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We are looking at Takoma Park to finally BUY A HOUSE. What do people think of it? Schools, community, etc.
Thanks
Catherine
Thanks
Catherine
Takoma Park, MD
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Loved the crunchy vibe, but not the crime. Heard from several that the public school principal was not parent-friendly --i.e. didn't want you TOO involved.
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I love Takoma Park. We've been here for over 10 years, and I have zero interest in moving.
I don't have any kids in school so I don't know much about that, though most people I talk to seem happy with the schools. Note that not all elementary students in Takoma Park go to Takoma Park Elementary -- where I live, kids go to Rolling Terrace (with its Spanish immersion program) instead.
Takoma Park has much more of a community feel than most places in the DC area. We have our own local police force, our own local library, our own parks, festivals, city government, etc.
It's pretty crunchy, with a farmer's market, cooperative grocery store, attachment parenting group, la leche league, birthing circle, active homeschooling community, etc.
I'd say that Takoma Park is perfect for crunchy people who are comfortable living close to the urban center. It won't be right for you if you want more of an "outer suburbs" feel, and certainly not if your dream is to live out in the country.
I don't have any kids in school so I don't know much about that, though most people I talk to seem happy with the schools. Note that not all elementary students in Takoma Park go to Takoma Park Elementary -- where I live, kids go to Rolling Terrace (with its Spanish immersion program) instead.
Takoma Park has much more of a community feel than most places in the DC area. We have our own local police force, our own local library, our own parks, festivals, city government, etc.
It's pretty crunchy, with a farmer's market, cooperative grocery store, attachment parenting group, la leche league, birthing circle, active homeschooling community, etc.
I'd say that Takoma Park is perfect for crunchy people who are comfortable living close to the urban center. It won't be right for you if you want more of an "outer suburbs" feel, and certainly not if your dream is to live out in the country.
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We're here too and love it!!! I don't know about schools (we homeschool), but definitely has a great vibe. There aren't too many shops/restaurants, but the ones they do have I enjoy a lot.
We have a great setup. Homeschooling, crunchy neighbors, our backyard is the woods, we have a large garden and will soon be getting chickens. We don't feel like we're inside the Beltway at all.
Tons of like-minded people, our two closest grocery stores are the co-op and Whole Foods. Year-round farmer's market, grassfed meat/raw millk drop. There's a lot you can do here without leaving the immediate area.
It's true that there is some crime here - it mostly depends on where you live. But I will say that I feel much safer living here than I ever did in DC when we lived there.
What else are you wondering about?
We have a great setup. Homeschooling, crunchy neighbors, our backyard is the woods, we have a large garden and will soon be getting chickens. We don't feel like we're inside the Beltway at all.
Tons of like-minded people, our two closest grocery stores are the co-op and Whole Foods. Year-round farmer's market, grassfed meat/raw millk drop. There's a lot you can do here without leaving the immediate area.
It's true that there is some crime here - it mostly depends on where you live. But I will say that I feel much safer living here than I ever did in DC when we lived there.
What else are you wondering about?
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Can you give more pointers about the better and worse areas from a crime perspective?
TIA!
TIA!
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Quote:
The police department offers some of this type of information, including a map of recent crimes:
http://takomaparkmd.gov/police/index.html
The general perception seems to be that the further away you can be from New Hampshire avenue, the better.
Originally Posted by LovinLiviLou  Can you give more pointers about the better and worse areas from a crime perspective? |
http://takomaparkmd.gov/police/index.html
The general perception seems to be that the further away you can be from New Hampshire avenue, the better.
Ah...the Peoples' Republic of Takoma Park
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It's the best community in the MD/DC area, in my humble opinion.
As for the crime, the whole area (Takoma, DC, Silver Spring, Wheaton, etc.) has your standard higher-than-the-boonies urban crime stats. But the PP advice to avoid NH Ave. is straight-on.
It's the best community in the MD/DC area, in my humble opinion.
As for the crime, the whole area (Takoma, DC, Silver Spring, Wheaton, etc.) has your standard higher-than-the-boonies urban crime stats. But the PP advice to avoid NH Ave. is straight-on.
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Well I have never lived there but during research on areas that DH and I want to buy a house I checked up on the schools through a few rating sights and they all scored really low (except of course the Takoma Park Elementary that was in Silver Spring) which is kind of a deal breaker for me.
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