The truth about Waldorf, MD? (Temple Hills, La Plata: sale, for rent, HOA)

[hairdivalicious]

Originally Posted by bluiznsmilez

What about the White Plains and Pomfret areas? They looked somewhat rural--which I liked--did I see it wrong? What is the commute like? I'm looking at Manassas VA too--but that has a commuter train. Does White Plains area have something like that?

I'm going on a house hunting trip next week and need all the help I can get. My hubby will be working at the Reagan Building and I'll be at the Naval Yard.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi I am planning on moving back to Maryland after being gone for 8 years...I keep hearing it has changed so much...I have also heard that PG is horrible which is where I grew up (Temple Hills)...can you tell me what your experience has been like...How did it turn out for you?

Thanks in Advance!

[hairdivalicious]

Originally Posted by Mom21

Once again, I urge any of you considering Waldorf to take what Iscalder says with a grain of salt. She has stated in many posts concerning PG county that most of the negativite comments come from people who don't live in the county, but yet she has nothing but negative comments about Waldorf, and she does not live there. She often states something to the effect that "I went to the Mall in St. Charles and never again" but yet she keeps posting this. So, I mean, if every trip was going to be your last trip, why do you keep coming back?

If you want to know anything about Waldorf, the good, the bad and the ugly I can let you know, as I do live there.

Yes we will be moving to Maryland and I want to know...I am in Dublin, Georgia...I am originally from Temple Hills, Maryland...been n Georgia 12 years

[jayman1981]

Well I grew up in Suitland and Clinton. Im very familiar with P.G. in general. Here is my opinion on Temple Hills. If it the part closer to D.C. then you might need to watch out. If it's Temple hills closer to Crossland H.S. then you should be okay. I was stationed in Dover, DE for about 2 1/2 years and couldn't wait to come back home. When I came back I really wanted to buy a house, but It was way out of my price range at the time. So I ended up moving to Waldorf.

Here is the deal P.G. property taxes are ridiculous especially when you have to figure out why they don't have a school system similiar to Montgomery County. Also more people have moved in the D.C. area within the past 5-10 yrs. So traffic is even worse then when you were here before. Since the housing prices have fallen it is more affordable to get a house in a decent neighborhood.

Aside from some of the issues mentioned above, P.G is trying to get there act together. I personally would move back. If schools are a concern look at Greatschools.net and take a look at both Charles County and P.G. While Charles County has a better edge as far as schools are concerned, you will see a lot of 4 and 5 rated schools just like P.G. At this point it's up to you as a parent to (assuming you have kids) find out the curriculum and be involved in your childs life. A lot of people like to trash P.G is a terrible county. It really isn't. Are the schools where we want to be. Probably not. But they are improving at least. So make sure you check out the area of interest. I've never had a problem living in P.G. so i think people really need to stop looking at the news and or move to a place that suites you.

Originally Posted by hairdivalicious

Hi I am planning on moving back to Maryland after being gone for 8 years...I keep hearing it has changed so much...I have also heard that PG is horrible which is where I grew up (Temple Hills)...can you tell me what your experience has been like...How did it turn out for you?

Thanks in Advance!

[Mom21]

Hi I am planning on moving back to Maryland after being gone for 8 years...I keep hearing it has changed so much...I have also heard that PG is horrible which is where I grew up (Temple Hills)...can you tell me what your experience has been like...How did it turn out for you?

I rented (houses and apartment) in Temple Hills before moving to Waldorf. I couldn't afford a house in Temple Hills because the taxes were so high; otherwise I would have purchased there. Jayman is right, the areas around Crossland with the single family homes are still nice areas, particularly on Henderson Road (which is off Temple Hills Rd), and the surrounding streets.

Waldorf traffic can be pretty bad, and although it is not crime-free, it is not to the extent of some other areas of Maryland. To me, if you do some common-sense things, you can lessen your chances of being a victim of crime. When going to the mall, park as close as you can to the entrance if its after dark. Be observant! Try not to be a magnet for petty crimes, talking on cell phone while walking in parking lot, carrying more packages than you can candle so that you can be easily overtaken, etc etc.

I love my little area of Waldorf, even though it is not perfect, and is thought of by some to be dicey. The neighbors look out for each other, and the shady neighbors are identified quickly and watched like a hawk. My complex is pretty much 50-50 in racial make-up. No one on my block has been a victim of any type of crime in the 7 to 8 years I have lived here.

I think the Mall itself is really improving. There don't seem to be droves of large groups of teens hanging there are much as it use to be. This could be just the time and days that I go usually Saturdays up until 6:00 or 7:00, and Sunday evenings. I'm not saying it's incident-free, just that when I go, I have not witnessed any incidents.

[skywise64]

I have lived in Waldorf for 7 years and contrary to what others have said, the town is not the run down "ghetto" that they have described. Yes, there are some bad areas of Waldorf, just like anywhere else. But for the most part, it is just another suburban bedroom community. I have found that the conflict that has arisen, is that Waldorf used to be somewhat rural not too long ago. In the last several years, there has been a population boom into the town, largely from close in DC suburb, Prince George's county. Nearly all of this population increase has been middle to upper middle class African-Americans, many of whom are professionals and have high incomes. Most of these families have settled in the newer communities West of rt 301 and North of St. Charles along rt 228 and Middletown road. There has been some racial conflict because of the change in demographics, including a well publicized arsoning of several homes in nearby Indian Head. But if you check out the crime statistics, you will see that most of the area's crime is concentrated in the older neighborhoods of St.Charles east of 301 and the townhomes near Western Parkway behind Lowes and Home Depot. Both areas considered lower income. Just like many lower income neighborhoods across the country. If Waldorf is such a bad place, why does it seem that a large chunk of the Southern Maryland population has no problem coming here to eat out or to shop?

[Giantwon]

Originally Posted by skywise64

But if you check out the crime statistics, you will see that most of the area's crime is concentrated in the older neighborhoods of St.Charles east of 301 and the townhomes near Western Parkway behind Lowes and Home Depot. Both areas considered lower income. Just like many lower income neighborhoods across the country. If Waldorf is such a bad place, why does it seem that a large chunk of the Southern Maryland population has no problem coming here to eat out or to shop?

Also if you check out the crime stats you will see that most of the people doing the crime are coming from PG county ...as per the Washington Post and Maryland Independent.

[nesha520]

Does anyone know anything about Westchester at the Pavilion?

[fjennell]

They are brand new, look nice, cost a lot. They are near the mall which may or may not be a good thing. If you are single, probably one of the nicest apts in Waldorf. The apt. complexes are not that great overall in Waldorf. However the areas surrounding the mall are not as nice as they once were - if crime is a concern of yours, you may want to investigate the crime stats for the housing developments near there on the sheriff's website. I wouldn't suggest walking to or from the mall, movies, etc after dark from these apts although it is within walking distance.

[fjennell]

I just saw your public message...I think these apts cost a lot more then what you were looking for. Waldorf has all the things that you want (plenty of shopping, dining, etc). Safety - well that seems to be a personal difference of opinions around here - if you grew up in an area that is very safe, this area may seem a little sketchy to you. If you grew up where you could never leave your car unlocked or walk around after dark, then it may not seem too bad.

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by nesha520

Does anyone know anything about Westchester at the Pavilion?

This site may help you to assess the crime situation:

Welcome To CrimeReports.com

Set the date range as far back as possible and set the crime types to all.

Fjennell gave some good advice. If you're from a big city, high crime environment, then Waldorf is nothing. If you're from a safe, small town, it will horrify you.

I've watched thugs run past me with mall security guards chasing them more than once while at that mall, which I only frequent if absolutely necessary.

Waldorf is also a major transit route through Maryland, and with that you get the obvious transient traffic.