Can anyone tell me about Calvert Hills and University Park?

[Anonymous]

If we strike out in the lottery, we’ll be moving with a max budget of 600k. I’m intrigued by this area but don’t know much about it.

[Anonymous]

We live in University Park and love it. Tons of kids, great neighborhood community. Lovely old growth trees. Houses are older but generally well maintained. You can’t beat the commute into DC and for your price range, you’d be able to get a great house. They go fast though, so if you’re interested in the neighborhood, I recommend working with one of the local realtors. There a few that live in the area so know it well and will often know about a house before it’s listed.

[Anonymous]

There are a couple threads about it. The search may be most helpful.

It's nice, it's diverse, good trails, nice people, low inventory.

I was surprised that this was off the market in a week or less: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Hyattsville/4202-Clagett-Rd-20782/home/11085947?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=listings_update&riftinfo=ZXY9ZW1haWwmbD03OTIzNjgwJnA9bGlzdGluZ191cGRhdGVzX2RhaWx5XzI0JmE9Y2xpY2smcz1zYXZlZF9zZWFyY2gmdD1hZGRyZXNzJmVtYWlsX2lkPTc5MjM2ODBfMTU1MTg2NzEyNV8xJnVwZGF0ZV90eXBlPTQmc2F2ZWRfc2VhcmNoX2lkPTEyOTczNzQyJmxpc3RpbmdfaWQ9MTAyNDc2OTYyJnByb3BlcnR5X2lkPTExMDg1OTQ3JnBvc2l0aW9uX251bWJlcj03

Calvert Hills has the lowest inventory but I like it more than UP because you don't have to cross the street to get to Whole Foods, the metro, and the new restaurants in Riverdale Park.

[Anonymous]

They are decent neighborhoods in otherwise meh parts of town. Schools are a problem, biggest down side is you could buy in MoCo for the price so you almost have to want to live in PG.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are decent neighborhoods in otherwise meh parts of town. Schools are a problem, biggest down side is you could buy in MoCo for the price so you almost have to want to live in PG.

You’d get more house for your money in these neighborhoods though.

Schools can be a problem if you don’t luck out in the lottery or get into a Talented and Gifted program. Or if you’re planning on going private anyway, you’d be spending less on a house than you would in DC or close-in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are decent neighborhoods in otherwise meh parts of town. Schools are a problem, biggest down side is you could buy in MoCo for the price so you almost have to want to live in PG.

You’d get more house for your money in these neighborhoods though.

Schools can be a problem if you don’t luck out in the lottery or get into a Talented and Gifted program. Or if you’re planning on going private anyway, you’d be spending less on a house than you would in DC or close-in MoCo.

These neighborhoods are zoned to an ES that is well-liked and has a lot of neighborhood support. Healthy PTA budget, too, and some really involved parents.

[Anonymous]

Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

There is also a pretty long thread on calvert hills from 2017/2018: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/635239.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are decent neighborhoods in otherwise meh parts of town. Schools are a problem, biggest down side is you could buy in MoCo for the price so you almost have to want to live in PG.

You’d get more house for your money in these neighborhoods though.

Schools can be a problem if you don’t luck out in the lottery or get into a Talented and Gifted program. Or if you’re planning on going private anyway, you’d be spending less on a house than you would in DC or close-in MoCo.

But isn’t that off set by the higher PG taxes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are decent neighborhoods in otherwise meh parts of town. Schools are a problem, biggest down side is you could buy in MoCo for the price so you almost have to want to live in PG.

You’d get more house for your money in these neighborhoods though.

Schools can be a problem if you don’t luck out in the lottery or get into a Talented and Gifted program. Or if you’re planning on going private anyway, you’d be spending less on a house than you would in DC or close-in MoCo.

But isn’t that off set by the higher PG taxes?

Yeah but I actually do receive county services. I noticed that my streets are plowed much quicker than they were in DC. The schools are an issue but I don't use them so it's not a big deal to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

Agree. I would take a hard look at the MoCo schools that are “better” to see what the real differences are. We’ve had kids in school in Takoma Park and UPES and prefer the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

This is not quite true. I know a number of people who are unhappy with school leadership and have taken their kids out or are planning on it next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

This is not quite true. I know a number of people who are unhappy with school leadership and have taken their kids out or are planning on it next year.

Perhaps you could share slightly more? I think one issue that is always faced on these boards is a sort of generic PG=bad. I'm not saying that is what you intended or that no criticism can be leveled, but instead that commentary ought to be more specific than some gut feelings or generalized reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

This is not quite true. I know a number of people who are unhappy with school leadership and have taken their kids out or are planning on it next year.

PP was most likely being hyperbolic. In a school with hundreds of children, I am certain not literally everyone will be pleased. Does the school meet the needs of the majority of children there? More than likely yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very beautiful neighborhoods. You pay city taxes, but of course get city services in exchange.

University Park ES is highly regarded by everyone. For high school, I understand the magnet program at Roosevelt is good and the competition to get in isn't as stiff as it would be in MoCo.

Agree. I would take a hard look at the MoCo schools that are “better” to see what the real differences are. We’ve had kids in school in Takoma Park and UPES and prefer the latter.

Takoma Park schools are completely only over rated except in comparison to DC schools.