Crestwood - Shepherd Park - 16th Street Heights

[Anonymous]

We are looking at houses in each of these neighborhoods --- Crestwood - Shepherd Park - 16th Street Heights.

There is a $100,000 price difference for detached houses in Shepherd Park which makes it very attractive.

We have a 3 year old and are looking for a family friendly neighborhood still convenient to downtown DC where DH and I both work.

We know nothing about Shepherd Park and would appreciate any insight folks might have on the neighborhood.

TIA!!

[Anonymous]

I don't live there, but I've heard only good things. A friend of mine lives there, and he loves it. He and his partner adopted a child and they find the neighborhood very family friendly. I've also heard that it was one of the first voluntarily racially diverse neighborhoods in the district (from the 1950s onward). From visiting the neighborhood, it has beautiful housing stock but it's kind of far from any amenities. Just my impressions.

[Anonymous]

We live in Shepherd Park and have a 3 year-old. There is not a lot for kids to do in the neighborhood -- but the housing is more affordable. The neighbors are friendly, but I don't see a lot of kids out on the streets playing. We have been told by several neighbors that they are unhappy with Shepherd Elementary, so we are actively looking at other options, including charter schools. We definitely have mixed feelings about living here. The proximity to Georgia Avenue and the Maryland border create an opportunity for crime that seems to come in spurts. Yet, it's convenient to the Beltway for getting to places within the city. My advice is to stay further south in 16th Street Heights.

[Anonymous]

We lived in Shepherd Park for five years and were extremely satisfied with Shepherd Elementary. It depends on your expectations...if you are expecting it to be a private or charter to cater to your every whim and your child tests of charts, it isn't. If you are expecting your child to receive a very good solid education (with an exceptional music program) that has IB certification then you will be satisfied.

The property crime the PP mentioned typically has come in spurts associated with the economy or people leaving their GPS in view in their cars (duh). Overall, we found it a welcoming community.

[Anonymous]

We lived in Shepherd Park with a toddler and recently moved out. I was very unhappy with the amenities in the area and the proximity to Georgia Ave. meant lots of break-ins and robberies in the area. (And, I'd have to disagree with the previous poster about the property crime happening in spurts. From my experience, the property crime was fairly constant). I had to be hypervigilant about having my alarm on even during the day.

Yes, the housing stock is beautiful as are the tree lined streets but it was just not worth it to us. I constantly found myself utilizing the amenities in other areas. Also, I rarely saw kids playing on the street and neighbors kept to themselves for the most part. If you are Orthodox Jewish I think it might be easier to feel part of a community here b/c many of the Orthodox residents attend the same temples within walking distance and so get to know each other better.

[Anonymous]

Kids are NOT supposed to play IN the street...

[Anonymous]

Crestwood is beautiful and has lots of kids. It's not cheap though, and doesn't have good local school options (except for Deal, although most neighborhood kids do private or charter).

[Anonymous]

Look at the MPD crime maps online to get a better view of crime in the different neighborhoods. I lived in a basement apartment close to Georgia Ave. in Shepard Park three years ago and found it generally safe. We were a 15 minute walk to the Piney Branch Safeway, and a 20 minute walk to downtown Takoma Park and Silver Spring. Shepard Park has beautiful houses, our particular neighbors were nice, and there seemed to be a good number of kids. Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

What's the racial makeup of Crestwood? Is it mostly African American or is it diverse?

[Anonymous]

I bet the reason for the 100k difference is crime, or at least perception of crime, and general overall housing stock.

We live in brightwood, a couple miles south of shepherd park and west of crestwood, on 14th street. I would say its a decent place for kids, but not great. A cople good parks, some kids in the neighborhood (seem to be increasing) but its not like we hang out a lot with families. Some, but not a ton. Some okay parks, but we still get in the car on the weekends to go to other parks on occasion. Downtown commute is fine if you're driving, less accessible by bus/metro but can easily be done (just takes longer since no direct metro). THe housing prices shift a lot as you approach georgia avenue on one side and 16th on the other.

Crestwood is beautiful, but I think even less community oriented than brightwood and 16th st heights.

I think the big factors for you are commute; what will happen to Walter Reed (I think nothing, for about 10 years) and what will happen to Georgia avenue and east of shepherd park if we hit another recession. I think it is likely, and housing there will probably tumble a bit more than further south but I'm no oracle. On the other hand, a lot of ppl like shepherd elementary (I've heard mixed things) and its close to silver spring, which might or might not be a draw for you.

check out some of the listserves, it at least gives you a picture of community concerns, events, etc.

[Anonymous]

We have friends who live in 16th street heights and LOVE it. They say they have dozens of kids on their block.

[Anonymous]

Crestwood is 43% black, 43% white, 6% Hispanic and 3% Asian, according to the last census.

[Anonymous]

Spotcrime had the area around Shepherd Park as lower in crime than north of the line in DC or south of Missouri.

I've looked around during idle times at work at what $500k can actually afford you in DC, although my wife is pretty committed to being in the suburbs (and I don't like the idea of automagically going private for MS/HS.)

[Anonymous]

Shepherd Park is not living in the city. You will end up driving to get to any amenities. If you want an urban experience, you pick a neighborhood further south.

Why not consider moving to Silver Spring? It's just across the border from Shepherd Park and you will be in Montgomery County School District vs DCPS.

For the poster that said you recently left Shepherd Park -- where did you move to?

[Anonymous]

We live in 16th St. Heights for the past 6 years and have a toddler. There have been car windows broken in spurts, but that is it. Our street has serveral children. If I could do it again I would have chosen a dead end street, but other than that I really like where we live.