Is Arlington the Best Place to Live in the DC Area?

[Anonymous]

We're moving long-distance and don't know the DC area well, but have done a lot of online research.

For someone who wants the traditional 4-bedroom house, walk to school and playgrounds, but also an urban feel, not all strip malls and developments, and close enough to DC to go in and enjoy the city most weekends, Arlington seems by far the best place to live...maybe even the only place.

Bethesda is the only other one that seems to be in that range, but feels more suburban and more snobby. In Silver Spring, the nice single-family homes seem to be further out from downtown and the big downtown complex feels kind of manufactured/too commercial (Dave & Busters, burgers, pizza). I've always lived in big cities and really love the full experience of world-class museums, historical sites, parks, restaurants, at my doorstep. Arlington seems to offer easy access to that.

Am I missing something or is Arlington really the best? And is that why all the homes are like $1.3-$1.8 million dollars, because it's so wonderful and everyone wants to live there?

Are there any other suburbs I should be looking at? We looked at DC too, but prices don't seem much better there.

[Anonymous]

LOL. Enjoy the concrete, ugly housing, and mediocre schools.

[Anonymous]

Do you care about schools? Also what about arlington doesn't scream strip malls? I really love the neighborhoods around bethesda row-- accessible to metro, shopping, walkable to school etc.

[Anonymous]

Here it comes, OP. 14 pages of people telling you that Arlington SUCKS and place XYZ is far superior.

FWIW, I live in the Westover part of Arlington and I really like it. I've also lived in Shirlington and Ballston. I liked those spots too. It's expensive because it's the closest place to DC. Some of the neighborhoods are ugly and people say that the schools are going downhill, but I think people just like to complain or rationalize expensive decisions they've already made.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Hahaha- I live in Arlington and I love it for the reasons you mentioned. My kids walk to school, to playgrounds, to other stuff and we love our neighborhood. And in my opinion yes, that is why the houses are expensive.

But you are about to hear from a LOT of people who disagree- the people suck, it's ugly, the schools are in decline, etc. All I can tell you is that we're happy. We've been here for 10 years.

Other than that- we used to live near Bethesda. There are nice pockets. If you prefer something a bit more wooded, check out the area near Cabin John or Glen Echo. There are some walkable things, though it's a very different vibe. I haven't kept up on the prices though. Probably not a lot better...

[Anonymous]

What is your budget op?

[Anonymous]

Different areas are best for different families. If Arlington is best for you, great.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in DC and in MD and VA suburbs, including Arlington. Honestly, my quality of life was best in N. Arlington. The one big negative, at least for my particular family, was the lack of racial diversity which led us to the MD burbs. But I really miss Arlington!

[Anonymous]

Arlington is an urbanized suburb, which i think touches on what you want.

Schools are okay at best, but have declined significantly over the last decade from overcrowding and reduction in differentiation.

If your kids are elementary, it can be nice to live in Lyon Village, Westover, walk to a restaurant or library or grocery store, nearby playgrounds and schools.

I personally like Bethesda much more, but Arlington is better commute for us. Both places are plenty snooty. Also summer access to pools in Arlington is abysmal and akin to hunger games.

[Anonymous]

We live in Arlington for all of those reasons but a lot of folks think Bethesda, Takoma Park and Silver Spring check those boxes too. We live in Lyon Park and I don't think the housing is particularly ugly. it isn't the same as a cute New England town, but nothing here is. Personally I don't like how huge the MoCo school district is so I prefer Arlington but obviously people have strong feelings about this and there is no one right answer. I don't think any of the school systems in the DC area are great compared to suburbs in other cities (none can hold a candle to Winnetka or Scarsdale for example if you want a super strong, wealthy school district).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your budget op?

This is important piece of puzzle.

[Anonymous]

If you want public schools then Arlington seems like the best urbanized suburb in terms of proximity. We prefer Alexandria, but my child attends private school.

[Anonymous]

I think "best place to live" is highly subjective. You need to visit some of the areas around DC OP to see what you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want public schools then Arlington seems like the best urbanized suburb in terms of proximity. We prefer Alexandria, but my child attends private school.

Arlington schools have declined significantly. And current school board and superintendent believe equity means a race to the bottom.

[Anonymous]

What's your budget and where are you commuting to? We need to know that in order to recommend places.