What's it like to live in downtown Bethesda, right off of Wisconsin?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me what the neighborhoods immediately east of Wisconsin in downtown Bethesda are like? Is crime an issue? Are there families with kids? Is being too close to Wisconsin a liability in terms of house value?

[Anonymous]

There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

DD's best friend lives there and it's generally safe and pleasant (they have a sidewalk, some of those streets don't). We live off Old Georgetown Rd, west side, and it's fine too. As long as you're not the first few houses next to a busy road, your home value is not affected. There are many families with kids, since part of the draw if living here is being in bounds for BCC.

In terms of semi-urban safety, cars are more of an issue than anything else. Always be on the lookout for drivers that turn right on red, or turn left, without looking out for pedestrians! Many years ago, a friend's preteen and her friend were followed home by a driver in a sedan that asked they step into the car, but they ran home and called police. Those scares are rare, however. Pedestrians or cyclists being hit by cars are more frequent.

The most frequent crime is car "break-ins": meaning, lock your car! My neighbors who have had their cars rifled and property stolen from cars ALWAYS left their car unlocked, stupidly. Since I come from a large city, it's never occurred to me to leave my car unlocked, or leave items of value inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

In case OP is not aware, that was sarcasm.

[Anonymous]

Technically, that area east of Wisconsin Avenue is the Town of Chevy Chase. The boundaries from north to south are basically East-West to Bradley Blvd and Wisconsin to Connecticut. Lots of families.... the playgrounds at the Lawton Center and CCES are popular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

This is hilarious. Well done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Technically, that area east of Wisconsin Avenue is the Town of Chevy Chase. The boundaries from north to south are basically East-West to Bradley Blvd and Wisconsin to Connecticut. Lots of families.... the playgrounds at the Lawton Center and CCES are popular.

The northern parts of the downtown area east of Wisconsin are Bethesda, the southern part is Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

Living in downtown Bethesda will give your child extra points on college applications for “overcoming adversity.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

I miss Stromboli’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

We used to joke the bath fixture showroom on the corner of Wisconsin and Cheltenham must be a front for drug dealers because the prices seemed insanely high and no one was ever in there.

The area north of E-W highway (and east of Wisconsin, south of Jones Bridge) is East Bethesda— it’s a great neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Wait, I’m confused. So is Woodmont Triangle the “downtown”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

Living in downtown Bethesda will give your child extra points on college applications for “overcoming adversity.”

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot of crime. They’re attracted by all the kitchen design showrooms. Things haven’t been the same since Stromboli closed because that was a mob establishment that controlled all the corners so they kept the violence hidden. Now it’s a turf war. It’s a lot like The Wire, idk if you have seen that show but it is a good way to get a sense of downtown Bethesda.

That's hilarious, PP. Bravo!

[Anonymous]

To answer the OP's question: if you don't feel safe in "downtown" Bethesda, you won't feel safe anywhere in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

We moved a year and a half ago from Woodmont Ave (across from the metro) and we loved the location! It is walkable, fairly quiet, clean, little crime (although I did witness a random KIDNAPPING across from the diner. I called 911. Child recovered safely, thank goodness!) Sorry to get off topic, but, YES, recommend.