"Wheaton is many things, but it is not Silver Spring. Much less Kensington. Nor (god forbid) Washington, DC. If you live in Wheaton, though, you must reckon with these." (Mary Donovan, Numé Cinq: What's it like living here series)
Wheaton is "just" a census-designated place and the post-office stubbornly refers to it as Silver Spring. Wheaton is the cross-roads of University Blvd and Georgia Ave and Viers Mill Rd. It's a Metro stop along the Red Line. It's Westfield Wheaton Mall. It's the Regional Park. And it's 1950s brick ramblers.
But Wheaton is much more than that and lots has been happening there. If you are house-hunting in Silver Spring, MD and beyond, perhaps you should give it some consideration.
Wheaton's home-prices are generally more affordable than Silver Spring, Kensington and Rockville yet you are just a hop, skip and jump away from all. It's less than 4 miles or 2 metro stops to downtown Silver Spring. Plus you'll have a Mall, local retailers, great restaurants, public transportation and a 536 acre park and botanical garden practically at your doorstep.
The 2012 Montgomery Master plan envisioned Wheaton as a "walkable community with a distinct identity" with "quality public spaces inviting to pedestrians" and a "environmentally sustainable community" which creates a "vibrant mix of jobs and housing" while "preserving its ethnic diversity".
As a result, new construction - luxury apartments, condos and townhomes - have been built near the business district, a 24-hr Safeway opened across from the Metro stop, a downtown revitalization project is underway and Wheaton High School just moved to a brand-new building at the beginning of 2016.
Wheaton is also one of three designated Arts & Entertainment Districts in Montgomery County (one of 24 in the State of Maryland). It's already home to the largest independently owned music store in the country, Chuck Levin's Music Center and the MAA (Montgomery Art Association) Gallery Store, and the community is actively searching for artists to join them.
There are benefits for doing so such as local property tax credits for live-work artist spaces and State income tax deductions for artists who create and sell their art within the designated Arts & Entertainment District.
Lots has been happening in Wheaton and these are just some of the reasons why you should consider buying there! For more click here to read 10 reasons why a local home owner enjoyed living in one Wheaton community.
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