young couple moving to college park area - it cant be that bad (Silver Spring: crime, lawyers)

[djpapa]

Hi, my girlfriend plans to go to U of Maryland for grad school in the fall. On a visit to DC we drove around some neighborhoods in the area. Takoma park seemed great and Silver Spring seemed cool too. We were also reccomended Laurel. We want somewhere semi-walkable, neighborhood feel, reasonable rents and artsy people.

Every post I read on here of the entire area makes it sound horrible. When we visted these areas they seemed like very safe suburb environments to us. We live in Philadelphia and we've both had our houses broken into. It sucks when you are a victim of crime, but it can happen anywhere. For all of the people on these forums who complain about these areas being crime ridden, how many have actually been victims of crime? I'm assuming very few, and its more a question of changing demographics.

Can anyone give me a reasonable answer to what is the best area for us close to college park? Please dont tell me to move to some other region that is an hour drive away. There has to be somewhere good for young folks around there.

[tonyc]

college park heights..very nice, have friends living in there....

[NJ2MDdude]

Check out Hyattsville and Mount Rainier/Brentwood, if you're not afraid of diversity.

[djpapa]

Actually we think diversity is essential in a neighborhood. But it doesn't count as diversity if white people live on one end of town and black people on the other. Everybody has to live together to have a strong and functioning community. From what I have seen of DC and some of the people on this forum, this does not seem to be the case. People seem to be paranoid and isolated in their mindset. This wont help to make communities better. Perhaps the sprawling suburban geography without walkable downtown centers of the DC area contributes to this mindset? Just my observations as an outsider.

[bowian]

I think the areas mentioned above, plus Adelphi and Berwyn Heights, are more diverse than the more sprawling suburban areas. At least from what I've seen.

[dkf747]

You sound like you want to live in College Park itself. Try the Berwyn or hollywood areas of the city. I used to live in Berwyn and lived to tell the tale. It's not as safe as other places, but it isn't bad.

[ReefAreCoolToo]

Really, why there is so many people think Maryland is a warzone? This is good ol USA. Ya, maybe if you move into the hood.....If you can survive in Philly....College park is like a walk in the park for you...

[Blake2502]

I went to school at UMD and it was great! You could live right in College Park or I think Takoma Park sounds perfect for you. You could also consider living in DC, and she could have a reverse commute (against traffic) to school. For instance, the Adams Morgan area is fun and young, as is the U-street corridor. Capitol Hill could be a decent choice too. There is a large mix of people in each of those places, from students to lawyers to political types, lots of restaurants, etc.

[ceejamon]

Originally Posted by myselfdotcom

Really, why there is so many people think Maryland is a warzone? This is good ol USA. Ya, maybe if you move into the hood.....If you can survive in Philly....College park is like a walk in the park for you...

Seriously. There are areas in PG county and eastern DC that are rough, but otherwise Maryland is a decent place. Downtown Silver Spring is fantastic. You've got metro access to DC, and walkable area with all kinds of shopping, and it's a short bike ride to Rock Creek Park if you want to forget you live in civilization.

[trying2moveup]

All these comments above are on point but one item that is being overlooked is very critical-

WHAT IS YOUR PRICE RANGE?

THAT is going to determine which areas above - and those not mentioned here - are even on the consideration list.