Okay, I know that I have seen a sign that says "Kensington Heights" at the entrance to a street off of University right up from the entrance to the Wheaton Mall on University. How is that not Wheaton?

We're on the edge of Kensington Heights and Oakland Terr. (Zoned for OTES for school.) We LOVE our neighborhood. We applied for Kenmont last winter and got in that summer. I can't speak to this year. I will say that we are closer to ToK then Wheaton, and it is nice to be able to walk to the Farmer's Market or coffee shop on teh weekends.

Wheaton is finally coalescing in the form of Silver Spring with expensive high-rise rentals around metro. With the eventual development on the metro parcel, the continued redevelopment at wheaton plaza, and the activity around wheaton triangle, there is a lot to offer.

That said, Silver Spring is still two stops closer and that has helped significantly. I expect Wheaton to retail its eclectic feel, but it's not "unsafe" like silver spring was 20 years ago. I'm not feeling it as an investment, but as a place to live, sure.

Funny because my DH and I were talking about this recently. I feel like Wheaton is one of those places that could go either way in the next few years, which makes commiting to buying a house difficult. We looked at a house just south of the plaza that we quite liked, but ultimately would have been more comfortable a bit futher south towards Forest Glen or west from Georgia (into Kensington Heights). More crime incidents, like breaking and entering, were reported in the streets closer to the plaza/metro station and Georgia Ave.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally wish I had money to invest in property in Wheaton. I predict that area will see the greatest appreciation in a short time. I like Wheaton. I like how it looks, the shops, the slight grunge factor, the colorful buildings. Just wait.

What in the world makes you think Wheaton is going to suddenly become more than the seedy little area that it currently is? The Metro has been there forever. The schools are bad (and I say this as someone with kids in public school in Silver Spring, so I'm not a snob). I don't think Costco is going to drive up housing prices. I would love it if you were right because I'm happy any time I see improvement in Silver Spring and its surrounds, but I'm not seeing it.

How long have you lived in Silver Spring? I've lived here a long time and I can tell you that 15 years ago, I wouldn't have gone to downtown Silver Spring alone. Now, I love Silver Spring. My FIL grew up in Bethesda and can't believe what it looks like now. No one is saying that Wheaton is going to turn around overnight but if the Wheaton BID can do what the Bethesda and Silver Spring BIDs have been able to do, I think the property value in Wheaton can only go up, even if it happens slowly.

The little shopping area is cool and vibrant. I just see people moving further up towards Wheaton and I think the same thing will happen that happened to SS just north of the beltway.

Anonymous wrote:I personally wish I had money to invest in property in Wheaton. I predict that area will see the greatest appreciation in a short time. I like Wheaton. I like how it looks, the shops, the slight grunge factor, the colorful buildings. Just wait.

What in the world makes you think Wheaton is going to suddenly become more than the seedy little area that it currently is? The Metro has been there forever. The schools are bad (and I say this as someone with kids in public school in Silver Spring, so I'm not a snob). I don't think Costco is going to drive up housing prices. I would love it if you were right because I'm happy any time I see improvement in Silver Spring and its surrounds, but I'm not seeing it.

I personally wish I had money to invest in property in Wheaton. I predict that area will see the greatest appreciation in a short time. I like Wheaton. I like how it looks, the shops, the slight grunge factor, the colorful buildings. Just wait.

And speaking of Wheaton, does anybody know anything about that little neighborhood--real estate agents seem to call it Westchester--just east of Wheaton, just east of University Blvd? It's quite pretty and houses are cheap.

What's with the Wheaton bashing?

Kensington Heights may be different from Wheaton, but it isn't any nicer, so I'm not sure why it matters.

I have to disgree. I live in Wheaton and Kensington Heights (while next to Wheaton) is distinct.

Kensington is 20895. Wheaton is 20902. They are different things.

Kensington Heights is Wheaton. It's right next to the Wheaton Mall, for Pete's sake. It reminds me of the developer who built some condos where the Exxon station was on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park and called the neighborhood "Georgetown Heights." I don't have anything against Wheaton, but let's call a spade a spade.

There are several homes in that area for sale right now.

OK interested folks, I will make some inquiries to them and find out and try to post back here soon.