Relocating To DC Area- Really needs help and honest opinions (Bowie: affordable apartments, renter)

[juc162]

I am relocating from PA to the Greater DC Area. I will be a teacher on the NE side of DC. I really need some help looking for a place that isn't too expensive but is safe. That is my most important criteria. To be honest I was looking at some places in Prince Georges County and thought I was in luck because I found some decent looking places online. Then I read these horrible reviews on apartment reviews and in this forum about crime and cars being stolen and became quite weary.

I am a young professional female who will be living alone. If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it. I am looking to spend about $1000 per month on rent and am willing to live in an efficiency or 1 bedroom apartment. Thanks in advance!

[Zippy7fo]

Your gonna pay a price either way...I recommend....

1. PG County- Around Largo, Walker Mill, Upper Marlboro, Landover on the outside of the beltway, Bowie, and Laurel.....

2. DC--Maybe around Capitol Hill for both NE and SE. You'll see a ton of young professionals that live in these neighborhoods. You might be able to find something on the U st area of NW....

[RFMD]

Originally Posted by juc162

I am relocating from PA to the Greater DC Area. I will be a teacher on the NE side of DC. I really need some help looking for a place that isn't too expensive but is safe. That is my most important criteria. To be honest I was looking at some places in Prince Georges County and thought I was in luck because I found some decent looking places online. Then I read these horrible reviews on apartment reviews and in this forum about crime and cars being stolen and became quite weary.

I am a young professional female who will be living alone. If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it. I am looking to spend about $1000 per month on rent and am willing to live in an efficiency or 1 bedroom apartment. Thanks in advance!

A nice area in the DC metropolitan area is too expensive. That ship has done sailed.

One thousand dollars per month in this region will not put you in a safe neighborhood. Bowie has a couple of apartments however I doubt your rent will be $1000.

The stark reality is that the bulk of crime in metropolitan areas like such are committed by residents within apartment buildings. That is why most jurisdictions are doing condo conversions or tearing them down to reduce crime. Sadly the law abiding, honest tenants within these dwellings also become affected when this occurs.

[dorado0359]

I would suggest that you look into Greenbelt Maryland, which is located 5-10 minutes from both I-95 and 295 (BWI Parkway). The Goddard Space Center as well as a National Agricultural Research Center are located in Greenbelt. In addition, there are shopping centers, affordable apartments and a train station in Greenbel if you decide to commute to D.C. Plus it's very safe. I highly recommend Greenbelt.

[RFMD]

Greenbelt is fine. I would stay away from Springhill Lake apartments. The bulk of the crime in Greenbelt stems from this area. These apartment will be torn down very soon to make way for a new mixed used development in the area: Project: Springhill Lake.

Also Greenbelt station a very large development in the area- Greenbelt Station - Illustrations
Greenbelt Station Towne Centre on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
is going to transform that area.

If you are patient and live in this region you will be rewarded down the line.

[juc162]

Thank you!

[laurelengineer]

Greenbelt (particularly Old Town Greenbelt) would be my ideal choice in your situation. I lived there when I was a renter and was very happy. Also, I agree with the previous poster - stay away from springhill lake apartments. They can't tear those things down fast enough!

[RoadTripGurl]

Do you want to commute from greenbelt?

[DC_girl]

You should see if you can rent in Cheverly, MD. Not the apartments there, but a house. They have there own metro stop and police. Make sure it's actually Cheverly though!

[QnE]

I am relocationg to dc to attend college and also to become a teacher and my bf is going to be a dc cop any suggestions on how to be safe and good or bad area?