Best Places in Maryland to Live and Commutable to Gallaudet University for Work (Columbia: estimate, commute to)

[Derry8107]

Takoma Park near Gallaudet University and Annapolis & Odenton (both with 45 minutes commute to D.C. with rush hour) doesn't sound too bad compared to 1-2 hours with rush hour if you live in areas such as Gaithersburg and Rockville. I like many communities in southern Montgomery County but it's ridiculously expensive!

I am astonished to see how diverse D.C. Metro and Maryland in general are in most parts. Coming from small southern town in Mississippi and currently living in Madison, WI with lack of diversity, I feel little awkward about diversity in D.C. It will be cultural shock for me, for sure. I don't think this is the case everywhere but I am curious to know how it is for D.C. Metro.

Could diversity have alot to do with crime rate in D.C. and its declining public schools or is it just the consequence of white flight like most American cities?

How safe is Takoma Park? It's practically next to Prince George's County and its demographics are 48% White, 34% Black, almost 5% Asian, and almost 15% Hispanic with 10.3% of population under poverty.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Derry8107

Takoma Park near Gallaudet University and Annapolis & Odenton (both with 45 minutes commute to D.C. with rush hour) doesn't sound too bad compared to 1-2 hours with rush hour if you live in areas such as Gaithersburg and Rockville. I like many communities in southern Montgomery County but it's ridiculously expensive!

I am astonished to see how diverse D.C. Metro and Maryland in general are in most parts. Coming from small southern town in Mississippi and currently living in Madison, WI with lack of diversity, I feel little awkward about diversity in D.C. It will be cultural shock for me, for sure. I don't think this is the case everywhere but I am curious to know how it is for D.C. Metro.

Could diversity have alot to do with crime rate in D.C. and its declining public schools or is it just the consequence of white flight like most American cities?

How safe is Takoma Park? It's practically next to Prince George's County and its demographics are 48% White, 34% Black, almost 5% Asian, and almost 15% Hispanic with 10.3% of population under poverty.

Isn't "diversity" the result of "white flight"? If they hadn't left then there would be less "diversity".

From what you just posted, I don't think you will like Takoma Park. Anywhere near any Metro station will generally be more diverse than you are used to.

[dc20002]

I'm also thinking about moving to Annapolis. I've looked in Virginia and like the others say, unless you're right next to a metro or the VRE, it's just not worth it. Traffic is horrendous, even on the weekends.

It would help to know what price range you're looking for, and what your work hours are at Gallaudet. I'm a big fan of public transportation so if I were to move to Annapolis I would drive to New Carrolton and take the metro from there. Traffic seems to be at it's worst when you get close to the beltway on 50 and then when you get into DC on New York Ave. So if you were to take the metro or Marc from new carrollton, you could easily get into DC in less than an hour. Given how far Annapolis is, that's a pretty good commute time.

[Derry8107]

After reading several posts, I have narrowed my list down to few surburbs.

First, I want to thank for the suggestion to check out surburbs in Virginia but I am not interested.

Anyway, I think I would like to live no farther north than Rockville down to Montgomery County/D.C. line and anywhere west of PG County except for Takoma Park and Silver Springs.

I am also considering Crofton since it's closer to D.C. than Annapolis is but not too far from the water for recreational opportunities.

[onyxsmom]

Did you try elkton? the kensington courts is nice, bit pricey and seems like an army base in N.carolina, ck it out

[Derry8107]

Thanks for your suggestions for other MD cities to consider!

What do you think about College Park, Maryland?

Is it a big no unless it's near UMD campus like most people on City Data Forum commented?

I did my research on College Park. Although it's in Prince George's County, it's fairly safe compared to the rest of the county.

I also found a nice, affordable apartment home complex called Wyndfield Park or something similiar for its name. I believe it's near the Capital Beltway on Baltimore Ave. Does anybody know about the complex or the area it is located at? Is it safe?

[dkf747]

College Park is fine. I used to live in CP and in Beltsville, so I know that area well. Those apartments are fine. They are separated from the rest of CP by the Beltway.

[myinfo]

is the commute from annapolis to rockville in winter avg 45 min. or is it more like 1-2 hours?
i've got to make decision quickly. please help.

[dkf747]

I'd say 1-2 hours.

[jayman1981]

My question I have for you is what are you looking for. Are you a city type of person or a suburban type? Reason I'm asking is that your asking about a lot of urban areas. Now let me tell you a little something, be open to friends with everybody. Northern P.G. Montgomery county are very diverse. Plenty of Africans, Hispanics, West Indies, and so much more, the thing about it is a lot of people are pretty civilized. Just have an open mind and be ready to interact with the general public. We won't bit you.

Now that I got that out the way, P.G. is the cheapest locations closet to Galludet. I would suggest City of Hyattsville, Beltsville, Greenbelt, Lanham, Glenn Dale areas. These areas with the exception of Beltsville are pretty close to metro stations. Also If you choose to drive It would be easy to hope on 295 and take Benning Road to Bladensburg Road and hook a left onto West Virginia Ave. and finally hook a right on Florida Ave. New York avenue in reality would be the quickest way, but often times it's jam packed so just think about he alternate route I gave you. Takoma Park and Silver Spring are also great locations as well. I'm all for cutting down time on the road. In my personal opinion Annapolis, Odenton, Crofton are just way too far to commute into DC. People do it all the time, but I bet if you were to ask those same people if they like a closer commute they would say yes in a heartbeat.

P.S. side note. Come out here and explore the areas mentioned. Columbia Heights and Some locations off of Georgia and Florida Avenues wouldn't be so bad, but you also have to use common sense around these areas as well.

Originally Posted by Derry8107

Thanks for your suggestions for other MD cities to consider!

What do you think about College Park, Maryland?

Is it a big no unless it's near UMD campus like most people on City Data Forum commented?

I did my research on College Park. Although it's in Prince George's County, it's fairly safe compared to the rest of the county.

I also found a nice, affordable apartment home complex called Wyndfield Park or something similiar for its name. I believe it's near the Capital Beltway on Baltimore Ave. Does anybody know about the complex or the area it is located at? Is it safe?