What about Waldorf? (Annapolis, St. Charles, Fort Washington: hotels, house prices, schools)

[sirc625]

I am originally from Maryand and also a US Air Force veteran whose last duty station was at Andrews AFB. Waldorf is not a bad choice as far as commuting to Andrews, however like others have said the commute is horrible (like most of the DC Metro area).

Waldorf/Charles County has not kept up with it's tremendous growth spurt and so the roads handle more vehicles than they were intended for. Route 5/301 (the main road towards Andrews AFB) is for the most part a two lane highway that is heavily congested on weekdays from 7AM-9AM. Anticipate a 45 minute drive to the front gates of the base.

On the other hand Waldorf has the feel of a small town with the luxuries of a small city. A large shopping mall, chain resturants, big box retail stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, Bed Beth and Beyond, etc.) and a new lake front retail/resturant development that is being built as we speak. Plus, the traffic isn't bad at all on the weekends

Waldorf wouldn't be a bad bet at all.

[lscalder]

I went to school in Montgomery County from Elementary-High school so I guess i would blame Montogmery County school system.

I see you know nothing about Waldorf because if you did you would have known that Waldorf is over develope verse Upper Marlboro which is under develope. We have no shopping malls in Upper Marlbor. I do get plenty of fresh air in Upper Marlboro. There are 5 farms that are 10-15 minutes of walking distant from my home. trying syaing that if you live in Waldorf.

[TeamBenya]

Originally Posted by lscalder

I went to school in Montgomery County from Elementary-High school so I guess i would blame Montogmery County school system.

I see you know nothing about Waldorf because if you did you would have known that Waldorf is over develope verse Upper Marlboro which is under develope. We have no shopping malls in Upper Marlbor. I do get plenty of fresh air in Upper Marlboro. There are 5 farms that are 10-15 minutes of walking distant from my home. trying syaing that if you live in Waldorf.

I hate to be argumentative here, but I do live IN Waldorf and I do in fact have farms within walking distance of my house. I think Upper Marlboro is a lovely area, and the layout is appealing, but I consider amenities such as the mall and the capitol clubhouse to be assets rather than liabilities, and they contribute greatly to my decision to live in Waldorf.

[historychick]

Waldorf sucks...the mall is not safe, people get stabbed in daylight. I live south in St Mary's County and it is very rural. People do not shop in Waldorf, they commute to Annapolis Mall or Tyson's Corners...I haven't been to either...I shop online.

[scarmical]

Thanks to all for the input. I get the feeling it is like every other place on earth - it has good and bad qualities. From the looks of the rental opportunities I am finding on the web, seems like alot of AAFB folks reside there. There seems to be alot of really pretty homes for rent within our housing allowance. And for the most part what I am reading is positive. We live in rural California now so being closed to shopping and restaurants doesn't sound all bad to us. Again, thanks for the input. The Carmicals

[Mom21]

People do not shop in Waldorf, they commute to Annapolis Mall

Annapolis Mall hmmm... would that be the mall where they had the shoot out in the food court a year or so ago?

I shop in Waldorf all the time, but I do try to avoid the Mall. I like the stores in the strip malls better anyway, and the parking is up close, therefore safer. And there are plenty of shoppers in Waldorf with all races well represented. If I go to the Mall, however, I try to either go with someone, or park up close in one of the less congested areas.

[longdistancecommuter]

I live in the "Sentry Woods" Community. I think you would like it there also. Like everyone says about the commute to Andrews, you are looking at 30 to 40 minutes even on a bad day. I commute to Baltimore everyday at around 1 hour and 15 minutes one way. So, 30 to 40 isn't bad.

There are grocery stores, the library and several churches near by and as I am sure you have heard. Plenty of other shopping on route 301.

I have 2 children...well young adults in the Air Force also. My son is at Eglin AFB Florida just returned from Iraq and my Daughter is at Peterson AFB Colorado Springs.

Good luck with your search. I know it can be frustrating; however there are plenty of homes in the area and I am sure you will make ther right choice.

[scarmical]

thanks for all the positive input. I think we have settled on Waldorf and look forward to joining the community and experiencing all the area has to offer. We have even found a couple of really good rental choices that we are narrowing in on and will probably rent on line. Since we are not arriving until late summer, I don't want to have to settle when we get there since there are good options available now.

To the individual with two children serving in the Air Force. . . you should be very proud of them. My husband has served for over 23 years and has also been to Iraq. I know the sacrifices first hand that our service members and their families go through. The Air Force is an honorable way to serve our country.

Thanks again to all, S Carmical

[sirc625]

Originally Posted by scarmical

Thanks again to all, S Carmical

Always glad to help my fellow military

[molukai]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

Waldorf is a strip mall heaven. If you are into places like Applebees & Chilis then its perfect.

Translation: If you're a middle-class family you will enjoy the general quality of life offered in this area.