Tell me about Takoma Park
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Anonymous
I live in Takoma Park and have no idea what you are talking about. |
Anonymous
Hmm, this doesn’t represent the TP I know. My friends and neighbors have diverse opinions about the hot button TP issues (the junction, the Coop, the library, whether we should fight to keep the pool at PBES, development at the metro, etc..) and we are all still friends and enjoy spending time together. There certainly are zealots on both sides of all of these issues but they are a small minority. Also, I couldn’t tell you who has a sign in their yard and who doesn’t without walking past their house. Nobody I know cares if you have a sign or not. FWIW - I do love the expensive Mexican food in TP, don’t do yoga, have relatively unquirky teens and spend a lot of time worrying about poverty and cultural tolerance. |
Anonymous
| Was at Takoma Park Day today and it was really great. I looked at a police officer and just said, "Tough assignment today, huh?" He just smiled. Diverse. Lots of families. It was just a great event. |
Anonymous
A few years ago, both my kids in the Communications Art Program (CAP) took magnet classes. Different magnet classes, because they had different interests. It's generally possible to take many of the first-year magnet classes. But some magnet classes, especially at the upper levels, have lots of prerequisites that kids won't have unless they're in the magnet. FWIW, one of my kids got into a USNWR top 5 college from Blair. Another thing to know about Takoma Park is that, at least a few years ago, the Takoma Park middle school magnet took 25 kids from Takoma Park each year. Also, your Takoma Park kid is eligible to join the lotteries for Spanish or French immersion programs in other county schools (French is easier to get into because the Spanish immersion program attracts more applicants). And the immersion programs have GT classes. So one of my kids was doing algebra in French while he was still in elementary school. |
Anonymous
Agree on this one. I have an 8-minute walk to the metro and then a 15-minute ride to Gallery Place. Is this similar to Alexandria? |
Anonymous
Takoma Park is a small city with all sorts of people (not just those you describe). For most, these issues don’t even come up. We like the proximity to downtown, the schools, the trail and the “small town feeling” downtown. Restaurants are good too though we don’t eat out a lot. Our neighbors are nice. My primary complaint is that if your kids do certain semi serious sports, the drive to those facilities after school can be tough! |
Anonymous
Is it a Lord of the Rings thing? |
Anonymous
Actually, most parts of Takoma Park are walkable to the Metro which makes it easy to get downtown. Though, it's true, if your goal in moving to Takoma Park is to go to Bethesda a lot, it's not a good choice. |
Anonymous
Yes, which points out one of the TKPK negatives: they try to make it difficult to drive around, so it takes time to drive out of the city of Takoma Park. If your tendency is to drive most places, you'll benefit from living near a major road because it's hard to get out. |
Anonymous
This does indeed seem like a riddle. |
Anonymous
That may be true, but I live on the DC side and go to downtown TP on my walks. I only feel welcomed and safe as a black woman in TP. Also, Takoma DC is 2 blocks away and that downtown is diverse. Busboys and Poets, etc. |
Anonymous
This is so embarrassing to read. Do you really think that the "W schools" are elite? Copium? There is no such thing as an elite public in Montgomery Cty. They are all fine, but none is elite. But if this is what you need to tell yourself to feel confident in living in "North Bethesda", then don't let me stop you. |
Anonymous
I'm assuming the poster is referring to the residents who live in apartment buildings. TPK mostly deals with them by pointing at them and saying they are an example of its wonderful diversity. And to be fair, that's true. |
Anonymous
It’s charming that you describe the community as having zealots on “both sides” of these local issues and yourself as someone “worried about cultural tolerance”. As someone interested in cultural tolerance living in a community with “both sides” Roughly what percentage of your community friends voted for Trump? |
Anonymous
I’m the poster you’re responding to. I don’t find it at all difficult to get out, but once out, you have to deal with long drives to, e.g. Rockville and Bethesda where many sports clubs are based. |