Anonymous wrote:Hyattsville, Brookland, Woodridge is what I'd be looking at (and did in my recent purchase).

Hyattsville safer than Capitol Hill? You're kidding, right?

What crime? I've lived north of Lincoln Park since 2000 and nothing has ever happened to me. Honestly, I think that crime in Capitol Hill has been wildly exaggerated.

Hyattsville, Brookland, Woodridge is what I'd be looking at (and did in my recent purchase).

Can you arm yourself? if not guns what about tasers and pepper spray.

Anonymous wrote:OP, just want to say that I'm sorry. Yes, things have been a bit squirrelly in Capitol Hill lately (depending on what part you live in) and it can be tough to deal with. Hope you find a neighborhood that works better for you.

Three quarters of the Hill borders some of the worst neighborhoods in the city. Couple that with its proximity to Barney Circle/Pennsylvania Ave and you have all the ingredients for constant crime and quick getaways.

Until the entire city gentrifies there's little relief in site.

DIVERSITY BABY !

You take the good
You take the bad

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't takoma park have the same low income demographics that contribute to crime

Yup.

Takoma Park (esp MD side) is no where near the crime level of Capitol Hill. There are property crimes throughout the DMV area. Personal crimes (muggings, assaults, the like) are much worrisome in Capitol Hill than Takoma.

Anonymous wrote:Why not have a look at historic Annapolis and have you do the longer commute for a bit? It's lovely, walkable and while the Annapolis-proper schools aren't awesome relative to other Anne Arundel Co. ones, I think they're better than the ones on the Hill. Takoma Park is charming, but I think you might want to be a bit closer to rte 50 for that Severna Park commute. I feel that crime is a bit lower in the new Navy Yard neighborhood and in Southwest (west of 3rd st, anyhow) than in lots of the Hill, so that might be an option, but then schools aren't great.

Agreed on Annapolis. I'm guessing your commute is to DC -- getting to New Carrollton + Metro isn't that terrible, just time-consuming.

Why not have a look at historic Annapolis and have you do the longer commute for a bit? It's lovely, walkable and while the Annapolis-proper schools aren't awesome relative to other Anne Arundel Co. ones, I think they're better than the ones on the Hill. Takoma Park is charming, but I think you might want to be a bit closer to rte 50 for that Severna Park commute. I feel that crime is a bit lower in the new Navy Yard neighborhood and in Southwest (west of 3rd st, anyhow) than in lots of the Hill, so that might be an option, but then schools aren't great.

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess--you bought a house next to Potomac Gardens? Or at 16th & D next to the old open air PCP market?
There are a lot of wonderful places in Capitol Hill. There are also blocks that have always had issues. I don't understand why people don't do their homework before they buy.

Actually I live next to Potomac Gardens but I think the crime is worse up around H St. Also the people who have been hit over the head (whether to rob them or play a dangerous game) have all been attacked in much nicer parts of Capitol Hill. The robberies also take place all over the Hill, because the people with money coming home from the metro or the bars live in places all over the Hill. I will say that the epidemic of car break-ins which I saw going on in northern Capitol Hill have now hit my neighborhood. But regardless of whether these things are happening in your immediate corner of the Hill, all are enough to wear someone out if they have a low tolerance for it so I can understand why OP would feel defeated regardless of whether it's happening next door or whether she just hears about it via the neighborhood listserves.

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't takoma park have the same low income demographics that contribute to crime

Yup.

How far is takoma park to severna park for the commute?

Doesn't takoma park have the same low income demographics that contribute to crime

+1 on takoma park. Rented there for a while and would have bought if we could afforded it. Also, the neighborhoods close to downtown SS- the eastern side, near montgomery college, kind of blends into TP, but takes are lower.

Anonymous wrote:Instead of giving up, why not do something about it? organize a neighborhood watch? start a safe streets blog/website? Pester the police and know every beat cop and detective by name in your precinct?

Maybe because the OP already has a full time job and family obligations that make this sort of time consuming committment difficult? If decreasing crime was easy and fast, god knows we wouldn't have the crime we do.

OP: I recommend Takoma Park. Good luck.