The truth about Waldorf, MD? (Bowie, St. Charles: apartments, home, safest area)
Washington, DC suburbs in MarylandCalvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County
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I was raised in Waldorf from 8th grade until High School Graduation. During this time, was the time that I noticed a steady increase of an affluent african american migration from DC and PG County. I myself was a product of that. My parents decided to move due to the perceived 'better public school system' and the cheaper home prices. It was actually between Frederick County Schools or Charles County Schools. We moved to 'Ashford Oaks', which is located on Berry Rd on the western side of Route 301 (which is also known as the nicest part of Waldorf). While attending the new middle school that was built, I noticed that I was the only person of color in my class, which to me at first was a shock when coming from PG County. As the years went by .. that became less of an issue ... schools have become more diverse with the times.. There has been a quite notable population/demographic shift in Northern Charles County in particular. Its a literal explosion in the amount of people. This shift reflects the rather affluent African American professional majority in PG County and even other counties in Northern VA as well (specifically Prince William).. You also get others who are lower income as well, but mainly middle to high income. Just look at the waldorfs average income . It has only increased in the past ten years due to this demographic shift. Its rather unique and should be studied. Once I went off to undergrad and grad - and settled into my job in Montgomery County, I would come back to see my parents and friends... my friends would tell me how things have 'changed' - and how 'ghetto' it has become. I honestly don't think it has become 'ghetto'. Its just that many who have been here for x years have been accustomed to it being non-diverse. So with the change, it bothers them so. I tell those same people to take a stroll up to what i call 'civilization', which is PG County and Montgomery County and youll see real diversity, and many people from all walks of life.. with populations exceeding 1.8 million when combined. - With charles county's low population, they are in training wheels ... all of the more developed counties have been through this process as well. Get used to it - When I go home ... I feel like I can take a deep breath and exhale and just enjoy the peacefulness. - Then fight my way back up home on 270 LOL!
If you settle in Waldorf, I recommend the Western Side, such as Streamview, Ashford Oaks, Constitution Hills, etc ... From a congestion standpoint, you wont have to worry about crossing that god -awful intersection 301 at Berry Rd (ITS HORRIFYING in the morning) - and you will lose at least 15 minutes by just sitting there (depending on what time you leave for work). At least being on the Western end, you can just ride on 228 to 210 - and take it over the Wilson Bridge into VA. GOOD LUCK!!
I just want to note that I really don't think people are saying "ghetto" because more black people have moved into the area. I have only been in Waldorf 4 years - I have lived all over VA and grew up in Richmond which I consider to be diverse. The problem I see with Waldorf is safety, crime and disrespect for people - that is what is making the term "ghetto" come up. When people are being robbed at the mall, bus stops and even in some of the communities along 228 have had several armed robberies - people just trying to get in or out of their car in front of their home are being robbed. The employees in Walmart are loud and obnoxious and not professional at all - Yes I realize it's Walmart but you should still act like you have some sense! I never experienced that type of behavior in Richmond. And lets not blame just the employees - a customer in Target is on her cell phone talking loudly cursing and I have my kid in the cart near by. There are a few incidents where people have been shot while in their car driving - one just happened in St. Charles a week or two ago, I drive that street a few times a week - its scary. These things are what make me refer to the place as "ghetto".
Wow .. thats pretty serious fjennell. Dont know what to say to that one. I had a previous conversation about what we deem 'ghetto' etc. with one of my friends. I guess we all have our own definitions... but not feeling safe could count for that... I just dont like rude and ignorant people regardless. To defend my argument, I will say that those residents of Waldorf are probably not doing that (acting rude in public, etc) or committing crimes. Most likely those same people are probably from the outside..
but who really knows? - I cant really say too much about it since I dont live there anymore. My parents are barely there either. LOL! Now that I think of it, I live in the 'good' zipcode of gaithersburg... but my particular section of the 'good' zipcode, most people would consider it as or as mom21 put it as 'dicey'. There was a murder across the street from my condo complex (at these apts) (i refuse to name names LOL) earlier this year. All the while, youll have robberies and home invasions in the Kentlands (which happens to be one the best areas in gburg, if not the best) - So who knows!
Hee, did you guys think I forgot about you!?!?! Of course I wouldn't leave you hanging and not tell you where we decided to live!!! We're down to 2 properties, one in downtown La Plata - a crazy 4 story 1940's house right on St. Mary's St, literally a stone's throw from my husband's office (but we are totally freaked out about the fuel oil it uses for heating)...or another crazy huge place out in Faulkner (that uses a fuel pump). The latter is probably where we will end up, it's way more house than we need, but the rental price is awesome, it's located on 3 secluded acres, it's clean, close to where we want to be, the master suite is bigger than the entire house I live in now, there is a fenced playground in the backyard WITH a playhouse for the kids...and oh yeah...it has a giant wet bar w/6 stools and a slot machine...all for $1800/mo!?!?!??! I don't know what the heck the landlord is thinking!!! Oh, and I can totally get DSL there, which was a huge concern of mine...so, yeah. No sense is dealing with the BS in Waldorf if we have options like that.
Thanks again for all the posts. You guys are great!!! I am very thankful. BTW, the other night we ate dinner at that new Szechwan Garden place (did I get that right??) over by the mall in Waldorf (near Boston's Pizza)...and it was pretty disappointing. Also, it's not a buffet...
Hee, did you guys think I forgot about you!?!?! Of course I wouldn't leave you hanging and not tell you where we decided to live!!! We're down to 2 properties, one in downtown La Plata - a crazy 4 story 1940's house right on St. Mary's St, literally a stone's throw from my husband's office (but we are totally freaked out about the fuel oil it uses for heating)...or another crazy huge place out in Faulkner (that uses a fuel pump). The latter is probably where we will end up, it's way more house than we need, but the rental price is awesome, it's located on 3 secluded acres, it's clean, close to where we want to be, the master suite is bigger than the entire house I live in now, there is a fenced playground in the backyard WITH a playhouse for the kids...and oh yeah...it has a giant wet bar w/6 stools and a slot machine...all for $1800/mo!?!?!??! I don't know what the heck the landlord is thinking!!! Oh, and I can totally get DSL there, which was a huge concern of mine...so, yeah. No sense is dealing with the BS in Waldorf if we have options like that.
Thanks again for all the posts. You guys are great!!! I am very thankful. BTW, the other night we ate dinner at that new Szechwan Garden place (did I get that right??) over by the mall in Waldorf (near Boston's Pizza)...and it was pretty disappointing. Also, it's not a buffet...
ttyl!!!
Sounds like you guys are going to make out just fine congrats!
Hee, did you guys think I forgot about you!?!?! Of course I wouldn't leave you hanging and not tell you where we decided to live!!! We're down to 2 properties, one in downtown La Plata - a crazy 4 story 1940's house right on St. Mary's St, literally a stone's throw from my husband's office (but we are totally freaked out about the fuel oil it uses for heating)...or another crazy huge place out in Faulkner (that uses a fuel pump). The latter is probably where we will end up, it's way more house than we need, but the rental price is awesome, it's located on 3 secluded acres, it's clean, close to where we want to be, the master suite is bigger than the entire house I live in now, there is a fenced playground in the backyard WITH a playhouse for the kids...and oh yeah...it has a giant wet bar w/6 stools and a slot machine...all for $1800/mo!?!?!??! I don't know what the heck the landlord is thinking!!! Oh, and I can totally get DSL there, which was a huge concern of mine...so, yeah. No sense is dealing with the BS in Waldorf if we have options like that.
Thanks again for all the posts. You guys are great!!! I am very thankful. BTW, the other night we ate dinner at that new Szechwan Garden place (did I get that right??) over by the mall in Waldorf (near Boston's Pizza)...and it was pretty disappointing. Also, it's not a buffet...
ttyl!!!
LOL......good sounds like you found a nice place.As for Szechwan Garden's,it just reopened....that's a new location give them time...the're pretty good,and IMHO...the less buffet's in Waldorf the better.
Waldorf is getting worst and I would not advise anyone to move to the area close to the mall. The further the better. I did see the mall is getting renovated but the stores are horrible. The mall needs better stores and the people who goes to the mall are very loud.
The mall is totally run down.
I used to live in Waldorf, until I moved to La Plata 3 months ago and I agree completely with your quote. I went to John Hanson, a middle school which encompases most students who lived in Waldorf for 6th and 7th grase (Im in 8th grade now) and I saw a fight or some delinquent doing something stupid; pulling someones pants down, screaming out obsenities, ect. almost every day, and now, I am in Milton Somers, and I havent observed anything despicable yet so im impressed with La Plata.
Waldorf is getting worst and I would not advise anyone to move to the area close to the mall. The further the better. I did see the mall is getting renovated but the stores are horrible. The mall needs better stores and the people who goes to the mall are very loud. The mall is totally run down.
Once again, I urge any of you considering Waldorf to take what Iscalder says with a grain of salt. She has stated in many posts concerning PG county that most of the negativite comments come from people who don't live in the county, but yet she has nothing but negative comments about Waldorf, and she does not live there. She often states something to the effect that "I went to the Mall in St. Charles and never again" but yet she keeps posting this. So, I mean, if every trip was going to be your last trip, why do you keep coming back?
If you want to know anything about Waldorf, the good, the bad and the ugly I can let you know, as I do live there.
I was thinking the same thing...she said never again months ago but says she was there "last night" a few days ago. I do think Waldorf is getting worse and worse but by no means do I think PG is getting better. Just MY OPINION!
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. It has only increased in the past ten years due to this demographic shift. Its rather unique and should be studied. Once I went off to undergrad and grad - and settled into my job in Montgomery County, I would come back to see my parents and friends... my friends would tell me how things have 'changed' - and how 'ghetto' it has become. I honestly don't think it has become 'ghetto'. Its just that many who have been here for x years have been accustomed to it being non-diverse. So with the change, it bothers them so. 
