We’re thinking of buying in mount rainier due to gun violence in dc (petworth). I know there’s other threads but they seem like trolls CURRENT owners in this town, can you tell me what you like and dislike honestly? I’ve heard it’s not worth it bc of schools (dc is 4 yo) and others love it. |
Poor man’s takoma park |
I don’t know what that means. |
super cute, friendly, and safe. we love it! |
Safe? I’d look at crime reports to be certain.
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I have a friend who moved from Petworth to Mount Rainier a few years ago and the crime reports there are MUCH better than Petworth. |
Don’t buy the exorcist house |
Longtime homeowner in MTR here. Walk around at night in MTR and you’ll see dogs, kids, couples around the residential blocks. In petworth I see a lot of loitering and sketchy behavior. |
https://www.mountrainiermd.org/Home/Components/News/News/2010/141
$11 million for .5 sq mi of mount rainier. |
Imo it’s pretty idyllic for young families. Sidewalks, few garages, smallish lots and small neighborhood parks mean lots of casual interaction with neighbors and lots of casual outdoor play among kids. We have just enough walkable amenities but personally I would want a car. If you have a car, everything you need is within 15 minutes.
But I know people who would feel like it’s too shabby/run down for them. Your aesthetic preferences could be important. It’s definitely not an HOA zone. Crime is something we worry about and keep an eye on but hasn’t been an issue. The school district is really a problem especially as you progress through the grades. People navigate in different ways. I don’t have a solution for that. If you want to feel confident in your neighborhood public schools and you have enough money to live in a wealthier school zone, that’s probably easier. |
OP if you’re looking, keep in mind there are two elementary schools. Unfairly or not, MtR ES seems to have a slightly better reputation. I’m honestly not sure why. |
In fairness, we have loitering and sketchy behavior too! It’s just concentrated by the bus stop. It is a problem, and I don’t think it will ever go away since that’s where the metro busses turn around and there’s a liquor store. But I definitely would say it’s very limited and not a threat if you don’t use the bus. I will say I don’t use the neighborhood library branch with my kid because I don’t want to walk through it. I’d rather drive five minutes to the Hyattsville branch. |
I feel safe in Mt Rainier. Way safer than DC. |
A new farmer's market is starting this spring. The Gateway Farmer's Market will run on Saturday mornings May through November in the Bunker Hill Fire Station parking lot, just over the Mount Rainier border in Brentwood. |
Farmers Market = Gentrification |