Is White OAK safe? (Columbia, Silver Spring: low income, 2009, apartment complex)

[qajussi]

I am thinking about purchasing a TH in White Oak area(Rt-29 & Rt-650),Eastern-South section behind that three high rise apartments across that shopping center area.

Originall I looked at the new TH behind that shopping center, other side of three tall apartments but my wife was just afraid to drive through those apartment complex and bus stops.

One I am considering is still same proximity. It's other side of 650 behind that three tall apartment.

I signed a TH in Howard County last week and pulled out because this TH was available but we can't decide if this area is safe enough us to stay there. Main reason for looking in this area is to reduce our commute time from Howard County we are living in right now. I work in DC(take 295 south) my wife works in Bethesda area. We don't have any kids yet but trying to start a family.

Howard county is great but expensive(a little more) and commutting sucks for us. White Oak will reduce about 20 mins.
We looked at Gaitherburg and Rockville and they are too expensive and some of those Rockvile wasn't too nice either.

I need your help.
We can't decide if we should purchase this one.
We are so much in stress. We checked the records and schools ratings are not great near 20901.

Would like to hear your opinions.
Thanks much.

[iandw]

I bought a townhouse in White Oak in 2005. I think I know the location you're talking about, Seaton Square, right? Some parts of White Oak aren't so great, such as just past the intersection at Lockwood by the 7-11. Other than that it's fine, I haven't had any problems. The side that you are looking at is almost all single-family homes, and most of the foot traffic is going away from the community, from the bus stop/Enclave apts to the shopping center.

You may also want to check out Welcome To CrimeReports.com and looking at the visual data there. You can compare with the area in Columbia. You should be aware that the commute from Columbia is horrendous in the mornings -- Route 29 S gets backed up so bad from Burtonsville down to Four Corners.

[qajussi]

Thanks so much for your post.
All of my friends are saying two areas I am talking about North and South of 650 & Lockwood Dr are pretty much same, not so safe area.
I was wondering if being near single family houses would make any differences.
You hit the spot I am very concerned about.
There are new townhouses behind that shopping center. You pass that 7-11 on Lockwood Dr.
NVHomes is building a brand new townhouses and they are in our price range, little bit cheaper than Seaton Square.
You said already but you wouldn't recommned those THs would you?
Today I found out from the NVHomes rep that MC is building a rec center behind that new NVHomes.
I don't know what kind of neighbor it would create.
Also I wonder FDA's migration will bring out a little better safe neighbor.
Again I appreciate your post.
My wife and I couldn't make decision and are in so much stresss.
Buying our first home should be pleasant event!!

[Bigbluelandrover]

but my wife was just afraid to drive through those apartment complex and bus stops.


Then she is going to be scarred anywhere in the metro DC area. What exactly is she scared of?

I live further south of there and haven't had problems, but that intersection and the apartments off Lockwood are a constant breeding ground for car break-ins and robberies. Some apartments are low income and there are a lot of issues over there. However, the NV homes are up the hill and tucked away from that madness. Why don't you drive over there and talk to some of the residents? I visited and it always seems quiet but it is difficult to gage the safety of an area just driving by. This whole region is hit-or-miss. Even in Rockville there are nice homes next to near projects. Anyone trying to buy something nice in the $350-$450-ish range is going to have a tough time finding that right mix of good schools, low crime and a nice place that does not need $50k in upgrades.

[Bigbluelandrover]

This might be of interest:


County unveils plans for White Oak rec center

[qajussi]

Bigbluelandrover,

Thanks so much for your post.
We drove my NVhomes several times and we didn't get pretty impression from the surrounding.

I am trying to gauge if Seaton Square is any safer than NV homes and if NV home area is pretty safe.
So I appreciate very much for your time.

[Tom Lennox 70]

That part of Montgomery County is loaded with illegal immigrants, that should tell you enough.

[Bigbluelandrover]

illegals...ok..lol I didn't want to put it like that.

I have driven through a lot of the side streets and visited some open houses and from what I can see, just the Lockwood rd area (and a few old small TH's off 29 have the trouble spots. There are some really nice homes in White Oak off New Hampshire and those folks send the kids to private schools.

[Bigbluelandrover]

Also see this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/business/25labs.html

This is making me think that the area is on the road to improvement. It also seems like there is a very active neighborhood association so maybe participating can help "clean-up" the area. I'm also interested in the NV project.

[iandw]

Bigbluelandrover,

I just replied in the other thread ... looks like you already know about the rec center. The FDA campus consolidation should definitely bring some more educated people to the area. That was part of the reason why the Burnt Mills shopping center was able to bring in good retail tenants (Trader Joe's, etc.) Also, not sure if you are aware but nearby will be the new site of the Washington Adventist Hospital (behind the Target shopping center). That will hopefully bring some better residents to the community as well.

Qajussi, I would at least take a look at the NV Homes. The homes are up a hilly access road that prohibits foot traffic. But there is an apartment adjacent to the community so I would definitely look at the rec center plans to see if people would walk through to get there. In my community we're trying to gain enough support to build a perimeter fence to discourage trespassers.

There's not a whole lot else around this part of the county that compares better in terms of crime or perceived safety. I would prefer to live here rather than the townhouses around the Wheaton metro station or the ones right across from the Silver Spring metro, despite the convenience. There are some new construction THs at Fairland Rd that might have less foot traffic but that would add 10 min. to a southbound morning commute.