Husband taking a job in Springfield, VA -- where to live?

[Anonymous]

I commute from Franconia-Springfield Metro to Dupont Circle, and it takes 50 minutes once I'm on the train.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, do people really try to intentionally avoid schools where there are poor kids? I don't have elementary aged children of my own, so I guess I am clueless, but I'm surprised.

ABSOLUTELY! It's a rough substitute for kids who are not bringing a lot of academic experience to the classroom, don't have a stable/loving/disciplined home environment, need more time/attention/services to stay at grade level, etc., etc.

Yes, I said it's a ROUGH estimate, but the test scores nationally and within a school bear this out. Also, the "cultural" environment of the school is usually tougher/rouger if the percentage of FARMs is higher.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could find something in South Arlington, near Pentagon City or Crystal City metro, or on a busline? Schools aren't as good as North Arlington, but there are tons of buslines and the rents are a bit cheaper than near the North Arlington metro stations. Hubby could take blue line to Franconia/Springfield or drive; you could take blue line to Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom and walk in, or find a bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, do people really try to intentionally avoid schools where there are poor kids? I don't have elementary aged children of my own, so I guess I am clueless, but I'm surprised.

ABSOLUTELY! It's a rough substitute for kids who are not bringing a lot of academic experience to the classroom, don't have a stable/loving/disciplined home environment, need more time/attention/services to stay at grade level, etc., etc.

Yes, I said it's a ROUGH estimate, but the test scores nationally and within a school bear this out. Also, the "cultural" environment of the school is usually tougher/rouger if the percentage of FARMs is higher.

I suppose I understand the logic, but it still seems sad. I grew up in a poor and unstable home environment, got free lunches, had zero support from my parents (no-shows at choral performances etc), yet I was a well-behaved, model student who brought nothing but good things to the classroom. It just sucks that instead of trying to create a more balanced school, people run away from them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, do people really try to intentionally avoid schools where there are poor kids? I don't have elementary aged children of my own, so I guess I am clueless, but I'm surprised.

ABSOLUTELY! It's a rough substitute for kids who are not bringing a lot of academic experience to the classroom, don't have a stable/loving/disciplined home environment, need more time/attention/services to stay at grade level, etc., etc.

Yes, I said it's a ROUGH estimate, but the test scores nationally and within a school bear this out. Also, the "cultural" environment of the school is usually tougher/rouger if the percentage of FARMs is higher.

Since when does being poor equate with no academic experience, a loving/disciplined home environment, etc. Because someone doesn't make a lot of money and is poor, they don't provide a loving home? You sound like a total ass.

[Anonymous]

Besides, unless you're talking about a truly rough neighborhood, your child is not going to be harmed by sharing a classroom with a few poor kids.

[Anonymous]

I commute from Franconia-Springfield Metro to Dupont Circle, and it takes 50 minutes once I'm on the train.

I'm surprised you can do it in 50 minutes if this includes switching lines at Metro Center!

[Anonymous]

My husband grew up in Orange Hunt Estates and loved it.

[Anonymous]

I drive from Springfield to Georgetown each day and it takes me about 45 minutes. You can always pick up a slug, which will get you in MUCH faster -- closer to 30 minutes. I love the area, though. Very kid-friendly, lots families, community events, etc. I will say that we moved from Kingstowne and my commute is better from Springfield (again, driving). If you don't get right on to 95, going by the mall, you have to take Van Dorn, which is a NIGHTMARE now since the area has built up, but the roads have not kept pace. Just something to consider. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

PP, I would have to say everything is relative.

Fairfax County Public Schools are way better as compared to rest of the country. So, this may be a big step up for someone moving in to the area.

That being said, just be careful when looking in Springfield. Check the sex offender's list and stay away from Springfield Mall/ Old Keen Mill area. It is refer to as "arm pit" of Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

PP here - I should also add that my commute into G'town is much faster then when I went downtown because, with the latter, I had to cross the 14th street bridge, but with the former, I have more options to get into the city when there is a traffic issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I commute from Franconia-Springfield Metro to Dupont Circle, and it takes 50 minutes once I'm on the train.

I'm surprised you can do it in 50 minutes if this includes switching lines at Metro Center!

This is on days when we don't sit for 15 minutes waiting to get to Rosslyn of course!! But yeah, 50 minutes. And now that they opened up the virtual tunnel between Farragut West and North, I'll try that. They say that would cut off 10 minutes or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, I would have to say everything is relative.

Fairfax County Public Schools are way better as compared to rest of the country. So, this may be a big step up for someone moving in to the area.

That being said, just be careful when looking in Springfield. Check the sex offender's list and stay away from Springfield Mall/ Old Keen Mill area. It is refer to as "arm pit" of Fairfax.

Yes, you should definitely check the sex offender registry.

http://www.familywatchdog.us/ShowMap.asp?frm=0

Just to be fair, there are dangerous sex offenders scattered throughout the Fairfax County area, including "nicer" areas like Falls Church, Fairfax, Tysons Corner, etc. According to the map, Springfield does not have a higher concentration of these freaks than other areas in Fairfax County. There are also some neighborhoods in the Springfield area and throughout the county that do not show any registered sex offenders (which doesn't mean they are not there, it just means they haven't been caught yet.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, do people really try to intentionally avoid schools where there are poor kids? I don't have elementary aged children of my own, so I guess I am clueless, but I'm surprised.

ABSOLUTELY! It's a rough substitute for kids who are not bringing a lot of academic experience to the classroom, don't have a stable/loving/disciplined home environment, need more time/attention/services to stay at grade level, etc., etc.

Yes, I said it's a ROUGH estimate, but the test scores nationally and within a school bear this out. Also, the "cultural" environment of the school is usually tougher/rouger if the percentage of FARMs is higher.

I live in the Franconia/Rose Hill area of Alexandria (Fairfax County, NOT Alexandria City) and you're probably talking about a school like ours (Rose Hill, Twain, Edison). There is NOTHING 'rough' about any of these schools. I bet the graduation rate, SAT scores and percentage of graduates attending high education for any of the schools you classify as "rough" signficantly exceed those of most midwestern schools. Does Langley have fewer FARM kids and high scores than Edison? Certainly! But, from my perspective as a transplant from a homogenous farming community in the midwest, there isn't a single Fairfax County school that I would avoid. I'm not buying into the hysteria many people on this forum have about poor people, minorities and test score. I hope OP doesn't buy into it either.

[Anonymous]

KINGSTOWNE. Great townhouse community within minutes from the Franconia/Springfield Metro station. Lots of families, good schools, shopping. I am selling a large townhouse in that area. Reply if you are interested.