Hyattsville - Queens Chapel Road area (Gaithersburg: hair salon, apartment complex, condo)

[condogirl]

I'm considering moving to an apartment on Queens Chapel Road in Hyattsville not far from PG Plaza. I currently live in Ft Totten in DC and my main reason for moving is to save money rent-wise. My question, is that area considered safe? I've noticed there has been a lot of development in the last few years and there is a Busboy's & Poets a block or so away from the complex (a definite plus since I LOVE that place). Can anyone give me insight into the area? Would you recommend it for a single girl? What do you consider the negatives/positives? Any replies are much appreciated. Thanks.

[bowian]

I have some limited familiarity with the general area. I would say that if you are out and about on your own, be very aware of your surroundings, at least close to PG Plaza. I have heard about a few robberies and a couple of sexual assaults in the area close to the mall. Overall, I think it is safe enough and looks like a vibrant area. I would research the area on a crime report website and find reviews of the apartment complex (if it is a complex).

[condogirl]

Thanks Bowian. I'm going to check out Montgomery County now...I did another post asking about Gaithersburg now...lived there about 12 years ago.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by condogirl

I'm considering moving to an apartment on Queens Chapel Road in Hyattsville not far from PG Plaza. I currently live in Ft Totten in DC and my main reason for moving is to save money rent-wise. My question, is that area considered safe? I've noticed there has been a lot of development in the last few years and there is a Busboy's & Poets a block or so away from the complex (a definite plus since I LOVE that place). Can anyone give me insight into the area? Would you recommend it for a single girl? What do you consider the negatives/positives? Any replies are much appreciated. Thanks.

I live in the area. I may have some things to add.

The positives.

A growing and developing transit oriented area that has gotten a lot of favorable press lately for being a great value, one of the few towns that has character, the Arts District, and even the schools which are receiving focus from PGPS.

The PG Plaza area has just about any amenity you may need outside of high end boutique stores. There is the mall of course, a grocery store, doctors offices, dry cleaners, hair salons, banks, restaurants, drug stores, a library, theaters, and the metro, all within a a few blocks of each other.

There are new luxury apartments being built all around the area including a new urban style Safeway next to the theaters. There are more luxury apartments in the works on the Kiplinger Property between the Giant and Home Depot. And in case you care, there is an approved Chik-Fil-A project in the parking lot of the mall and a McDonalds in the parking lot of Home Depot.

There are also a number of parks nearby. Hyattsville has two metro stations and is close to DC. A drive downtown takes 20 minutes.

Negatives.

Lots of changes are taking place. It's not a settled and established area. with all the projects going on, it may seem like the area is constantly under construction. And as much as the area has to offer in amenities, there is still a feeling of "place" missing. And that has yet to be realized. An example is the Arts District where there are festivals, art shows, etc. It is a place where people can congregate and socialize. currently there is nothing like that in other parts of Hyattsville and not in the center of where most of the retail lies, the mall.

Because of this, the area is still in flux as far as the appearance of safety for some. Some use the term seedy, others may say its sketchy. I try to take things at face value. All great places aren't shiny and new. And all unsafe areas aren't old looking and tattered. There are some shiny new places in Hyattsville (Arts District, University Town Center, Metro Shops), there are some old places, and then there are charming places. I always say safety is what you make it.

Having said that, Hyattsville is no less safe than where you are now, or a lot of places for that matter. If you look for crime in Hyattsville on websites, etc. You'll find it. But that doesn't necessarily mean that a place is unsafe for you. But you have to decide for yourself what defines a safe area for you. Your comfort level may be different than others. I feel perfectly safe walking around the mall area and in the Arts District with my wife and newborn.

Overall, Hyattsville is a nice place to live. A lot of developers are investing a lot of money in the area. I'm not sure that they would do that if they felt their residents would fear for their lives. That wouldn't be good for marketing and they would lose money on their investment.

Gentrification normally follows large-scale investment. This is currently the case for Hyattsville.