Advice on Surgical floor Nursing

Hi I am moving from NJ to DC and starting a job on a surgical floor. I have a year experience in a medical surgical floor here in NJ. How different is surgical floor from medical-surgical floor? I heard it will be high volume discharges and admissions.

Also, since DC area is new to me, I am still looking to see where to live in VA or MD. I am married with children and need a decent town with good schools and commutable to DC within a resonable amount of time. Any suggestions?

Thanks.