SFH in Hyattsville or TH in Bowie? (Forestville, Upper Marlboro: section 8, apartment complexes)

[ChocLot]

Hi All,

Question for the folks here. Here's the scenario:

You have 3 children (soon to be 4 !!). Options (and preference) for now is renting. Would you prefer a SFH in Hyattsville (development called Hilltop Manor; 20785 zip) or a TH in Bowie, MD? Same # of bedrooms; yard-size and monthly rent is comparable.

Thanks.

[kjg1963]

Bowie without a doubt!

[lscalder]

Bowie

[jessy0780]

Defintely Bowie. Not even close!

[bunky3301]

Bowie...Bowie..Bowie.

[cool rob]

I'm not sure of your financial status, but there are a number of SFH and TH for under 200 K in the county, in pretty well off areas like Fort Wash, Upper Marlboro, etc. They may need a little work, but well worth the investment. So if your credit isnt too bad you may just want to purchase some property. But to answer your question, I would get the home in Hyattsville, more house for the money. Plus no community living, assigned parking, close neighbors, HOA BS etc. Plus the liklihood of Section 8 is more prevelant (IMO) in townhouse and condo communities.

[RaisedWell]

Originally Posted by cool rob

I'm not sure of your financial status, but there are a number of SFH and TH for under 200 K in the county, in pretty well off areas like Fort Wash, Upper Marlboro, etc. They may need a little work, but well worth the investment. So if your credit isnt too bad you may just want to purchase some property. But to answer your question, I would get the home in Hyattsville, more house for the money. Plus no community living, assigned parking, close neighbors, HOA BS etc. Plus the liklihood of Section 8 is more prevelant (IMO) in townhouse and condo communities.

I was going to say the same thing. I would rather live in a single family home that all up next to people. Your kids would have a yard, etc. Everything in Bowie isn't all that grand. I was looking at a TH in Bowie. I kept looking and I got twice as much house in Forestville for less.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by ChocLot

Hi All,

Question for the folks here. Here's the scenario:

You have 3 children (soon to be 4 !!). Options (and preference) for now is renting. Would you prefer a SFH in Hyattsville (development called Hilltop Manor; 20785 zip) or a TH in Bowie, MD? Same # of bedrooms; yard-size and monthly rent is comparable.

Thanks.

Bowie by a mile. What good is more house if the schools are terrible and crime is rising?

[MammaDICuatro]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

Bowie by a mile. What good is more house if the schools are terrible and crime is rising?

I agree with Alanboy395. Bowie would be MY choice over Hyattsville (OR Forestville, as another responder mentioned). Hyattsville and Forestville are both areas with worse schools and higher crime. It is not that Bowie doesn't have ANY crime...that would be naive. Often there are many years of "reputation" that precede some towns. However, one just needs to examine the demographics and the residential offerings of any town or small city to get an idea of which will offer a better quality of life. Hyattsville and Forestville both have a good number of rental communities (mainly apartments). I have found that rental communities tend to attract more "transient" residents and also blue-collar residents who might have to spend many long hours working to make ends meet, and therefore the youth are often left to fend for themselves, and may get into trouble by committing crimes. I can't recall Bowie having ANY rental apartment complexes. I also agree with another blogger that IF you can purchase, NOW would be a fantastic time to buy instead of renting (buying would give you more deductions, so you'd reduce your taxable income...). Bowie offers a HUGE variety of housing styles and great prices (the older Levitt homes are a GREAT value as long as you are not in need of a basement). Because the Levitt homes were built in the mid- to late-60s, many of them have been beautifully renovated AND often expanded, and offer a lot of space in beautiful neighborhoods with established trees and landscaping. The newer developments which are on the fringes of the main city also offer great values (most of those developments offer basements). Best of luck in your searching!!!

[dcdrogers]

DO NOT...I repeat...DO NOT move into the 20785 zip code. There has been quite a bit of development in the area, but take it from someone who has lived there during my teen years (and still know people ther) you do not want to do that to yourself or your family. I can all but guarantee that you will be looking to move again with 3 to 6 months.