Moving to MD, looking for safe apartments (Columbia, Silver Spring: apartment complexes, crime)

[Jobworkinger]

This summer, I'll be moving to MD(working over in North Laurel), and was trying to figure some options for places to live. I'm not looking for much, just a 1 bed/1 bath apartment for $1100 or less/month in a safe area. I already know not to look at PG, any of the apts along Castle Blvd. in Silver Spring, or any of the apts off Tamar Drive in Columbia.

So with all that in mind, what are some reasonable and safe options in Silver Spring, Columbia, or anywhere on the US 29 corridor between those points? Dring's Ranch at Briggs Chaney, Harpers Forest Apartments in Columbia, and Suburban Hill Apartments in Silver Spring are 3 complexes that seem to peek my interest(I plan on taking a weekend to go up and visit apts before making a decision), but what other complexes can I add onto my list? Thanks in advance.

[kjg1963]

I wouldn't recommend Suburban Hill apartments. It is too close to Langley Park and multiple other apartment complexes that are less than desirable.

Why not look in Laurel? Although most of Laurel is in PG, the historic area has many nice small apartment buildings with reasonable rents. Also, it is a fairly safe and diverse area.

[Jobworkinger]

Now, would those apts in Laurel be along Route 1? I really don't know much about that area but if you know of any safe complexes along there, I'm all for names.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Jobworkinger

Now, would those apts in Laurel be along Route 1? I really don't know much about that area but if you know of any safe complexes along there, I'm all for names.

I knew this discusssion also occurred several months ago. It mentioned The Pointe at Laurel Lakes, Emerson at Cherry Lane, Spring House and Patunxent Place. I'll leave it to you to find current prices and availablility, but the discussion was here:
//www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ng-people.html

[Jobworkinger]

Emerson at Cherry Lane seems to have gone down since a recent management change, according to apartmentratings.com. Let me look at the other places though and see what I find.

[Zimar]

Remember to take apartmentratings.com with a grain of salt. Sometimes people just log on to those sites to whine, or because they've had a problem that has not been addressed. My apartment had some awful reviews and I didn't have any of the problems that people wrote about (and I've been in my building for 3 years). Unless it's something that seems to have complete consensus I tend to ignore a lot of the reviews.

[Jobworkinger]

Now question, would it be worth considering looking at apartments in Gaithersburg if I'll be working in Skaggsville? Or would the commute be too much of a pain(ICC or surface streets regardless)?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Jobworkinger

Now question, would it be worth considering looking at apartments in Gaithersburg if I'll be working in Skaggsville? Or would the commute be too much of a pain(ICC or surface streets regardless)?

Possibly, but I think you would be better off closer to Laurel/Scaggsville. Is there a very good reason to look at Gaithersburg? Otherwise the commute is a pain, and the cost of the ICC would mount up.

[Jobworkinger]

At this point, it's just about finding that "best combination" of cost/safety/commute. A great resource I've been using with any of the perspective apartments I've looked at is https://www.crimereports.com/

[Jobworkinger]

Any opinions on White Oak Towers off 29? I checked the crime maps and this complex seems to be clear of anything. Plus, the commute would be perfect to and from work.