Considering home in Fountain Rd, Oxon Hill, MD (Is this area safe?) (Indian Head: crime)

[Newtoarea21]

Hello all,

I’m considering a home in Fountain Rd, Oxon Hill, MD. However, I have never lived in MD and I am not too familiar with how safe this area may be. Does anyone have any input or suggestions they can provide? Looking specifically to have a better idea of crime rate, education system (middle school and high school), how safe it is to commute to and from DC to Oxon Hill daily via public transportation, how safe it is to have a car in this area, if there’s anything to know in advance/look out for, etc. Any sort of steer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

[DaveinMtAiry]

I would steer clear of Oxon Hill. Not a safe area with crappy schools is my impression but I don't live in the area so maybe others have more updated feedback.

[slowlane3]

I lived for 40 years (1950 - 1991) just a mile from Fountain Road, and then moved much further out, but I am still quite familiar with the neighborhood.

The subdivision is called "Birchwood City" and the rambler-style houses were built in 1957.

The Capital Beltway (I-95) passes right beside (and almost over) Fountain Road, and you will hear noise from tractor-trailers passing by, at all times, 24/ 7. Not sure if there is a sound barrier wall ? there might be.

A K-Mart, 2 supermarkets, and a large modern public library, are within a mile.

The fabulous "National Harbor" development with convention hotels, entertainments, and the MGM casino, is a mile or two away - but is sealed off from the rest of the neighborhood and has little interaction with it. You are also very close to the gigantic "Woodrow Wilson Bridge" crossing to Alexandria VA.

It is zoned for Oxon Hill Senior High School, which includes both a regular campus, and a special "magnet science and technology" campus. The enrollment of both, is nearly all African-American, with the remainder Filipino and Hispanic. You can research metrics of these schools on either the "School Digger" or "Great Schools" websites. Not sure if the Middle School is still "John Hanson"? At any rate, it will be overwhelmingly African-American.

The closest metrorail station "Southern Avenue" (green line) is nearly 3 miles away, but trains are overcrowded in morning rush-hour by the time they get there. (Or, at least that was true before COVID). You are particularly convenient to jobs in Capitol Hill, Joint Bases Andrews and Bolling, the Census Bureau, Naval Lab and Navy Yard, and certain Federal offices near the National Mall. I believe there is still a rush-hour Metrobus route stop right there within 1/4 mile of Fountain Road that takes commuters to the Southern Avenue metrorail station.

[GunsMass]

cf SteveParker2k

[dcdrogers]

Don't do it.

I've never lived directly in Oxon Hill, but I have lived all over Prince Georges County and had friends who lived in Oxon Hill, MD.

I believe the K-Mart went out of business a while ago, not that it was worth mentioning. The two grocery stores. Safeway and Shoppers are not worth even visiting. That Safeway always smells and is disgusting. The Shoppers is decent though. All in all, I would steer clear of the area.

[G1..]

Originally Posted by Newtoarea21

Hello all,

I’m considering a home in Fountain Rd, Oxon Hill, MD. However, I have never lived in MD and I am not too familiar with how safe this area may be. Does anyone have any input or suggestions they can provide? Looking specifically to have a better idea of crime rate, education system (middle school and high school), how safe it is to commute to and from DC to Oxon Hill daily via public transportation, how safe it is to have a car in this area, if there’s anything to know in advance/look out for, etc. Any sort of steer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Oxon Hill is a section of Prince George's County. IMO,....it's nice section was(WAS) over by the water but the Casino and National Harbor have just made that area impossible with traffic and if anyone says that's not true they are lying to you. To really help you people would need more info ?

[schmoove86]

Originally Posted by dcdrogers

Don't do it.

I've never lived directly in Oxon Hill, but I have lived all over Prince Georges County and had friends who lived in Oxon Hill, MD.

I believe the K-Mart went out of business a while ago, not that it was worth mentioning. The two grocery stores. Safeway and Shoppers are not worth even visiting. That Safeway always smells and is disgusting. The Shoppers is decent though. All in all, I would steer clear of the area.

This post is pretty dated on information about the area.

The Safeway was recently renovated, the Shoppers is now a brand new Lidl and has been updated and the K-Mart is now a Target. All three are fine establishments to meet basic needs.

Fountain Road is close to the beltway but still on the wrong side of it.

[schmoove86]

Originally Posted by G1..

Oxon Hill is a section of Prince George's County. IMO,....it's nice section was(WAS) over by the water but the Casino and National Harbor have just made that area impossible with traffic and if anyone says that's not true they are lying to you. To really help you people would need more info ?

Any area that close to DC that has amenities will have traffic. That is a given.

[G1..]

Originally Posted by schmoove86

Any area that close to DC that has amenities will have traffic. That is a given.

Yesbut not like this add in the closeness of Indian Head hyw and it's a nightmare.