Takoma Park vs Takoma (Silver Spring: apartment, safe area, theater)

[rosie74]

I currently live in Takoma Park on Flower Avenue and am thinking about moving to Takoma DC. My apartment building doesn't have the best maintenance and I need to find a new place. I like my neighborhood, but haven't seen anything that suits my needs here and is in my price range. Right now I am within walking distance of Piney Branch Road which is fine during the day, but a bit sketch at night. My block of Flower Ave is fine, but I honestly don't like to walk thru the Piney Branch intersection late at night, I always drive. I have been here for over four years, so I am very familiar with this area and with downtown Silver Spring.

The apartment I'm looking at in Takoma is near the Metro, in the area close to the old Takoma Theater. I'm very familiar with the Takoma DC area on the other side of the Metro overpass, where Busboys and Poets is located and the Old Town Takoma MD area. I hang out there all the time and I have walked to the Takoma Theater on the weekend from Old Town to go to the coffee shop that opened there. Is this a safe area to live in, particularly walking at night from the Metro or from my car? Unlike my current apartment, the place I'm looking at does not have parking, so I would have to park on the street. I would need to get a DC residence parking permit, but is parking hard to find? How is the area near the recreation center that borders the school? Do I need to be concerned about leaving my car out of site overnight?

Also, for any of you that have lived on both sides of Takoma/Takoma Park, do you notice a difference in the neighborhoods? I like the down to earth feel of Takoma Park and the fact that it feels like a real community. I also like the walkability and the access to the trail down near Sligo Creek. Is there trail access on the Takoma side?

Any insight would be appreciated!