Everywhere in md sucks, but directly around andrews is especially bad.
You can live near old town without being in it. Lots of "suburbs". Just make sure you're east of 95/395 and as close (north/south) to 495 as possible or you can get quickly out of the traffic counterflow sweet spot.
Consider around van dorn and what used to be Cameron station. Lots of single family homes of various ages and expenses.
Old town is 5 to 3 girls to guys as well, so not a bad joint if you're single or into a little strange on the side.
Like most of NoVA, lots if fuzzy foreigners and 1st gen Americans.