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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you both work from home, WTH are you moving to the DC area?!

I live in Arlington and enjoy it (most of the time), but if both of our jobs became permanently remote, I'd be out of here in a heartbeat and move someplace cheaper.

OP here. We were looking at many different urban areas, and this seems to be the best one where you can get a house with a yard just a short drive from world-class arts & culture. We also looked at a couple big southern cities, but the weather there was a bit offputting, I like the idea of 4 seasons and not having to be indoors all summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

Yeah. This is a competitive area. Also, there's not a lot of socioeconomic diverse neighborhoods in Arlington--it's very bifurcated. Which is why our schools are very segregated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

+1, especially the closer in/more expensive you get. If you want something more relaxed, look a little farther out. I live in Arlington and like it but we also bought when it was affordable (paid a bit over $200k for a 4-bedroom house a couple blocks from the metro in Lyon Park). We, like most of our long-term neighbors, work in government, non-profits, mid-level tech jobs etc. Our kids are in HS and college. Families buying now seem to lean much more toward lawyers, lobbyists, etc. with much bigger paychecks.

If the drive into DC is just for leisure activities, you can look further out. Read the Burke thread.

[Anonymous]

Arlington is only cool/urban down the Wilson/fairfax dr corridor. The most diverse area in n Arlington is probably ballston and ashlawn/kenmore/w&l school pyramid.

Kenmore is about 50% or lower white. For the north north Arlington residents it is terrifying to consider sending a child there. So in that sense Arlington is full of hypocrites and snobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington is only cool/urban down the Wilson/fairfax dr corridor. The most diverse area in n Arlington is probably ballston and ashlawn/kenmore/w&l school pyramid.

Kenmore is about 50% or lower white. For the north north Arlington residents it is terrifying to consider sending a child there. So in that sense Arlington is full of hypocrites and snobs.

Also, Long Branch/TJ/W-L, but that's really just the Ashton Heights/Lyon Park neighborhood and extremely low inventory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Any North Arlington neighborhoods and most of South Arlington in the 22202 zip code is filled with rats in the race. The schools in the other two Arlington zip codes --- 22204 and 22206 -- are not good. Best bet is trying to find something in Falls Church City. It is a little more nerdy than Arlington and definitely more diverse as many foreign service and CIA people live there when in the States to give their kids a taste of a real all American childhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

OP, take a look at these charts to see a breakdown of race in each school, as well as free and reduced lunch qualification.

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Civil-Rights-Table-1-2021-11-08.pdf

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SNPMonthlyEligibilityReport.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington is only cool/urban down the Wilson/fairfax dr corridor. The most diverse area in n Arlington is probably ballston and ashlawn/kenmore/w&l school pyramid.

Kenmore is about 50% or lower white. For the north north Arlington residents it is terrifying to consider sending a child there. So in that sense Arlington is full of hypocrites and snobs.

Also, Long Branch/TJ/W-L, but that's really just the Ashton Heights/Lyon Park neighborhood and extremely low inventory.

Long Branch adds diversity with the military kids from Fort Myer and TJ is a very diverse middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

If you don’t care about schools, I’d definitely add Alexandria City to your list. It’s as close to DC as much of Arlington, there are cute downtown centers in Del Ray and Old Town, and you can get a house with a yard. I think it’s less competitive and rat race-y than Arlington, mostly because the schools don’t have a great reputation so certain types self-select out of living here. The Del Ray and Beverley Hills/North Ridge neighborhoods (Charles Barrett or George Mason school district) will have a lot of what you’re looking for, including diversity in the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

OP, I highly recommend you rethink moving to the DC area if you don't want to live in a place that's like a rat race. This area is highly-competitive and pretty stressful, and I say that as someone who is from here and loves it. But that's the reality and from what you say, I'm not sure you'll like it. Have you spent any significant time here? I really recommend you do so if you haven't already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

OP, I highly recommend you rethink moving to the DC area if you don't want to live in a place that's like a rat race. This area is highly-competitive and pretty stressful, and I say that as someone who is from here and loves it. But that's the reality and from what you say, I'm not sure you'll like it. Have you spent any significant time here? I really recommend you do so if you haven't already.

OP here, I guess I am just hoping if we go to those bad schools that everyone seems afraid of, we'll avoid the competitive and stressful vibe? We tried living in a more chill place but we're really unhappy not being right by a big city.

On that note, will someone please clarify what "bad school" means??? Like they're very violent or something? Even at the elementary/middle level? Or it's bad in the sense that it has poor kids so the test scores aren't high?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

OP, I highly recommend you rethink moving to the DC area if you don't want to live in a place that's like a rat race. This area is highly-competitive and pretty stressful, and I say that as someone who is from here and loves it. But that's the reality and from what you say, I'm not sure you'll like it. Have you spent any significant time here? I really recommend you do so if you haven't already.

OP here, I guess I am just hoping if we go to those bad schools that everyone seems afraid of, we'll avoid the competitive and stressful vibe? We tried living in a more chill place but we're really unhappy not being right by a big city.

On that note, will someone please clarify what "bad school" means??? Like they're very violent or something? Even at the elementary/middle level? Or it's bad in the sense that it has poor kids so the test scores aren't high?

It's this. DCUM parents are obsessed with test scores and aren't savvy enough to interpret them in context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

OP, I highly recommend you rethink moving to the DC area if you don't want to live in a place that's like a rat race. This area is highly-competitive and pretty stressful, and I say that as someone who is from here and loves it. But that's the reality and from what you say, I'm not sure you'll like it. Have you spent any significant time here? I really recommend you do so if you haven't already.

OP here, I guess I am just hoping if we go to those bad schools that everyone seems afraid of, we'll avoid the competitive and stressful vibe? We tried living in a more chill place but we're really unhappy not being right by a big city.

On that note, will someone please clarify what "bad school" means??? Like they're very violent or something? Even at the elementary/middle level? Or it's bad in the sense that it has poor kids so the test scores aren't high?

Arlington School parent here. I think when people are saying "bad schools" and talking about Arlington, they're saying that since they're not the best in the area/state, they're bad. I'm just one data point, so grain of salt, but that doesn't really jive with my experience. My kids are middle of the road, neurotypical kids. They seem reasonably well prepared for school and life without a lot of intervention from me. They're not going to Ivies, and that's fine with me.

I do think that APS sucked in their response to the pandemic, but I think this area gets a lot of pressure from crazy parents/people who create noise and make decision-making difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arlington and honestly it's a crapshoot on what neighborhood you fall into. Some neighborhoods in 22205 are better than 2207 and vice versa. Same with different parts of south arlington. Some days I love our neighborhood, other days I dislike and feel like it's a rat race. The benefits: kids walk to school, can walk to pre-teen/teen hang out places, once my kids get their license, we won't have to worry AS MUCH about them driving on major high ways, back roads, etc. I DO NOT love our schools especially after what Arlington County pulled during the pandemic. My son has ADHD and my other son has dyslexia and I am ALWAYS fighting and advocating for them. We are seriously considering private school next year for them because they have lost a year and the county seems to be doing nothing to meet them where they're at. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose Vienna or certain pockets of Falls Church.

OP here. We are hoping to live in a diverse neighborhood (both socioeconomically and racially mixed). I don't want it to be like a rat race. We don't want the top-rated schools, because those are too white and wealthy (and I get that your calculus is different because you have to think about accommodations for learning differences - our kids are neurotypical so it's less of a concern for us). What neighborhoods would you recommend?

Welp. That's the whole area, not just Arlington.

OP, I highly recommend you rethink moving to the DC area if you don't want to live in a place that's like a rat race. This area is highly-competitive and pretty stressful, and I say that as someone who is from here and loves it. But that's the reality and from what you say, I'm not sure you'll like it. Have you spent any significant time here? I really recommend you do so if you haven't already.

OP here, I guess I am just hoping if we go to those bad schools that everyone seems afraid of, we'll avoid the competitive and stressful vibe? We tried living in a more chill place but we're really unhappy not being right by a big city.

On that note, will someone please clarify what "bad school" means??? Like they're very violent or something? Even at the elementary/middle level? Or it's bad in the sense that it has poor kids so the test scores aren't high?

Arlington School parent here. I think when people are saying "bad schools" and talking about Arlington, they're saying that since they're not the best in the area/state, they're bad. I'm just one data point, so grain of salt, but that doesn't really jive with my experience. My kids are middle of the road, neurotypical kids. They seem reasonably well prepared for school and life without a lot of intervention from me. They're not going to Ivies, and that's fine with me.

I do think that APS sucked in their response to the pandemic, but I think this area gets a lot of pressure from crazy parents/people who create noise and make decision-making difficult.

+1 No, the schools are not violent. My kids (now in HS) have had good teachers, good friends, plenty of resources, and seem appropriately challenged. From friends' stories more of the competitive/stressful stuff is in the more uniformly affluent schools farther north.

Some of the "bad schools" perceptions are because of low Great Schools scores but a lot of that is because GS changed their scoring to essentially penalize schools that have SES diversity and low-income students do not score as well as high-income (which is the case everywhere and IMO not the schools' fault). Some of the actual "bad" practices IMO are an emphasis on computer games (kids get their own iPads starting in 2nd grade) and, until recently, use of Lucy Calkins for reading. They are supposed to be dropping that in favor of actual phonics instruction. The county also grew very rapidly in the recent past so there were a lot of overcrowded schools. The ES situation has been relieved somewhat but there are still needed boundary adjustments. And, HS overcrowded is a mostly unaddressed issue, they basically decided to put an annex on W-L and it will be like 3000+ students. Handling growth is a big challenge because space for expansion/new buildings is extremely limited. Boundary changes are always fraught but I think that's probably the case in most areas. And, some people don't like the lack of a dedicated gifted program/track, although I think that tends to weed out some of the more intense/competitive parents who go to Fairfax for that.

As PPs have said, your best bet is likely in the middle of the county, where the schools tend to have a better SES mix (Ashwlawn and Long Branch have been mentioned but I'd also add Fleet, Abingdon, Oakridge)