Relocating to College Park, MD. Apartment advice. (Greenbelt, Beltsville: apartment complexes, rental)

[NanTal]

Hi,

I am relocating to MD and have been looking at a few apartment complexes there. I am considering moving int the Towers of Westchester Park because it will be close to UMD and Goddard. I might move to a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment depending on the total cost (rent + utilities).

Has anyone lived there before and what might be typical utility bill for apartments in that area?

I would appreciate any advice regarding this.

Thank you so much in advance!

[nanoscale]

Are you looking for right in between or are you looking both in CP and Greenbelt?

I ask because the housing situation is complicated and changing in College Park right now. Several large complexes on US Rt 1 for students have opened or are opening in January. This is sucking students (the major market) from the surrounding area.

The neighborhoods have traditionally been a prime spot for rental hunting. I happen to know that long-time landlords are complaining that for the first time ever, it's taking a long time to rent them out. Depending on what Westchester Park is charging these days, you might be able to rent out a small house for same.

Westchester Park has been around a loooooong time -- I can remember people renting there back in the 80s. They have two styles: high-rise & townhouse-style. The quality will depend on the date of the most recent renovation. It used to be a popular place for students, esp grad students, but with all the new options I'm guessing that WP will have to be more competitive.

I'm not familiar w/ utilitity bills at WP specifically, but for the houses it ranges from very reasonable for modern homes w/ heat pumps to ridiculous for the older houses. Particularly bad are the houses built around WW2 in North College Park because they have no insulation.

If you can swing it, move to the area after UMCP starts its spring semester. All landlords (complexes, private options) will be more likely to deal.

I'm sure you've already been told to avoid Springhill Lake Apts right next to the metro.

[coquinegra]

Hmmmm, did you consider Beltsville? the two apartment complexes above the beltway in college park are pretty close to both college park and NASA Goddard...and peobably cheaper.