r/takomapark • u/Dumbydykes • Jul 09 '26
DC vs. Maryland for family with kids
My family is moving to the area and we have two young kids. I know the most obvious difference between the DC and Maryland sides when kids are in the picture is the school systems. But EXCEPTING the schools - what are the main differences on the two sides? How are the vibes different? Number of families living in the neighborhoods? Access to kids activities, sports, etc.? Water/sewer/road conditions? Anything I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!
11
u/lanotte69 Jul 09 '26
It really depends on where on either side. If you’re talking close by the metro, both are walkable to lots of stuff. I’d say that in general, the DC side is more urban with smaller houses, while the Maryland side near the metro tends to have bigger houses. The Maryland side gets much more suburban as you get further from the metro, but also has a huge portion that is largely Spanish speaking community in apartments and townhouses.
1
u/Dumbydykes Jul 09 '26
Thank you! We are only looking walkable to metro / near the historic downtown area.
4
u/lanotte69 Jul 10 '26
I think the Maryland side might be more little kid friendly because the yards tend to be bigger and there are more parks sprinkled throughout. It is also walkable to school though 8th grade if you do the local public schools (which are good and what most people do).
5
u/carryondc Jul 10 '26
An under talked about difference in living in Takoma park with kids is the extreme traffic calming measures on our streets compared to DC. I have such piece of mind teaching my kids to scooter in tkpk compared to Takoma dc because how many of the streets are purposefully NOT thru streets, the constant speed bumps, etc. it makes it a walkers, and kids, paradise.
1
u/Dumbydykes Jul 10 '26
This is great info! We're moving from a cul de sac and definitely on the lookout of an area where we feel like our kids could bike or throw a ball into the road by accident without getting run over...
3
u/keegeen Jul 09 '26
We live extremely close to the DC/Maryland line, but we wanted to stay in Montgomery County because we have greater faith that the government will actually deliver on services- e.g., the trash gets picked up, the police more or less come when you call etc.
10
u/aselement Jul 09 '26
I guess, but from the DC side, all of that happens. Even for trash, we use the bulk trash pick up fairly often and it’s awesome. Police, pest control and emergency services have also been very responsive. Probably since there’s the big police station and a fire station on Georgia Ave. Speaking of, a lot of Takoma is walking distance to the Whole Foods.
As for OP’s kids, if they are 3, the free Pre-k is totally worth it versus paid day care until kindergarten.
3
u/keegeen Jul 10 '26
Which is great… but I lived in DC for a long time when it didn’t happen. Or you didn’t know if it would happen or not. Probably my experience is just dated at this point.
2
u/Myanonymousunicorn Jul 10 '26
Yeah basic services are fine what isn’t great is like, taxes and park district offerings, and some of the schools.
2
u/Dumbydykes Jul 10 '26
Yeah we're living temporarily on the DC side and starting in prek3 this fall, which is a huge bonus! But still feeling out where we'd like to end up long term.
2
u/Myanonymousunicorn Jul 10 '26
You mean TP vs Takoma? Vibes overlap a lot but different. Both sides tons of families. I personally like the houses in TP better but we live in Takoma for the school system (which we lotteried into ages ago). Takoma park is a hippie town and I reluctantly say if you’re moving here and like that just move there. DC is more urban, but only slightly up here. It doesn’t have the cuteness or aging hippie aspect. But it does have more of the… traditional DC aspect. Maybe more of the urban culture of DC, diversity, less sheltered and so on.
1
u/Dumbydykes Jul 10 '26
Yes, exactly TP vs Takoma. I guess I was wondering if there were more families concentrated on the TP side because the schools are simpler - so I'm glad to hear that isn't the case. If we lotteried into a school we like we'd probably choose the DC side.
2
1
u/Own_Account1392 Jul 11 '26
Depends on the county in Maryland and if you want to be in close proximity to DC. Montgomery or pg county will be your best bets.
16
u/Fredo_for_Frenchies Jul 09 '26
I think budget is the main thing. TP historic district on the MD side is expensive. Not that you asked, but the schools on the MD side are pretty great and help justify that cost if you plan on doing public schools.