Washington, DC and Maryland suburbs

[ClinPsyApp]

can someone offer me some insights if I were to choose one of these cities to live in: Riverdale Park, Takoma Park, Capitol Heights..

**note: I want to be in reasonable distance to Gallaudet University..

thanks in advance!

[OregonGal]

I don't know about Riverdale Park or Columbia Heights, but Takoma Park is a nice safe neighborhood with a Metro station, which I believe is on the same line as Gallaudet. The downside, if you're younger or like a decent nightlife, is that it's very much a family-oriented neighborhood. Not much in the way of restaurants, bars, etc--you have to take the Metro into DC for all that.

[ClinPsyApp]

On 3/19/2012 at 10:10 AM, ClinPsyApp said:

can someone offer me some insights if I were to choose one of these cities to live in: Riverdale Park, Takoma Park, Capitol Heights.. **note: I want to be in reasonable distance to Gallaudet University.. thanks in advance!

On 3/19/2012 at 10:29 AM, OregonGal said:

I don't know about Riverdale Park or Columbia Heights, but Takoma Park is a nice safe neighborhood with a Metro station, which I believe is on the same line as Gallaudet. The downside, if you're younger or like a decent nightlife, is that it's very much a family-oriented neighborhood. Not much in the way of restaurants, bars, etc--you have to take the Metro into DC for all that.

That sounds like a perfect one for me! Can you suggests any other cities that is like-wise but maybe closer to Gallaudet? In case I choose to drive to school?

another question, is can anyone suggest me a place to temporarily stay in the area, while I search for a place. I'm thinking that it's better that I go and see the area in person, before I put my money to it, instead of paying for a place without seeing it first. An affordable hotel, within reasonable distance to DC (or even better in DC itself), I don't need anything luxurious for that.

[impulse_nerve]

I'm going to be attending a PhD program this coming fall at the University of Maryland - College Park and was curious about the commuting scene...

I know the green line will get me to and from campus but was probably thinking of buying a parking decal anyway. that being said, I hadn't considered living outside the city of College Park.

Anyone have any insight on places to live that would be still be a reasonable daily commute to the UMCP campus?

How close to DC would be a mistake with regard to traffic? Is there traffic in that direction?

I'm from Florida so I haven't the slightest clue as to the traffic trends/suburbs/cities up there.

General information appreciated =]

[GreenePony]

Can anyone comment on the practicality of commuting from Van Dorn/Alexandria to the Foggy Bottom and Metro Center Stops?

Google says it's about a 30 mn ride but I don't know how accurate that is. The complex has a shuttle to the stop and the walk afterwards seems pretty short.

 

Edited April 4, 2012 by GreenePony

[sonnyday]

I'm going to be attending a PhD program this coming fall at the University of Maryland - College Park and was curious about the commuting scene...

I know the green line will get me to and from campus but was probably thinking of buying a parking decal anyway. that being said, I hadn't considered living outside the city of College Park.

Anyone have any insight on places to live that would be still be a reasonable daily commute to the UMCP campus?

How close to DC would be a mistake with regard to traffic? Is there traffic in that direction?

I'm from Florida so I haven't the slightest clue as to the traffic trends/suburbs/cities up there.

General information appreciated =]

The surrounding area including Greenbelt and Hyattsville are a good way to go. Many students live behind Beltway Mall near the Greenbelt metro station, which has a grocery store and a Target among other things. Cost of living will be cheaper than in the city and the commute will be easier coming from the MD side. But honestly, anywhere within the 495 Beltway loop will have a bit of traffic. As I'm from the area I'm pretty used to it though, and its not that bad to me, but may be for some people.

[maeisenb]

I'm going to be attending a PhD program this coming fall at the University of Maryland - College Park and was curious about the commuting scene...

I know the green line will get me to and from campus but was probably thinking of buying a parking decal anyway. that being said, I hadn't considered living outside the city of College Park.

Anyone have any insight on places to live that would be still be a reasonable daily commute to the UMCP campus?

How close to DC would be a mistake with regard to traffic? Is there traffic in that direction?

I'm from Florida so I haven't the slightest clue as to the traffic trends/suburbs/cities up there.

General information appreciated =]

I agree with what Sonnyday wrote in terms of living, especially if you are going to have a car and don't care about being on the Metro line. I'd personally live somewhere in northern DC on the green line. but that's cause I think DC has a lot more to offer than the suburbs in terms of night life, things to do, etc. Reverse commuting up to College Park if you want to drive isn't as bad either. But obviously these are two very different options.

Can anyone comment on the practicality of commuting from Van Dorn/Alexandria to the Foggy Bottom and Metro Center Stops?

Google says it's about a 30 mn ride but I don't know how accurate that is. The complex has a shuttle to the stop and the walk afterwards seems pretty short.

30 minutes sounds about right, although you will have to potentially switch lines depending on where exactly you'll be going and what line you're on. The question with the shuttle is how often it runs, especially if you are taking classes outside normal commuter times (8-9am in the morning). I'd be hesitant to be anywhere more than a 10-15 minute walk to the Metro if you're going to rely on it everyday to get to and from school.

[GreenePony]

30 minutes sounds about right, although you will have to potentially switch lines depending on where exactly you'll be going and what line you're on. The question with the shuttle is how often it runs, especially if you are taking classes outside normal commuter times (8-9am in the morning). I'd be hesitant to be anywhere more than a 10-15 minute walk to the Metro if you're going to rely on it everyday to get to and from school.

It's supposedly all on the blue line. The shuttle part is more convenience. My husband will be working from home so if it's outside the usual time he can easily pick me up- it's also about a mile from the complex. I'm still not decided but my husband really likes the complex and they have a decent dog policy. I'm hoping the apartment in the Capital Hill area will work out but this is a good lead too. Thanks.

[hawkeye7269]

I'm going to be starting at Catholic University of America in the fall, and I'm (totally lost) when it comes to knowing anything about the area the school is in, what sort of thing to be looking for in terms of housing, etc. I've looked at some of CUA's online resources, but they're slim pickins'. So I suppose my question is this: does anyone know much about safe neighborhoods in the vicinity of CUA, and what sort of rent prices I might be looking at there?

Thanks!

[maeisenb]

I'm going to be starting at Catholic University of America in the fall, and I'm (totally lost) when it comes to knowing anything about the area the school is in, what sort of thing to be looking for in terms of housing, etc. I've looked at some of CUA's online resources, but they're slim pickins'. So I suppose my question is this: does anyone know much about safe neighborhoods in the vicinity of CUA, and what sort of rent prices I might be looking at there?

Thanks!

As I've mentioned on this thread before, "safe" is a subjective question. It completely depends on what you are used to, where you are coming from, and where you're comfortable living. CUA is on the red line so is easy to get to from most places and it's also on the H bus line so you can easily live somewhere directly across down (Columbia Heights, Mt Pleasant, etc. if you want to live in NW). I wouldn't recommend living right near the school, since it is a bit farther away from most of the nightlife of the city. Also, are you looking to live by yourself, with a roommate (or a few), and how much do you ideally want to spend are all obviously large questions.

[sunshine6]

Hi Maeisenb, since you seem to know the area very well, and are still kind enough to answer questions, I pose these to you.

I have a dog. A big one. He is old and quiet and stuff, but we both prefer a more 'burby atmosphere. I haven't lived in an apartment for over a decade. And eh, nightlife smightlife, I am old too. I own a car, but am fine with bussing in for school.

As of yet, I have no funding, but I may take the chance (and my table waiting skills) and go for the program at GWU anyway. I do have an MA degree, so tutoring is always viable as well. I would chew off a finger to live alone (okay, perhaps not) but I doubt it will be possible.

So, any thoughts on an area that is cheap, dog friendly-like, and has it's own neighborhood going on, like schools and markets, where non academic employment might be had? And yes, I realize cheap is relative, as is safe. I have lived in some dumps, but I have found that sometimes the supposedly 'less safe' areas are the same ones that are mostly where blue-collar non-white families live.. which suits me fine. So? Will you accept this challenge Ser?

Edited April 5, 2012 by sunshine6

[maeisenb]

Hi Maeisenb, since you seem to know the area very well, and are still kind enough to answer questions, I pose these to you.

I have a dog. A big one. He is old and quiet and stuff, but we both prefer a more 'burby atmosphere. I haven't lived in an apartment for over a decade. And eh, nightlife smightlife, I am old too. I own a car, but am fine with bussing in for school.

As of yet, I have no funding, but I may take the chance (and my table waiting skills) and go for the program at GWU anyway. I do have an MA degree, so tutoring is always viable as well. I would chew off a finger to live alone (okay, perhaps not) but I doubt it will be possible.

So, any thoughts on an area that is cheap, dog friendly-like, and has it's own neighborhood going on, like schools and markets, where non academic employment might be had? And yes, I realize cheap is relative, as is safe. I have lived in some dumps, but I have found that sometimes the supposedly 'less safe' areas are the same ones that are mostly where blue-collar non-white families live.. which suits me fine. So? Will you accept this challenge Ser?

Haha, fair enough. Somehow I've become the quasi go to person for DC living, but happy to help.

I'm going to assume that you are thinking of going to GW, so I'll base what I say off that. If you're fine with the suburbs, then I'd say anywhere out in VA will work well. You'll probably want to Metro to school, since you won't have parking or it will be really expensive, so anywhere out on the Orange line will work. As I mentioned above, I wouldn't live more than a 10-15 (really 10 is the limit) minute walk from the Metro and the farther out you get the cheaper the place will be. Finding a single home for cheap would be really tough on your own, so roommates would be necessary there. If you want to live alone there are complexes by every Metro (2 story apartment type things), but you'd have to check out each one's dog policies. Prices will vary depending on how far out you are, how old they are, etc., but I'd guess (based on extrapolation from friends and from looking at them a few years back), that they'd be around 1300 or so for one a bedroom. Plus, northern VA has tons of supermarkets, Asian restaurants (seriously amazing), places to work, and are typically fairly safe. Hope that helps!

[GreenePony]

so anywhere out on the Orange line will work.

I've had similar advice from a friend who goes to American- is there an upside to the orange line over blue? Most of the apartments we've found that we like/afford would mean I take the blue like from Van Dorn or the Pentagon.

[maeisenb]

I've had similar advice from a friend who goes to American- is there an upside to the orange line over blue? Most of the apartments we've found that we like/afford would mean I take the blue like from Van Dorn or the Pentagon.

The neighborhoods on the orange line are generally far superior with more interesting things to do and places to go. The blue line has Alexandria and that's about it, since the airport and the pentagon are on it. So it's (to some extent) older neighborhoods (orange) versus new more strip mall type places (blue).

[Mai]

I'll be starting UMD graduate school next fall and now I'm trying to find a suitable apartment or studio just for me. The "best" places are already occupied, while many others tell you to call again in june...

I will need some tips with the furnishing, as I do not want to buy all the stuff to then leave the place! And the furnished "decent" apartments are already occupied.

Not to mention that most of the apartments I have picked are located in Hyattsville.. And the prices are no lower than 1,400$!! 1500 summarizing all..

Now I see that without a GA will be impossible..

Any advise? I do not want to move more than 45min walk

Another question, is it possible to go from hyattsville to the campus by walk? google says it takes up to 45min, but maybe there is no sidewalk, or the streets are quite unsafe for women,

Thanks!

[annieca]

For those who don't care about nightlife (seriously, never have, never will be a nightlife person), and are thinking about Maryland is it better to live north of College Park? What about east or west of UMD?

i know parking at UMD is atrocious but, I've also heard if you get a stipend you get free parking. But that might just be a rumor.

I'll call have a car so I could drive to the metro if I wanted to go into the city but right now the idea of $1400 a month for a one bedroom/studio seems a bit crazy. Especially since that's basically $5000 when you include the first and last months rent and housing deposit.

[OregonGal]

A car is a good idea because there is definitely a premium set on Metro-accessible housing; if you have a car you can find a cheaper place. However, you'll have a not-so-short commute if you want to live in a 1-bed or studio that isn't outrageously expensive.

I have a friend who lives in a nice studio in White Oak (north of Silver Spring) in a complex called the Enclave. It's 15-30 minutes from UMD depending on traffic by car, and their listings start at about $1000. That's an example of what you can get if you have a car and aren't Metro/nightlife dependent.

[MoreCoffee]

I'm stressing about the car/no-car thing too! I'd prefer to live in either DC or Silver Springs I think in order to have easily accessible things and metro access. Although, if we live in Silver Spring, I was planning on taking the free UMd shuttle. My partner will be looking for work, likely in the DC area and we'd prefer mass transit for that option as well, as opposed to driving. But, is it reasonable to really do DC area (or Silver Springs) without a car? Can you get to grocery stores, target, restaurants, the dentist, etc? Is it possible to afford a little bit better place (or in a better area) if you don't have the cost of a car? Or, are rentals SO expensive, that you'll actually save money by living further out and paying the cost of a car? Any advice would be much appreciated!

[OregonGal]

It depends on where you live and what you term to be "metro accessible". If you want to be near a metro station, you'll want to live near Silver Spring Metro because there's a grocery store, restaurants, etc right there (the Target is right off of Wheaton Metro, where a Safeway should be going in within a year but right now is a big hole in the ground). If for you "metro accessible" means near a bus route that works for your needs (i.e. one that goes by UMD) you have a few more options, where you try to find apartments near those bus routes that are also walkable to grocery stores.

The difference between Metro-accessible suburb and need-a-car suburb also depends but for example--1-bedroom units in my complex (Metro accessible, grocery and restaurants nearby, and I've seen a UMD shuttle route with limited hours) are around 1500-1700 and 2-bed units are 1700-1850 a month. I don't have a car but the subway and grocery store are about a half mile away and the Whole Foods about a half mile beyond them, along large, well lit, safe roads. The further away you get from the Metro the cheaper it gets, but with the price of gas it might not be worth it. I think you CAN find places where the math works out... I'm just not sure how nice they are, because my apartment complex is pretty efficiency-level and all the new buildings around are luxury rentals that were originally intended for condos.

[MoreCoffee]

Thanks for the context OregonGal! It really does seem like so many variables to consider. I have noticed that a lot of the complexes right around the Silver Spring metro all seem "luxury". Although, I have to say the reviews on most apartments in the Md/DC area are mostly negative. I guess I didn't realized how stressful long distance moving really is- in terms of all of these logistics! Anyway, thanks for the insights!

[OregonGal]

Yep! I definitely know how it feels trying to find housing while across the country. Another point I should mention in regards to mass transit vs car; I forgot about this before but if you look around the Greenbelt area you may be able to find cheaper housing; you may need a car and it's not the closest to downtown, but I'm pretty sure there's a shuttle from there to College Park and if not, you're one stop away from the College Park Metro. The Greenbelt Metro is also a huge commuter park'n'ride so there's tons of parking there for $5/day; your SO can park there and take the metro into DC if he finds a job downtown and avoid the commute, and if he's really lucky they'll subsidize the transportation.

[MoreCoffee]

We definitely will! Thanks for the tip. When I visited for recruitment weekend, we took a drive around Greenbelt before heading to the airport and didn't see much around.....people keep suggesting that area though, so I'm wondering if we were actually not in the right place when we thought we were "downtown" Greenbelt. Thanks again for some of the tips!

[spacecase618]

I'm not sure if this is allowed at all (mods, feel free to delete if not), but if anyone is looking for housing around College Park area, shoot me a PM or something! I'm an undergrad going on grad here and found an amazing house, but need one more roommate since its a house lease and we're all too broke to cover an empty room on our grad stipends. It's within walking distance but its in a more residential neighborhood thats filled with more families than college kids. It's exactly a mile walking distance to campus too. I have pics if requested.

[audiologyrae]

I've lived in Silver Spring for a while now. I attend Gallaudet, but went to UMD as an undergrad. White Oak (an area of Silver Spring) isn't particularly lively but apartments are in the $1200-1500 range (1-2 bedrooms) and the buses run til nearly midnight or so from Silver Spring Station. Also, parking downtown (about 15 minutes away) is free if you leave the garages after 7 PM, unlike Bethesda, where it is midnight before you get out. I rarely have to pay for parking and use the buses constantly. UMD to their Metro is a bit of a hike. I used to live basically across from the UMD metro station (as an undergrad) but it's doable if you don't mind walking a mile or so. Bikes are allowed on the Metro. Folding bikes can go at any time (or Xootrs or Trikkes or Razor scooters) and that makes it far more feasible except in mid Winter, most years.

[audiologyrae]

We've had great luck with "Woodleaf Apartments" - though we just bought a house (closing by June 1). If anyone wants a 2 bedroom w/o security deposit, let me know. audiologyrae at gmail.com. The ratings on the place are here: http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/MD-Silver-Spring-Woodleaf-Apartments.html#b - it was at 94% when we moved in and most everyone here seems to like it. The management is great.