Ft. Washington?

[Anonymous]

We are moving from Wisconsin and Have been blown away by the housing costs, so we've started to look at places like Ft. Washington where it seems you can get a gorgeous home for > $400,000. What can you tell me about this area?

[Anonymous]

Very nice area. I have several friends that live there. All are upper income, highly educated African Americans. I do not know if they are indicative of the whole area or just who I happen to know from there. They have gorgeous houses, mostly newer. It is a bit of a hike to other parts of DC but not as bad as some other places. All of these families I know send their kids to privates schools in DC, VA and MD, so I am guessing the public schools may not be great.

[Anonymous]

The only person I know from Ft. Washington moved there to get a nice house for much less money than Alexandria. She hates her neighbors, hates her neighborhood and sends her child to private Catholic school in VA. I don't think it is indicative of all of Ft. Washington, but she has told some interesting stories about her neighbors, who she claimed burglarized her home. I don't know what happened. But it is not all peaches and cream in that one neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Almost 100% black, many nice neighborhoods, but no non-ghetto shopping or dining.

[Anonymous]

Horrific schools. McMansions. Pretty far off the beaten path. Has a rougher element to it. I wouldn't do it. Where would you be working? Perhaps we can provide some better options for you based on that.

[Anonymous]

You can get a really nice home in Ft. Washington for much less than you'll get elsewhere. I have a friend who's not AA who has a very nice home there. But, you'll need to pay for private school - she did not consider schools when she moved there and is concerned now. And there is a rougher element, as PP mentioned - friend has had home robbed.

[Anonymous]

Large houses for the money, somewhat mixed income area (both blue and white collar professionals, though mostly not in the same neighborhoods). Schools aren't great and public transit is really not very accessible. But, the times I've visited friends over there, they've seemed really friendly neighborhoods and definitely large, pretty houses. If you can put up wtih a longer commute, have a look at Accokeek, just beyond Ft Washington, too. There's large, new construction, like in Ft Washington but also some cool older communities like Moyaone that are neat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost 100% black, many nice neighborhoods, but no non-ghetto shopping or dining.

This. Moved away and never looked back.

[Anonymous]

DH grew up in Ft. Washington. When I started dating him and he was still living at home, he told me never to stop for errands or gas near his neighborhood unless he was with me. That was 20 years ago, but I wouldn't live there.

[Anonymous]

I knew some people who grew up in the Tantallon neighborhood of Ft. Washington. I think it was pretty isolated from the rest of the area. They all went to private school in DC.

[Anonymous]

If you are moving from Wisconsin, majority white, then I would not move to fort Washington. It will be a straight culture shock for you. Perhaps you can try bowie, md. It's more diverse and the same price range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are moving from Wisconsin, majority white, then I would not move to fort Washington. It will be a straight culture shock for you. Perhaps you can try bowie, md. It's more diverse and the same price range.

I have to agree with this. Many of us live in diverse neighborhoods in Silver Spring, MD (where there is no majority) but for 400K you will get a pretty small house (close in) or a bigger house further out.

You should probably get on a plane and visit some neighborhoods and houses you are considering with a real estate agent. It may open your eyes on what you can get (and where) for 400K.

Maybe Riverdale, Hyattsville, University Park, or Mt Rainer if you want to stay in Prince George's county. Still many people do send their children to private school from those areas. Some people move to Montgomery County when their children get to school age or high school age.

[Anonymous]

The problem with Ft. Washington is that it's just not diverse whatsoever. Assuming you are white, it will probably be an ...interesting change to be in a 99% black area. Not that there's anything wrong with 99% black areas, but just like if you're that tiny black minority in a 99% white area, or a tiny Jewish minority in a 99% Christian area, it could get a little difficult.

Then there is the issue of schools. Even in the nicer areas of PG county, schools are downright awful. Most do private, and i CANNOT blame them. It's just very mismanaged money-wise, most schools are over crowded and lacking adequate facilities, and the majority of students just don't care.

Overall, Prince George's county is not the nicest area of DMV, as you can see by the housing prices. It's not Terrible, there are plenty of people who enjoy living there, but it would not be tops on the list of most people. You could try further out MoCo or Loudoun if you like the big new houses.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Prince George's County.

Ft. Washington is a total mixed bag. Nice houusez and neighborhoods mostly, but some rough elements. Majority AA as mentioned, but, as also mentioned, a large percentage are successful and highly educated. Surrounding infrastructure isn't impressive, although National Harbor isn't far.

If I were considering PG County, I'd live in Old Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, maybe Bowie.

I live in Crofton, MD, just over the line from PG in Anne Arundel County. Our neighbors across the street are from Wisconsin. Schools are better here, but houses for $400K are not going to be like $400k houses in Ft. Washington.

What do you want in a neighborhood? What are your priorities?

[Anonymous]

I live in Ft. Washington (now... not 20 yrs ago) and have for over a decade. My neighborhood is 60-65% Black and the rest are a mix of Filipino (high population of Filipino in Ft. Washington), Korean, White and Latino. Our children's preschool is majority white and Filipino and maybe 20% Black (probably due to no aftercare with 12pm pickup times). Just want to correct the 100% Black perception which is inaccurate. Schools suck...for elementary the best option is Potomac Landing Elementary and that isn't saying much. Most of my neighbors send their kids to private school (independent and parochial) and can more than afford to do so.
No I do no like the stores/services available in my community, I buy everything in Old Town which is not far. I like my neighbors, I like my home, I like the affordability, I like the location to close-in NoVa and DC employment. Crime has not been an issue in my neighborhood. The most we have had over the years is someone leaving a car unlocked and having a Garmin or cell taken. No breakins, home invasions, rape, robbery, blah blah blah. I do not feel unsafe here...you use common sense as you have to do in every neighborhood in this metro area.
There has been an uptick in interest that I have noticed from people that are priced out elsewhere and I have noticed many new families moving here that you would not normally expect to see doing so. You will get better info by going to the City-Data forums and search Fort Washington and see discussions by others who have recently been considering it or have recently moved there.
No, it is not going to be a choice for everyone but there are families of more backgrounds that are making a home here. It is further out, but take a look at Accokeek as well.
If you are not talking to anyone that has LIVED here within the last 5 years (and the last 2 years has seen a major demographic change), you are not getting accurate info.