Is Brookland a good place to live with small kids?

[Anonymous]

We're considering moving our young (3 and 1 year olds) family to the Brookland neighborhood. Can anyone tell me what this neighborhood is like? Are there lots of different activities for young children? Libraries, playgrounds, rec centers, etc? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend moving there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend moving there.

Please tell me at least one reason why.

[Anonymous]

Safety can be concerning for some. Depends on your overall options, OP.

[Anonymous]

I've only been to that side of DC once, to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, so admittedly I don't know much about that area. It did not have a neighborhood feel. Also the more east and south you go in DC, the higher the crime rate.

[Anonymous]

We love Brookland! Lots of playgrounds, friendly people. Schools are an issue for some, since the DCPS options of Burroughs and Bunker Hill are not stellar. Most of our Brookland friends go to charters or Catholic school.

[Anonymous]

Brookland is a wonderful neighborhood. There are so many young families here, great sense of community, tons of new amenities coming like great restaurants combined with existing neighborhood gems like the Franciscan Monastery, etc. Go to the real estate forum and search the archives. You'll find some negative comments but you'll also find post after post from people who love it here. I would also suggest talking with people who actually live here instead of people who know nothing about the neighborhood. The neighborhood has really changed for the better, even in the last six years since we moved in.

[Anonymous]

Have you checked out Mount Rainier and the surrounding Hyattsville area?

[Anonymous]

15:17, 18, 19 and 21 clearly haven't been to Brookland in the last 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've only been to that side of DC once, to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, so admittedly I don't know much about that area. It did not have a neighborhood feel. Also the more east and south you go in DC, the higher the crime rate.

I love how this person ONCE visited the far edge of the neighborhood yet feels compelled to provide an opinion on living here. Cracks me up. I would never do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're considering moving our young (3 and 1 year olds) family to the Brookland neighborhood. Can anyone tell me what this neighborhood is like? Are there lots of different activities for young children? Libraries, playgrounds, rec centers, etc? Thanks in advance.

A new library is being built in Woodridge (which borders Brookland). I think it is supposed to be completed in 2015? It will look a lot like the new Shaw library. The Turkey Thicket playground was just completed and is awesome. Visit the playground any Saturday or Sunday and meet lots of Brookland families with young kids. There is also an indoor pool there with a kid area. They are also building a middle school and redoing the playfields on the property so part of it is a construction zone right now.

[Anonymous]

We have friends there and they (and their baby) absolutely LOVE it.

[Anonymous]

There is a VERY active Parents listserv, a bi-weekly playgroup, and pajama storytime at the Woodridge Library at 6 on Tuesday.

I second the coming to Turkey Thicket's new playground (and splashpark!) on a weekend and you'll get to see what Brookland is all about.

Monroe Street Market is going to change the resources available in the neighborhood for the better. A Potbelly is already open, a Brookland Pint, Busboys, &Pizza and others are on the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Safety can be concerning for some. Depends on your overall options, OP.

I've lived here six years and never once had any safety concerns. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I really don't think it is any more prevalent here than elsewhere in town.

Also, the demographic is RAPIDLY changing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brookland is a wonderful neighborhood. There are so many young families here, great sense of community, tons of new amenities coming like great restaurants combined with existing neighborhood gems like the Franciscan Monastery, etc. Go to the real estate forum and search the archives. You'll find some negative comments but you'll also find post after post from people who love it here. I would also suggest talking with people who actually live here instead of people who know nothing about the neighborhood. The neighborhood has really changed for the better, even in the last six years since we moved in.

What restaurants?