White Flight in Bowie?! (Baltimore, Silver Spring: renting, day care, how much)

[Skapov]

Thanks for all the insight folks! I agree that there are good and bad in all school districts, and for example I know people who insist that ALL Montgomery schools are good and ALL PGCounty schools are bad. Yet, I went to look at the facts on www.schooldigger.com, and turns out that the Bowie elementary schools actually rank higher than the Silver Spring and Germantown schools!! Unlike the vast majority of PG County, Bowie actually DOES have some decent schools, and this is what makes my choice so hard.

I have a very hard time believing that a commute from the EXURBS could be < 1hr, especially coming from Frederick on I-270. As far as Chesapeake Beach to DC, I checked out the real estate listings at www.trulia.com , and you can't exactly call that town affordable when SFH are in the $550k range, plus only 3,500 people live there! Oh, and it's 90.5% white and only 5% black. I can't be in a place with no diversity like this, and it's basically a Resort Town and not a real place to call home.

Thank you "trying2moveup", your detailed response was ever-helpful! I've been browsing on ziprealty.com and actually there ARE many McMansions to be had in Bowie & Upper Marlboro for $400k, and we are fine with re-sales because these homes were all built within the last 5yrs or so and thus have all the modern finishing touches. Whereas in Burke, the homes all were built in the 1970s and need MAJOR updating.

[RoadTripGurl]

Well, it sounds like Bowie is what you are leaning towards. I'm curious to know if you have actually been to see some of the houses for sale? The one thing I did hate about PG county real estate is that the homes were in such disarray it was very frustrating. I decided to move to better real estate, better schools, better in environment in north Maryland. You have to be in the environment to actually know if you will like it. I always recommend to rent first, especially in this RE environment where it is hard to sell if you don't like it. I think Bowie is still on the high end; my sis is a RE agent and I wasn't surprised at the prices for her listings.

[jessy0780]

One quick warning about Bowie Town Center, it does look nice, but I have friends who live in Bowie, and they call it Bowie Crime Center. My husband's family lives in one of the older neighborhoods- (S neighborhood), and they like the neighborhood very much, but not so much the surrounding area- and they send their kids to private school.

[Bigbluelandrover]

Well Bowie may work better for his/her commute or personal taste. I did my research on Middle/High schools and like someone just pointed out some of the lower performing Montgomery County schools outperform the PG schools. I also think there are some shifts in demographics where lower income people are moving to Bowie and that will affect test scores and the general student body.

[trying2moveup]

You know, the whole general attitude regarding PG county and other counties - particularly Montgomery County - is really starting to p*ss me off. And I was born and raised in Mont. Co., teach there, and taught and lived in PG and I am returning to live in PG so I think I have a basis on which to present a viewpoint.

THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN DC AREA (NoVa, MoCo, PGCo) IS COMPLETELY CHANGING!!! You have and have had major influxes of immigrants (and we don't need to go into whether they are here legally or not because it really doesn't matter - they are here and aren't going anywhere) and these people are not high up on the economic pole. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE??? People have to live somewhere, folks, and there are so many NIMBY attitudes on these boards it is ridiculous.

Now I am a realist - I know there are people out there that have no moral regard and live an illegal lifestyle, there are people out there that are riding the welfare gravytrain to the grave, and people out there that just don't give a rat's a** about anything. And this applies to all levels of the economic spectrum! There are also folks out there that are low income and they work like dogs just to exist and try to better themselves. They more than likely do not have the time to get into the schools and to tutor their kids at home; they are worried about where the next meal is coming from - not how to write essay on the life cycle of an ant.

I just really wonder how many people out there who sit around and talk about this school and that school and this county and that county actually get into those said schools and bust their butt making sure not only their children but ALL THE CHILDREN are getting the highest quality education possible?? I know from working as a teacher that it is not many - even in the so-called top performing schools most of the parents are not there to support the school in a truly altruistic way; they are around to "monitor" the teachers (and by that I mean bug the s**t out of the teacher about why Junior got 98% on his essay and not 100% and to "educate" the teachers/administration on how to do their jobs because, just like asking a nurse to do brain surgery they surely know more than those that received degrees in education) and the principal and scream at the top of their lungs the minute a section 8 complex is about to get redistricted into their feeder pattern. . .

So some lower peforming MoCO schools outperform PG schools. You mean, there are lower performing schools in MoCO???????? That must mean that there are low income people in Montgomery County - GOD FORBID!!!!

I put a post on here a few weeks ago about the Washington Post editorial about how PG schools have made great achievements COUNTYWIDE and are almost set to move - as an entire county - off the state's watchdog list. A few people did post on it and had positive responses.

But I still feel sorry for anyone looking into moving into a city in PG county - anytime someone mentions moving anywhere PG just gets completely slammed. It really is a shame. Sure there are really crappy areas, mostly around the DC border but there are also very crappy areas of Montgomery County - particularly right around Takoma Park, Langley Park, Silver SPring, etc. But I guess high class crappy (MoCo) is perceived as better than low class crappy (PG Co). . . and for everyone that thinks there is no gang problem WIDESPREAD in MoCo - wake the --- up.

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by trying2moveup

You know, the whole general attitude regarding PG county and other counties - particularly Montgomery County - is really starting to p*ss me off. And I was born and raised in Mont. Co., teach there, and taught and lived in PG and I am returning to live in PG so I think I have a basis on which to present a viewpoint.

THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN DC AREA (NoVa, MoCo, PGCo) IS COMPLETELY CHANGING!!! You have and have had major influxes of immigrants (and we don't need to go into whether they are here legally or not because it really doesn't matter - they are here and aren't going anywhere) and these people are not high up on the economic pole. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE??? People have to live somewhere, folks, and there are so many NIMBY attitudes on these boards it is ridiculous.

Now I am a realist - I know there are people out there that have no moral regard and live an illegal lifestyle, there are people out there that are riding the welfare gravytrain to the grave, and people out there that just don't give a rat's a** about anything. And this applies to all levels of the economic spectrum! There are also folks out there that are low income and they work like dogs just to exist and try to better themselves. They more than likely do not have the time to get into the schools and to tutor their kids at home; they are worried about where the next meal is coming from - not how to write essay on the life cycle of an ant.

I just really wonder how many people out there who sit around and talk about this school and that school and this county and that county actually get into those said schools and bust their butt making sure not only their children but ALL THE CHILDREN are getting the highest quality education possible?? I know from working as a teacher that it is not many - even in the so-called top performing schools most of the parents are not there to support the school in a truly altruistic way; they are around to "monitor" the teachers (and by that I mean bug the s**t out of the teacher about why Junior got 98% on his essay and not 100% and to "educate" the teachers/administration on how to do their jobs because, just like asking a nurse to do brain surgery they surely know more than those that received degrees in education) and the principal and scream at the top of their lungs the minute a section 8 complex is about to get redistricted into their feeder pattern. . .

So some lower peforming MoCO schools outperform PG schools. You mean, there are lower performing schools in MoCO???????? That must mean that there are low income people in Montgomery County - GOD FORBID!!!!

I put a post on here a few weeks ago about the Washington Post editorial about how PG schools have made great achievements COUNTYWIDE and are almost set to move - as an entire county - off the state's watchdog list. A few people did post on it and had positive responses.

But I still feel sorry for anyone looking into moving into a city in PG county - anytime someone mentions moving anywhere PG just gets completely slammed. It really is a shame. Sure there are really crappy areas, mostly around the DC border but there are also very crappy areas of Montgomery County - particularly right around Takoma Park, Langley Park, Silver SPring, etc. But I guess high class crappy (MoCo) is perceived as better than low class crappy (PG Co). . . and for everyone that thinks there is no gang problem WIDESPREAD in MoCo - wake the --- up.

Very well spoken!!

[lscalder]

Originally Posted by trying2moveup

You know, the whole general attitude regarding PG county and other counties - particularly Montgomery County - is really starting to p*ss me off. And I was born and raised in Mont. Co., teach there, and taught and lived in PG and I am returning to live in PG so I think I have a basis on which to present a viewpoint.

THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN DC AREA (NoVa, MoCo, PGCo) IS COMPLETELY CHANGING!!! You have and have had major influxes of immigrants (and we don't need to go into whether they are here legally or not because it really doesn't matter - they are here and aren't going anywhere) and these people are not high up on the economic pole. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE??? People have to live somewhere, folks, and there are so many NIMBY attitudes on these boards it is ridiculous.

Now I am a realist - I know there are people out there that have no moral regard and live an illegal lifestyle, there are people out there that are riding the welfare gravytrain to the grave, and people out there that just don't give a rat's a** about anything. And this applies to all levels of the economic spectrum! There are also folks out there that are low income and they work like dogs just to exist and try to better themselves. They more than likely do not have the time to get into the schools and to tutor their kids at home; they are worried about where the next meal is coming from - not how to write essay on the life cycle of an ant.

I just really wonder how many people out there who sit around and talk about this school and that school and this county and that county actually get into those said schools and bust their butt making sure not only their children but ALL THE CHILDREN are getting the highest quality education possible?? I know from working as a teacher that it is not many - even in the so-called top performing schools most of the parents are not there to support the school in a truly altruistic way; they are around to "monitor" the teachers (and by that I mean bug the s**t out of the teacher about why Junior got 98% on his essay and not 100% and to "educate" the teachers/administration on how to do their jobs because, just like asking a nurse to do brain surgery they surely know more than those that received degrees in education) and the principal and scream at the top of their lungs the minute a section 8 complex is about to get redistricted into their feeder pattern. . .

So some lower peforming MoCO schools outperform PG schools. You mean, there are lower performing schools in MoCO???????? That must mean that there are low income people in Montgomery County - GOD FORBID!!!!

I put a post on here a few weeks ago about the Washington Post editorial about how PG schools have made great achievements COUNTYWIDE and are almost set to move - as an entire county - off the state's watchdog list. A few people did post on it and had positive responses.

But I still feel sorry for anyone looking into moving into a city in PG county - anytime someone mentions moving anywhere PG just gets completely slammed. It really is a shame. Sure there are really crappy areas, mostly around the DC border but there are also very crappy areas of Montgomery County - particularly right around Takoma Park, Langley Park, Silver SPring, etc. But I guess high class crappy (MoCo) is perceived as better than low class crappy (PG Co). . . and for everyone that thinks there is no gang problem WIDESPREAD in MoCo - wake the --- up.

I agree with you 100%. I live in PG county and love it here. I live in a very peaceful community. I feel my family is living the American dream in PG county. I enjoy reading your post.

If you noticed when someone post negative things about PG county everyone response but when you post positive things about PG county those who respond to the negative post never respond to the positive post.Sometimes it makes me wonder if most people who do not like Pg county if it is mostly about race.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by trying2moveup

You know, the whole general attitude regarding PG county and other counties - particularly Montgomery County - is really starting to p*ss me off. And I was born and raised in Mont. Co., teach there, and taught and lived in PG and I am returning to live in PG so I think I have a basis on which to present a viewpoint.

THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN DC AREA (NoVa, MoCo, PGCo) IS COMPLETELY CHANGING!!! You have and have had major influxes of immigrants (and we don't need to go into whether they are here legally or not because it really doesn't matter - they are here and aren't going anywhere) and these people are not high up on the economic pole. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE??? People have to live somewhere, folks, and there are so many NIMBY attitudes on these boards it is ridiculous.

Now I am a realist - I know there are people out there that have no moral regard and live an illegal lifestyle, there are people out there that are riding the welfare gravytrain to the grave, and people out there that just don't give a rat's a** about anything. And this applies to all levels of the economic spectrum! There are also folks out there that are low income and they work like dogs just to exist and try to better themselves. They more than likely do not have the time to get into the schools and to tutor their kids at home; they are worried about where the next meal is coming from - not how to write essay on the life cycle of an ant.

I just really wonder how many people out there who sit around and talk about this school and that school and this county and that county actually get into those said schools and bust their butt making sure not only their children but ALL THE CHILDREN are getting the highest quality education possible?? I know from working as a teacher that it is not many - even in the so-called top performing schools most of the parents are not there to support the school in a truly altruistic way; they are around to "monitor" the teachers (and by that I mean bug the s**t out of the teacher about why Junior got 98% on his essay and not 100% and to "educate" the teachers/administration on how to do their jobs because, just like asking a nurse to do brain surgery they surely know more than those that received degrees in education) and the principal and scream at the top of their lungs the minute a section 8 complex is about to get redistricted into their feeder pattern. . .

So some lower peforming MoCO schools outperform PG schools. You mean, there are lower performing schools in MoCO???????? That must mean that there are low income people in Montgomery County - GOD FORBID!!!!

I put a post on here a few weeks ago about the Washington Post editorial about how PG schools have made great achievements COUNTYWIDE and are almost set to move - as an entire county - off the state's watchdog list. A few people did post on it and had positive responses.

But I still feel sorry for anyone looking into moving into a city in PG county - anytime someone mentions moving anywhere PG just gets completely slammed. It really is a shame. Sure there are really crappy areas, mostly around the DC border but there are also very crappy areas of Montgomery County - particularly right around Takoma Park, Langley Park, Silver SPring, etc. But I guess high class crappy (MoCo) is perceived as better than low class crappy (PG Co). . . and for everyone that thinks there is no gang problem WIDESPREAD in MoCo - wake the --- up.

From one teacher to another, this is exactly why I CHOOSE to teach in Prince Georges. Very well said.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by trying2moveup

You know, the whole general attitude regarding PG county and other counties - particularly Montgomery County - is really starting to p*ss me off. And I was born and raised in Mont. Co., teach there, and taught and lived in PG and I am returning to live in PG so I think I have a basis on which to present a viewpoint.

THE ENTIRE METROPOLITAN DC AREA (NoVa, MoCo, PGCo) IS COMPLETELY CHANGING!!! You have and have had major influxes of immigrants (and we don't need to go into whether they are here legally or not because it really doesn't matter - they are here and aren't going anywhere) and these people are not high up on the economic pole. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE??? People have to live somewhere, folks, and there are so many NIMBY attitudes on these boards it is ridiculous.

Now I am a realist - I know there are people out there that have no moral regard and live an illegal lifestyle, there are people out there that are riding the welfare gravytrain to the grave, and people out there that just don't give a rat's a** about anything. And this applies to all levels of the economic spectrum! There are also folks out there that are low income and they work like dogs just to exist and try to better themselves. They more than likely do not have the time to get into the schools and to tutor their kids at home; they are worried about where the next meal is coming from - not how to write essay on the life cycle of an ant.

I just really wonder how many people out there who sit around and talk about this school and that school and this county and that county actually get into those said schools and bust their butt making sure not only their children but ALL THE CHILDREN are getting the highest quality education possible?? I know from working as a teacher that it is not many - even in the so-called top performing schools most of the parents are not there to support the school in a truly altruistic way; they are around to "monitor" the teachers (and by that I mean bug the s**t out of the teacher about why Junior got 98% on his essay and not 100% and to "educate" the teachers/administration on how to do their jobs because, just like asking a nurse to do brain surgery they surely know more than those that received degrees in education) and the principal and scream at the top of their lungs the minute a section 8 complex is about to get redistricted into their feeder pattern. . .

So some lower peforming MoCO schools outperform PG schools. You mean, there are lower performing schools in MoCO???????? That must mean that there are low income people in Montgomery County - GOD FORBID!!!!

I put a post on here a few weeks ago about the Washington Post editorial about how PG schools have made great achievements COUNTYWIDE and are almost set to move - as an entire county - off the state's watchdog list. A few people did post on it and had positive responses.

But I still feel sorry for anyone looking into moving into a city in PG county - anytime someone mentions moving anywhere PG just gets completely slammed. It really is a shame. Sure there are really crappy areas, mostly around the DC border but there are also very crappy areas of Montgomery County - particularly right around Takoma Park, Langley Park, Silver SPring, etc. But I guess high class crappy (MoCo) is perceived as better than low class crappy (PG Co). . . and for everyone that thinks there is no gang problem WIDESPREAD in MoCo - wake the --- up.

Hear, hear! My neighborhood in PG is quiet. No major crime, knock on wood. But when I lived in Germantown (which is another sketchy area to me), a priest was murdered in a church rectory across the street from where I lived. I remember murders in White Oak (another sketchy area), Silver Spring, etc. I'd rather live in a good part of PG than a bad part of MoCo.

[Moth]

I'd rather live in a good part of PG than a bad part of MoCo.

As would most of the sane population of the universe.

But I suspect most would also prefer a good part of MoCo over a good part of PG, on most days.