Good Neighborhood in Beltsville? (apartment complexes, lease, crime)

[andychen]

My first post here. I will be working for the USDA research center near Costco on Route 1 and I am very keen on finding an apartment or a room in a family house which is close to the center. I hate driving in heavy traffic, but I care about safety most.

I found some possible places to live to the north of the USDA research center between Montgomery Ave and route 1. Can anyone tell me if that area is safe? Thanks

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by andychen

My first post here. I will be working for the USDA research center near Costco on Route 1 and I am very keen on finding an apartment or a room in a family house which is close to the center. I hate driving in heavy traffic, but I care about safety most.

I found some possible places to live to the north of the USDA research center between Montgomery Ave and route 1. Can anyone tell me if that area is safe? Thanks

The only reason that would be considered a "safe" area is because it's essentially dead. No real reason why anyone would want to go there besides the multitude of low end strip malls and establishments.

[lscalder]

Beltsville is nice. The county is renovating the area with new shopping/dining.

[andychen]

I saw mostly family houses with some very small apartment complexes. I guess the people living in that neighborhood are nice, but the industrial areas, junk yards and warehouses are not very far away. Well, I just drove around that area for an hour today, so cannot really tell if it is safe, that's why I came here to ask.

Originally Posted by handy man88

The only reason that would be considered a "safe" area is because it's essentially dead. No real reason why anyone would want to go there besides the multitude of low end strip malls and establishments.

[dkf747]

The area between Montgomery ave and Rt. 1 is nice. The industrial area is further up Rt. 1. Beltsville has far less crime than most of the rest of PG.

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by andychen

I saw mostly family houses with some very small apartment complexes. I guess the people living in that neighborhood are nice, but the industrial areas, junk yards and warehouses are not very far away. Well, I just drove around that area for an hour today, so cannot really tell if it is safe, that's why I came here to ask.

Beltsville is located in PG County, which is probably the worst in this area with regard to crime, along with DC.

Beltsville itself is safer, but it's essentially a lower cost area, and it's lower cost for a reason.

From your name, you could be asian.

Asians make up a very small % of the population in PG County.

I would consider something in neighboring Montgomery County instead of PG if you are buying, but if you are just short term renting, Beltsville should suffice, but if I were you, I would not sign a long term lease just in case.

This is especially the case if you're planning on renting in an apartment complex.

[jmking]

I lived at the Cherry Hill apartments on Cherry Hill Road in Beltsville, near the Montgomery and PG border, back in the 1980s. The apartments were affordable and the crime was low at the time. Not sure if it has declined or not but my hunch is that it is still not a bad place to live, but I could be wrong.

[jmking]

Good grief!

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by jmking

Good grief!

Yeah, it's near High Point High School, one of the worst HS's in PG.

High Point High School Test Scores - Beltsville, Maryland - MD

[jmking]

Originally Posted by handy man88

Yeah, it's near High Point High School, one of the worst HS's in PG.

High Point High School Test Scores - Beltsville, Maryland - MD

I guess the 1980s is a long long time ago. Things sure do change.