Relocating - Takoma Park?

[windnwater3]

My husband and I, along with our 5yro and 2.5yro are planning to move to the DC area (as soon as our house sells out of state!). I told my husband I'd give him Metropolis if he gave me a "neighborhood". So far Takoma Park seems 'it' to me! It feels similar to the city we currenlty live (Ithaca, NY) in it's progressive politics and greenyness. I've been searching and reading online, have been to TPSS Co-op a few times, the Sunday Farmers Market and have strolled the streets. I envision us living in the historic neighborhood, in a cute apartment and walking to school, using the Metro to explore the city.

I would LOVE to hear feedback (positive only?...well, ok, any would be appreciated) about this huge move!

Thanks to any and all~

Hilary

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a great fit for you! Have you sat in on the school you'd be attending? that would seem to me to be the last important thing not mentioned in your post.

Schools in the Silver Spring and Takoma Park area are not loved without reservation, although of course many locals are indeed fans. Not that I personally know of any problems or challenges, it's just that I've postings in this forum and on the listserv over the years.

[Anonymous]

Also make sure you know about the temporary relocation of Takoma Park Elementary School to the Grosvenor holding school during 2009-2010, as this might affect your child.

We were considering TP but our child, now in pre-K, would be affected. Makes Takoma Park much less appealing to us, since the drive to the holding school is 40 minutes without traffic, no doubt longer on the bus. It would just be for a year, but I'm not sure that's a situation I want for my future first grader, especially since we're moving to Montgomery County in large part "for the schools!"

Lots of info available on the Takomapakk listserv (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/takomapakk/).

[Anonymous]

to the person who mentioned the TPES relocation; thank you! no...that was not something we were aware of~ not sure if it's something i'd like to contend with either.

We are also going to Montgomery Co. 'for the schools' as advised by family who lives in N.Potomac. I just don't want to be way out in Suburbia, either.

how are the other elementary schools that serve TP?

[Anonymous]

TPES serves the early years (K-2), then the kids, together with students from East Silver Spring ES, all go to Piney Branch Elementary School (for years 3-5). While TPES gets 5 stars from parents on greatschools.net, Piney Branch ES (3-5) gets an average of 2 stars (from 2 parents). Piney Branch also gets a 5 out of 10 rating from the site based on test scores.

Rolling Terrace Elementary School also has a Takoma Park address (K-5). It gets 4 stars from parents and a 6 out of 10 rating based on scores. It has a Spanish immersion program.


Nearby elementary schools:

Sligo Creek ES gets a 7/10 based on scores, and an average of 4 stars from parents. I've heard good things about the French immersion but not such good things about the academy program.

[Anonymous]

TP is very progressive, green-ey type place. Know lots of people that live there and they LOVE it. Very urban feel.

[Anonymous]

Some of the areas around Takoma Park are crime ridden. Specifically the area off Sligo and near the old Blair High School.

[Anonymous]

TP is a mixed-bag, which is why it's more affordable. You really need to visit the schools and neighborhoods and talk to people, if you haven't already done so, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TP is a mixed-bag, which is why it's more affordable. You really need to visit the schools and neighborhoods and talk to people, if you haven't already done so, OP.

Not sure if this poster is aware, but only renting in Tk Pk is "more affordable" now. Houses of the kind we looked at and bought were the same price as comparable houses in Bethesda, where we also looked. However, renting is still very affordable due to strong tenant protections. There is certainly more crime than in more homogeneous places. However, the kinds of neighborhoods the OP would be looking in are not at all "crime ridden." As another poster mentioned, TPES is an excellent school but will be closed in 2009-10. We are planning on private school for a number of reasons. It sounds like the OP has done a whole lot of homework and she knows what she wants.

We love Takoma Park. If you like Ithaca, Tk Pk could easily be a great fit for you. It's the most progressive, friendly, crunchy place in the DC area. It's heaven for our 2.5 YO; so many other toddlers and kids around, and so many fun things to do within walking distance. There's the urban proximity, which has a lot of benefits, but a real small town feel because it is, in fact, an actual small town rather than an unincorporated, amorphous suburb. Very strong community feel and identity. Unlike so many of the DC suburbs, it feels like a real place. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

That's what I meant by a "mixed-bag." So if you're only searching online (which is possible if you're not here), you're going to find more affordable houses in TP than you would, say, in Bethesda. But that's because it's a mixed-bag. Sure, there are places in TP that are pricey. But that's by no means uniform in TP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's what I meant by a "mixed-bag." So if you're only searching online (which is possible if you're not here), you're going to find more affordable houses in TP than you would, say, in Bethesda. But that's because it's a mixed-bag. Sure, there are places in TP that are pricey. But that's by no means uniform in TP.

Exactly -- it's by no means uniform. That's part of why we like it.