Need honest opinions on North Potomac--possible move to that area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP - Va. does not have as much diversity though, if that is something that you are looking for in a neighborhood.

I never understood that as being a big factor when choosing where to live. On the one hand, it is good for your kids to see different cultures and meet folks from different parts of the world. But on the other, unfortunately the more diverse, often the more separated the neighbors are.

I have to agree, unfortunately, and I live in North Potomac. My immediate neighborhood is well over half Asian, and most of them are immigrants. I don't think they mean to be stand-off-ish, but they are. It's hard to break into this group of neighbors, and I don't even really see much evidence of them socializing with each other. It's like everyone just goes home to their houses every day and never engage with others on the play ground, etc. Not at the pool, either. Nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Yes I have heard there are a lot of Asians in the area and the few we have run into have not been very friendly.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP - Va. does not have as much diversity though, if that is something that you are looking for in a neighborhood.

I never understood that as being a big factor when choosing where to live. On the one hand, it is good for your kids to see different cultures and meet folks from different parts of the world. But on the other, unfortunately the more diverse, often the more separated the neighbors are.

I have to agree, unfortunately, and I live in North Potomac. My immediate neighborhood is well over half Asian, and most of them are immigrants. I don't think they mean to be stand-off-ish, but they are. It's hard to break into this group of neighbors, and I don't even really see much evidence of them socializing with each other. It's like everyone just goes home to their houses every day and never engage with others on the play ground, etc. Not at the pool, either. Nowhere.

Not all neighborhoods in NP are super asian. Less so in Quince Orchard area and the course offerings at the school are for all intents and purposes the same. Land is prettier too, not built on an outcropping of rock. I love NP for families.

[Anonymous]

"super asian" . . . interesting comment!

[Anonymous]

Yes I have heard there are a lot of Asians in the area and the few we have run into have not been very friendly.

I don't know your neighbors but all the Chinese and Korean families that I have met in our area and through our kids school have been very nice. You may be confusing a language barrier and cultural tendencies about extroverted behavior with friendly or nice behavior.

One of my now closest friends could not speak any English when she moved here and several of the parents of my kid's friends are not confident about their conversational English. If you are a happy, extrovert it is easy to forget how fast you may be talking or how much flowery language you are using that does not translate well. My friend has told me that for years even though she could read and write perfect English that it was often difficult to follow conversations with some people so she had to politely smile. She didn't have the confidence to strike up a conversation with someone new. Asian cultures are more reserved and family centric. I know that when I am at a park two American born moms, myself included, will quickly strike up a conversation and chatter with small talk. You just need to make the first move with your more reserved neighbors.

My Asian parent friends, especially 1st generation, are much more adventurous about going to DC and museums for playdates. They seem more interested in taking advantage of all the cultural offerings DC has to offer. Many of my American born parent friends are less impressed with this stuff, hate the idea of driving into DC, and prefer reciprocal drop off playdates or the park. We like to do both so I'm glad that we have friends with both interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great input. We're considering the area, too, but I notice that there aren't many options for single family homes less than say about $550K. If cash isn't a concern, though, then I'm sure it'll be a wonderful area to move to.

Actually, you may possibly be able to find a SFH just outside of the Kentlands/Lakelands that would allow you to still be able to utilize the neighborhood as you would if you lived there.

You cannot use the pool/club facilities if you do not live there. Kentlands cannot use Lakelands pools and vice versa.