Recommend a community in Bowie, MD (Greenbelt, Beltsville: HOA fees, condo, houses)

[ccse]

I've already done the search and read what everyone has to say about PG/Bowie. My husband and I are still going to buy there, we're coming from GA. Can anyone that actually lives in the area recomend a community, so far my research has only pointed me to fairwood but their hoa dues are high...so any other in the area??

no bashing PG/bowie in this thread thanks.

[cool rob]

It depends on what your price is, as well as what you are looking for (SF, TH, Condo, older home, new development). Also keep in mind that Bowie is comprised over various zip codes and all are not created equal as far as price, location, schools, shopping etc.

[RT85]

About a mile north of the Fairwood community is North Ridge. They also have a small community center and trails. The houses in North Ridge are a bit smaller than Fairwood, so it would probably cost a little less.

[bowian]

Northridge is very nice. Because it's older than Fairwood, the trees are more established and it looks less "barren."

I also like Westview, which is off of Church Road. Houses are a bit smaller than Fairwood, and it's a smaller community. Also off Church Road is Woodmore Highlands amd Mount Oak Farm. Nice houses in both of those communities. Fairview Manor off of Church is nice, but has larger homes. I also like Grovehurst and Twelve Oaks off Church. Be aware that not all of these communities are in the city of Bowie.

Just off Route 450 is Red Willow, a really cute little community but older. Fairview is off of High Bridge Road. The homes there mostly were built in the 80s. But the neighborhood is very well kept.

If you're more into the McMansions, Woodmore North is still selling; starting prices might be down to the 500s by now. I don't know about the HOA fees there, but it's very well-kept.

In the city of Bowie, there is Saddlebrook and Saddlebrook West, off Race Track Road. At least one of these communities has a pool. They're nice.

If you're interested in the smaller, older homes, there are the Levitt houses (ranchers, colonials and Capes) in the city. If you have young children, be sure to look for Levitt neighborhoods that are zoned ffor Tulip Grove, Heather Hills, Whitehall, Rockledge or Pointer Ridge elementary schools.

Central Avenue (Rt. 214) has many subdivisions -- Collington Station and Devonshire Estates among them.

This will get you started. You can google these communities and see what kind of houses pop up. Good luck.

[ccse]

Thanks- We're looking at staying in the 20721 area code...for commuting purposes and we'll be doing private schools or a magnet program if we're lucky to get in. Our price range is 350 to 450...we;d like a SFH

[bowian]

Originally Posted by ccse

Thanks- We're looking at staying in the 20721 area code...for commuting purposes and we'll be doing private schools or a magnet program if we're lucky to get in. Our price range is 350 to 450...we;d like a SFH

Many of the places I mentioned are in 20720, probably the most popular zip code in the area, along with 20721. Much of 20721 is considered Mitchellville. In that price range, you may be able to find something in the Lake Arbor area, which is nice overall. You may want to also check out Canterbury Estates.

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by ccse

Thanks- We're looking at staying in the 20721 area code...for commuting purposes and we'll be doing private schools or a magnet program if we're lucky to get in. Our price range is 350 to 450...we;d like a SFH

In that case Woodstream Elementary is a very nice Private Academy in the Mitchellville/Woodmore area, it is about 8-12,000 a year depending on the age of the child. For that price (350-400) you should be able to find something nice anywhere in the county.

The areas which used to be called one thing, have been rezoned and now called another (mitchellville is now Bowie, Kettering is now Upper Marlboro, etc) so be careful in which area you do settle in, as this will not only affect your school zone, but may also your tax base (city of Bowie pays taxes that other areas of Bowie do not because of police force, etc )

Are you limited just to Bowie for any particular reason? There are some nice subdivisions cropping up in the south of the county (ft. wash, clinton, accokeek, brandywine, upper marlboro) that appear nice, especially since you plan on doing private school anyway.

[ccse]

Thanks. We’re not limited to Bowie, but based on our research it seems a better fit for us. My husband will be working in Greenbelt and me in DC, so it's either Bowie or Glenn dale. We like Bowie better from what we can deduce so far. I wanted the 20721 area because my commute would be about 15 miles from DC anything else it goes to 20 or more. Plus if we end up at the magnet program that we like, it's in Seabrook so we'll need to have a short drive to the Greenbelt area and DC.

We looked at greenbelt and couldn't find anything we liked. We wondered about Beltsville, it’s not out yet, we have some possibilities in Glen dale but we really like Bowie. The town center, parks and close proximity…

[bowian]

Cool rob, to many folks, it will always be Mitchellville and never, never Bowie. I won't get into the history!

My daughter went to Woodstream for a year. Mixed reviews, but very nice people, from teachers to admin., run the school.

[RT85]

I used to live in the Red Willow neighborhood (20720) and I had a Bowie mailing address, but I wasn't technically in Bowie. My voting place was at High Bridge Elementary School, but I could not vote in the Bowie elections.

Something to think about.