What do you think of moving to Waldorf (Bennsville, Bel Air Acres)? (St. Charles: crime rate)

[chefjoyce]

I've posted about Fort Washington and now expanding my home search to Waldorf area. Does it make a difference to be in Charles County?

We are relocating to Bolling Air Force Base come September 2012. We are looking to possibly purchase a home. Would you recommend Waldorf? If so, what area of Waldorf?

I am looking at the newer homes, year 2000 and newer, preferably 4 or 5 bedrooms. The prices are very reasonable (compared to Alexandria, Arlington) and we are wondering is there anything we need to know before purchasing or moving into this area?

Are the houses well insulated? What are the approx. heating/gas/electricity bills for a 2500~3000 sq ft. home?

We have a 20 month old daughter (she will be 2 yr. 4 mo. when we move, hopefully with another on the way). How are the schools in this area? I know it is in the Charles County, but is it safe here? Why are the prices so reasonable? Is this area not in demand? Just want to understand the housing economy more before making a big purchase! Any advice would help us out.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by chefjoyce

I've posted about Fort Washington and now expanding my home search to Waldorf area. Does it make a difference to be in Charles County?

We are relocating to Bolling Air Force Base come September 2012. We are looking to possibly purchase a home. Would you recommend Waldorf? If so, what area of Waldorf?

I am looking at the newer homes, year 2000 and newer, preferably 4 or 5 bedrooms. The prices are very reasonable (compared to Alexandria, Arlington) and we are wondering is there anything we need to know before purchasing or moving into this area?

Are the houses well insulated? What are the approx. heating/gas/electricity bills for a 2500~3000 sq ft. home?

We have a 20 month old daughter (she will be 2 yr. 4 mo. when we move, hopefully with another on the way). How are the schools in this area? I know it is in the Charles County, but is it safe here? Why are the prices so reasonable? Is this area not in demand? Just want to understand the housing economy more before making a big purchase! Any advice would help us out.

Home prices are pretty comparable to most areas in Southern MD. Not as familiar with the neighborhoods but friends that live there like it. There are a lot of new developments there so you have a wide selection of new homes to pick from. As far as schools, Charles County is really good so unless something major happens in the next few years you should be fine there. Utilities can be high but that is a by-product of the area. You or your Realtor can get an estimate from the utility companies (that's what I did) once you identify an subdivision/area.

[North Beach Person]

Anything built after 2000 is going to be insulated per the updated codes, so yes, they'll be well insulated. Heating costs will vary according to your system-heat pumps are electric and generally are expensive to heat with although they do an efficient job with air conditioning. Many house also have auxiliary oil or gas heating.

Be aware that northern Charles County is now majority-minority due to Black flight out of Prince George's County (to the north) over the last decade or so.

Advantages to northern Cahrles would include more house for the money and lower taxes, better schools generally, proximity to DC, availability of recreation like hunting fishing and boating. Waldorf/St. Charles also have fairly large mall complexes.

Downsides would include the fact that the area embodies the worst in suburban sprawl and planning, traffic can be a nightmare and even weekends show no let up, a property crime rate that while low has shown a steady increase the last several years,

[spleuchan]

Not sure exactly where those are, but from the sound of it if they are located off of bensville rd, that in my opinion is probably the best part of Waldorf. I used to live in Dorchester, which is near the mall, and I think that used to be considered the nice part of Waldorf, but crime wise at least, it has gone down hill fast.

Everyone's tolerence for crime is different, so go to www.crimereports.com . You can search up to the past 6 months, which won't include the entire high crime summer period, but you might have to zoom in pretty close if you search a neighborhood near 301 in Waldorf for you not to max out at 500.

Schools can be hit or miss. There are some pretty good schools and some not so good schools. You can check out www.schooldigger.com and www.greatschools.org for a starting point (key word starting).

[insthrnmd]

If you are considering Waldorf, I would recommend some of the neighborhoods off of rt. 228. I know some people who live in a neighborhood off of Bennsville Rd (which is off of 228) and commute to Bolling AFB. I don't know much about the elementary or middle schools in this area but this area is mostly zoned for North Point High School (some may still be zoned for McDonough), which is the newest school in Charles County. This area would also be closer than other parts of Waldorf for commute wise.

[Rapp5]

If you don't mind a commute- go to La Plata! Waldorf is growing too fast and only collecting trash from surrounding areas. The traffic is bad through the "main" section of Waldorf more times than not. Saturday morning/afternoon looks like Monday morning rush hour.