Bike Friendly Living Recommendations?

[SurlyTed1187]

Good morning Washington Area Bicyclists.

My name is Ted, I am in discussions to accept a job with Adventist Rehabilitation in Takoma Park. The hospital is right on the Sligo Creek parkway!! I am not from the Washington D.C./Maryland metro area, and have little knowledge of the different areas and neighborhoods. I will be visiting the area next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (3/15, 3/16, 3/17) to check out the hospital, as well as to try to find some good rental properties in the area.

I am a recent college graduate/young professional. I am an avid cyclist. I ride recreationally on the weekends, and when I am not working during the week. I also am a bike commuter.

I am looking for areas within a 10 mile radius of the Takoma Park area, that are 1)known for bike friendlyness 2)a fun area for young professionals (lots going on like bars, restaurants, parks, etc). 3)somewhere near one of these many recreational bike/pedestrian trails scattered throughout the DC area. 4)Not too high cost of living.

I am asking which areas would you recommend that I look into during my research here at home in Atlanta, as well as next week when I am visiting the area.

Further more, if you know of a place for rent that you would like to recommend (apartment, room for rent, etc) please let me know!

Happy riding everyone!

Topic

[baiskeli]

@americancyclo 16048 wrote:

any ideas on what you consider ‘fun’ might help! Some people might think drinking is fun, while others might think late night food truck stands are fun. or clowns.

I used to drink with clowns and then go get food at a truck late at night. That was fun.

[Terpfan]

@creadinger 16039 wrote:

Unfortunately, the Piratz Tavern is no more. It was featured in a bar makeover show because of a lack of business. Apparently there aren’t enough swashbucklers in the area to keep a place like that alive. I lived in downtown SS for a few years and we went for a several-hour-long-drink-fest. It was fun, but weird.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spike-tv-show-gives-silver-springs-piratz-tavern-a-makeover/2012/02/21/gIQADLA9SR_story.html

The Quarry House is more than enough of a reason to move to downtown SS though. There’s also no shortage of ethiopian restaurants to fulfill any of your meat/lentil needs. There’s a good crepe place, a Whole Foods you can walk/bike to, and Fenwick beer and wine has a huge selection of hard to find beers.

I really liked living there.

I can’t decide if I’m sad or not that the Piratz Bar is gone. I remember going there one night because QH was packed to the brim and they had belly dancers. Part of me wanted to point out their confusion given the Carribean sort of pirate theme, but then I realized I wasn’t really sure who were staff and who were customers. I had also heard rumors about the owners having some sort of divorce and the bar being a byproduct so I’m not too surprised it closed down.

All this thinking about a QH burger makes me feel the need to head up that way on Monday for half priced burger night. I’m sure the biking up and back would about equal the caloric intake, but I don’t have the patients for a late evening long bike ride home. You’re right about SS food.

I also forgot about the bar Jackie’s (spelling?). It was pretty decent too.

[Riley Casey]

Jackie’s is the restaurant, Sidebar is the side bar. Very good places both. Much more low key than Quarry House.

[SurlyTed1187]

So bars aren’t at the top of my priority list. I’m looking for a place that has a livel, active community that I can be a part of. Good parks for enjoying the outdoors, young active folk who enjoy their neighbors. From looking at maps of the area, I can see there isno shortage of parks, and outdoor space.

Being that this would be my first experience living away from home, or school, I honestly can’t be completely sure what I’m looking for. I just know that I don’t want to base my search around bars alone. I’ll find my favorite hangouts once I get settled in.

[SurlyTed1187]

I’m looking to get involved with a local community gardening co-op or something of that sorts. I enjoy getting to be involved in introducing people to riding bikes, whether that be for fun, or for transportation reasons. Cooking is one of my biggest passions, so I enjoy going to farmers markets witha wide variety of local and diverse fresh vegetables. I imagine cooking is one way I’ll look to meet people and develop friendships (when I’m not on the bike that is).

I’d say riding, cooking, involvement/volunteering are things that I seek to do regularly.

But also getting to spend time outdoors, throwing frisbee, layin in the grass or hanging out in a hammock. I’m a simple, take it easy, no need to rush kind of person.

[Greenbelt]

@SurlyTed1187 16118 wrote:

I’m looking to get involved with a local community gardening co-op or something of that sorts. I enjoy getting to be involved in introducing people to riding bikes, whether that be for fun, or for transportation reasons. Cooking is one of my biggest passions, so I enjoy going to farmers markets witha wide variety of local and diverse fresh vegetables. I imagine cooking is one way I’ll look to meet people and develop friendships (when I’m not on the bike that is).

I’d say riding, cooking, involvement/volunteering are things that I seek to do regularly.

But also getting to spend time outdoors, throwing frisbee, layin in the grass or hanging out in a hammock. I’m a simple, take it easy, no need to rush kind of person.

You might check out Old Greenbelt. Safe, leafy, relatively inexpensive apartments as well as the original Depression-WWII housing coop, a good farmers market, and community gardens. Not much nightlife (one theater, one cafe/bar) — we roll the sidewalks up pretty early. Decently long ride from Takoma Park, but very nice trails.

[eminva]

There’s also College Park, right? All of the amenities you would associate with a college town. You can use the trail network to get to work.

Takoma Park has a big farmer’s market every Sunday from 10 to 2.

If you are interested in bike-related volunteer opportunities, check out WABA. There are any number of ways you can get involved and it will provide a ready made group of friends with similar interests.

Liz

[creadinger]

@Terpfan 16068 wrote:

I can’t decide if I’m sad or not that the Piratz Bar is gone. I remember going there one night because QH was packed to the brim and they had belly dancers. Part of me wanted to point out their confusion given the Carribean sort of pirate theme, but then I realized I wasn’t really sure who were staff and who were customers. I had also heard rumors about the owners having some sort of divorce and the bar being a byproduct so I’m not too surprised it closed down.

Yeah, I can’t say it was a great place. 100% unique, but very weird. On the other hand, I can’t say I like what it was turned into – “Corporate Grill”? That’s like a 180 degree turn from a Pirate themed bar.

Surly – I think the suggestions so far all sound like exactly what you’re looking for. From Silver Spring to Takoma Park to College Park to Greenbelt you’ll find things like farmers markets and co-ops, some pretty good trails and even some cycle friendly roads. In addition to that each of those 4 places has a metro stop so you’ll be able to get around the city to explore everything else quite easily too.

[SurlyTed1187]

Thanks for all of the great advice, and discussion. I found the perfect place just inside the district on Piney Branch rd. I’ll be only two miles from work, and I got a steal of a monthly rent. I’m looking forward to joining the WABA community next month when I make the big move.

[creadinger]

Welcome to the area! Wow, a 2 mile commute would be really great! I’m kinda jealous.

Hopefully you will find everything else you need quickly. I think you’ll enjoy exploring the area. You’re moving at the right time as spring has just arrived. As you read already, when you’re not commuting, there are miles and miles of trail to explore and great road rides to explore new areas as well.

[eminva]

From your description, you could be living on the same block that my family and I were on until five years ago. You are in a great neighborhood and I think you will enjoy it a lot. Best wishes and welcome to DC.

Liz

[Riley Casey]

Glad to hear it, I’m sure you’ll like the area. Might see each other, I’m probably only half a mile from you in NW.

[creadinger]

@creadinger 16130 wrote:

Yeah, I can’t say it was a great place. 100% unique, but very weird. On the other hand, I can’t say I like what it was turned into – “Corporate Grill”? That’s like a 180 degree turn from a Pirate themed bar.

Ok, first I need to apologize to SurlyTed because this post has nothing to do with you……. It appears as though after flirting with switching to Corporate Grill, the Piratz Tavern is back! Crazy! I think the owners were very unimpressed with the bar makeover show that paid them a visit and just couldn’t sell out like that. I may have to pay them a visit again soon for something rummy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/piratz-tavern-owners-patch-up-their-corporate-sign/2012/03/15/gIQARAJqES_blog.html

Just had to correct my previous post that it was gone. I didn’t want any misinformation getting out, even if it’s not cycling related.

[Terpfan]

@SurlyTed1187 16644 wrote:

Thanks for all of the great advice, and discussion. I found the perfect place just inside the district on Piney Branch rd. I’ll be only two miles from work, and I got a steal of a monthly rent. I’m looking forward to joining the WABA community next month when I make the big move.

Congrats, that’s a good area. You have the Safeway walkable, Ledos Pizza walkable, and downtown Takoma walkable and then you’re a quick bike ride from SS, your work and Rock Creek Park (would just hop over to Aspen and then go down Sherrel or Sheridan, whatever it is on the other side of 16th street). Judging by you mentioning a steal on monthly rent, I guess the closing of nearby Walter Reed has helped someone.

[Author]

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