Forest Glen Metro Station area (for sale, apartment complex, leasing)

[PBSG]

Hello,

I am looking at a possible move in June/July to MD from Ohio. We've searched for apartments online and will go to view some next month.

We would like to try to live within walking distance to a Metro stop, and one of the places that caught my attention was Americana Finnmark Condo Community, which is right next to the Forest Glen Metro stop. I can't find anything about it online, just wondering if it is a waste of my time going out there.

If anyone has any suggestions for places please feel free to PM me. We are a couple with a 8 month old boy and a 8 year old Yellow Lab.

[trying2moveup]

I just spent 6 months in a condo in Americana Finnmark that my aunt owns after we sold our home and were house hunting for the next one. It is definitely a plus that you can walk one to two blocks and get on the metro. It is one of, if not the first, condominium complex in that area and was built over 40 years ago, if not longer. Given that fact, though, I think that the structures and the grounds are in good shape. These are condominiums, not an apartment complex, so you will either be renting from an owner but also they usually have a few that are for sale. They do allow pets and they have a pool, tennis courts, two small play areas (one is very old - metal swingset that we never played at), and it is gated.

THere is a mid-rise which has an elevator, but all the rest are garden style and all walkups/stairs. My aunt's condo is on the 3rd floor (top level) and believe me, it was a pain to get a 4 year old and 2 year old up and down those steps with groceries, etc. (and moving in and out was no small feat). There are laundry facilities in all the buildings for people to use if your unit does not have w/d. Depending on which building you are in you may get alot of noise from Georgia Avenue, which fronts the complex - it is an endlessly busy street and you are also right at the Georgia Ave exit to the Capital Beltway (which is very convenient but realize that the rest of the world that commutes will be using that every AM and PM). You are also very close to downtown Silver SPring which has been completely revitalized with shops and restaurants.

IN sum, the metro stop and location are very good for anyone that is looking for ammenities and needs/would like to use MEtro for commuting or as much as possible. Your trade offs are going to be that the exterior of the complex is not dated to the 2000s, you will have to deal with alot of traffic and noise from the Beltway and Georgia Avenue (also, Holy Cross Hospital is right near there so ambulances and sirens/medivacs can be heard) and Americana Finmark basically is on what I would call the fringe of Wheaton. . . which can be a dicey area depending on which post you read on here, but on the whole Wheaton is very urban and predominately Hispanic. I'm not saying that as a slight, but as a fact.

[PBSG]

Thank you for your help! I am mostly concerned with my wife and childs safety above all else. I can deal with the lack of a concierge or no granite counter tops as long as it is a clean and safe area. I lived in Houston Texas for four years so hispanic/immigrant areas are no stranger to me.

From what I've gathered the complex is private and about 30 percent of it is rented out by owners. After looking around different places online I think this may be the best option. I've worked in an apartment complex for two years during college and can tell you all sorts of horror stories from the leasing office. I would much rather deal with a personal owner one on one than a corporation or an incompetent agent.

Any other thoughts or suggestions please feel free to write them out, and thank you again for all of your help.

[trying2moveup]

I think you'd be happy there - I always felt safe and people were for the most part very friendly.

[Turtlegrl]

I was wondering if you looked into moving to the Americana Finnmark? I, too, am looking and have a medium sized dog, but I heard they have a pet restriction of 25lbs. Does anyone know how strict they are on this?

[inex1]

They are very strict on this, best to find a different community if yout Dog is over 25LBS

[dkf747]

Does it have to be that station? There are other stations that have apartments or condos nearby. I'm thinking of King Farm near Shady Grove, but there are others.