Laurel, MD - what is it Really Like?

jack wrote:

I am with carmenfu on the school system. Unfortunately drug activity happans quite a bit in public school systems. I went to Medford High (a suburb outside Boston MA) which was a public school. Medford was and still is a very nice and quite place to live. I never once felt an ounce of threat or fear of walking any at time in Medford. In fact I use to regularly go for walks at about midnight in the summer time there. I got a good education at my high school but there was plenty of drug activity. I would avoid the bathrooms at all costs as they were regularly places for kids to smoke and sell pot. That is going to happen at most public schools. I still received a great education went on to an engineering college and currently have a great engineering job. I do not regret at all going to a public school system. But the dug activity will be at most high schools.

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airMAX wrote:

I have lived in Laurel for 7+ years. I am a teacher for PGCPS, my wife is a professor for a local community college. We live in Russett and love it. Our children attend schools in AA county. The schools have been great in AA and the parent suuport is outstanding. No matter where you go in the USA (aside from somewhere like North Dakota), there is crime. Laurel is full of culture and is close to Baltimore and DC where you can always find something to do. Laurel has plenty of places to shop and places to eat. Arundel Mills mall and Columbia mall are close and are excellent malls. The weather is good, as it barely snows if any. The only complaint I have is with traffic. If you travel the beltway or 95 during rush hours it can be brutal.
A safe, prosperous, culture rich, diverse community that I proudly call home.

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PNR wrote:

I have been a resident of PG county all of my life. I am VERY upset with some of the comments that I have read. I currently live in Laurel (near Montpelier Mansion) and have lived in Laurel during the mid and late 80's. I feel very safe in the neighborhood that I live in. Some say that crime is high. In some pockets, maybe. Geographically, Laurel is equal distant from DC and Baltimore and sits between 2 major interstates - I-295 and I-95 so it is somewhat vunerable to some criminal activity. However, I have no problem with it. There are no areas free of crime. Also, I resent the comment made "PGC..ghetto trash everywhere". My husband who is white, earned a BS from Univ. of Missouri and I (a BLACK woman) earned my BS and Masters in Chemistry from Delaware State. We both work for the US government and do pretty well for ourselves. My question is what is ghetto to you? Is it a neighborhood full of blacks? Or any where that has a higher number of blacks/latinos than white? I don't think so. For I have been in some predominately black and white neighborhoods and to tell you the truth, there are some neighborhoods in Anne Arundel and Mont. Co. that are all white no where are nice than some of the middle-class, predominately black neighborhoods in PG.
George, Laurel, just like all towns/cities within the DC Metro has it pros/cons. However, to me, the pros outweigh the cons. I love the Main street festival, fireworks at Laurel Lakes, the Concerts at Montpelier and the wonderful cnversations that I had with my neighbors. There are also a lot of parks and great churches to attend. Not to mention, the real estate and apartments have some of the best prices around. People here do not put on airs about themselves. They are who they are..hard working citizens. I would much rather live here than in a county surronded by "want to be" rich people driving in Benz or Land Rovers discussing the property on the Chesapeake that may look good on the surface, but are depressed, out of touch and BROKE individuals that are drowing their problems away in Cognac!

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janet wrote:

I too live in the Russett community. It's in Anne Arundel county, but it's still considered Laurel. I love my community. There are walking trails, a community center and ongoing activities throughout the year. As for the person who said anyone earning over $100K wouldn't live in Laurel, I am also proof that's untrue. Why spend three times the money to live someplace comparable to where you already live? Laurel offers a wide range of housing choices. It is large enough to encompass three counties and offers a diversity of experiences depending on where you choose to live.

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George wrote:

I live in Northern Virginia and have gone to Laurel to check out some automobile sales. When there I looked around and could not really tell if this is a nice place to live or not. So much of it seems to be covered with highways, auto sales lots, motels, and more highways, but with a name like Laurel it should have more to offer. I also have noted that there seems to be more crime in Laurel than is expected, even in PG Country. For a Virginia resident, PG county = Crime, you know, but I am much too hopeful or naive to believe everything I hear.
So, Laurel residents, please tell me the GOOD things about Laurel Maryland! Not defensive words about what seems to be the common opinion of people about the town, but just tell use what is really great about Laurel for visitors and residents. Also, is the Laurel Racetrack out of business? I know it is there, but never hear anything going on there. After a trip to Charles Town, I would like to go to a local race track.
George