There’s two parts of greenbelt, one closer to the the beltway and outward by the main roads, then there’s old Greenbelt.

Both are livable communities and diversified.

I grew up in old co-op Greenbelt and went to Greenbelt Elm.

I throughouly enjoyed being able to go to various parks, ride bikes on the sidewalk, and enjoy the spacious community pool.

Everything depends on what you want out of it.
If your commute is to VA, then I would avoid because the drive is horrible, and the green line would be to many transfers.
If your commute is DC, it’s reasonable because of the BWPW, and you’ll be able to transfer through Gallery Place.

The schools, Greenbelt elm was great (1990’s) for me, I still keep in contact with friends.
I moved by middle school, but I wouldn’t advise any of the middle schools.
Roosevelt has no windows, although they are one of the top three schools in PG

There’s everything local you’d be able to access. As far as shopping is concerned, no need to worry.

Other than that, it’s very homey and secure.

I’m consider moving back at times.

Currently in Bowie

The median home price in Takoma Park is 420k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you can guarantee your in the magnet, the MS/HS options are poor. That’s why so many parents (e.g., NASA parents), go private (Catholic, Quaker, JPDS), and if you’re paying for private school, what’s the point? You would better looking at Springfield, Rockville, Takoma Park ( Del Ray feel), or Olney.

Do the math, OP, and you may find that this poster is incorrect. The cost of buying the same quality house in Springfield or Takoma Park is about 200k more than buying an equivalent house in PG and sending your kids to private.

It's more than $200k more imo. More like $400k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget about Hollywood, great SFHs there.

Tell me about Hollywood! Seems like more affordable inventory there than other neighborhoods with similar distance to metro and school ratings, is there a catch? (Definitely going to visit and look around, curious about experiences though.)

I live in Hollywood and love it!! Walking distance to Metro, great neighbors, close to retail (new MOMs grocery store, Proteus Bike store, and new Posh Yoga and Fitness studio all are within walking distance) sidewalks, and close to the Trolley trail for easy bike access to DC.

I don't have any kids but think the schools aren't the best compared to NoVa but are improving. College Park Academy also recently opened. The houses are smaller but not too bad.

Anonymous wrote:Our Community Montessori coop in Greenbelt for ages 3-5, Greenbelt elementary and Eleanor Roosevlt HS. Consider a private for middle school if GReenbelt Middle isn't better when your kids get there. Si glee families in Greenbelt, walkable to the lake and community center, are hard to find but the best bet garage town homes in Vanity Fair are okay. You'll be close to nice playgrounds and the lake. Anything off of Lakecrest Drive or Lakeside drive and the surrounds gets you the small town feel with easy commute for affordable pricing.

The man made lake is a draw?

Our Community Montessori coop in Greenbelt for ages 3-5, Greenbelt elementary and Eleanor Roosevlt HS. Consider a private for middle school if GReenbelt Middle isn't better when your kids get there. Si glee families in Greenbelt, walkable to the lake and community center, are hard to find but the best bet garage town homes in Vanity Fair are okay. You'll be close to nice playgrounds and the lake. Anything off of Lakecrest Drive or Lakeside drive and the surrounds gets you the small town feel with easy commute for affordable pricing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you can guarantee your in the magnet, the MS/HS options are poor. That’s why so many parents (e.g., NASA parents), go private (Catholic, Quaker, JPDS), and if you’re paying for private school, what’s the point? You would better looking at Springfield, Rockville, Takoma Park ( Del Ray feel), or Olney.

Do the math, OP, and you may find that this poster is incorrect. The cost of buying the same quality house in Springfield or Takoma Park is about 200k more than buying an equivalent house in PG and sending your kids to private.

Maybe. But by the time my kids are older I will likely be able to afford private if necessary. I don't want to put that kind of risk on paying my mortgage every month.

Anonymous wrote:Don't forget about Hollywood, great SFHs there.

Tell me about Hollywood! Seems like more affordable inventory there than other neighborhoods with similar distance to metro and school ratings, is there a catch? (Definitely going to visit and look around, curious about experiences though.)

Don't forget about Hollywood, great SFHs there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! I have looked into Cheverly/Lanham a little bit since it is near orange line metro and also close to the MARC Penn line, but it looks like you likely have to go to Hyattsville for day care (not great if you're doing public transit every day) and the schools are not very good. I haven't looked into day cares in Greenbelt much yet, maybe same problem?

A friend who's a teacher in PGCPS recommended Greenbelt and Bowie for schools, but Bowie looks too far out and spread out. We can only afford suburban life but there are different kinds of suburbs, having to buy a second car is kind of our stubborn line in the sand.

There are several in home daycares in Cheverly and there are a lot of nanny shares.

Good to know. Best bets for 3-5 year olds?

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! I have looked into Cheverly/Lanham a little bit since it is near orange line metro and also close to the MARC Penn line, but it looks like you likely have to go to Hyattsville for day care (not great if you're doing public transit every day) and the schools are not very good. I haven't looked into day cares in Greenbelt much yet, maybe same problem?

A friend who's a teacher in PGCPS recommended Greenbelt and Bowie for schools, but Bowie looks too far out and spread out. We can only afford suburban life but there are different kinds of suburbs, having to buy a second car is kind of our stubborn line in the sand.

There are several in home daycares in Cheverly and there are a lot of nanny shares.

Try Hyattsville! Super community oriented and in your price range. UP and HES are great. MS isn’t awesome but it’s good enough and there are lots of magnet options. Lots of options for for HS too.

Anonymous wrote:Unless you can guarantee your in the magnet, the MS/HS options are poor. That’s why so many parents (e.g., NASA parents), go private (Catholic, Quaker, JPDS), and if you’re paying for private school, what’s the point? You would better looking at Springfield, Rockville, Takoma Park ( Del Ray feel), or Olney.

Do the math, OP, and you may find that this poster is incorrect. The cost of buying the same quality house in Springfield or Takoma Park is about 200k more than buying an equivalent house in PG and sending your kids to private.

Unless you can guarantee your in the magnet, the MS/HS options are poor. That’s why so many parents (e.g., NASA parents), go private (Catholic, Quaker, JPDS), and if you’re paying for private school, what’s the point? You would better looking at Springfield, Rockville, Takoma Park ( Del Ray feel), or Olney.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! I have looked into Cheverly/Lanham a little bit since it is near orange line metro and also close to the MARC Penn line, but it looks like you likely have to go to Hyattsville for day care (not great if you're doing public transit every day) and the schools are not very good. I haven't looked into day cares in Greenbelt much yet, maybe same problem?

A friend who's a teacher in PGCPS recommended Greenbelt and Bowie for schools, but Bowie looks too far out and spread out. We can only afford suburban life but there are different kinds of suburbs, having to buy a second car is kind of our stubborn line in the sand.

And by "there are different kinds of suburbs" I mean different things for different people, not that one kind is better than another - I'm sorry that sounded really snotty. I currently rent in a pretty walkable and bikeable neighborhood (Del Ray) and love it, but though it doesn't make sense for us to stay here long term in any sense except my nice bike commute to work anymore, so I'd like to seek out a new neighborhood where metro, parks, library, school, trails, etc. are still in easy reach.