Accokeek, Fort Washington, Clinton & Brandywine

[Joykins]

I have been back in 24 years but not recently enough to evaluate the changes for a person looking to move there. You know how it is, your friends move away too and you never have another reason to go back and visit.

I know there is MS-13 activity in Maryland also. They may be more active in Montgomery county but they are also in PG. ms-13 gang maryland - Google Search

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by Joykins

I have been back in 24 years but not recently enough to evaluate the changes for a person looking to move there. You know how it is, your friends move away too and you never have another reason to go back and visit.

I know there is MS-13 activity in Maryland also. They may be more active in Montgomery county but they are also in PG. ms-13 gang maryland - Google Search

Thanks for the link.

[Jaded]

Can anyone give me his/her opinion on who the better/decent homebuilders are in these cities?

Lennar, K.Hovnanian, Centex, etc...Thanks!

[lscalder]

You might find better deals with Khov because they have more homes/communities in the areas you mention.

Check out Charleston homes. They build nice homes. I do think Charleston homes are nicer then the 3 you listed.

Lennar build nice homes as well.

[Supascience]

I grew up in Oxon Hill, went to Oxon Hill High and went to college at Maryland. Since then I have spent 24 years in the Air Force. I have lived in neighborhoods all over the country and several overseas. I have done previous tours at the Pentagon and Fort Meade where I lived in Arlington and Columbia respectively. One thing that I have found is that cars get stolen everywhere, houses get broken into everywhere, people get mugged everywhere and yes people get killed everywhere. Even on military installations!

I did my last tour at Bolling and because the commute was so short we decided to move to Fort Washington. I have found it a little better than some of the neighborhoods I have lived in. I have found the Oxon Hill / Fort Washington area about the same as when I grew up here with the exception of the ethnic diversity. This area is now predominantly Black and Asian.

I use to hear chatter all the time at my office about neighborhoods people praise and those they curse. PG County was cursed by many all of the time. I rarely ever chimed in, I just chuckled to myself upon hearing many of the "urban myths" surrounding the county. It wasn't until my retirement when I invited many in my department to my home that many people were shocked to find that I lived in Fort Washington and they did not get robbed, shot, carjacked, mugged or raped when they visited my home in PG County. The cookout lasted well into the night and many commented how nice the neighborhood and houses were. I guess they were shocked that the hype didn't live up to the reality. My parents still live in what was Oxon Hill (now re-zipped to Fort Washington) and they have never been victims of crime nor have I. I have been back in the Fort Washington area for about 5 years now and have been pleased with the neighborhood and community.

My advice to anyone considering moving to this or any neighborhood is be honest with yourself and have an open mind. If you are afraid of black kids or minorities don't move here. I have found that some just feel intimidated by the "urban look", the "hip hop look" or minorities in general. Many of the kids and adults you see may not be what you grew up with, but many times you will find they are just regular kids and people with a somewhat different look. If living in a culturally diverse area is not your cup of tea; or if just seeing some types of culturally different people equates to crime in your mind move somewhere else. If living among people Black, White, Asian or other who dress and talk like you is your yard stick to judge a good neighborhood again choose your neighborhood carefully.

My second bit of advice would be to people who post comments here. Give honest accounts of personal experiences. Don't share what someone said or what you overheard at the coffee machine. Most of it is not true. If you don't like PG County or Fort Washington or wherever for whatever reason that is fine, but the people who are asking questions here deserve truthful answers.

PG County and Fort Washington are predominately black and you will come across some kids and adults that have an "urban" or a "hip-hop" look. You will come across educated professionals and church going hard working everyday people. You will also come across some celebrities and notable national and community leaders. You probably will be just as much a victim of crime in any area of DC and the surrounding areas as you would be here. Are some areas worse than others? Yes, but crime is not rampant and the majority of the people are not what I would consider "ghetto".

[Jaded]

^^

Thank you. It is very hard trying to obtain information "online" and in forums such as this, and negative info never is appealing, especially when moving has so many other stresses associated with it.