Chevy Chase, DC v. Takoma Park, MD

[Anonymous]

We were looking to buy in CC, DC but felt priced out. People are buying shells for 700k, raising them and buying new homes. ABSURD

[Anonymous]

Both areas have their appeal. I’d suggest walking around both to help you decide, what you like best.

For Chevy Chase DC, go to the Friendship Heights metro walk East below Western Avenue. DCPS may have its issues, but the assigned schools for DCCC are among the best the District has to offer.

For Takoma Park, go to the Takoma Park metro. Check out the historic district near there (Maple, Cedar, Willow…). Walk through the downtown from Roscoe’s Pizzeria to the food coop. There’s a decent farmer’s market there on Sundays. Montgomery County schools are great.

Dollars go further in TP, but its star seems to be on the rise with forthcoming Bus Boys & Poets and Black’s new restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you are working in Hyattsville or Adelphi I can't imagine how TP is more convenient. For sure if you are planning to sell in next 5 years CC DC is a better investment. I am not knowledgeable regrading the schools.

CCDC and TP are exactly the same distance from downtown, by either metro or driving. There are plenty of places of employment in Silver Spring, the Georgia Ave. Corridor in DC, and parts of PG county (UMD for starters) that are more convenient to TP, just like there are places of employment in Bethesda, the Connecticut Ave. Corridor, or Rockville or Tyson's that are more convenient to CCDC.

If your budget is all limited, you'll be way more likely to afford something walkable to metro in TP than in CCDC.

Convenience is 50/50 between the 2, unless the OP shares with us exactly where they're working.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion both are nice. AND a bit pretentious. Don't kid yourself - the ultra self righteous crunchy liberals are just as annoying as the perfectly groomed ladies with straight blond hair and pearls.

[Anonymous]

I would prefer CC, DC because of proximity to both Rock Creek Park and excellent affordable Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion both are nice. AND a bit pretentious. Don't kid yourself - the ultra self righteous crunchy liberals are just as annoying as the perfectly groomed ladies with straight blond hair and pearls.

Heck - we're all annoying when it comes down to it. Community is necessary and infuriating. But the flavor of pretentiousness matters, doesn't it? And the aesthetics of a neighborhood matters more to some people than others.

OP - best of luck with your move! Guaranteed no matter which neighborhood you choose, there will be more days of sunshine than in Seattle! And it is still very green here (and TKPK has a 60% tree canopy - not sure what CCDC has).

[Anonymous]

I would want to live in Takoma, DC or Takoma Park, MD. The people are nicer. The seven years I lived in CC,DC, I didn't meet anyone who was down to earth or nice. It always seemed people were fake and looking for an invite to the summer house.

[Anonymous]

We live in CC DC and have plenty of down to earth neighbors. The kids go to the local public school, at basketball in the alleys, bike to BBM for an ice cream and shovel the elderly neighbors walks in the winter. We feel blessed to be a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

TP is nice but the commercial strip on New Hampshire is awful. I would hate to have I deal with it. Ugly and bad traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking to buy home. We have 2 young kids, under 6. Which is better investment, more convenient, better schools etc? Coming from Seattle and not too familiar w the area. Does your $ go further in one v. The other?

For resale value, the convenience to certain amenties (like downtown Bethesda, Frienship Heights retail/restaurants), and schools I would pick Chevy Chase, DC hands down. Aesthetically, I like the look of Chevy Chase better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion both are nice. AND a bit pretentious. Don't kid yourself - the ultra self righteous crunchy liberals are just as annoying as the perfectly groomed ladies with straight blond hair and pearls.

This is so true. People always reference the diversity of TP but I often find myself being the only one at the parties and playdates. I would choose CC for the school options. Lots of expensive leaning shantys in TP.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, 11:48, for a very informed and reasoned post.

~ TP resident

[Anonymous]

First of all, TP is more convenient to those of us who work in NOMA.

And having lived in SS and Bethesda, not TP and CC but close, I will say you will spend more money over the years if you move to CC because everything will be more $ -- camps, babysitters, plumbers etc. It's like a tax you pay west of the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking to buy home. We have 2 young kids, under 6. Which is better investment, more convenient, better schools etc? Coming from Seattle and not too familiar w the area. Does your $ go further in one v. The other?

For resale value, the convenience to certain amenties (like downtown Bethesda, Frienship Heights retail/restaurants), and schools I would pick Chevy Chase, DC hands down. Aesthetically, I like the look of Chevy Chase better.

This is interesting, because it assumes that CCDC will appreciate in value at a faster rate than TKPK. Is there any data to back this up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would want to live in Takoma, DC or Takoma Park, MD. The people are nicer. The seven years I lived in CC,DC, I didn't meet anyone who was down to earth or nice. It always seemed people were fake and looking for an invite to the summer house.

Not sure about how good the schools are in Takoma DC.