Laurel, MD (Baltimore, Rockville, Greenbelt: appointed, condos, crimes)

[triniboy]

Correct is right.

[matt91]

triniboy-

What's the deal with Ryan Homes in Laurel? What was the land used for before it was developed for the crescent at cherry lane homesite?

Thanks

[triniboy]

Are you talking about the new townhomes the are building close to the volunteer fire station at van dusen and Cherry Lane? If so, it was just vacant land and I guess the develops and builders got in on it an well take a drive there and see. I know there is a hugh church way in the back. YOu can`t see it from the front. If you take a drive in the back you will see it.

There is progress taking place. I actually took my mom over there to see one. It`s quite nice and big actually with nice upgrades and features. I own an NV home and Ryan homes are nice too but NV is the better builder.

There is alot of building going on now. My mom lives in Laurel too but I would liek her to her a newer place where I know in 3-4 years the property values are goign to increase I`m sure dramatically due to the Base Realignment at Fort Meade which isn`t that far. This entire area will benefit from that plus Laurel is a good lacation. The Area is really coming along nicely.

[SaraLizBeth]

Small note. Cricketts is no longer under that name. It is now California Inn and is under new managment. They are trying to make it the number one place in the area to go see live rock bands, buisness it slow for them at the moment but it is picking up. The Little Tavern has closed in Laurel and is going to be turned into a doughnut store. Thats it.

[kjg1963]

Originally Posted by SaraLizBeth

Small note. Cricketts is no longer under that name. It is now California Inn and is under new managment. They are trying to make it the number one place in the area to go see live rock bands, buisness it slow for them at the moment but it is picking up. The Little Tavern has closed in Laurel and is going to be turned into a doughnut store. Thats it.

Are you referring to the place off of Whiskey Bottom and Route 1? It was California Inn since the 80's or before. Did they change the name to Cricketts and then back to California Inn? I use to go there when it was live country music (don't like country music, but hearing it live and dancing to it made it more enjoyable [or maybe it was the drinking, lol]). It used to be really crowded back then on a Friday or Saturday. It was my favorite hangout for a few years.

[StuartSlate]

Originally Posted by kjg1963

Are you referring to the place off of Whiskey Bottom and Route 1? It was California Inn since the 80's or before... I use to go there when it was live country music (don't like country music, but hearing it live and dancing to it made it more enjoyable [or maybe it was the drinking, lol]). It used to be really crowded back then on a Friday or Saturday. It was my favorite hangout for a few years.

At Peace Cross in Bladensburg is a longtime Roadhouse called the Crossroads (today, as I understand it, the building houses premier Caribbean and contemporary urban entertainment).

However, back in the 1980’s, the Crossroads was a ‘country’ music joint that packed ‘em in for dancing and drinking – especially on their famous but short lived ‘nickel nights’.

Interestingly, (for oldsters perhaps), a few short years before that time, American roots music guitar master Roy Buchanan played daily at the Crossroads as part of the house band. He even cut an influential live album there in the early 70’s.

Now, many people won’t know who Buchanan is. Just know that Roy Buchanan was viewed by fellow musicians as an authentic, original, guitar virtuoso. He gained the respect of many of the great 60s and 70s Rock guitar players – country players too - no doubt. (Search him and Vintage Guitar Magazine for a great bio - if interested).

Anyway, I recall that during that 1980’s Crossroads ‘country’ period, many people I knew often hopped between the California Inn up Laurel way and the Crossroads down in Bladensburg. Indeed, I did it myself a few times. Although I never cared much for the ‘country’ music, that Crossroads era house band – the Baxter Brothers – were nice fellows.

[matt91]

Originally Posted by triniboy

Are you talking about the new townhomes the are building close to the volunteer fire station at van dusen and Cherry Lane? If so, it was just vacant land and I guess the develops and builders got in on it an well take a drive there and see. I know there is a hugh church way in the back. YOu can`t see it from the front. If you take a drive in the back you will see it.

There is progress taking place. I actually took my mom over there to see one. It`s quite nice and big actually with nice upgrades and features. I own an NV home and Ryan homes are nice too but NV is the better builder.

There is alot of building going on now. My mom lives in Laurel too but I would liek her to her a newer place where I know in 3-4 years the property values are goign to increase I`m sure dramatically due to the Base Realignment at Fort Meade which isn`t that far. This entire area will benefit from that plus Laurel is a good lacation. The Area is really coming along nicely.

hey there-

yes, we're looking into the new townhouses by the fire station. Off Van Dusen and Cherry Lane.

Now that prices are dropping we're even more interested in Laurel.

Our only MAJOR concern now is schools. I think our local school would be Bond Mill?? Do you know anything about that school? I also heard that they are consolidating schools, making them into k-8 so it may end up being that we go to scotchtown hills??

NV Homes, really? Hmm I wonder if we could afford one? Any hints on where in Laurel you would buy if you wanted to move there within the next year or so with young kids??

Thanks

[kjg1963]

Originally Posted by matt91

hey there-

yes, we're looking into the new townhouses by the fire station. Off Van Dusen and Cherry Lane.

Now that prices are dropping we're even more interested in Laurel.

Our only MAJOR concern now is schools. I think our local school would be Bond Mill?? Do you know anything about that school? I also heard that they are consolidating schools, making them into k-8 so it may end up being that we go to scotchtown hills??

NV Homes, really? Hmm I wonder if we could afford one? Any hints on where in Laurel you would buy if you wanted to move there within the next year or so with young kids??

Thanks

Bond Mill is an excellent school. It is one of the highest rated elementary schools in PG county. I don't think they are planning to consolidate schools, they are already overcrowded and the schools in this area couldn't accommodate that many students. If anything, they will be building new schools. I haven't heard of any K-8 schools being planned, but I guess they could be. Scotchtown Elementary is where my kids went. They did well there and the teachers and administration were good. Scotchtown does not always look good on paper (scores) but it seemed a very open and caring environment. My neices went to Bond Mill and my sister always had to point out what a "wonderful" school it was. You probably wouldn't have a problem with either of these elementary schools. I didn't particularly like the middle school or the high school, but that's another story.

[maat]

There actually were plans to restructure most of the elementary and middle schools into Pre K-8. But then came the budget cuts.


Budget Woes Stall Plan to Combine Pre-K Through 8 - washingtonpost.com

Maryland School Systems 'Hope' For Funds At State House - Education News Story - WRC | Washington

[Triniman]

Matt, where in Laurel do you want to be? KJG is right, Bond Mil is excellent school, when my boy or girl is of that age that is the school of choice but my wife is now 5 months pregnant and we have many years still to go. Hopefully by then there wil have more school.

Matt, check this wenbsite out and then tell me where in Laurel you want to be. The site is Konterra - The Premier Business and Residential Community. Let me know what you think.