Real Estate Market South of National Harbor (Baltimore, Annapolis: middle-class, for rent)

[Fast GTO]

Had an interesting conversation with a broker and investor today. Both suggested that the area south of NH is still a relatively untapped gold mine especially considering the eventual Casino and Tanger outlets that will result in people moving to and renting in this area. The investor actually stated that they are going to start holding properties for rent instead of flipping them. They were both under the impression that NH wouldn't stay cut off from the community for too many years and that the NH investors wouldn't let the neighborhood go to crap since that would impact NH as well.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Fast GTO

Had an interesting conversation with a broker and investor today. Both suggested that the area south of NH is still a relatively untapped gold mine especially considering the eventual Casino and Tanger outlets that will result in people moving to and renting in this area. The investor actually stated that they are going to start holding properties for rent instead of flipping them. They were both under the impression that NH wouldn't stay cut off from the community for too many years and that the NH investors wouldn't let the neighborhood go to crap since that would impact NH as well.

It's been a gold mine for decades even before National Harbor was built, the problem is that the area has suffered from a group of individuals who don't want to see the area develop and poor leadership.

[molukai]

pg, that'll change. By God, I will make that change. All the new middle-class movers to the Fort Washington area that I have met seem to be with me too on this sentiment.

[scrapper105]

Although I live in Northern PG (and although I was opposed to the casino approval), I have high, high hopes for that area. However, it will be incumbent upon the County Executive, the County Council, and County Planning staff to manage development in that area. The Planning Board, well, eh, they don't seem to do much well at all except approve every single thing that comes across their desks.

I really hope that the County Executive can overcome his greed and let the county Planning staff use their training and expertise to help guide development in this area. It could be an amazing area in 15 years.

[Fast GTO]

I really think they need to open up pedestrian/bicycle entrances to NH even if they don't want to open up more roads. Would be nice to make the Fort Washington, Tanger, NH all accessible on foot.

[Zimar]

You could argue that all of PG County is a potential "gold mine" for a real estate investor. Based on proximity to D.C., Baltimore, the Eastern Shore, and Annapolis, the # of metro stations and MARC train stops, the housing stock, the crazy prices in other areas, and the green space (I personally find MD a lot more attractive on the whole than NOVA), this should be the most desirable area in the metro region.

But until the schools/crime/business climate is at least comparable to MoCo and NOVA, that is just not going to happen.

[Fast GTO]

I'll be honest. I think most of it has to do with racism. When I asked my friends in the area where to live when I moved here they all said to avoid PG County and Southern Maryland. Only real reason for this is because of the color of the neighborhoods. Also probably a little bit to do with there not being much to do (movie theaters and shopping), which is why NH and Tanger are big for the area. Speaking of which, NH or Tanger should open a theater.

Other than Anacostia and other major urban areas crime is no more prevalent than other area's in NOVA. Just look at crime reports and the density maps.

It is kind of funny the looks I get around here though. Neighbors must think the neighborhood is going to crap with the white guy moving in, LOL.

The last year I have been in Fort Washington has been great, I go on runs a lot and always get a wave from those driving by on swan creek etc...

[Zimar]

I agree with @Fast GTO. A LOT of it is racism. That's why I moved to the county myself, because I can't bring myself to care what color my neighbors are. But you can't deny that the schools and the crime need some work. Where I live most of the crime is petty crap, but it still hurts the area and the perception of the area. Like my mum told me growing up, when you're different, you can't just be as good as the next guy, you have to be better.

[justtitans]

I'm going to say that SOME of it's racism, but most of it is legitimate concerns. Perhaps the racism part stems from the stereotype that black neighborhood typically have high crime and bad schools, but the issues aren't that simplistic to explain and if you are an outsider (which many people who are critical haven't really been around there), you aren't going to understand the full intricacies of what is really happening. That's where misconceptions come in to play. With that said, people have a legitimate reason to question the quality of the schools, to question the crime relative to the rest of the region and the inconsistency in quality of life (the northern part is much nicer and more developed than the southern part). The question is, can PG get out of it's own way and turn the tide. It's going to start with people changing their mindset. You can't keep voting the same people in and expecting different results.

[molukai]

There were two young black men that I didn't recognize in a stylish car driving up past me in my neighborhood. They slowed down and then, while looking at me, waved hello. Yeah, PG County sure is dangerous.