DC Weather and Prince George's County Questions (Washington: condos, townhomes)

[ffknight918]

Here's my background:

I currently live in Milwaukee, WI. I'm a firefighter looking to move somewhere else. I hate the cold weather here. I actually want more of an urban place as well. My first choice is actually Los Angeles. I'm currently going through backgrounds with LAFD, but I still may not get the job. If I don't I will be moving to the DC area for some school and experience with a busy fire dept.

I'm looking at moving to Prince George's County. I'm not sure where yet, but possibly Hyattsville, Chillum, or Kentland areas. I would be moving into a fire house. They are mainly volunteer(however busier than almost every career fire dept in the country) and have areas for students to live in. I would be going to college at UMUC for my BS in Fire Administration or to Paramedic School ad Prince George's County CC. I wouldn't be moving until January because I want to finish my Associate's degree and graduate in Dec. I will be 21 at the time and would probably be in DC a lot.

How is the weather in DC year-round? Is there a lot or snow or rain? A lot of sunny days? Warmer or colder?

Also, I know this isn't th Maryland forum, but I think most people consider PG County as DC Metro. Is PG County(areas near the DC border like College Park, Hyattsville, Kentland, Chillum) urban? Does it feel similar to DC? Or is it a very suburban feeling?

I was going to ask about living without a car. I won't have a job because I'll be a full-time student and putting hours in at the fire house. I would be living there for free and going to school for free, but I still want to go out at night. I'll also need food and other necessities. So I would prefer not to have my car. However, I read some other topics and saw that many people get by without cars.

Thanks. Any help would be great. I should be coming down in June to visit some fire houses. I'll also be there to get in line to turn in my app for DCFD when they take them this June.

[hedgie]

You might want to go to one of the weather websites and compare Milwaukee weather to Washington D.C. weather. We do get snow but usually not as much as the midwest and nothern areas...not to say we don't get the occasional blizzard every few years. Summers are hot and humid. Newcomers often find the humidity uncomfortable. Personally, I like hot humid weather. I think it would be difficult to get around without a car but if you are a full time student at U of MD it might be possible. College Park has a metro station and the University has shuttle buses that run to that station on a regular basis.

[PenguinSix]

If you were at college park then you might be able to get by without a car, as 1,000s of other college students are in the same boat and stores and services are in place to cater to those without a car, but in many other PG areas the idea of being carless is pretty difficult (there are areas of DC I wouldn't want to be in without a car).

I'd urge you to do a trip out here and see first hand some of the areas.

[ffknight918]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely be out there in June to check it out. One place I'm looking at is Hyattsville. I'd be at the fire house though so it right by that mall(Prince George's Plaza?) which has a metro station.

Are those cities that I mentioned,(Hyattsville, College Park, Chillum) pretty urban? When I cross into DC does it look similar? Or is it more suburban?

Is there a decent night life? Or any other things to do? Or do most people usually go into DC?

Thanks again.

[DC's Finest]

Some places look similar but you can definitely tell the difference between PG and DC. DC is very walkable. The places you mentioned are semi-urban. As for nightlife, most people go to DC.

[MadTVFreak]

Hyattsville has just built up a whole new section of stores, its really nice over there, its a city walk and everything now. New eateries, the mall was recently renovated, the metro station is being renovated, new townhomes and condos, basically, all of Hyattsville is in the process of a makeover, so its a pretty good place to live.

Chillum is definitely more suburban. College Park and Hyattsville have that moderate mid-sized town nightlife feel... DC definitely has the best out of all

[ffknight918]

Thanks for the info!