Arts District in Hyattsville - Risky investment? How good is the surrounding area? (Columbia: apartments, condos)

[schultz on the move]

My husband & I are looking to relocate semi-permanently in the DC metro area, we've lived in several areas of DC itself ranging from Palisades, Columbia Heights, Penn Qtr to Dupont over the past 3 yrs. However, prices are sending us outside the city for the square footage we would really need. We now have a daughter who is just about to turn 1 and plan to live in the area for approx 5 yrs give or take... we really like the Arts District in Hyattsville MD but the surrounding area really concerns me. I don't know much about it or MD in general but it seems a bit scetchy & full of lets say undesireables. This area is supposedly in transition & I've heard is on the rise, I'm just not seeing it. Does anyone have any info on Hyattsville or thoughts on the area where the Arts District is?

[NJ2MDdude]

The gentrification of Hyattsville has been a slow work in progress for nearly 20 years. I believe the economic downturn will further slow it down, nonetheless the improvement in the community is quite visible. I believe Hyattsville has its own police force; plus PG Cty police maintains a station there. DC is accessible by Metro and MARC. There was a plan for a full service YMCA in the Arts District. I'm not sure about the status of that plan. Basically, it's urban living at a substantially lessor cost. Overall, I feel quite safe when I'm in Hyattsville. Public schools are questionable, but there's a private Quaker school called Friends Community School nearby:

Friends Community School

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by NJ2MDdude

The gentrification of Hyattsville has been a slow work in progress for nearly 20 years. I believe the economic downturn will further slow it down, nonetheless the improvement in the community is quite visible. I believe Hyattsville has its own police force; plus PG Cty police maintains a station there. DC is accessible by Metro and MARC. There was a plan for a full service YMCA in the Arts District. I'm not sure about the status of that plan. Basically, it's urban living at a substantially lessor cost. Overall, I feel quite safe when I'm in Hyattsville. Public schools are questionable, but there's a private Quaker school called Friends Community School nearby:

Friends Community School

As well as Dematha High, and you are in short proximity to University of Maryland, College Park. They are supposed to as well create a new shopping center near Prince George's Plaza Mall, and if I am not mistaken, a Soccer Stadium for DC united is currently in "negotiation" for that area or Greenbelt, so you might be in a good position to buy in cheap. You also have some older communties in that area that are nice, such as Brentwood and Colmar Manor, however you also have the bad side of Riverdale and Mount Rainier. If the price is right though, I would do it. Good Luck!!

[barbieemarley]

i lived in adelphi for a good minute not to far from hyattsville by the Univ of MD. hyattsville would be a good investment. i mean u lived in dc, y be worried about whats in maryland.

[cometz]

I just wrote a bit about my one year experience in Hyattsville (about three years ago). See the thread titled "need info about Hyatssville " (sic)

It wouldn't be my first, second or third choice. PG county wouldn't be my choice ever.

[Skapov]

I moved to Brentwood, just next door to Hyattsville, in 2006 and from what I can see this area has greatly improved in just a short time frame. They've built it up around PG Plaza Mall, there are new apartments now (The Mosaic at the Metro) right beside the metro, and condos next to the Mall. That commercial strip is really great, all the stores/shops that you need.

Arts District is coming up nicely but aren't a lot of newer retail establishments there yet, but it's nice and I LOVE that diner FRANKLINS, great delicious food for good prices. All in all, I like this area, but it's not as residential and "suburban" as Upper Marlboro where I currently live, and the gentrification process has at least another 5-10yrs to go before the community will resemble some of those near metro stations in Fairfax/Montgomery/The District.

My advice, GO FOR IT, now is the time to buy, and if things don't work out you can always move on in 5+ years of so and probably retain your investment. Hope this helps.

[exscrantonian]

I do not know but I've felt safe in Hyattsville. Would I raise kids there.. probably if I could have afforded the Friends school. It was not meant to be--we moved but if you are used to living in the DC area especially Brookland--no difference really from what I recall. Miss the people there

[AAdams1957]

I'd like to know what qualifies the people as "undesirable." As someone who lives on Jefferson Street, and has lived here for the past 20 years, I take an incredible amount of offense to the comment. The Arts District is ruining what used to be a very nice, quiet, suburban neighborhood if you ask me and most other people who have been in the area for years.

[btsilver]

Originally Posted by AAdams1957

I'd like to know what qualifies the people as "undesirable." As someone who lives on Jefferson Street, and has lived here for the past 20 years, I take an incredible amount of offense to the comment. The Arts District is ruining what used to be a very nice, quiet, suburban neighborhood if you ask me and most other people who have been in the area for years.

You know what they mean when they say "undesirables." Its a PC way of stating what they want to say.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by AAdams1957

I'd like to know what qualifies the people as "undesirable." As someone who lives on Jefferson Street, and has lived here for the past 20 years, I take an incredible amount of offense to the comment. The Arts District is ruining what used to be a very nice, quiet, suburban neighborhood if you ask me and most other people who have been in the area for years.

Interesting, you are the first person I've heard say this. What do you think is wrong with the development?