Washington, DC Inner Suburbs

[skylinefan]

Very interesting article in today's Washington Post regarding the plight of forgotten close in suburbs such as Arlington, Va. and Silver Spring, Md. I thought I would start a discussion about urban planning issues facing DC's inner beltway communities.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6021402151.html

[jpl02]

The inner-ring suburb problem isn't just present in Washington......it's everywhere. You have revitalization and people moving back into the District.....why aren't people moving back to the inner suburbs? You'd think they'd be appealing to aging baby boomers, or better yet, families, since they offer certain things that the inner city cannot (better schools, less crime, etc).

The fact of the matter also is that poor people have to live somewhere. That's why places like Prince George's will continue to exist. And I don't think the problem will go away......Americans live in a society with a throw-away philosophy - if it gets old, throw it away. We do so with cars, appliances, and even suburbs. And much like those who buy second hand cars and clothing from the thrift store, these people also tend to live in older, neglected suburbs.

On the other hand, exurbs can't grow forever, lest people drive 2 hours to work. There may come a tipping point where inner-ring suburbs will once again be desirable. When that tipping point comes is unknown. But I'd like to think that places like Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Hyattsville will once again be vibrant, desirable places.

[skylinefan]

I agree that the inner suburb problem doesn't exist in Washington's affluent inner suburbs such as Bethesda, now Silver Spring, Arlingtion, and Alexandria that have super affuent people. For communities like Hyattsville, Riverdale, Cheverly etc. there is ominous signs of urban blight. All the attention has been focused on the exurban communities in far eastern PG and Charles County,

[StevenRocks]

Eventually people will look to the core suburbs again, because the land will be so cheap and desirably close to downtown, they won't be able to resist it.

[Jerseyman4]

I agree that the inner suburb problem doesn't exist in Washington's affluent inner suburbs such as Bethesda, now Silver Spring, Arlingtion, and Alexandria that have super affuent people. For communities like Hyattsville, Riverdale, Cheverly etc. there is ominous signs of urban blight. All the attention has been focused on the exurban communities in far eastern PG and Charles County,

Oh yes. Silver Spring, Alexandria and Arlington are doing very well.

Silver Spring

Approaching Arlington over the Key Bridge

[tombarnes]

Silver Spring and Arlington are certainly thriving. Whether Arlington will continue to thrive after the realignment of the government offices remains in question. The transformation of downtown Silver Spring has been most remarkable. If only this would happen more rapidly in Northeast Washington....actually, it is starting to happen already, but these things do take time. 20 years ago, Silver Spring was down-at-the-heels. Today, it's one of the hottest new plkaces for condo development.

[Southernyank]

I love Silver Spring. To me, its such a different feeling you get upon exiting Georgia Ave. I plan on getting a place there some day.