Moving to Severn, near Ridge Road. How safe is it? (Baltimore: apartment, renting)

[kyle_51]

My wife and I will be moving to Severn soon. Our new place is on Severn Road, a short distance east of Ridge Road.

We were looking for a bigger place, closer to work, in a safe area. We hit the nail on the head on the first two (our place is over twice the size of our current apartment and only about 10 minutes from work), and we thought we were okay on the third, because it seemed like a nice enough area when we went to look at the house. But after reading some of the posts on here about Severn, I'm not so sure.

Our current place is in University Park, and I never found it particularly safe. Anybody that knows anything about University Park will probably raise their eyebrows when I say that. University Park is a nice, affluent town, and is one of the best places to live in Prince George's County. It overall is a safe place to live. But I live on the edge of town, near Baltimore Avenue and East-West Highway, which isn't too far from some sketchy parts of Riverdale.

Anyhow, what does everybody think of the area I'm moving to?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by kyle_51

Anyhow, what does everybody think of the area I'm moving to?

I suspect the reports on this board on Severn are exaggerated. I used a spotcrime map of the area. For the past two months there were two attempted robberies, eg:
Robbery 10/12/2012
DISNEY ROAD AND PONDEROSA DRIVE
The Victim Was Approached From Behind And Physically Assaulted By Two Male Suspects, Who Forcibly Removed His Cell Phone

and

Robbery 11/28/2012
82XX CLEARWATER COURT
Attempted Robbery

Also one store attempt at Arundel Mills Mall.

I'd suggest not walking alone in the evening, and avoiding areas with shady characters hanging around. But, Severn doesn't sound exceptionally dangerous for the DC area.

[mamax3]

We currently live in a neighborhood that borders both Severn Rd and Ridge Rd. There are a lot of families in our neighborhood, and generally everyone is pretty nice and looks out for each other. There was a shooting in our neighborhood this past summer - a graduation party where the kids were drinking and apparently someone brought a gun - but that is the only shooting I know of. I don't know of any robberies, and we've never even had a package stolen off the porch. I'll admit we're hoping to move to a better school district soon, but the area isn't too bad. Nothing to be scared of as long as you stay smart and lock car/house doors, call the kids in when it gets dark, maintain communication with the neighbors, etc.

[Be careful]

Please do a back round check on your landlord. There is a landlord who own a lot of houses on pioneer drive and lie about who own the properties because he is not suppose to be renting homes in the area.

[TheCaliforniaMarylandPers]

The last time I lived in Maryland ages ago before moving back here, I lived in Severn near Ridge road. Severn is not a bad place at all. Its a small family oriented town. If you have kids and schools are a priority, then one thing you may not like about that area is that it feeds into Meade High School. But in my opinion, do not be turned off by Meade High, or the neighborhood. Severn is like any middle class town. Its just fine to live there, and Meade is not bad, like some people make it out to be. Every town and school has its flaws, and Severn/Meade is no different. So if you really like your new house, I would stay with Severn. I promise it will be fine, and I promise your kids will be fine in the Meade schools (if you have them).

[quincy627]

I used to live in Quail Run, just a little bit down Severn Rd. from you. I also work for the FD that serves that area. There are hot beds of activity around Severn. The Provinces have their issues but no as much as Meade Village & Pioneer City. The thing I did not like while living here was as soon as you got to know your neighbors, they move. I guess the proximity to Ft. Meade lends itself to a transient population.

[psusra112]

Very transient population as quincy stated. You just need to be smart with folks walking around the neighborhood who look like they don't belong. AACO PD is really good about sending a squad car around to check out folks who are just wandering a neighborhood trying to peddle things.

There was a shooting out that way last year, a drive-by if I recall correctly. Just be smart and watch yourself at night.