Vista Park area of Rockville? (Gaithersburg, Aspen Hill: middle-class, rent, low crime)

[euroblue]

Hello, we're new to Montgomery County and were wondering how the area is around Vista Park/Parkland Middle School/Brookhaven Elementary School? We've seen some decent houses in that area but aren't at all familiar with this neighborhood. Is it safe?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by euroblue

Hello, we're new to Montgomery County and were wondering how the area is around Vista Park/Parkland Middle School/Brookhaven Elementary School? We've seen some decent houses in that area but aren't at all familiar with this neighborhood. Is it safe?

I would consider that area Aspen Hill, and I think it's safe enough. The crime tends to be property crime concentrated near the commercial strips on Aspen Hill, Connecticut and Georgia. I would make sure the house has some security measures.

The County has daily police reports but I find them hard to use. I prefer Spotcrime.com where you can put in the address of a house you are considering and see what has occurred.

[euroblue]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

I would consider that area Aspen Hill, and I think it's safe enough. The crime tends to be property crime concentrated near the commercial strips on Aspen Hill, Connecticut and Georgia. I would make sure the house has some security measures.

The County has daily police reports but I find them hard to use. I prefer Spotcrime.com where you can put in the address of a house you are considering and see what has occurred.

I was wondering if that area is considered Aspen Hill. I don't know a whole lot about AH, although I noticed the houses were much more affordable there. I checked out spotcrime.com and noticed a few burglaries in the general area.

I hear good things about Rockville, but I'm still unsure of where things start to spill over into not-so-nice areas. Ideally, we're just looking for a nice middle-class neighborhood with decent schools and low crime. We're looking for a 3-bedroom in the $350-400k price range. However, we would rather rent than opt for an affordable house in a sketchy neighborhood.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by euroblue

I was wondering if that area is considered Aspen Hill. I don't know a whole lot about AH, although I noticed the houses were much more affordable there. I checked out spotcrime.com and noticed a few burglaries in the general area.

I hear good things about Rockville, but I'm still unsure of where things start to spill over into not-so-nice areas. Ideally, we're just looking for a nice middle-class neighborhood with decent schools and low crime. We're looking for a 3-bedroom in the $350-400k price range. However, we would rather rent than opt for an affordable house in a sketchy neighborhood.

I wouldn't call Aspen Hill sketchy, but it's just not as affluent as other areas. Since the median house price in Montgomery County is around $459,000, your budget is a bit below the median. You might extend your search out to Gaithersburg or Poolesville for more affordable options.

If you check the Brookhaven Elementary School at greatschools.org, you can see school rates a 4 of 10. It is a "majority minority" school. Parkland Middle rates a 7 of 10 and is also a "majority minority" school. They both get good reviews from parents.

You might also try locating a better-rated school, like Rock Creek Valley Elementary School. Then use Redfin.com to search for houses in your price range in that school zone. There are a couple under $400K.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

You might also try locating a better-rated school, like Rock Creek Valley Elementary School. Then use Redfin.com to search for houses in your price range in that school zone. There are a couple under $400K.

Or around Viers Mill Elementary School. There are several more houses in your price range: https://www.redfin.com/real-estate#!...pe=7&market=dc

[euroblue]

Thanks for all the info. We've seen some nice homes around the area I mentioned (and in our price range), but we did notice the schools weren't rated very high. I suppose that's always the catch in the DMV area.

We'll certainly look into the Rock Creek Valley Elementary School and Viers Mill Elementary School suggestions. I think Gaithersburg and Poolesville will be too far of a commute for us into downtown DC.

[eric_mclellan]

As a Realtor I would recommend using Zillow. They are linked to Greatschools.org. Which is probably the most accurate site i Have seen. It is the one that is linked to the realtor system. Feel free to look me up, or reach out if you would like further help