Hyattsville? Love/Hate it? Is it safe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

I am the one who said I would pause before going there at night.

I wouldn't say I am afraid or that I wouldn't go at night, I would just be a lot more cautious than I would be going at noon on a Sunday morning. The parking lot over by the JCPenny's and behind the Macy's has horrible lighting. The area's around the Target and TJ Maxx are better but the parking situation sucks. The new complex by the movie theater and the new Safeway are fine.

I will agree that it is 100% better than it was 17 years ago when I moved to the area. I might just have those old prejudices in the back of my mind when I think about heading over that way. I should give it another shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

I am the one who said I would pause before going there at night.

I wouldn't say I am afraid or that I wouldn't go at night, I would just be a lot more cautious than I would be going at noon on a Sunday morning. The parking lot over by the JCPenny's and behind the Macy's has horrible lighting. The area's around the Target and TJ Maxx are better but the parking situation sucks. The new complex by the movie theater and the new Safeway are fine.

I will agree that it is 100% better than it was 17 years ago when I moved to the area. I might just have those old prejudices in the back of my mind when I think about heading over that way. I should give it another shot.

NP. I have parked purposely over by the JC Penney since moving here in 1999 because it is usually not a shitshow of cars and people, and I have *never* been a victim of crime or harassment or anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here live in hyattsville/riverdale park? Tell me everything! We are looking into that area after being priced out of va but want a similar feel. Daycare, schools, restaurants, crime? I noticed the property taxes are high... how often do they increase?

When I say is it safe, I mean do you feel comfortable walking home after dark. I live in a VA neighborhood that people call unsafe but I feel completely safe when I get home late at night. So I mean real crime, not "oh people look different from me so im scared" crime.

Thanks!

This area excels at crime. I don't feel safe walking around at night due to real crime. One neighbor was held up at gunpoint in his front yard at noon. Another--a 70 yo+--was beaten up by a 20-something in daylight. People have been held up walking home from the metro numerous times. My neighbor was sexually assaulted. We have been robbed.

The daycare options are slim, especially for babies.

The restaurants have improved--check out the area in Riverdale near the Whole Foods--with a Busboys and some places at the revived shopping mall.

You'll hear a whole coterie of people singing the praises of Hyattsville and Riverdale. I roll my eyes at this.

The schools! Most people I know try for the specialty programs, but you are still stuck with bad teaching sometimes. Teachers who work for the country schools send their kids to private, so...

People fight about private vs public and resent each other for their choices.

The houses are small.

On the plus side, we have good coffee and two metro stations. Prince George's parks are amazing and impressive.

People care about recycling.

Like anywhere, there's good and bad. I hope this provides an honest view that a lot of people might not share because they are worried about their home values decreasing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

what is a 1-2 shooting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

what is a 1-2 shooting

Shootings plural.

One or two shootings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

what is a 1-2 shooting

Shootings plural.

One or two shootings.

There are shootings at Montgomery Mall too so idk, I can’t live the way you live and we both have an equal and extremely, extremely low chance of being the victim of a crime at the Target.

[Anonymous]

Lol, I've lived in Mt. Rainier for about 15 years and go to the PG Mall Target all the time at night after work and have never felt unsafe are had an issue. You all are some pearl clutchers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

Is this poster still here because I am dying to know what "behave accordingly" means here. Duck behind the home goods section? Lay flat on the floor until all the people walking around are gone? Barricade yourself in the stock room and call 911?

[Anonymous]

It is possible I have just been lucky, but never in all my years as a woman living in the area since 1999 have I felt unsafe at the mall or the metro and I was going to that mall long before Target and all that arrived. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

My sister lives in Riverdale Park (north of 410, east of Rte 1) and the area is booming now. They are a less than 10 minute walk from the new Whole Foods shopping center and close to the RP downtown. They have been there almost 20 yrs and have never had any crime issues. I think the schools are OK - both her kids went to Riverdale Elementary - although honestly the schools are the thing that gives me a bit of pause about the area. My sister points out that if the parents moving in to the area after being priced out of Takoma Park or Silver Spring actually stuck with the neighborhood schools and invested time in supporting them, they would improve a lot. FWIW they are sticking with it. I have close friends in Hyattsville (historic part) and they love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live close to those areas and the two issues you raise that might be issue are schools and daycare.

That said, there are tons of magnet and specialty programs in PG and most families I know who want to do public school figure out a path that way. I've heard good things about UP elementary and Hyattsville Elementary. I haven't heard much about Riverdale Elementary at all. Parent reviews on Great Schools aren't great FWIW.

There aren't a ton of daycare centers in those areas though. If you are open to in home daycares and nanny shares those are pretty common.

Safety and crime are fine there. I go to those areas all the time and have never felt unsafe. I can't say the same about Prince George's Plaza. I am happy to go there in the day but I would pause before going in the evening. Also, the parking lot at the Target sucks.

Wow idk but fwiw, I am a suuuuper white lady raised in Bethesda who lives in Hyattsville now and I like PG Plaza and the Target. It's amazing at night - tons of people - it's like Montgomery Mall in 1996. IDK if people/teens still go to Montgomery Mall but I'm just saying, it's perfectly nice and clean and well lit. The Target itself can get pretty messy, I think because it IS so busy, but's it's fine.

I've lived in Hyattsville for 20 years. While the newly rebranded Mall at Prince George's has come up a LOT during that time--and I'm grateful for that--it has miles to go before it's in the same league as Montgomery Mall (now Westfield Montgomery). Takes more than a DSW and &pizza to get there.

I mean maybe I don’t appreciate the shopping quality difference, but PP said she was afraid of going there and I think that’s ridiculous. Plus, I like having a Target and a TJ MAx. Teens loitering by the Nordstrom is the same as teens loitering by DSW.

After the 1-2 shootings at the Target, I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to feel uncomfortable visiting it.

You should just assume people are packing guns if you see them walking around and behave accordingly.

And some of the teens break into houses.

One of the things that drives me nuts is all the sugar coating of the crime around here.

what is a 1-2 shooting

Shootings plural.

One or two shootings.

Were these shootings recent? Or are you including Len Bias’s brother, who was shot in 1990?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here live in hyattsville/riverdale park? Tell me everything! We are looking into that area after being priced out of va but want a similar feel. Daycare, schools, restaurants, crime? I noticed the property taxes are high... how often do they increase?

When I say is it safe, I mean do you feel comfortable walking home after dark. I live in a VA neighborhood that people call unsafe but I feel completely safe when I get home late at night. So I mean real crime, not "oh people look different from me so im scared" crime.

Thanks!

This area excels at crime. I don't feel safe walking around at night due to real crime. One neighbor was held up at gunpoint in his front yard at noon. Another--a 70 yo+--was beaten up by a 20-something in daylight. People have been held up walking home from the metro numerous times. My neighbor was sexually assaulted. We have been robbed.

The daycare options are slim, especially for babies.

The restaurants have improved--check out the area in Riverdale near the Whole Foods--with a Busboys and some places at the revived shopping mall.

You'll hear a whole coterie of people singing the praises of Hyattsville and Riverdale. I roll my eyes at this.

The schools! Most people I know try for the specialty programs, but you are still stuck with bad teaching sometimes. Teachers who work for the country schools send their kids to private, so...

People fight about private vs public and resent each other for their choices.

The houses are small.

On the plus side, we have good coffee and two metro stations. Prince George's parks are amazing and impressive.

People care about recycling.

Like anywhere, there's good and bad. I hope this provides an honest view that a lot of people might not share because they are worried about their home values decreasing.

Oh my! I hope I don't have your luck. Why haven't you moved?

I live in the area & thankfully never experienced anything like that or seen anything like that on our listserve.