Takoma Park MD if you're not woke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

More like she's active in church

This shouldn't be how she tries to make friends, not in the neighborhood. Religion in a private matter.

If OP is coming from elsewhere in the country, I cannot emphasize this enough as a regional difference. I grew up in a part of the country where "Which church do you go to?" was a normal conversation starter. Here, Religion Is Private.

I’m an atheist and I’m friends with a conservative Christian couple in TP. Our kids became friends, so we hang out pretty regularly. Of course they bring up church because it’s big part of their lives, but they don’t try to convert us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only experience I had with a Takoma Park resident was in a childbirth class at Holy Cross Hospital. At some point this couple worked in very vocally that they are Takoma Park residents with somehow both a sense of superiority and a simultaneous chip on their shoulder.

We were encouraged to ask lots of questions over the several weeks of class and at one point saving cord blood came up. I asked if you get paid for donating cord blood kind of like for donating sperm. This Takoma Park dude's face got red as a cherry and he could barely contain his rage - accused me of trying to traffic human organs which is against some international treaty. LMAO dude it was just a question. I decided to live in Chevy Chase after that interaction (had seriously considered Takoma Park and was renting at that time). Although Chevy Chase wasn't a whole lot better

You based your decision on one couple that happened to live in Takoma Park? Most people here would also find that reaction pretty extreme. There is even a group of residents who have an Onion-type website called The Takoma Torch that sees the humor in reactions like this. Generally, the younger and newer residents are less hippy-liberal and more progressive and somewhat moderate than the longtime TPers. It is definitely changing.

[Anonymous]

OP, I wouldn't push to move anywhere your wife says she's not comfortable. We live near TKPK. The residents I know wear their liberal beliefs du jour like a badge of honor. I'm sure not all do, but the culture is about as left as you can get.

We looked there but decided it's not our cup of tea for many reasons (not just the faux liberals) and moved to a different, more expensive neighborhood. If you decide to look there, then I would urge you to spend lots of time there first to make sure it's what both of you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

There are many conservative Latinos towards the Langley Park side of TP. Plenty of normal middle class people in the Jackson rd & hilltop parts. Really the crunch parts are around the co-op down towards the metro. More a modern academic interpretation of the crunchy vibe left over from the modest hippes from the 70s-90s. Weirdly snobby and judgy who embrace diversity as long as it a few streets over while their kids get “enrichment” in school.... a few classrooms over from the normal students

[Anonymous]

I don't live in Takoma Park, but do live nearby and want to push back on this a little bit, or at least ask why you feel this way. The schools are among the most diverse in the DC area, and while the existence of the local CES does lead to some segregation at Piney Branch, the classrooms are still far more integrated than in other parts of the county. At the middle and high school levels, there are identity-specific clubs and advocacy groups, and I can't think of a better place for a GNC or queer kid.

The local government protects rent-controlled housing, and has made specific regulations around inclusion of low-income housing in any new development.

The city provides composting, and uses municipal resources for community-building activities. Police are better-trained than average on racial profiling and how to de-escalate situations with people with mental health issues.

What would you like to see the city do that it isn't doing?

I do live in TP, and I think this is a spot-on post.

OP, if your wife leans fiscally conservative, she may not like the taxes here in TKPK... our extra taxes cover things like the curbside composting and city arborist, and permitting requirements (eg for home construction) are more stringent here than in unincorporated parts of MoCo. This may rub you guys the wrong way.

You definitely will not see Trump yard signs here, and you will see a lot of overt liberal paraphernalia (rainbow flags, BLM signs). You will see little boys wearing dresses at the playground if that's how they want to dress. Common professions among people we know include university professors, federal employees, and researchers at nonprofits, and yes, lots of social science PhDs as someone pointed out. We are friends with many neighbors and parents from school, and while I wouldn't say anyone spends a lot of time talking politics, there is definitely an assumption that people lean liberal in their viewpoints and that comes out in casual conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park is a liberal paradise. I knew NO Republicans there but heard of one.

Takoma Park is actually many cities in one. There is a conservative SDA community that includes Republicans.

It’s a black SDA church. Not many Republicans there. And, most of them live outside of Tacoma Park. I know people who go to that church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you will be considered racist if you don’t toe the line in Takoma Park. Who wants that? MD is a blue state and the suburbs around DC in MD are very blue also. Kensington is not Republican. You would have to search hard to even find a republican in the near suburbs. Maybe CCMD. But why would you choose the most liberal community in MD if that’s not who you are?

Not even. I lived in CCMD. At most you had country club republicans. There were lots of Catholics, but all those women were pro choice and super feminists!

[Anonymous]

OP, I live in Takoma Park, less than a mile from the co-op grocery store. You'll be fine here.

Most people - especially younger families - lean liberal but are not activists. My impression is that most of the vocal activists are older people who have been living here for decades. Many of them are dying or moving away as they age. Although there are fewer of them every year, their reputation apparently still lives on.

Are there some loud outspoken folks? Sure, but they are not the norm. If you like the area (location, schools, amenities) I would encourage you to keep it on your list b

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park is a liberal paradise. I knew NO Republicans there but heard of one.

Takoma Park is actually many cities in one. There is a conservative SDA community that includes Republicans.

It’s a black SDA church. Not many Republicans there. And, most of them live outside of Tacoma Park. I know people who go to that church.

This. There is a historic Seventh Day Adventist community in Takoma Park, but their political influence has been gone for a long time and most do not live in Takoma Park. The church is right on the border with DC, and maybe a mile from the Prince Georges County line. I live in close-in Silver Spring, and we do have a robust SDA community but that community is not nearly as present in Takoma Park in 2020 as it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I don't live in Takoma Park, but do live nearby and want to push back on this a little bit, or at least ask why you feel this way. The schools are among the most diverse in the DC area, and while the existence of the local CES does lead to some segregation at Piney Branch, the classrooms are still far more integrated than in other parts of the county. At the middle and high school levels, there are identity-specific clubs and advocacy groups, and I can't think of a better place for a GNC or queer kid.

The local government protects rent-controlled housing, and has made specific regulations around inclusion of low-income housing in any new development.

The city provides composting, and uses municipal resources for community-building activities. Police are better-trained than average on racial profiling and how to de-escalate situations with people with mental health issues.

What would you like to see the city do that it isn't doing?

I do live in TP, and I think this is a spot-on post.

OP, if your wife leans fiscally conservative, she may not like the taxes here in TKPK... our extra taxes cover things like the curbside composting and city arborist, and permitting requirements (eg for home construction) are more stringent here than in unincorporated parts of MoCo. This may rub you guys the wrong way.

You definitely will not see Trump yard signs here, and you will see a lot of overt liberal paraphernalia (rainbow flags, BLM signs). You will see little boys wearing dresses at the playground if that's how they want to dress. Common professions among people we know include university professors, federal employees, and researchers at nonprofits, and yes, lots of social science PhDs as someone pointed out. We are friends with many neighbors and parents from school, and while I wouldn't say anyone spends a lot of time talking politics, there is definitely an assumption that people lean liberal in their viewpoints and that comes out in casual conversation.

That is a very myopic view of TP that only accounts for the historic area and immediate SFH neighborhoods. 85% of TP looks different at every level then what you described, that might be the only parts you see or pay attention to but it isn't close to the defining population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't live in Takoma Park, but do live nearby and want to push back on this a little bit, or at least ask why you feel this way. The schools are among the most diverse in the DC area, and while the existence of the local CES does lead to some segregation at Piney Branch, the classrooms are still far more integrated than in other parts of the county. At the middle and high school levels, there are identity-specific clubs and advocacy groups, and I can't think of a better place for a GNC or queer kid.

The local government protects rent-controlled housing, and has made specific regulations around inclusion of low-income housing in any new development.

The city provides composting, and uses municipal resources for community-building activities. Police are better-trained than average on racial profiling and how to de-escalate situations with people with mental health issues.

What would you like to see the city do that it isn't doing?

I do live in TP, and I think this is a spot-on post.

OP, if your wife leans fiscally conservative, she may not like the taxes here in TKPK... our extra taxes cover things like the curbside composting and city arborist, and permitting requirements (eg for home construction) are more stringent here than in unincorporated parts of MoCo. This may rub you guys the wrong way.

You definitely will not see Trump yard signs here, and you will see a lot of overt liberal paraphernalia (rainbow flags, BLM signs). You will see little boys wearing dresses at the playground if that's how they want to dress. Common professions among people we know include university professors, federal employees, and researchers at nonprofits, and yes, lots of social science PhDs as someone pointed out. We are friends with many neighbors and parents from school, and while I wouldn't say anyone spends a lot of time talking politics, there is definitely an assumption that people lean liberal in their viewpoints and that comes out in casual conversation.

That is a very myopic view of TP that only accounts for the historic area and immediate SFH neighborhoods. 85% of TP looks different at every level then what you described, that might be the only parts you see or pay attention to but it isn't close to the defining population.

I'm not the PP, but the OP is considering Takoma Park and Bethesda. It stands to reason he will be looking at a SFH, and therefore the culture in that part of the city is approrpriate to describe.

[Anonymous]

So woke basically just means Democrat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're looking for a close-in, affordable neighborhood with friendly neighbors etc, and TKPK seems like it would fit the bill ... We're not super political (I trend left, DW right) ... but DW's perception is that the lefty politics are an identity thing there, and that folks get hostile/snobby if you don't share their views. What are your experiences?

How right? Trump signs on the lawn? Pro Life bumper stickers?

No not MAGA-right ... attend evangelical church, prefer lower taxes, but generally just go about our business.

Heterosexual TP resident here - if your brand of evangelical Christianity does not affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people, including your gay neighbors, nope we won't be friends. And I think you'd be hard pressed to find many friends in Takoma Park if they know you feel this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're looking for a close-in, affordable neighborhood with friendly neighbors etc, and TKPK seems like it would fit the bill ... We're not super political (I trend left, DW right) ... but DW's perception is that the lefty politics are an identity thing there, and that folks get hostile/snobby if you don't share their views. What are your experiences?

OP, I'm still confused why you've settled on TP as a consideration. Is it that it's more affordable than other close-in areas like Bethesda? It seems your family is pretty different in personality, interests, politics, etc., so I'm not sure why you'd consider Takoma Park vs. somewhere like Kensington. What is your budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I live in Takoma Park, less than a mile from the co-op grocery store. You'll be fine here.

Most people - especially younger families - lean liberal but are not activists. My impression is that most of the vocal activists are older people who have been living here for decades. Many of them are dying or moving away as they age. Although there are fewer of them every year, their reputation apparently still lives on.

Are there some loud outspoken folks? Sure, but they are not the norm. If you like the area (location, schools, amenities) I would encourage you to keep it on your list b

And a lot of the old-time residents resent the changes that increased affluence and younger residents bring....