Is Wheaton safe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Awesome, another DCUM thread bashing Wheaton by people who don't even live here. We have lived in Wheaton for 5+ years and really enjoy the restaurants, the Metro proximity and the funky community. Yeah, the economic downturn slowed the redevelopment but the big new Safeway is going up on Georgia Ave and Costco is coming to the Mall. There are a ton of nice families and people living in Wheaton and it is an incredibly diverse community.

I don't know about anyone else on the thread, but I've posted twice here and I live in Kensington (the less expensive part). So I am pretty familiar with the area.

And YES COSTCO is coming to Wheaton mall...woo hoo! At least last I heard, hopefully without the gas station.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Costco is coming. I just want to know when!

Well one thing that happened is that Ike Leggett tried to circumvent the normal channels for a store like Costco coming to the community and Costco wanted to put in a huge gas station right behind the residential neighborhood (like, 50 feet behind). According to several urban planners the area didn't need a new gas station as there are quite a few within a two or three block area. Leggett tried to get the whole thing fast tracked so the county council wouldn't have to have the normal number of meetings and hear from the community. As I'm sure you can imagine a number of local residents objected to that whole mess, and the breaks got put on the whole thing. Now they have decided to revisit it when the council reconvenes. Costco I believe has now said they will build without the gas station, so hopefully we will get the Costco.

[Anonymous]

Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

[Anonymous]

The other place you might have them consider is White Flint. Also very close to where you live, and with the new development plan there, the mall and the new Whole Foods, it is going to be much more walkable and interesting in the next five years. I have no idea what housing runs, but there are smaller houses where Garrett Park runs into Rockville Pike (just north of Strathmore), then tons of apartments a bit north of there. Might be worth checking out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

Nothing against Wheaton. But I would strongly consider LeisureWorld. As PP said lots of options. Its incredibly affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other place you might have them consider is White Flint. Also very close to where you live, and with the new development plan there, the mall and the new Whole Foods, it is going to be much more walkable and interesting in the next five years. I have no idea what housing runs, but there are smaller houses where Garrett Park runs into Rockville Pike (just north of Strathmore), then tons of apartments a bit north of there. Might be worth checking out.

This is a good idea too, or just south of there in the Grosvenor area. Those big condo buildings would be nice for a 70 year old. Nice views from high balconies, elevators, parking, amenities in the building, across the street from the metro and a short drive to Bethesda. Not urban exactly though. What about a condo on Connecticut in upper NW? I bet 450 would get something decent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

Nothing against Wheaton. But I would strongly consider LeisureWorld. As PP said lots of options. Its incredibly affordable.

Ditto. The community has a huge range of affordable options.

[Anonymous]

OP, I live very near you and am a real estate agent who works extensively in Kensington/Silver Spring/Wheaton. I find Wheaton to be safe, and in my opinion it is on the way up (would love to invest if I had the cash right now) but I would question the purchase of a townhouse in particular - any mobility issues in the future can make 3 or 4 levels really tough.

[Anonymous]

Costco is due in Spring 2011.

Wheaton has some of the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Full Kee, Hollywood East.

People who think Wheaton is dangerous simply don't live near here.

[Anonymous]

Well, there is a serial rapist currently operating in Aspen Hill-Wheaton: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/11/AR2010121102830.html

And there are murders in Bethesda. Wheaton isn't more or less safe than the rest of MoCo, but crime does exist there.

I agree with the posters who have suggested other areas - White Flint, Kensington and Leisure World are all "nicer" (newer, less physically run-down, etc) than some areas of Wheaton.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in or near Wheaton my entire life. I agree that folks who are bashing it probably aren't really familiar with it at all. The reputation is a little silly. Sure there is crime there but there is crime in the entire DC Metro region.

The new townhomes in Wheaton are lovely and there are great restaurants that are really inexpensive all around. It's very walkable.

Also, if your going to look at crime stats be sure to compare with other areas around to get a realistic picture. It really is fine. My friends and I will have dinner at the wonderful Korean BBQ restaurant and then take a walk over to the icecream place afterward with our young children. I've never been bothered ever....in 30+ years of living here. Well, if you happen to walk by the Peruvian Chicken place while all the workers are getting their dinners on a Friday night you might here a cat call which is annoying but harmless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

My ILs live in Leisure World and it's more than ten minutes up the road.

I think Leisure World is the stupidest idea ever - who thought of putting all those seniors in a place without public transport of any kind? FIL (age 85) is still driving, but really shouldn't be. There is no other way to get around out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

My ILs live in Leisure World and it's more than ten minutes up the road.

I think Leisure World is the stupidest idea ever - who thought of putting all those seniors in a place without public transport of any kind? FIL (age 85) is still driving, but really shouldn't be. There is no other way to get around out there.

There is a shuttle that regularly takes folks to the subway. My very active aunt and uncle live there and love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

My ILs live in Leisure World and it's more than ten minutes up the road.

I think Leisure World is the stupidest idea ever - who thought of putting all those seniors in a place without public transport of any kind? FIL (age 85) is still driving, but really shouldn't be. There is no other way to get around out there.

There is a shuttle that regularly takes folks to the subway. My very active aunt and uncle live there and love it.

Yes, I know that, and that's no help for people who need to get to the grocery store, the doctor's office, the drugstore, etc. If the whole point of Leisure World is housing for seniors, it should be set up *for seniors* (who at some point should stop driving).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leisureworld (huge gated retirement community) is just 10 minutes up the road from Wheaton. They have a wide range of housing options from co-ops, condos, townhouses and SFHs. It's hassle-free living.

My ILs live in Leisure World and it's more than ten minutes up the road.

I think Leisure World is the stupidest idea ever - who thought of putting all those seniors in a place without public transport of any kind? FIL (age 85) is still driving, but really shouldn't be. There is no other way to get around out there.

There is a shuttle that regularly takes folks to the subway. My very active aunt and uncle live there and love it.

Yes, I know that, and that's no help for people who need to get to the grocery store, the doctor's office, the drugstore, etc. If the whole point of Leisure World is housing for seniors, it should be set up *for seniors* (who at some point should stop driving).

There is a grocery store RIGHT THERE!