Help with neighborhood search + friendliest communities
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Anonymous
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Hi everyone, hoping to get your thoughts on neighborhoods that could be a potential fit for us (DH, 2 y/o and another on the way). We're seriously considering a move from the SF Bay Area (Peninsula) to DMV for work and to be closer to family. Our jobs would be in downtown / Georgetown.
We're considering nieghborhoods near the DC / Maryland border (on either side) and North Virginia. Trying to keep commutes to 25 - 30 mins max for both of us. Our budget is 1.5 - 2.0mm. I've gotten a few ideas from older posts, but would love updated thoughts as some of the threads are dated, or only focused on one state. Below are a few factors we're trying to optimize for, in order of importance. Thanks in advance for any recommendations / thoughts. 1. Feeling of community -- we both grew up in family and community-oriented neighborhoods, and this is pretty important for us. Have seen that this can vary based on the street, but we'd like to optimize to the extent possible. We live in an affluent neighborhood now (renting to be close to work) and there is no sense of community. We barely see anyone out socializing, kids aren't out and about, no block parties, people don't intro themselves. I know DMV may not be the first people think of for friendliness, but hoping there are some hidden gems and we're willing to make efforts to integrate and host, just want the people to be receptive and community-oriented. Also ideal if kids are going out and playing on their own vs having all playdates scheduled. 2. Schools -- we both went to public schools and leaning towards our kids having the same experience. We're not opposed to private school but would like the option of strong public schools if possible. 3. Dense suburban feel -- DH and I lived Georgetown in the past, and while we loved the neighborhood we'd like a house with yard, while still having "city elements" like town center, more densely spaced houses. Basically don't want to feel isolated or packed in. Bonus if neighborhood is known for having architecturally interesting homes. 4. Vibrant Catholic community -- we want to make an effort to focus on our faith with this move, and we'd ideally like to move somewhere that has a Catholic church / strong Catholic community nearby. Currently, our neighborhood church is pretty empty and people don't really socialize outside of mass. Not sure if there are certain enclaves to be aware of. 5. Athletics -- we both love to stay active (golf, running, swimming). We're not currently "country club people" but have heard this is how a lot of families get involved in active activities? Regardless, we're looking to meet others who love athletics and give our kids opportunities to stay active as well. I know it will be tough to optimize for all these elements. We've only lived in Georgetown and didn't really have a chance to explore outside of DC so we welcome any suggestions. We're also planning to rent close to our "best bet" neighborhood so see if its a good fit. Thank you in advance. |
Anonymous
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This is a very tall order, not least the length of commute you are looking for. It's going to be near impossible to get anywhere outside DC from Georgetown/Downtown in 25 minutes. You may not even get your car out of a parking garage or get aboard Metro in that time.
Woodmoor in Silver Spring has a reputation for a strong, tight knit Catholic vibe; and a nice little neighborhood, plus you are close to Downtown Silver Spring. |
Anonymous
| Geez, this is quite a list. I think instead of relying on a neighborhood to do all of this for you, you'll need to work on making your own community. You can do that wherever you live. |
Anonymous
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Garrett Park but your commute will be longer.
But honestly you may be happier in Catholic schools if you want to focus on Catholic community. |
Anonymous
| Chevy Chase DC? Near Blessed Sacrament? |
Anonymous
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Arlington - Cherrydale and send your kids to St Agnes? Live in Westover or Bluemont and send your kids to St Ann’s?
Live in Falls Church and send your kids to St James? If you want to focus on your faith, pick your parish and move to a nearby neighborhood where a decent number of people send their kids to Catholic school. But know that if you choose Catholic or private school, at least in my Arlington neighborhood, you will be at a social disadvantage because most kids go to public school. We are walking distance to an elementary and a junior high, so a lot of socializing and making plans happens among elementary parents walking to and from school, school based activities, and school events. |
Anonymous
And I know you said public school, but the handful of practicing Catholic families we know send their kids to Catholic elementary. If you want a vibrant Catholic community, it’s going to be hard to find it otherwise in NoVa. |
Anonymous
| Washington DC isn’t like Boston or SF where there is a long history and tradition of Catholic and Jesuit support in building communities. Maryland was a Catholic colony so you may find more Catholic neighborhood feel there but as PPs have said most families will send their kids to parochial schools. |
Anonymous
These are good recs. I’d also look into the area near St. John the Beloved in McLean. Have heard good things about that school. I think your best bet is to live near your parish and send your kids to school there. You could also look into Riverbend CC in Great Falls. Much of what you’re looking for is easier to find in a lower cost of living area, though. This area is transient and isn’t super friendly, as you noted, and CC life is very expensive here. |
Anonymous
| Glover Park is the perfect choice for you. |
Anonymous
| River Falls in Potomac. Great tight community with lots of young kids and a community pool with tennis courts. You have a straight shot down Clara Barton to Georgetown for your commute. Lots are all third of an acre so pretty dense feeling. |
Anonymous
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Forest estates.
The commute to Georgetown is 30 min in AM but is longer in PM. There is a Catholic Church and school in the neighborhood - St. John the Evangelist. Many neighbors send their kids here, although not all. It connects to Sligo creek park, for ease of access to a path for biking, running, walking. There are multiple proposals in the works to bring walkable developments to the area for shops etc, although that doesn’t yet exist. Neighborhood is very friendly and active. Housing may be the challenge - primarily smaller homes although there are some larger. |
Anonymous
| Maybe Tenleytown/Au Park (St Anns) or Somerset? |
Anonymous
| Falls church city hits all your buttons. |
Anonymous
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I am Catholic and go to mass. I moved here from NY. My Catholic Church in Potomac is very active and full of people.
What surprised me is my two kids enrolled in Winston Churchill HS and very few Catholic kids. Turns out a large amount of Catholic people go Catholic HS. I found that surprising as in NY we had around 99.9 percent of town in public schools and everyone kids from CCD was in school my kids. So that was another wired thing I found when moving. Also I did notice my Catholic Church publishes amount of Baptisms and Weddings etc each year. Potomac is size on my old town in NY and the Catholic Church does way less Baptisms and Weddings than NY. Unusual I am literally zoned one of the best High Schools in country and yet people pay for Catholic school. |