Living in Takoma Park
Do you know there’s a city in the DC Metro area that’s known for being so progressive that 16-year-olds can vote in local elections? In this episode of Saving DMV, I’m going to give you a tour of Montgomery County’s Takoma Park. We’ll explore everything that makes this city unique so you can decide if living here is right for you.
The City Named For A Mountain
Takoma Park is one of the most progressive cities in the country, located in Montgomery County, Maryland right next to DC. People who are 16 and older are allowed to vote in municipal elections, making Takoma Park the first city to do so until Hyattsville followed suit. It gets its name from Takhoma, a Native American name for Mount Rainier, meaning “snow-covered mountain.” The famous Mount Rainier lies just south of Takoma Park.
What makes Takoma Park special?
Takoma Park is all personality – it is super quirky. It’s a nuclear-free zone, which means no movement of or storage of nuclear weapons. The city also doesn’t do business with anyone who makes nuclear weapons or their components.
You’ll also find that Takoma Park has a lot of sustainability efforts, including mulch delivery, tree planting, curbside pick-up of food, and grants and rebates for homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. They’re also serious about trees: any tree with a diameter greater than 7 5/8 inches needs a permit to get cut down.
People 16 and older are allowed to vote in municipal elections. After Takoma Park, Hyattsville followed suit.
Food, Fun, And Facts
Takoma Park was founded as a planned Victorian commuter suburb, which was following the route of the B&O railroad. Fun fact: the original deeds of the houses in Takoma Park prohibited alcohol from being made or sold in the houses. This law stayed on the books until 1983. Commute to DC is easy via Takoma Park metro station, which is part of the red line. There is easy access to 29, 495, and the MARC train. In addition, the walk score is 78/100.
Takoma Park has a great selection of bars and restaurants, such as Mid Atlantic Seafood and Republic. You’ll also find plenty of coffee shops as well as local parks. Residents can take their furry friends to Takoma Park’s dog park or practice their tricks at the skate park. Families will also enjoy the playground just up the street in this wonderful, green suburban area.
Takoma Park amenities include a rec center, library, and the local co-op grocery store, TPSS. A year-round farmer’s market on Sundays only offers local goods made within 125 miles of the city. Interestingly, Takoma Park was also once the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is now at Silver Spring.
Real Estate
Takoma Park real estate features a variety of architectural styles, including mid-century, craftsmen, Victorians, bungalows, and single and multi-family use homes. The Takoma Park Historic District is the county’s largest historic district. The median sold price is $522,500 or $660,000 for detached homes. They’re usually on the market for an average of 20 days, with the average sold to original list price ratio currently at 101.5%.
With about 18,000 residents, 47% rent rather than buy. Median rent prices in Takoma Park are $1,723 a month, and the city is the only Maryland municipality that has rent control laws.
Is Takoma Park Right For You?
As you can see, the vibrant city of Takoma Park is a wonderful place to live. I hope that you’ve gotten to know it a little bit better, and make sure to watch my future videos in this series for all the pros and cons of living here. By subscribing to my channel, you’ll make sure you never miss an episode of Saving DMV.
If you have any questions about Takoma Park, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask! I look forward to connecting with you.
