Sell me on Silver Spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone. I like the diversity in SS and some of the neighbourhoods are nice. People seem friendly.
It’s just that I have been to downtown SS many times now and it is a bit depressing. I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown. I love ethnic food. It’s just that the area feels utterly charmless. The WF is nice but the parking lot there gets crazy on the weekends. I was surprised at the traffic and congestion in downtown on Friday evenings. I just feel it would add to my stress level if I had to go there a lot. The farmers market is very nice. Maybe it is fine to live there but avoid downtown and instead frequent Takoma Park, Bethesda and Rockville instead. Even the metro station looks imposing and uninviting. Good to hear there are nice parks around. We are also looking at Kensington. I’m not a huge Bethesda fan but I would say the Bethesda downtown beats SS by a mile. I guess that visual aesthetics are important to me. I could never live in an ugly house even if the inside was very nice.

Sorry but, you couldn't be this dim. You knew your were insulting people's hometown. You know where I avoid? Bethesda. Go live in Bethesda or Rockville if you prefer it. But, I do NOT find SS downtown depressing or run down. Sheesh I hate people like you. You don't have to like it but, you don't have to insult people who do.

Please look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone. I like the diversity in SS and some of the neighbourhoods are nice. People seem friendly.
It’s just that I have been to downtown SS many times now and it is a bit depressing. I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown. I love ethnic food. It’s just that the area feels utterly charmless. The WF is nice but the parking lot there gets crazy on the weekends. I was surprised at the traffic and congestion in downtown on Friday evenings. I just feel it would add to my stress level if I had to go there a lot. The farmers market is very nice. Maybe it is fine to live there but avoid downtown and instead frequent Takoma Park, Bethesda and Rockville instead. Even the metro station looks imposing and uninviting. Good to hear there are nice parks around. We are also looking at Kensington. I’m not a huge Bethesda fan but I would say the Bethesda downtown beats SS by a mile. I guess that visual aesthetics are important to me. I could never live in an ugly house even if the inside was very nice.

I have zero idea what's more aesthetically appealing about downtown Bethesda, but I've never been rich enough to care about what my grocery store looks like.

I live in SS. Not downtown, but walkable to it, the area around Flower and Wayne. I like it. I like my neighbors, I like my church and the people there, there's lots of playgrounds for my daughter, Sligo Creek is beautiful and not too crowded. The farmers market is nice to have, so is the ice rink. There's decent restaurants that aren't too expensive, and the new library is nice, especially for kids. That building also has a Levine School of Music where I took piano lessons and my daughter takes dance across the street (pre-COVID) and I like that it's all right there. I can get to Takoma Park easily of I want without paying the cost of living there. I love the diversity in my community and in our school.

The transit center is annoying if you need to catch a bus or get to further south on Georgia, but getting to the Metro isn't bad. The Whole Foods parking lot can be crowded on weekend, but there's plenty of other lots around that are free for nights and weekends.

The community isn't fancy, but it's affordable, friendly, and nice. If you accept that, you'll like it. If you come in thinking it's ugly and rundown, you'll hate it, but that's true everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

*vape stores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

You left out the adult video store and the worlds sketchiest aquarium store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone. I like the diversity in SS and some of the neighbourhoods are nice. People seem friendly.
It’s just that I have been to downtown SS many times now and it is a bit depressing. I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown. I love ethnic food. It’s just that the area feels utterly charmless. The WF is nice but the parking lot there gets crazy on the weekends. I was surprised at the traffic and congestion in downtown on Friday evenings. I just feel it would add to my stress level if I had to go there a lot. The farmers market is very nice. Maybe it is fine to live there but avoid downtown and instead frequent Takoma Park, Bethesda and Rockville instead. Even the metro station looks imposing and uninviting. Good to hear there are nice parks around. We are also looking at Kensington. I’m not a huge Bethesda fan but I would say the Bethesda downtown beats SS by a mile. I guess that visual aesthetics are important to me. I could never live in an ugly house even if the inside was very nice.

I have zero idea what's more aesthetically appealing about downtown Bethesda, but I've never been rich enough to care about what my grocery store looks like.

I live in SS. Not downtown, but walkable to it, the area around Flower and Wayne. I like it. I like my neighbors, I like my church and the people there, there's lots of playgrounds for my daughter, Sligo Creek is beautiful and not too crowded. The farmers market is nice to have, so is the ice rink. There's decent restaurants that aren't too expensive, and the new library is nice, especially for kids. That building also has a Levine School of Music where I took piano lessons and my daughter takes dance across the street (pre-COVID) and I like that it's all right there. I can get to Takoma Park easily of I want without paying the cost of living there. I love the diversity in my community and in our school.

The transit center is annoying if you need to catch a bus or get to further south on Georgia, but getting to the Metro isn't bad. The Whole Foods parking lot can be crowded on weekend, but there's plenty of other lots around that are free for nights and weekends.

The community isn't fancy, but it's affordable, friendly, and nice. If you accept that, you'll like it. If you come in thinking it's ugly and rundown, you'll hate it, but that's true everywhere.

A house on my block sold for 1.4 million. Just fyi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please stay away from SS. We don’t need your snobby, judgement here.

+1 Sad, OP. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown.

That's called small business. Many people consider it an asset to a community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

You left out the adult video store and the worlds sketchiest aquarium store.

PP. The only thing that is intriguing to me is the Tropical Ice Cream store. Haven’t had a chance to go there.

[Anonymous]

If you are not going to live in DTSS, I don’t see why you would let it affect your decision to buy is SS. I live in Woodmoor, which is a 10 minute drive to DTSS. I might go a few times a month, but I wouldn’t say I’m always there. It does get crowded on weekends, but I know where to find the parking spots so it’s not a big deal. Also, SS is central to many shopping areas - if you want to avoid it, you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone. I like the diversity in SS and some of the neighbourhoods are nice. People seem friendly.
It’s just that I have been to downtown SS many times now and it is a bit depressing. I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown. I love ethnic food. It’s just that the area feels utterly charmless. The WF is nice but the parking lot there gets crazy on the weekends. I was surprised at the traffic and congestion in downtown on Friday evenings. I just feel it would add to my stress level if I had to go there a lot. The farmers market is very nice. Maybe it is fine to live there but avoid downtown and instead frequent Takoma Park, Bethesda and Rockville instead. Even the metro station looks imposing and uninviting. Good to hear there are nice parks around. We are also looking at Kensington. I’m not a huge Bethesda fan but I would say the Bethesda downtown beats SS by a mile. I guess that visual aesthetics are important to me. I could never live in an ugly house even if the inside was very nice.

This can’t be true bc driving down 355 and passing the Guapos, dealerships, bland office buildings, Trader Joe’s are ugly. Plus the constant construction that has been taking place since I was in high school (mid 30s now). And I’m confused about someone calling downtown Bethesda pedestrian friendly. Also, calling bullsh*t on not recognizing congestion on 355, Georgia Ave, and Connecticut Ave. They all equally just plain suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend anyone. I like the diversity in SS and some of the neighbourhoods are nice. People seem friendly.
It’s just that I have been to downtown SS many times now and it is a bit depressing. I’m fine with urban grit but there is something about the SS downtown that I find jarring. It is not designed well and many of the buildings are ugly and rundown. I love ethnic food. It’s just that the area feels utterly charmless. The WF is nice but the parking lot there gets crazy on the weekends. I was surprised at the traffic and congestion in downtown on Friday evenings. I just feel it would add to my stress level if I had to go there a lot. The farmers market is very nice. Maybe it is fine to live there but avoid downtown and instead frequent Takoma Park, Bethesda and Rockville instead. Even the metro station looks imposing and uninviting. Good to hear there are nice parks around. We are also looking at Kensington. I’m not a huge Bethesda fan but I would say the Bethesda downtown beats SS by a mile. I guess that visual aesthetics are important to me. I could never live in an ugly house even if the inside was very nice.

What’s the saying? Beggars can’t be choosers.......

[Anonymous]

I'm not going to "sell" you on Silver Spring, but I'll tell you what I like about it. For what it is worth, I live near the new ArtSpace, a short walk to DTSS.

* The dingy small businesses that you don't like include some really great legacy shops - an amazing shoe repair place, an affordable high quality tailor, a wonderfully curated comic book store, and a Black-owned queer-owned book store. Not to mention a bunch of great restaurants. I wouldn't trade those for something newer and shinier.

* My neighbors are amazing and diverse. This means that I get block parties with amazing food that I might not have otherwise tried. Win-win on the community front.

* My kids have a community. Because a lot of folks in the neighborhood had one parent working from home even pre-pandemic, there are always kids and adults around to create a safe space for kids to play.

* The Farmer's Market is great. I can see why you might not like being closed in by big parking structures, but I don't mind. I can walk over, do my shopping, and be home by foot in under an hour.

From your comments, it sounds like SS isn't the right community for you. That's fine, but plenty of us love it here and would not choose a different community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

You left out the adult video store and the worlds sketchiest aquarium store.

PP. The only thing that is intriguing to me is the Tropical Ice Cream store. Haven’t had a chance to go there.

Haven't gone in years. They were rude the majority of the time so I decided to spend my money elsewhere. I like Moorenkos on Georgia. http://moorenkos.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP.
Do you like Georgia Avenue? I almost bought in Woodside which is a beautiful neighborhood. But the surrounding area is ugly. The Mofongo place makes me mad just to see it and I’ve had it in PR and like the dish. I don’t prefer neighborhoods with check cashing, cape stores, and pawn shops all over the place. DTSS also looks depressing.

Do you like Wisconsin avenue? Rockville pike? They aren't charming either!