where to live in DC area

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who is a single mom to a 2 yr old moving to the area. She would like to be in the city or close-in. Any recommendations on neighborhoods to look in? She would like to be within walking distance of metro, amenities, good playgrounds, parks, etc. And of course not too expensive.

Ideas?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Mt. Rainier is treating me and several other single mothers pretty well. It's getting a bit pricier, but you can still find affordable rental housing as well as property for sale, depending on your financial parameters. There are lots of kids here, and lots of different kinds of families.

[Anonymous]

I would agree w/the PP. Mt. Rainier is very quaint, & so are sections of Hyattsville & College Park. All metro accessible. DC is becoming less & less of an option for even the middle class, let alone a one-salary family. In DC, she probably will get very little room for her money.

[Anonymous]

College Park and Greenbelt are good, Old Greenbelt, specifically.

We have a city park, a national park, and several playgrounds within biking distance. And the elementary school is excellent; not to mention the fabulous community support structure that exists.

Also, the housing is affordable, because it is Co-Op.

[Anonymous]

What about parts of Capitol Hill, say, South of H Street? Would those be okay? Or Dupont Circle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about parts of Capitol Hill, say, South of H Street? Would those be okay? Or Dupont Circle?

All are very expensive areas. I live off of Pennsylvania Ave., across the Sousa bridge. It's 5 minutes from Capitol Hill, Eastern Market area. Beautiful area, has gone through alot of changes, good ones. But, the homes are NOT cheap, & pretty small. Averaging 600k+. If you're looking for space, backyard, etc., none of these areas work. Check out the area that I live in. It's called Hillcrest. Beautiful Big Homes, still affordable. Matter of fact, same price as you would pay in Capitol Hill, except you can get a MUCH larger home with a huge backyard. And, it's a very safe area, very diverse.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your comments! What are the elementary schools like in Hillcrest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your comments! What are the elementary schools like in Hillcrest?

AH, the one dreaded drawback of my beautiful neighborhood. It is in Ward 7, & the school system hasn't caught up w/the real estate. I am applying out of boundary across the bridge in Ward 6, Capitol Hill, as well as a few other schools throughout NW, DC. I honestly cannot recommend any school in Ward 7.

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park is really great, on the Metro, and has some good schools.

There are also some not horribly crazily expensive apartment buildings in the Janney school boundary, with access to Tenley metro. Janney is a great school.

If she can get her child into Haynes charter school, Petworth is an option.

[Anonymous]

All great responses above. Brookland is also a nice, more affordable neighborhood in NE near a metro with lots of young families. Ledroit Park isn't too far from the metro at 9th and U NW if she doesn't mind a little walk. Petworth is another option in NW, and near Galludet in NE is another nice neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

If she really wants to be close-in, is looking to rent vs buy, and is willing to sacrifice space, she might look into some of the apartment buildings on upper Connecticut Ave, near Chevy Chase Circle. The neighborhood is great, good schools, playgrounds, family-friendly, and at least in my building, rent is within reach.

[Anonymous]

Speaking of upper Connecticut Ave., we are looking to rent out the lower level of our home. Our prior tenant just relocated for a new job. We have a 3 1/2 year old and a 4 month old baby (both girls). We figured it could be a great opportunity for our older daughter to have a playmate nearby! The space is about 1,000 sq. ft., has a seperate entrance, a full kitchen, full bath, W/D and very good light. $1,500 per month includes utilities. If interested, please write [e-mail]. I hope it is ok to post my email address here.

[Anonymous]

Arlington has an amazingly supportive school system for working parents - full day kinder for all, extended day at all elementary schools with a guaranteed spot.

Sure, parts of Arlington are expensive, but there are certainly affordable apartments around. The schools in the less prestigious parts of town are just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your comments! What are the elementary schools like in Hillcrest?

AH, the one dreaded drawback of my beautiful neighborhood. It is in Ward 7, & the school system hasn't caught up w/the real estate. I am applying out of boundary across the bridge in Ward 6, Capitol Hill, as well as a few other schools throughout NW, DC. I honestly cannot recommend any school in Ward 7.

This is EXACTLY what charter schools are for! So that families like yours can still attend a good school even if you can't afford to live in Ward 3.

http://www.focusdc.org/charterschooldirectory/index.asp