Is Mt Ranier MD really that bad? (Washington: condo, violent crime)

[roni175]

My husband is being relocated to DC for a government job... I began searching online for houses and noticed adorable renovated homes in Mt Rainier MD. When I began to google info on Mt. Rainier... I found it didn't have the best reputation. I have a 4 month old son and would like an area that is safe to walk/run, etc. If Mt. Rainier is so bad... who are these people doing renovations... are they out to trick the out of towners like myself? lol! Any help would be appreciated. Our budget for a single family home would be about 350k

[Mrs. 14th & You]

Here is a Washington Post articles that might help you to get a sense for Mt. Rainier.

Mount Rainier seeks 'greener,' business-friendly downtown - washingtonpost.com

The author's stance seems to be that it's an up-and-coming area that might be pleasant for businesses and households willing to invest for the medium term.

Believe it or not, $350k for a single family home that close to DC is almost unheard of. Within seedy city neighborhoods, that amount will get you a small two bedroom condo.

The areas of PG County close to the Beltway have a bad reputation -- mostly for crime. Parts of the county border the poorest and most crime-infested parts of DC, so it's natural that the political border is completely porous when it comes to criminal acts.

I can't speak specifically to the statistics for Mt. Rainier in terms of safety. A feeling of safety is subjective anyway. Look up the various online sources for crime statistics and see if it fits within what you deem to be your comfort level.

[jm67]

I don't think Mt Rainier is that bad. It's a bit broken-down and seedy, but not a hotbed of violent crime. And it does have an interesting Bohemian, artsy undercurrent trying to push past the liquor stores and check cashing places. But I'm also willing to bet that most people doing renovation work there don't have school-aged children. So that might be a factor for you...

[smakawhat]

Originally Posted by jm67

I don't think Mt Rainier is that bad. It's a bit broken-down and seedy, but not a hotbed of violent crime. And it does have an interesting Bohemian, artsy undercurrent trying to push past the liquor stores and check cashing places. But I'm also willing to bet that most people doing renovation work there don't have school-aged children. So that might be a factor for you...

Mt. Rainer is very much a sort of junior Takoma Park without the big money.. it's definitely got some granola in there... It's actually quite nice in places I know someone who has lived there for quite sometime.

[BKmachine]

ahhhh Mt. Rainer, the old streetcar suburb.

[mississippimagnolia]

I'll echo what smakawhat said. Mr. Rainer feels a lot like Takoma Park. Are you going to be there long enough that you'll have to worry about schools? That would my biggest concern.

[Moth]

Is Mt Ranier MD really that bad?

The incident that inspired The Exorcist took place there. Its soiled ground- a portal to something mere mortals only know of in their nightmares.

[The Heartbreak Kid]

Originally Posted by Moth

Is Mt Ranier MD really that bad?

The incident that inspired The Exorcist took place there. Its soiled ground- a portal to something mere mortals only know of in their nightmares.

Actually, it happened in Cottage City, MD

[roni175]

I don't think my husband and I would be here long enough to worry about schools. He's planning on taking a job that will get him into the next phase of his career... and hopefully will be able to move on after 2-3 years.

[roni175]

Any other suggestions about good areas that are affordable and easy to commute to pentagon area?