Anonymous wrote:

But Bethesda schools have higher overall test scores than Silver Spring schools. There. Fixed it. Doesn't mean they are better overall. Doesn't mean they are worse overall either. They definitely have higher overall test scores. That is one point to compare. Others may be looking for other pieces of information to compare such as: class size, school size, diversity, etc.

This sounds about right, but I'd add another layer of nuance. Kids with similar backgrounds have similar outcomes at *most* schools. That is, most kids at most schools will perform exactly as predicted by their circumstances (maternal education, household stability, English language ability, access to enrichment). However, there are schools in Bethesda where kids underperform compared to what you would predict, and Silver Spring schools where kids overperform compared to averages for their demographic groups. Moreover, some kids will underperform at the "better" school for any number of intangible reasons, including special ed support or overall environment.

However, it's really hard to figure out which schools those are, so people make the "safe" choice and assume their personal kid will do well at a school where kids have overall "good" test scores, without looking into whether that school is adding value to the advantages those kids had coming in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:all these people triggered by OP's question and insulting her are so embarassing. bethesda is large, and everyone knows deep down its nicer. that's why its more expensive. i don't really feel a huge difference between downtown bethesda and downtown silver spring, but if people think the neighborhoods in bethesda or the schools are worse than silver spring .... they're either lying to themselves, have only lived in this area for 5 years or something and don't know sh*t about the region, or delusional. give me a break.

The people who made the choice to live in Silver Spring disagree with you. We resent the fact that you are jamming your opinion down our throat and by saying we are "triggered" is really low and gaslighting. If we don't say anything you can say yes SS is trash but, if we stand up for SS you say we are triggered and deep down "jealous".

So damn if we do and damn if we don't.

I prefer SS to Bethesda. I don't trash Bethesda. I just don't prefer it.

Uh, when I did I say Silver Spring is trash? Jesus Christ, I think Silver Spring is just fine. Like I said in a follow up response to someone else, I've lived there... I'm not sure why my point (which I stand by) that Bethesda is better maintained, safer and has better schools means I'm gaslighting you. I don't care if you're jealous of Bethesda or not, but you're helping my point above where I said "all these people triggered by OP's question .. are so embarassing."

But Bethesda schools have higher overall test scores than Silver Spring schools. There. Fixed it. Doesn't mean they are better overall. Doesn't mean they are worse overall either. They definitely have higher overall test scores. That is one point to compare. Others may be looking for other pieces of information to compare such as: class size, school size, diversity, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think both downtown Bethesda and downtown silver spring are mediocre. It's funny how everyone thinks everyone in Bethesda is some millionaire with a butler or something. I can't easily differentiate between silver spring "people" and Bethesda "people." I live in NW DC, I'm from the area, and yeah - I think I know more than 90% of people in this thread about these neighborhoods because I've lived in both of them (and NW DC and NE DC). SS has more crime than Bethesda. The schools are NOT good. They just aren't.

Have you actually been in the schools? Met all of the staff and students? People are so quick to label a school without actually spending time in one. I’ve worked in Northwood High school (and a few others in the county, elementary and high school, while also having friends who worked in W schools) and I know all about the school ratings.

No, I haven't been in ALL the schools and met ALL the staff and teachers. What kind of idiotic question is that? But Bethesda schools are better overall than Silver Spring schools. It's not subjective. I don't think there's some special teacher insider knowledge about ratings that you have access to that the general public doesn't. Thanks for the genuine chuckle.

Of course it's subjective. "Better" schools are entirely dependent on your opinions, your perspectives, your values.

But Bethesda schools have higher overall test scores than Silver Spring schools. There. Fixed it. Doesn't mean they are better overall. Doesn't mean they are worse overall either. They definitely have higher overall test scores. That is one point to compare. Others may be looking for other pieces of information to compare such as: class size, school size, diversity, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:all these people triggered by OP's question and insulting her are so embarassing. bethesda is large, and everyone knows deep down its nicer. that's why its more expensive. i don't really feel a huge difference between downtown bethesda and downtown silver spring, but if people think the neighborhoods in bethesda or the schools are worse than silver spring .... they're either lying to themselves, have only lived in this area for 5 years or something and don't know sh*t about the region, or delusional. give me a break.

Ha, no. I could afford Bethesda or SS, and I prefer SS. DT Bethesda truly does not appeal at all. DT SS is fun and active. And I prefer more down to earth people and schools.

I think both downtown Bethesda and downtown silver spring are mediocre. It's funny how everyone thinks everyone in Bethesda is some millionaire with a butler or something. I can't easily differentiate between silver spring "people" and Bethesda "people." I live in NW DC, I'm from the area, and yeah - I think I know more than 90% of people in this thread about these neighborhoods because I've lived in both of them (and NW DC and NE DC). SS has more crime than Bethesda. The schools are NOT good. They just aren't.

Have you actually been in the schools? Met all of the staff and students? People are so quick to label a school without actually spending time in one. I’ve worked in Northwood High school (and a few others in the county, elementary and high school, while also having friends who worked in W schools) and I know all about the school ratings.

No, I haven't been in ALL the schools and met ALL the staff and teachers. What kind of idiotic question is that? But Bethesda schools are better overall than Silver Spring schools. It's not subjective. I don't think there's some special teacher insider knowledge about ratings that you have access to that the general public doesn't. Thanks for the genuine chuckle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think both downtown Bethesda and downtown silver spring are mediocre. It's funny how everyone thinks everyone in Bethesda is some millionaire with a butler or something. I can't easily differentiate between silver spring "people" and Bethesda "people." I live in NW DC, I'm from the area, and yeah - I think I know more than 90% of people in this thread about these neighborhoods because I've lived in both of them (and NW DC and NE DC). SS has more crime than Bethesda. The schools are NOT good. They just aren't.

Have you actually been in the schools? Met all of the staff and students? People are so quick to label a school without actually spending time in one. I’ve worked in Northwood High school (and a few others in the county, elementary and high school, while also having friends who worked in W schools) and I know all about the school ratings.

No, I haven't been in ALL the schools and met ALL the staff and teachers. What kind of idiotic question is that? But Bethesda schools are better overall than Silver Spring schools. It's not subjective. I don't think there's some special teacher insider knowledge about ratings that you have access to that the general public doesn't. Thanks for the genuine chuckle.

Of course it's subjective. "Better" schools are entirely dependent on your opinions, your perspectives, your values.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think both downtown Bethesda and downtown silver spring are mediocre. It's funny how everyone thinks everyone in Bethesda is some millionaire with a butler or something. I can't easily differentiate between silver spring "people" and Bethesda "people." I live in NW DC, I'm from the area, and yeah - I think I know more than 90% of people in this thread about these neighborhoods because I've lived in both of them (and NW DC and NE DC). SS has more crime than Bethesda. The schools are NOT good. They just aren't.

Have you actually been in the schools? Met all of the staff and students? People are so quick to label a school without actually spending time in one. I’ve worked in Northwood High school (and a few others in the county, elementary and high school, while also having friends who worked in W schools) and I know all about the school ratings.

No, I haven't been in ALL the schools and met ALL the staff and teachers. What kind of idiotic question is that? But Bethesda schools are better overall than Silver Spring schools. It's not subjective. I don't think there's some special teacher insider knowledge about ratings that you have access to that the general public doesn't. Thanks for the genuine chuckle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:all these people triggered by OP's question and insulting her are so embarassing. bethesda is large, and everyone knows deep down its nicer. that's why its more expensive. i don't really feel a huge difference between downtown bethesda and downtown silver spring, but if people think the neighborhoods in bethesda or the schools are worse than silver spring .... they're either lying to themselves, have only lived in this area for 5 years or something and don't know sh*t about the region, or delusional. give me a break.

The people who made the choice to live in Silver Spring disagree with you. We resent the fact that you are jamming your opinion down our throat and by saying we are "triggered" is really low and gaslighting. If we don't say anything you can say yes SS is trash but, if we stand up for SS you say we are triggered and deep down "jealous".

So damn if we do and damn if we don't.

I prefer SS to Bethesda. I don't trash Bethesda. I just don't prefer it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:all these people triggered by OP's question and insulting her are so embarassing. bethesda is large, and everyone knows deep down its nicer. that's why its more expensive. i don't really feel a huge difference between downtown bethesda and downtown silver spring, but if people think the neighborhoods in bethesda or the schools are worse than silver spring .... they're either lying to themselves, have only lived in this area for 5 years or something and don't know sh*t about the region, or delusional. give me a break.

Ha, no. I could afford Bethesda or SS, and I prefer SS. DT Bethesda truly does not appeal at all. DT SS is fun and active. And I prefer more down to earth people and schools.

I think both downtown Bethesda and downtown silver spring are mediocre. It's funny how everyone thinks everyone in Bethesda is some millionaire with a butler or something. I can't easily differentiate between silver spring "people" and Bethesda "people." I live in NW DC, I'm from the area, and yeah - I think I know more than 90% of people in this thread about these neighborhoods because I've lived in both of them (and NW DC and NE DC). SS has more crime than Bethesda. The schools are NOT good. They just aren't.

Have you actually been in the schools? Met all of the staff and students? People are so quick to label a school without actually spending time in one. I’ve worked in Northwood High school (and a few others in the county, elementary and high school, while also having friends who worked in W schools) and I know all about the school ratings.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, man. This. Thread.

I assume that the OP is British, or of the Commonwealth, or educated in a British system from the spelling of neighboUrhood.

If correct, where and how the OP grew up is probably instrumental in their expectations and desires for home life. If you have to be *sold* on Silver Spring, then it probably isn't for you. I can understand the concerns over the current shape of downtown SS. It's a bit of a mess. The ever evolving purple line has been digging up roads for years now. Throw that on top of the non stop construction and things can look messy. Not that downtown Bethesda is all that different in terms of constant construction, but to each their own.

I live in Silver Spring and like it very much. Not in downtown though. Just outside. If you want old sub and semi-urban neighborhoods, there are plenty of options that surround downtown. If you want to live in a diverse area with a bunch of terrific restaurants that offer cuisines from around the globe, then come to the Spring. If you want to shop at lululemon then eat at an overpriced, mini chain restaurant, then Bethesda awaits. One choice is not superior to the other. It's a matter of taste.

I will say that vitriolic comments about Bethesda and "stay away" snipes are repugnant. So much for those pillars of tolerance and inclusion. As a SS resident, I welcome any and all people to our neighborhood. That even includes Trump folk. I won't agree with your views for one second, but you have the right to live wherever you choose. As an old person who has spent the bulk of their existence, and has generations of family members buried in Montgomery County, I am astounded at the amount of self righteous, intolerant, frankly hateful, individuals who label themselves as progressives, that have been implanting themselves all over MoCo, but especially in Silver Spring. MoCo has always been a conservatively liberal county, but now things have taken a full on Portland turn and I can not gauge when the rhetoric will morph into to full on stupidity. If you want things to get better in this country, it starts with engagement - not derision. I've talked a couple people to come down from the Trump tree. It *can* happen.

Also, way back in the day, Bethesda and Silver Spring weren't that different. Anyone remember McDonald's Raw Bar? Yup. Didn't think so. Then the 80's came. Bethesda grew while downtown Silver Spring sunk. If you think SS is rough now, you should have seen it 20 years ago before Doug Duncan lifted taxes and Whole Foods and Discovery can a running. Now change keeps coming for both areas, which has been great. Sure, I miss shopping for records at Vinyl Ink, but I can't wait to see what new things will pop up in the coming years. In the meantime, I'm going to get some coffee at Zed's and chill.

Anonymous wrote:all these people triggered by OP's question and insulting her are so embarassing. bethesda is large, and everyone knows deep down its nicer. that's why its more expensive. i don't really feel a huge difference between downtown bethesda and downtown silver spring, but if people think the neighborhoods in bethesda or the schools are worse than silver spring .... they're either lying to themselves, have only lived in this area for 5 years or something and don't know sh*t about the region, or delusional. give me a break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, after reading this thread I would never move to Silver Spring, because the people seem like real a-holes!

Go read the school threads and you wouldn’t move to Bethesda either.

Anonymous wrote:
large blocks, ugly buildings, wind corridors in winter in between high rises, heat radiation in summer through the pavement and buildings, lack of green spaces.

Anonymous wrote:Well, after reading this thread I would never move to Silver Spring, because the people seem like real a-holes!