Tell me about Takoma Park

[Anonymous]

We currently live in Alexandria and love it but can’t afford more space in our current neighborhood and aren’t loving the school options. We were eyeing the Bethesda area, but for obvious reasons (expensive also and overachiever vibes) I’m wondering if Takoma Park is more our style, but I know very little about it. Non-negotiables are at least partially walkable neighborhoods with charming homes and great/good schools. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Make sure you understand the extra tax burden of TP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you understand the extra tax burden of TP.

And the schools are good but not as good as Bethesda/Potomac.

[Anonymous]

It’s really charming. If I left DC, it would be the first neighborhood I looked at. Great walkable little town but also the metro is there. Schools are good.

[Anonymous]

You will either love it or hate it. I hate it, and will tell you the things I hate about it, which you may not hate.

It is stridently liberal. I am liberal. But because I do not have a yard sign that says "love loves here and we love all kinds of people" I suspect my neighbors, who've also heard my opinions re: the Co-Op Parking Lot Wars, do not think so. I'm not sure. We no longer speak.

If you love yoga classes, and expensive yuppie Mexican food, it may be for you. If you are a nice white family who wants some diversity around them and support for your quirky teen without ever having to inconvenience yourselves by worrying about poverty, or cultural tolerance, it may also be for you: there are hundreds of families just like yours. Parents with advanced degrees, good intentions, NPR tote bags, and family money. In the age of Trump, it could almost sound comforting, maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will either love it or hate it. I hate it, and will tell you the things I hate about it, which you may not hate.

It is stridently liberal. I am liberal. But because I do not have a yard sign that says "love loves here and we love all kinds of people" I suspect my neighbors, who've also heard my opinions re: the Co-Op Parking Lot Wars, do not think so. I'm not sure. We no longer speak.

If you love yoga classes, and expensive yuppie Mexican food, it may be for you. If you are a nice white family who wants some diversity around them and support for your quirky teen without ever having to inconvenience yourselves by worrying about poverty, or cultural tolerance, it may also be for you: there are hundreds of families just like yours. Parents with advanced degrees, good intentions, NPR tote bags, and family money. In the age of Trump, it could almost sound comforting, maybe.

Hmmm, TPer here, and I am an independent/centrist. TP is definitely not the liberal enclave it once was and we are very happy here. Maybe ten or so years ago, people would move here to make a statement about themselves and a liberal identity. Now people seem to move here simply because it is a great place to live. Nice neighbors, lovely homes that are not cookie-cutter, walk to metro and schools (which are good) and some great, unique restaurants. And the new library is awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will either love it or hate it. I hate it, and will tell you the things I hate about it, which you may not hate.

It is stridently liberal. I am liberal. But because I do not have a yard sign that says "love loves here and we love all kinds of people" I suspect my neighbors, who've also heard my opinions re: the Co-Op Parking Lot Wars, do not think so. I'm not sure. We no longer speak.

If you love yoga classes, and expensive yuppie Mexican food, it may be for you. If you are a nice white family who wants some diversity around them and support for your quirky teen without ever having to inconvenience yourselves by worrying about poverty, or cultural tolerance, it may also be for you: there are hundreds of families just like yours. Parents with advanced degrees, good intentions, NPR tote bags, and family money. In the age of Trump, it could almost sound comforting, maybe.

Hmmm, TPer here, and I am an independent/centrist. TP is definitely not the liberal enclave it once was and we are very happy here. Maybe ten or so years ago, people would move here to make a statement about themselves and a liberal identity. Now people seem to move here simply because it is a great place to live. Nice neighbors, lovely homes that are not cookie-cutter, walk to metro and schools (which are good) and some great, unique restaurants. And the new library is awesome.

I agree. Takoma Park used to be blue collar, then bohemian, then leftist/progressive. Now it is basically just the usually upper middle class Dem voter area that you basically find all over the DC area. I don't spend a lot of time talking politics with friends and neighbors, but for the most part, the people I know here have very mainstream views, even perhaps more centrist/right leaning than people would expect. There are lots of loud left wing types, but their views are the loudest, not the most popular.

Also, there is much more diversity in TKPK than the PP gives it credit for, and my kids in particular have a very diverse set of friends. And not just racial diversity, but more than that -- country of origin, family financial and educational circumstances, etc. That doesn't matter to everyone, but if that matters to you, it might be a good fit.

Otherwise, there is lots of green space, nice houses, public schools your kids can walk to from many areas of TKPK (through middle school), and decent/good restaurants and bars. I also find it easy to meet cool and interesting people to hang out with. I think it is worth a look to at least see whether it is some place you'd enjoy.

[Anonymous]

It sure isn't diverse in the 'historic district'

[Anonymous]

liberal and inviting crime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sure isn't diverse in the 'historic district'

That is correct. Unfortunately, in America, wealth is often correlated with race and the historic district is very expensive. That being said, I live there and within a couple of houses in I have neighbors who are native Spanish speakers, native Arabic speakers and of South Asian decent. So not "not diverse" necessarily. I also have neighbors who are well past retired age, young couples with babies, gay couples and DINKs.

[Anonymous]

Sounds nice. Are there overachiever vibes in Takoma Park? The OP mentioned this feeling in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

OP what is your budget and for what size of house? That’s the most important thing because that’s where push will come to shove.

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park is really hilly. Just keep that in mind when you look at walkability. Not that you can’t walk up and down hills, but it makes a difference that’s hard to see on a map.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you understand the extra tax burden of TP.

And the schools are good but not as good as Bethesda/Potomac.

What do you mean by this? They are all part of montgomery county schools.

Be specfic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:liberal and inviting crime

That is rich coming from the crime family in the oval office.