No.VA vs. So.MD (Laurel, Columbia: apartment, quality of life, live)

[claremarie]

It is absolutely absurd to suggest that someone who will eventually be working at Ft. Meade live in Virginia. There are good and bad areas in both Maryland and Virginia -- the problem is that many people make hasty decisions with insufficient information, never bothering to consider the reasons that some communities have lower housing costs than others.

[mississippimagnolia]

Did you read the title of her post? It was asking for opinions on NOVA vs Maryland.

We've lived literally all over this country and overseas. I've never had to pull a child out of a school before. I hate the idea of homeschooling, and I was an elementary school teacher before I had my kids. But we've never lived in a place where the schools were this bad.

We live in what is supposed to be a good part of Montgomery County. The houses in our neighborhood run between $400,000 and $900,000. The problem is the apartments and townhomes that now accept the Section 8 vouchers...or whatever they are called.

Crime is unbelievable! When we lived in NOVA, we didn't worry about crime in our neighborhood. Break ins, car theft, assault are common in Montgomery County and especially Germantown. There are been several murders just in the year we've lived here. For heavens sake, they found a body just off 270! And a child was shot on a bus coming home from school just because.

Stay away from Maryland. A longer commute is a small sacrifice for peace. Plus, you'll find a more educated community in some of the Northern Virgina areas. The people are friendlier. They are used to new-comers and are very welcoming. There is more for the kids to do.

[claremarie]

When you made your housing decision, did you research the schools? Did you understand that your son's school also served low-income housing areas? Did you look at the test scores and disciplinary issues?
There is a lot of crime in parts of northern Virginia as well -- the Falls Church area in Fairfax County, Culmore, South Arlington, parts of Alexandria and Annandale, and the Route 1 corridor. Even Springfield and Burke. There are gangs in Manassas and Woodbridge.
Your generalizations on Maryland and Virginia are way off base. Your experience in one part of Germantown is NOT representative of other communities in Maryland. It is not necessary for this family to endure a 1.5 hour commute in order to achieve "peace" and find friendly, educated, welcoming neighbors.

[mississippimagnolia]

I disagree with you, and that's ok. I did the research. We were told that Germantown was a great area. And I'm sure there are good parts of Germantown. Unfortunately, the crime spills over to the entire community.

We lived in Rockville. It was as bad if not worse. Gaithersburg is horrible as well.

I've also lived in Burke. There is just no comparison. Burke/Fairfax is a great area.

Listen, if you want the real deal, just go to "topix" and read the comments about moving to Germantown. Last time I read them, there was not a single positive comment.

[TrippingJay]

Originally Posted by mississippimagnolia

I disagree with you, and that's ok. I did the research. We were told that Germantown was a great area. And I'm sure there are good parts of Germantown. Unfortunately, the crime spills over to the entire community.

We lived in Rockville. It was as bad if not worse. Gaithersburg is horrible as well.

I've also lived in Burke. There is just no comparison. Burke/Fairfax is a great area.

Listen, if you want the real deal, just go to "topix" and read the comments about moving to Germantown. Last time I read them, there was not a single positive comment.

As Claremarie pointed out, you cannot simply judge an area on the whole based on one small area. Additionally, I would not trust an message board when people can anonymously complain and whine to be the ultimate authority on good and bad areas.

[firefightermom]

Must have missed this post...I lived in Germantown for 9 years, and a lot of what has been posted is true. What people seem to not understand is that MoCo requires section 8 to be everywhere in the county (supposedly--I really never hear of any in Betheda, Potomac or other richer down county areas) but Gburg and Germantown have a ton. I moved the spring before my son started K because there was no way my kids were going to go to Daly or the middle school.

Not everyone can like the same places...I find it funny that people get so aggravated when someone posts about bad experiences in places. Just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen! My neighborhood was having constant daytime breakins, muggings and beatings at the bus stops, kids robbed at knifepoint...I wish I didn't experience any of it, but I did. So we moved. Problem solved. So when someones wants info, I tell them the truth of what I know. So I get slammed, big deal.

[springfieldva]

In my opinion Northern Virginia is far superior to Maryland. But, I've lived in NoVA for a pretty long time and that's what I'm used to. With a 350K price range, you're probably looking at a townhouse in NoVa. Most of Northern Va is pretty safe suburbia. Crime happens but it is far from rampant.

I'm not all that familiar with the neighborhoods in Maryland. But I've known more than a few people who have lived in Maryland for years and years - quite happily and safely. And they would never think of leaving MD for NoVa. Have you checked out Olney, Silver Spring, Bethesda? I've also heard that Fort Washington is a pretty area. Traffic in the DC area can be brutal so if those areas would offer you a decent commute, they might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

[Gottasay]

Originally Posted by claremarie

When you made your housing decision, did you research the schools? Did you understand that your son's school also served low-income housing areas? Did you look at the test scores and disciplinary issues?
There is a lot of crime in parts of northern Virginia as well -- the Falls Church area in Fairfax County, Culmore, South Arlington, parts of Alexandria and Annandale, and the Route 1 corridor. Even Springfield and Burke. There are gangs in Manassas and Woodbridge.
Your generalizations on Maryland and Virginia are way off base. Your experience in one part of Germantown is NOT representative of other communities in Maryland. It is not necessary for this family to endure a 1.5 hour commute in order to achieve "peace" and find friendly, educated, welcoming neighbors.

I agree. Practice common sense when it comes to crime -- Germantown is a very nice community with lots of wonderful neighborhoods. Commute distance IS key when it comes to the DC area.

[LogSS]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

In my opinion Northern Virginia is far superior to Maryland. But, I've lived in NoVA for a pretty long time and that's what I'm used to. With a 350K price range, you're probably looking at a townhouse in NoVa. Most of Northern Va is pretty safe suburbia. Crime happens but it is far from rampant.

I'm not all that familiar with the neighborhoods in Maryland. But I've known more than a few people who have lived in Maryland for years and years - quite happily and safely. And they would never think of leaving MD for NoVa. Have you checked out Olney, Silver Spring, Bethesda? I've also heard that Fort Washington is a pretty area. Traffic in the DC area can be brutal so if those areas would offer you a decent commute, they might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

I have to agree with SpringfieldVA that NOVA is far superior and safer than Suburban MD. This is my and majority of Northern Virginians opinion so dont hate us.

All: Crime is everywhere. Bethesda, Silver Spring, Columbia, Potomac, DC, Manassas, Woodbridge and everywhere else in the entire metro area have some sort of crime. I'm sure Vatican city have some other crime which to not mention on this blog. You just have to be mindfull of your surrounding. If you want to move to MD and be close to work, I suggest you move to Columbia or Laurel. Both areas are close by Ft Mead and have lots to offer in term of shopping and recreation. Both are nice suburbs and are great places to raise your kid. Yes both have crime but it not as rampant as other part Prince Georges county. Anywhere you go, there will be some sort of crime.

[ToughLuv]

Silver Spring MD