Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 23:19     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. We had a very informative and successful week long house hunting trip, and have narrowed our choices to Bentley Park in Burtonsville , Urbana, Maple Lawn in Fulton, and Gaithersburg (Crown, The Townes at Shady Grove). I know, I know, the list is still not as lean as I would like, but we really could see ourselves living there.

I'm most curious and unsure about Burtonsville, and whether or not this would be a good fit for our family. We looked at some SFH that are really affordable and nice, but I worry about the neighborhood growth and whether we will basically have to live in a community that is constantly undergoing construction for the next seven years.

Anyone have any input or live in any of these areas/neighborhoods?



I work next to Maple Lawn and drive through there all the time. If you don't need a yard and can afford it, it seems like a nice place to live. I have a friend who lives there who loves it. I see tons of diversity in the kids getting off the bus. Well, racial diversity anyway; probably not much SES diversity as even the cheapest places are pricey.

Where are you commuting to?
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 21:42     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Ward 4 AA PP here. OP, any chance your husband is in the medical corps? I ask because we qualified for a low down payment doctor's loan--might be something to look into if you qualify. That's a large part of why we were able to afford our home.


OP here, and yes, my husband is in the medical corp. Anyway you could give me the information on the doctor's loan? We do have some downpayment money, but we're keeping all options open.


Just do a search, and you should find some banks that offer doctor's loans. We're actually civilian, so not sure if active duty qualify, but worth a look. I seem to remember Suntrust offering them (we actually went with a small bank in southern MD).
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 20:52     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
The week we spent in DC proved that the commute is ugly from ANYWHERE. It took us nearly 30 minutes to drive 8 miles in Silver Spring, and that was on a Sunday. Everywhere we drove, no matter the time, took forever. We will just learn to deal with it, like everyone else.

PP @ @20:19/20:38, lol We know we are odd ducks and we're okay with it! But I just have to mention it to people, because they always assume that we want to live close to churches or join church groups, and that lifestyle just isn't for us. I know, we should just burn our Black card.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 20:38     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
I'm yanking your chain OP, don't get mad. I was just joking with you. Why don't you move down to Calvert County. It's very diverse down here and its nice.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 20:37     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
I'd be inclined to move to Howard County for the school system, as it's much more inclusive. You'll find diversity in Columbia - and parts East. But the commute will be ugly just b/c of distance.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 18:59     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Shepherd Park DC
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 15:35     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring --


THIS!

What schools are zoned to the Forest Glen neighborhood? Do many families send their children to the neighborhood public schools or do they pay for private?


Oakland Terrace and Flora Singer
Done Both
Loved Both
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 14:54     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:Ward 4 AA PP here. OP, any chance your husband is in the medical corps? I ask because we qualified for a low down payment doctor's loan--might be something to look into if you qualify. That's a large part of why we were able to afford our home.


OP here, and yes, my husband is in the medical corp. Anyway you could give me the information on the doctor's loan? We do have some downpayment money, but we're keeping all options open.
Anonymous
Post 03/25/2015 14:52     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
OP here. We had a very informative and successful week long house hunting trip, and have narrowed our choices to Bentley Park in Burtonsville , Urbana, Maple Lawn in Fulton, and Gaithersburg (Crown, The Townes at Shady Grove). I know, I know, the list is still not as lean as I would like, but we really could see ourselves living there.

I'm most curious and unsure about Burtonsville, and whether or not this would be a good fit for our family. We looked at some SFH that are really affordable and nice, but I worry about the neighborhood growth and whether we will basically have to live in a community that is constantly undergoing construction for the next seven years.

Anyone have any input or live in any of these areas/neighborhoods?

Anonymous
Post 03/18/2015 12:37     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Ward 4 AA PP here. OP, any chance your husband is in the medical corps? I ask because we qualified for a low down payment doctor's loan--might be something to look into if you qualify. That's a large part of why we were able to afford our home.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2015 12:26     Subject: Re:Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can go as high as 610k here is your house in Chevy Chase off East West Highway, 20 minutes drive from Walter Reed and walking distance to a very convenient bus:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/8510-Grubb-Rd-20815/home/10999882


What is wrong with this house? Why is it so cheap?


It's tiny and it's in the less desirable part of Chevy Chase, which doesn't mean shit b/c it's still in CC.


Looks like a great house. Over our budget and we really didn't want to spend $600k besides, but I will check it out anyway.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2015 10:15     Subject: Re:Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you can go as high as 610k here is your house in Chevy Chase off East West Highway, 20 minutes drive from Walter Reed and walking distance to a very convenient bus:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/8510-Grubb-Rd-20815/home/10999882


What is wrong with this house? Why is it so cheap?


It's tiny and it's in the less desirable part of Chevy Chase, which doesn't mean shit b/c it's still in CC.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2015 20:02     Subject: Re:Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:If you can go as high as 610k here is your house in Chevy Chase off East West Highway, 20 minutes drive from Walter Reed and walking distance to a very convenient bus:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/8510-Grubb-Rd-20815/home/10999882


What is wrong with this house? Why is it so cheap?
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2015 19:55     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring --


THIS!

What schools are zoned to the Forest Glen neighborhood? Do many families send their children to the neighborhood public schools or do they pay for private?

Anonymous
Post 03/17/2015 19:36     Subject: Middle class African American DCUMers, where are you living?
Anonymous wrote:Forest Glen neighborhood in Silver Spring --


THIS!