a new city, and there are many more than 10 things to know. But here is a handy list to get you started. If you have other questions about where to find things around town, you can write me on Twitter at @BethesdaRow or by email at robert (at) robertdyer (dot) net.

So, let's get to the list:

1. WHERE CAN I BUY ALCOHOL?

Believe it or not, the number one question I get from newcomers or tourists is, "Where can I buy alcohol?"

Given the county and state's excessive control over alcohol sales, most people are surprised they can't pick up a six-pack of Budweiser, or a bottle of white wine, with their other groceries at Giant. Welcome to Montgomery County.

Beer and wine are fairly widely available at specified retail stores, while liquor is sold out of government-run liquor stores around the county.

In Bethesda, the county liquor store is in the Westwood Shopping Center, at 5450 Westbard Avenue (Ride On Bus 23).

Here are just a few of the many places selling beer and wine in Bethesda:

Talbert's - 5234 River Road (Convenience store, and a legendary favorite among locals)

Cork 57 - 4910 Bethesda Avenue

Capital Beer and Wine - 7903 Norfolk Avenue (very knowledgeable owner)

News Express - 4853 Cordell Avenue (newsstand, convenience store, and even a post office!)

Bethesda Market - in the Shops at Sumner Place on Sangamore Road (also a deli and convenience store)

Bradley Food & Beverage - 6904 Arlington Road, in the Bradley Shopping Center (another venerable store, they also sell gourmet food, and growlers of beer)

2. I'M SICK, BUT I DON'T HAVE A DOCTOR AND/OR HEALTH INSURANCE!

If you are sick, but don't have gold-plated health insurance like your congressperson, Minute Clinic is your best friend. It is located in the CVS Pharmacy at 7809 Wisconsin Avenue, and has hours at least as convenient as a doctor's office.

Best of all, no appointment or insurance are necessary.

3. THE FREE BUS AROUND DOWNTOWN BETHESDA

The Bethesda Circulator is a free bus that - as the name suggests - circulates around downtown Bethesda on a regular schedule, arriving at 10 minute intervals (if things go as planned).

4. PARKING IS A NIGHTMARE

It's no exaggeration - parking is a nightmare in Bethesda. The one thing that will save you distress, is to read every single sign posted at the meter or lot/garage where you park. Is it really free on Saturday? It pays to double check. And do not ever park in one store or retail center lot in downtown Bethesda, and walk off to another property - the tow trucks are waiting, and will pounce before you can even finish that ATM withdrawal. Tickets are handed out with equal speed in public garages.

5. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING

You're on Candid Camera. There are speed cameras, and red light cameras throughout Bethesda and Montgomery County. It pays to follow the speed limit and not to run red lights - literally. Fines are issued by mail.

6. WHAT'S OPEN 24 HOURS IN BETHESDA?

There are actually a good number of 24-hour businesses in Bethesda.

For dining, the Tastee Diner (corner of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues) and Du-par's Hamburger Hamlet (corner of Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard) are local institutions.

Other 24-hour stores include the Giant grocery store right near Hamburger Hamlet, in the Georgetown Square Shopping Center, and 2 CVS Pharmacies:  the aforementioned 7809 Wisconsin Avenue, and at 6917 Arlington Road.

And, of course, 7-Eleven has three  Bethesda locations: 5114 River Road, and 7820 Wisconsin Avenue (parking lot entrance is off Fairmont Avenue, and it is across Wisconsin Avenue from that 24-hour CVS), and 7305 MacArthur Boulevard, near Glen Echo.

7. WHERE CAN I MAIL SOMETHING?

The US Post Office is now located at 6900 Wisconsin Avenue. You can also accomplish most postal transactions at News Express, at 4853 Cordell Avenue, an official USPS station within a newsstand/convenience store.

8. WHERE CAN I SCORE $1 ADULT BEVERAGES IN BETHESDA?

It's true - you can get drinks for a dollar in downtown Bethesda, if you know where to look. Power Hour at Union Jack's Bethesda (St. Elmo Avenue) is Thursday nights, 10-11 PM. All drinks are $1, with some exceptions. Miller Lites are $1 starting at 4 PM Thursdays. The Parva (7904 Woodmont Avenue) often has Power Hours, and I will usually tweet it when they announce it.

9. FREE CUPCAKES DAILY - WHERE DO I GET THEM?

Yes, you can get a free gourmet cupcake every day in Bethesda, if you time it right.

Georgetown Cupcake offers a free, not on the menu flavor each day at Bethesda Row. 100 are given away, so don't be late. This is the famous cupcake chain you've seen on cable TV.

10. FOLLOW @BethesdaRow!

Last, but not least, stay in the know by reading this blog daily, and following @BethesdaRow on Twitter and Instagram.