What happened to Montgomery Village???

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Montgomery County and had lots of friends who lived in the Village. All were solidly MC to UMC — regular vacations, comfortable homes, focus on academics, nice cars, tickets to the Kennedy Center, PBS donations, etc. We weren’t as fancy as the Potomac crowd, but we weren’t Germantown or Damascus either. Kids went to good 4-year colleges and became professionals like their parents.

Was just up there again a few weeks ago and... wow. The retail has been gutted, and while some of the neighborhoods look the same, others look like they could do with some sprucing up. So what happened? I remember the schools as being challenging and the local amenities as being enjoyable. What changed? And when?

[Anonymous]

That wasn’t a good era for quality construction. The homes have aged badly and this has become one of the cheapest areas in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That wasn’t a good era for quality construction. The homes have aged badly and this has become one of the cheapest areas in the county.

We thought about living there but decided to buy in Glenmont instead. That 80s construction leaves a lot to be desired.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's been that great since the late 80's/early 90's. I remember lifeguarding at a pool there in the summer of 95 and thought it was a little questionable.

[Anonymous]

Lots of gang activity, white flight, lots of transitional/section 8 housing, poorly rated schools, high crime rate, murders, human trafficking, hit hard by the 2008 recession, etc., etc.

-former resident who left for a safer neighborhood in 2013

[Anonymous]

That’s the thing with exurbs. There is always a new community just a few minutes further away. If you are already committed to crazy commutes what’s a few more steps?

If they aren’t new or have some unique Characteristic, they will just move the goals posts to Kentlands.

[Anonymous]

That’s the thing with exurbs. There is always a new community just a few minutes further away. If you are already committed to crazy commutes what’s a few more steps?

This. Well put.

[Anonymous]

White people who can’t afford to move in are moving out. The definition of out is getting further and further away as the city grows. Places like kings farm will be next. Today’s newer middle class areas are tomorrow’s affordable housing that poorer minorities tend to flock to thinking they will live like the previous group did while they flee areas that get too concentrated with their peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White people who can’t afford to move in are moving out. The definition of out is getting further and further away as the city grows. Places like kings farm will be next. Today’s newer middle class areas are tomorrow’s affordable housing that poorer minorities tend to flock to thinking they will live like the previous group did while they flee areas that get too concentrated with their peers.

King Farm is right at the metro. That will keep it desirable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

That’s the thing with exurbs. There is always a new community just a few minutes further away. If you are already committed to crazy commutes what’s a few more steps?

This. Well put.

This - people move that far out because they want new and nice amenities at a reasonable price. There's no reason then to buy 20-year-old homes with dilapidated infrastructure and closed retail outlets.

The people with money are living closer in towards Bethesda and the people looking for a new bargain are willing to go to the subdivision that's just been built 10 minutes away.

So the old subdivisions that went up in the early 90s are now being turned into low-income rentals and VA loan purchases.

That middle ring should have a different name - forgotten exurbs or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That wasn’t a good era for quality construction. The homes have aged badly and this has become one of the cheapest areas in the county.

I live in a single-family home in MV built in the 70's and it is solidly built. Homes in my neighborhood don't sit on the market for a long time.

There are plenty of people who have lived in MV for a long time who choose to remain here, even though the demographics of the area as a whole have changed. It's still a nice community with great recreational opportunities, convenience to shopping, outdoor recreation, and major commuter routes, and very affordable homes. Kids still play outside and walk to schools, and there is a nice sense of community here. What there is not is "lots of gang activity". However, if being around people who are from other countries makes you afraid, it is not the best place for you.

Montgomery Village Center is being reconstructed and will have new shopping, along with townhomes and apartments. There will also be a big development of single-family homes and townhomes on the old golf course; construction will begin later this year. Even though some of the long-time residents resisted the changes, many of us are excited for what the future looks like.

[Anonymous]

So on one hand, we have posts about how expensive this area is, and young people with good incomes can't afford any housing anywhere.

On the other hand, we have posts about older areas that nobody wants to live in and that are attracting all sorts of low quality, low income, households. Example, much of Montgomery County.

So what is actually true? I tend to believe number 2 as the whining about how expensive this area is comes generally from unremarkable individuals who think that affordable means a large property in one of only three or four neighborhoods of their personal standard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White people who can’t afford to move in are moving out. The definition of out is getting further and further away as the city grows. Places like kings farm will be next. Today’s newer middle class areas are tomorrow’s affordable housing that poorer minorities tend to flock to thinking they will live like the previous group did while they flee areas that get too concentrated with their peers.

King Farm is right at the metro. That will keep it desirable.

So is suitland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:White people who can’t afford to move in are moving out. The definition of out is getting further and further away as the city grows. Places like kings farm will be next. Today’s newer middle class areas are tomorrow’s affordable housing that poorer minorities tend to flock to thinking they will live like the previous group did while they flee areas that get too concentrated with their peers.

King Farm is right at the metro. That will keep it desirable.

So is suitland

This! And desirable to who? All areas area desirable to somebody. I would worry about compromise areas like kings farm. People don’t choose there they settle on it. Why that trend slows a cheaper price point will move up into it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So on one hand, we have posts about how expensive this area is, and young people with good incomes can't afford any housing anywhere.

On the other hand, we have posts about older areas that nobody wants to live in and that are attracting all sorts of low quality, low income, households. Example, much of Montgomery County.

So what is actually true? I tend to believe number 2 as the whining about how expensive this area is comes generally from unremarkable individuals who think that affordable means a large property in one of only three or four neighborhoods of their personal standard.

I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive. I think when people complain that it’s expensive here, they mean their options are A) desirable areas they’re likely priced out of already (or where even a million dollars buys you something tiny and old; or B) the areas they can afford have some major dealbreakers (poor performing schools, crime, low quality housing, long commutes, etc.)

Sure there are still some middle class suburbs left (in Virginia City of Fairfax comes to mind). But even that is getting more and more expensive. The housing here is really disparate and when the average person is looking for something “affordable” they are usually implying somewhere safe, with good schools, and a decent commute.

-Signed someone who spent 850k into a really old home that still needs some updates so I can have the much coveted good schools, low crime, and short commute. I don’t consider 850k affordable for most families.