Can you tell me more about the Wyngate school and neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

I wrote a long post with too many questions in the off-topic forum.. but my main question is really about the Wyngate school and neighborhood, so I thought it'd be better to post here.

Can people who live in Wyngate tell me whether it feels like suburbia? (ie, does everyone drive everywhere, do people come home and go straight into their houses w/o much interaction with neighbors. Is it conservative relative to other parts of Bethesda? I'd love a somewhat funky neighborhood with activists, artists, gardeners etc, but that's probably nowhere in the close-to-metro MD suburbs) Also, can you tell me specifics about what you like (or don't like) about the school? For a while the school sounded amazing, but not so much after reading this forum. While people say it’s good, they don’t give many details other than that the principal “runs a tight ship”. One commented that the kids “spend a lot of time at their desks working.” This doesn’t sound good to me, unless I’m reading too much into it. Also, I happened to look at the back of the school (when I took a wrong turn and pulled in to turn around.) There are so many trailers! Looked like at least 15. And very little playground. I know the renovations should be done in a couple years, but by then my older child will be more than halfway through elem. school. At the moment, my seven-year-old is a sports fanatic who stays after school for an hour and a half every day playing kickball or basketball or whatever he can play with anyone who is on the playground. Wyngate doesn't seem to have room for this at the moment. The neighborhood also doesn't seem to have much in the way of local parks (though Montgomery County as a whole seems to have a lot) [b]Where do kids play after school?
Do many adults in Wyngate take the bus? Is it very convenient?

[Anonymous]

people in wyngate will walk to the schools or to ayrlawn park (or go for a long walk/run into downtown bethesda)...you could take the 30 Ride On bus into Bethesda--many commuters take this bus-- or drive...if you really want to spend most of your time walking places, i think this neighborhood will be too far out for you...you need to look closer in for that. and, of course, that means much more $. i think if you are looking to have a much more "walkable" life by your home (meaning you do your everyday errands by foot), you need to either look at another area altogether--silver spring? rockville town center?--or spend a lot more money and live closer to bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I would say that Wyngate feels like suburbia. When my family and friends first visited me they commented on how beautiful the trees are. The downside being when DH parks under said tree line canopy in the spring/summer there is bird art waiting for him on the car. During the fall/early winter there are more leaves than you can imagine. We are convinced the winds blow them from our neighbor yard to ours. As for people just getting into cars and never seeing neighbors - I think it depends on the person. Having sidewalks in the neighborhood I think helps. When I was on maternity leave, I would walk all over - neighbors were all friendly. If you have a dog - people connect walking their dogs. If you walk your kids to the elementary school, I see parents talking on their way back to their homes. Usually people will make a point of saying hi etc. when you first move in. Maybe your neighborhood has a block party. All that said, it doesn't really extend beyond "nice to see you" unless you want it to. I've seen kids go bike riding together and play together. I know some neighbors are closer than others. Our street has people that are SAHM, work from home, retired, both work outside the home, both work inside the home, have nanny, children in childcare, teenagers/college kids, kids out of the house, no kids, elementary age kids. I think the key is to really make that effort when you are new - it is a little overwhelming when you are moving in and trying to get settled but that is when everyone is like hey, if you ever need a cup of sugar, if you want to use the swingset, if you want to use the pool etc. You don't want to miss the moment so to speak. There is a lot of driving kids to activities (I think this is just the area) but especially if you are talking more of getting to know your neighbors not necessarily planning play dates - I think the fact that people are in different stages of their life makes it easier to maybe connect with the neighbor that is a gardener etc.

With public transportation - the ride on bus and the Red Line into DC is popular. I think lots of people in this area that work downtown use public transportation.

My kids are going to Wyngate next year from private school so I can't say yet what it would be liked based on kids going there. However, my experience to date and from what I hear, the idea of the principal "running a tight ship" means she knows what she is about when it comes to kids and education and she is fair (talking about dealing with parents and children and I would assume teachers). I've known parents that have had different situations and really felt that the school partnered with them or even unprompted check-in with the family to make sure things were going okay. The school is overcrowded (as many schools are) but they are making the best of the situation until the addition is built and there seems to be enough of the school pride and feeling that the kids are getting a good education that parents are willing to overlook the less than desirable trailer situation.

For the park, if you are walkable to Wyngate, there isn't really a close park and by close I mean I wouldn't work up a sweat getting there. If you are willing to go on a long walk there is Arylawn Park, if you join the YMCA there is a playground and pool - I believe would be walkable, there is also another - I think a flower garden place a neighbor told me about. People tend to use their back yards or front yard (depending on the hill and or slope you may have), lots of swingsets in the yard. You could also drive to so many parks within 5-10 minutes including Cabin John regional park, Stratton Woods (Ashburton neighborhood), and one other on Old Georgetown Road.

If you are looking for a walk to the store, not really need a car, have the jog stroller in one hand, dog leash in the other, as you make your way to the Starbucks, places like Old Town Alexandria, Arlington or DC would be a better bet. Other people have mentioned East Bethesda as being more walkable to get to stores.

[Anonymous]

thank you both for the advice! (esp. as I think about it, my question wasn't all that clear. Also, I didn't mean to put so much of it in bold. I just wanted to put the main question in bold in case someone didn't want to read all the detail.)
Good advice on making an effort right away to make friends. I know I'm saying I want a friendly, connected community, but at the same time, DH and I are introverts (probably why I need a nice community!) so it's good to be reminded to make the effort.
I still am not sure Wyngate is the right fit for us, but it's where I keep seeing the nicest houses in our price range! It seems to me (based on just my internet surfing) that houses in walkable neighborhoods don't get that much cheaper when you go out further. ie, somehow it doesn't seem like the really walkable parts of Rockville and Silver Spring are that much cheaper. But I need to see more in person with a realtor, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Walkers play at the school -- little kids only out on the front "playground" and the rest on the patch out back. Many kids take buses to several different aftercare settings and play there. Ayrlawn Park is the big play area.

[Anonymous]

thank you PP, I'm glad to hear that a bunch of kids play at the school after getting out. I liked that "scene" here, and my son was so into it. (So many of the sports activities little kids do now are run by grownups. While the parents were still around at the playground, the play was organized by the kids themselves, which seems important somehow. Of course, sometimes they spent half their time arguing about the rules, but hey... Usually it was great free-play.)

[Anonymous]

I'd love a somewhat funky neighborhood with activists, artists, gardeners etc, but that's probably nowhere in the close-to-metro MD suburbs)

Are you considering Takoma Park? What you wrote above sounds like a description of TP, with walkable, strong sense of community, etc... I am also struggling with the suburban vs. closer-in, more walkable community decision....

[Anonymous]

Wyngate not a funky artist/activist neighborhood. Think soccer/karate moms, minivans, and SUVs.

Also take a look at the Cabin John /Clara Barton area by Glen Echo.

[Anonymous]

Look at COld Spring, I can't believe this school exists. Amazing principal, staff, children and experience. We left a respectable private behind and we did not regret even 1 second.

[Anonymous]

Can't speak to your wyngate school questions, but based onwhat you describe you want in a neighborhood and schools, have you looked at Garrett park? Would fit a lot of your criteria. Also second Silver Spring, although watch which school district you are in.