Metro brought the riff-raff to White Flint. Metro changes everything, but not always for the better.
The funny thing about the Shady Grove area is that the area itself has really not changed much (apart from King Farm, which I think would have been developed anyway). What has changed is the major highways that run into/right by the Metro station. I guess the huge medical/education center at the other end of Shady Grove Road is pretty significant, too.
Commuter terminal stations are not like walkable stations. Very few people risk biking/walking to the SG station. I guess what I'm saying is, you're right.
Now, the MARC train is transforming Old Towne Gaithersburg. Huge apartment buildings going up within safe walking distance of the in-town train station.
I wonder if you can be far enough out on a line for that not to hold- how long has white Flint been trying to get back to what it used to be, then again Rockville and shady Grove seem to be doing well