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I recently purchased my first home. It meets nearly all of the criteria you mentioned in your post, at a 8% the cost. It's a two story brick colonial home in an established and safe neighborhood within walking distance of 2 metros (PG Plaza ~ 20 minutes and West Hyattsville ~ 12 minutes), 15 minute drive or metro ride from a major university (U. of MD), five minute drive/15 min bike ride from major shopping(PG Plaza), one block from the Sligo Creek Parkway/Anacostia Tributary Trail System bike trail (connecting to all of the major bicycle commuter routes in the DC-metro area), one block from a 1/2 mile long park (Sligo Creek), and includes several chain and local restaurants within 10 minutes.

The major difference between the Chevy Chase home and my home, mine is in PG County. The lack of development (it may be coming, but it's taking its time) and investment in area infrastructure and neighborhoods have taken their tolls on home prices. I guess my point is that neighborhoods and homes meeting your criteria are certainly available for a fraction of the cost, but other well-known and well-documented factors stand in their way of being equitable comparisons. The thoroughly discussed lack of planning over the previous decades have left this county behind when compared to Montgomery Co. and neighboring VA & DC.

by Scott on Dec 29, 2009 1:33 pm • link • report