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Takoma Park
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Anonymous
| We have a budget of $500K and one child and both commute to the Hill. If you live in Takoma Park, please tell me about it. If you were looking there and decided not to buy, please explain why and tell me where you ended up. Thanks. |
Anonymous
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I live in TP (MD side) and really like it. It is nice because it's its own town and, depending on where you live, walkable to restaurants, coffee, random shops, CVS, post office, coop, farmers' market, and metro. It's nice to be able to do your errands on foot. There are also a TON of kids in our neighborhood and two parks within blocks of us. Neighbors are mostly great and there is a definite sense of community. It is also a great commute to downtown because North Capital is so close. All in all, I think it's a really nice compromise between typical suburbs and city living. I also think you get more for your money. We were looking primarily in Chevy Chase and NW DC and when we saw what we could get here for the same or less $$, we were pleasantly surprised.
Now for the negatives. Takoma Park has its own taxes in addition to MD taxes and they seem high to me. It also has its own public works, which can be great...until there's a blizzard and one of the few plows is broken. Last, there seem to be mini crime waves occasionally. Of course this happens everywhere, but I wouldn't necessarily want to walk to/from the metro at night by myself and I wouldn't want to have a house without an alarm system. Wow, that was lengthy...Good luck on your search! |
Anonymous
| Let me first say that I love TP, I think it's charming and the houses are adorable. We rented there for 2 years but bougt in downtown Silver Spring. Why? Taxes, home prices, crime, walkability and metro. If you have $700k you can get a house in old town takoma and walk to more stuff. $500k puts you on the outskirts though and you have to bus to the metro or take a long walk. Also in the $500k range you are likely in a border area with PG or you are so close to Silver Spring that you will associate with that downtown more except when your tax bill comes. SS has way more restaurants and things to walk to, plus you will end up at Whole Foods anyway because the coop is double the price. Crime is a big factor too. While it isn't horrible, there are a lot of muggings even during daylight and of commuters walking home. Also, because a lot of people don't lock their doors (its a real problem) home invasions are more frequent. I do like the houses better in TP but by the time we got to one we could afford it was too far out or in a sketchy neighborhood. We love our SS neighborhood though and have a 7min walk to metro 10min to all of downtown, great parks and a very active neighborhood where we know almost everyone for blocks. Like the pp mentioned, taxes are higher but I think houses are more expensive too just because they are in the town, so I think you can get more for your money in other neighborhoods. Of course TP offers you the Berkeley community feel and there are a lot of local artists and a general whimsy to the place. It just wasn't enoug for us to counteract the challenges, but we do visit and go to the farmer's market on occasion (better and cheaper than SS's) and their 4th of july parade is a unique treat! |
Anonymous
| We're in East Silver Spring - we had a smaller budget than you and live further from the metro (1.5 from Takoma, and a mile from DTSS) and we love it. We can do things on foot, and have great bus access, a great neighborhood, and tons of parks for the kid. We wanted to do Takoma Park, but the houses were just out of our range. Plus, we wanted something smaller. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| I live in TKPK. The schools are enormous benefit that should not be overlooked. One of the PPs is correct in stating that prices are higher the closer you get to the Metro station. However, isn't that true everywhere? When you think about it, not too many people are within one mile of the Metro. Everyone else takes the Ride-on bus to Metro or commutes some other way. We are probably 2 miles from Metro, but very close to New Hampshire Ave/N. Capitol Street, which makes for very easy commuting. We are also close to Sligo Creek Parkway, which is a huge quality-of-life amenity. So, depending on where you are in TP, you may be closer to some of the fave spots and farther from others. Also, while our taxes are higher, I like having our own police force, garbage pickup, weekly brush removal, recreation department, library, and more. |
Anonymous
What would some of the zip codes be for where you are? We would love to rent in Takoma Park but there doesn't seem to be much out there. Silver Spring would be our next choice I think. Thanks! |
Anonymous
I am not the poster you quoted, but I would look in 20901 (downtown SS) and 20901 (next ring out from downtown). |
Anonymous
I think this poster meant to say 20910 (DTSS) and close in Silver Spring, 20901 (next ring out in Sillver Spring - includes Four Corners) and also there are parts of 20902 (Silver Spring-Wheaton) which are the second ring out. |
Anonymous
| I love TKPK, but live in Silver Spring. Takoma Park is too far from the beltway if you commute on the Beltway. I used to live in Takoma, DC. Maryland side is definitely nicer. Further away from restaurants in Silver Spring and Wheaton. Nice community feel in Takoma Park, but for $500K you would do better in some of the Silver Spring/Wheaton Neighborhoods. Yes and taxes are definitely higher. |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the zip codes with regards to Silver Spring. Any advice on finding rentals in Takoma Park? I know that things go quickly but I am beginning to feel like we need to make a trip there and just camp out until someone throws a sign in their yard.
I am familiar with homesdatabase, militarybyowner, sabaticalhomes, Long and Foster, Weichert and of course Craigslist. I am also on the Takoma Park listserv. What am I missing? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| 20912 as well |
Anonymous
Post on the TakomaPAKK list on Yahoo. Most rentals I know of in TP involve people who need to temporarily move for a couple years (usually for work), and those get advertised on various closed neighborhood listservs. If you post on TakomaPAKK, someone might forward you a listing. |