Existential crisis in downtown Bethesda

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

I'm the PP and I'll add that you sound like a smug Takoma Park resident with a "In this house, we believe.." or "Black Lives Matter" poster outside your home. Someone who loves diversity, equity and inclusion, except when the county decides to upzone your neighborhood. Those are the insufferable liberal hypocrites that I cannot stand.

I've never been to Takoma Park and have no signs in front of my house. But you've just outed yourself as a typical Bethesda resident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

I'm the PP and I'll add that you sound like a smug Takoma Park resident with a "In this house, we believe.." or "Black Lives Matter" poster outside your home. Someone who loves diversity, equity and inclusion, except when the county decides to upzone your neighborhood. Those are the insufferable liberal hypocrites that I cannot stand.

Those signs are everywhere. You sound furious for no legitimate reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

I'm the PP and I'll add that you sound like a smug Takoma Park resident with a "In this house, we believe.." or "Black Lives Matter" poster outside your home. Someone who loves diversity, equity and inclusion, except when the county decides to upzone your neighborhood. Those are the insufferable liberal hypocrites that I cannot stand.

I've never been to Takoma Park and have no signs in front of my house. But you've just outed yourself as a typical Bethesda resident.

LOL what??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

Kids who attend W schools are privileged by definition. And if you don't understand that, you're hopeless.

I love how you are happy to paint anyone that attends these schools with the broadest of brushes. I could do the same to other schools in the county "by definition" and I'd probably be branded a bigot. Careful PP, your stereotyping is showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

LOL, everyone has privilege. Privilege is a meaningless word in the context that progressives use it. You cannot escape privilege in the US, it's all around you regardless of where you go. You can certainly choose to live in other areas that you find more agreeable, such as being near certain cultural centers, food, amenities, etc. But doing so for privilege, or the perceived lack thereof, is asinine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

Kids who attend W schools are privileged by definition. And if you don't understand that, you're hopeless.

I love how you are happy to paint anyone that attends these schools with the broadest of brushes. I could do the same to other schools in the county "by definition" and I'd probably be branded a bigot. Careful PP, your stereotyping is showing.

Just. Stop. It's an objective fact -- not opinion. The W schools have the lowest percentage of low income students in the entire DMV. That's the definition of privilege.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

LOL, everyone has privilege. Privilege is a meaningless word in the context that progressives use it. You cannot escape privilege in the US, it's all around you regardless of where you go. You can certainly choose to live in other areas that you find more agreeable, such as being near certain cultural centers, food, amenities, etc. But doing so for privilege, or the perceived lack thereof, is asinine.

+1. That poster sounds like a virtue signaler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

Kids who attend W schools are privileged by definition. And if you don't understand that, you're hopeless.

I love how you are happy to paint anyone that attends these schools with the broadest of brushes. I could do the same to other schools in the county "by definition" and I'd probably be branded a bigot. Careful PP, your stereotyping is showing.

Just. Stop. It's an objective fact -- not opinion. The W schools have the lowest percentage of low income students in the entire DMV. That's the definition of privilege.

What's wrong with that? I hope I'm privileged some day. My kids, too. The idea that NOT having wealth is somehow virtuous is based on what, some kind of guilt?

I want money. I want stability. I want to live in a safe neighborhood with good schools. I'm not ashamed of that in the slightest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. I've owned a home in Bethesda for more than 10 years and can't stand the drivers, those people or those stores. However, I'm here for the wonderful public schools (our kids are in the Whitman cluster), the beautiful tree lined streets, our non-McMansion colonial, the convenience of being able to walk to downtown Bethesda, the joy of biking the Capitol Crescent Trail, and living inside the Beltway. I love being able to drive to Pennsylvania ski slopes in 90 minutes, the Delaware beaches in 2-3 hours, and every major airport in under an hour. I love Gringos and Mariachis. I love Pesca Deli. I love Landmark Cinemas. I love the Bethesda Central Farmers Market. Do I wish there was more authenticity? Absolutely. I'd love a good, local craft brewery. I'm looking forward to Salt Line coming to Bethesda. I don't buy $5+ coffee - I grind mine at home from Major Dickasons from Costco. I realize I live in a bubble and am surrounded by plenty of unhappy middle aged SAHMs with their Soul(less) Cycle and Pure Barre classes. I avoid those and those social climbing types like the plague. However, there are plenty of good, down to earth, educated families in Bethesda - you just need to find your people and avoid/ignore the rest. I also don't think this issue is unique to Bethesda.

LOL. "Wonderful public schools" means rich white people and no dirty poor people. And it's "2-3" hours any time that matters only if you have a helicopter.

Yawn. Why do you think people move to places like Bethesda? There's plenty of diversity btw. It's just diversity within the UMC (i.e., children of diplomats, UMC POCs, etc.). And yes, we don't want to deal with the problems of poverty and crime - hence, why people cluster in these areas.

LOL that's not diversity. That's a bubble.

The thing is, anyone that can't afford it can complain all they want. If they had the income, most of them would make the same choice. Clustering isn't unique to Bethesda. It's happening all over the country. Highly educated, wealthy people cluster. That has consequences for everyone else.

Newsflash: there actually ARE folks living in the DMV who don't just talk the talk. They CAN afford places like Bethesda but don't want their kids surrounded by nothing but privilege so they live elsewhere. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true.

Yeah, we get it. And there are plenty of people who do and are very happy with the choices they've made. You seem to write off everyone as "privileged" just because they've made different choices than you and happen to live in Bethesda. Stereotyping a bunch of people who happen to live a particular zip code or have kids in a particular school/cluster is just as ignorant.

Kids who attend W schools are privileged by definition. And if you don't understand that, you're hopeless.

I love how you are happy to paint anyone that attends these schools with the broadest of brushes. I could do the same to other schools in the county "by definition" and I'd probably be branded a bigot. Careful PP, your stereotyping is showing.

Just. Stop. It's an objective fact -- not opinion. The W schools have the lowest percentage of low income students in the entire DMV. That's the definition of privilege.

What's your point? Parents are happy to not have to deal with the problems of poverty - that's for the government to figure out. In the meantime, many families will happily cluster with similarly situated families in what they see as a sound investment financially, and in their children's future. In reality, most of these kids would do fine at other, less affluent schools. It's more about parent engagement and innate abilities of the child in any case. But, why take that risk? Living in Bethesda and attending these schools is like buying a "blue chip stock".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like my part of Bethesda for the pretty trees everywhere, proximity to the towpath, variety of housing stock, and good schools. I also like that it’s convenient to DC and places with good, cheap food like Rockville. If you find yourself going out for expensive iced lattes frequently, regardless of your location, you probably need to look for some more fulfilling things to do with your time and money.

+1 - I live in Bethesda and rarely go downtown. I can make coffee at home and none of the stores really appeal to me. I like my neighborhood for the same reasons you mention and my life is fulfilled in ways other than sipping iced coffee and people watching in downtown Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

The best way to get out of an existential funk is to look outside yourself and help someone!

Consider helping to stock the Bethesda Little Free Pantry - you can put non-perishable donations directly in it.

http://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/pantry/2137

[Anonymous]

OP I grew up in the Bethesda sphere, and I will say that this is why we no longer live in Bethesda. When I was a kid Bethesda was actually kinda charming and homey despite the lack of historic charm. Case in point - used to have stuff like a skate shop right on Bethesda row where lululemon is (anyone OG's here Evolve Skateshop, and then Asylum Wake Skate Snow?), which is something you wouldn't see today. Same with the army surplus store where as boys used to buy airsoft guns and other odd stuff. Now it is very corporate and soulless feeling as you've touched on.

We moved to NoVa because MoCo lost its luster imo. The MoCo folks here will point out correctly that NoVa has plenty of soulless places, but let me give you a secret - one of DC's best kept secret gems is Alexandria. Del Ray, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, Belle Haven, and of course the crown Jewel Old Town. Some chains but largely dominated by local small businesses - just cruise down king street or mt vernon ave and you will see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP just finishing the thread, and your post a few up makes you sound insufferable. You’re not better than everyone walking by you. I don’t live in Bethesda, so no dog in this fight.

I didn't say I was better. I said I had different values than what I am seeing around me here, and from some others in this thread. Perhaps it would be more "sufferable" if I had phrased it as "X has value *to me*.

Oh, horsehockey. From your initial post:

". . . watching people pop in and out like automatons. It seems so pointless and empty. Is this what it's all for? Strive to live in a HCOL area and make a big enough salary to live there so you can go disburse your dollars among certain branded storefronts as if you are robot operating on preprogrammed instructions thinking that you "belong"? . . . Work all your life for the privilege of raising your kids around people like this?"

Of course you think you're better. The disdain practically oozes through my computer screen. Not a great look, OP.

- VA resident, so no dog in this fight.

I don't think you're being 100% fair. I think one can share OP's views on society without having disdain for others who are 'living in the matrix'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I grew up in the Bethesda sphere, and I will say that this is why we no longer live in Bethesda. When I was a kid Bethesda was actually kinda charming and homey despite the lack of historic charm. Case in point - used to have stuff like a skate shop right on Bethesda row where lululemon is (anyone OG's here Evolve Skateshop, and then Asylum Wake Skate Snow?), which is something you wouldn't see today. Same with the army surplus store where as boys used to buy airsoft guns and other odd stuff. Now it is very corporate and soulless feeling as you've touched on.

We moved to NoVa because MoCo lost its luster imo. The MoCo folks here will point out correctly that NoVa has plenty of soulless places, but let me give you a secret - one of DC's best kept secret gems is Alexandria. Del Ray, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, Belle Haven, and of course the crown Jewel Old Town. Some chains but largely dominated by local small businesses - just cruise down king street or mt vernon ave and you will see.

So true. We recently bought a property in Del Ray for DD and SIL to rent from us (they're not ready to buy) and we are really glad we did. It's such a nice place for them to live. It has a real small town feel and no chain stores whatsoever. I could see us ending up there some day as well. But Bethesda? Never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I grew up in the Bethesda sphere, and I will say that this is why we no longer live in Bethesda. When I was a kid Bethesda was actually kinda charming and homey despite the lack of historic charm. Case in point - used to have stuff like a skate shop right on Bethesda row where lululemon is (anyone OG's here Evolve Skateshop, and then Asylum Wake Skate Snow?), which is something you wouldn't see today. Same with the army surplus store where as boys used to buy airsoft guns and other odd stuff. Now it is very corporate and soulless feeling as you've touched on.

We moved to NoVa because MoCo lost its luster imo. The MoCo folks here will point out correctly that NoVa has plenty of soulless places, but let me give you a secret - one of DC's best kept secret gems is Alexandria. Del Ray, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, Belle Haven, and of course the crown Jewel Old Town. Some chains but largely dominated by local small businesses - just cruise down king street or mt vernon ave and you will see.

So true. We recently bought a property in Del Ray for DD and SIL to rent from us (they're not ready to buy) and we are really glad we did. It's such a nice place for them to live. It has a real small town feel and no chain stores whatsoever. I could see us ending up there some day as well. But Bethesda? Never.

Isn't Alexandria going to be underwater with climate change? I love it but it's one of the most at risk areas in the DMV. No thanks.