Moving to DC with many questions

[Anonymous]

For those suggesting Logan Circle and Adams Morgan, these are great neighborhoods, of course, but OP says she wants something "ideally (emphasis mine) walkable, not too 'urban', not too 'suburban'" . . . with "little town areas to stroll to". That says to me something more like Cleveland Park or Edgemoor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those suggesting Logan Circle and Adams Morgan, these are great neighborhoods, of course, but OP says she wants something "ideally (emphasis mine) walkable, not too 'urban', not too 'suburban'" . . . with "little town areas to stroll to". That says to me something more like Cleveland Park or Edgemoor.

The concern here is that her notion of urban is shaped by Manhattan. By that standard there is virtually nothing urban in the whole DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those suggesting Logan Circle and Adams Morgan, these are great neighborhoods, of course, but OP says she wants something "ideally (emphasis mine) walkable, not too 'urban', not too 'suburban'" . . . with "little town areas to stroll to". That says to me something more like Cleveland Park or Edgemoor.

The concern here is that her notion of urban is shaped by Manhattan. By that standard there is virtually nothing urban in the whole DC area.

Yes, of course, but I'm guessing she's lived in or visited other metropolitan areas and is aware that NYC -- or at least Manhattan is, if not sui generis, then certainly much more dense and urban than any other place in the United States. Thus, I think she probably views this move as an opportunity to experience a somewhat more suburban lifestyle -- I'm not saying she's going to move to Potomac or Reston -- with the pleasures that urban dwellers associate with the suburbs -- even if only in those rare moments when they are not ecstatic about their own little slice of paradise.

Having made the reverse temporary move -- we spent one year in NYC -- I can say that at least some New Yorkers do sometimes think "it might be nice just to be able to have a cookout in the backyard, or drive the car over to a shopping center where you can go to the hardware store for picture hooks and pick up a loaf of bread and maybe some little gift for your tiny nieces whom you'll be visiting in flyover country next weekend." In fact, this is exactly what our visiting former neighbors from our NYC sojourn loved about their recent weekend with us -- driving 5 minutes (if that) to the strip shopping center on Arlington Road in Bethesda. Then walking, yes -- on our own 2 feet -- to get fro yo in beautiful downtown Bethesda -- an ersatz city, but a city nonetheless. So convenient, they mused. Would they want to move here? Not in a million years, but if they had to move, they'd make the best of it. I know because that's what we did -- in reverse.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

For example--

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1621-33rd-St-NW-Washington-DC-20007/430903_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

Urban doesn't always equal living in a pocket of 30 story buildings and fighting for sidewalk space every day, Georgetown is most definitely not suburban, otherwise, all cities of the US would be suburban if compared to Manhattan, because, this density simply doesn't exist anywhere in the US and most of Europe. I am from SF, lived in many US cities, including NYC. The entire comparison of DC to NYC is just silly, anyone trying to move to DC to find a cheaper alternative to Manhattan is going to be deeply disappointed. I don't think OP is looking to replicate Manhattan, otherwise, I would say, just stay there. As far as Capitol Hill touted here as the most fit choice for former New Yorkers, I disagree. It's very similar to the rest of DC in terms of density and access to amenities, it's not more "urban" than Georgetown or Dupont, or Logan, or West End, or U street. It also makes no sense for OP to live there given commute to schools and job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

NYC is not Manhattan, it's also Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn, and Staten Island (which is pretty much suburban). There are deeply suburban areas in Queens and Bronx, which would make you forget you are anywhere near the city and a lot of Brooklyn is low rise and lower density urban. I'd say most of DC (outside of National Mall) is similar to Brooklyn in terms of density and access to amenities, I would even say, DC is better, because it is better served by chain stores like Whole foods and Trader Joes, which Brooklyn lacks, and has more cultural amenities and museums and it's cleaner. The subway stations in Brooklyn are vomit-inducing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those suggesting Logan Circle and Adams Morgan, these are great neighborhoods, of course, but OP says she wants something "ideally (emphasis mine) walkable, not too 'urban', not too 'suburban'" . . . with "little town areas to stroll to". That says to me something more like Cleveland Park or Edgemoor.

I would not live in these areas with kids, even if you can afford it. I am sure OP has kid's interests in mind too, which usually means, more access to green space, child friendly parks and activities and living nearby many families with similar age kids, not just a sprinkling of babies and young toddlers. In DC, as in many other US cities, not many families live in the city core, or find it a priority to be near bars and clubs. Manhattan is a different animal, as there are families all over and you won't feel isolated, but you won't find this anywhere else. If you are moving as a family, you are better off where other families live and it won't be Adams Morgan or Logan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

Urban doesn't always equal living in a pocket of 30 story buildings and fighting for sidewalk space every day, Georgetown is most definitely not suburban, otherwise, all cities of the US would be suburban if compared to Manhattan, because, this density simply doesn't exist anywhere in the US and most of Europe. I am from SF, lived in many US cities, including NYC. The entire comparison of DC to NYC is just silly, anyone trying to move to DC to find a cheaper alternative to Manhattan is going to be deeply disappointed. I don't think OP is looking to replicate Manhattan, otherwise, I would say, just stay there. As far as Capitol Hill touted here as the most fit choice for former New Yorkers, I disagree. It's very similar to the rest of DC in terms of density and access to amenities, it's not more "urban" than Georgetown or Dupont, or Logan, or West End, or U street. It also makes no sense for OP to live there given commute to schools and job.

So you don't think the zillow house seems suburban?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

Urban doesn't always equal living in a pocket of 30 story buildings and fighting for sidewalk space every day, Georgetown is most definitely not suburban, otherwise, all cities of the US would be suburban if compared to Manhattan, because, this density simply doesn't exist anywhere in the US and most of Europe. I am from SF, lived in many US cities, including NYC. The entire comparison of DC to NYC is just silly, anyone trying to move to DC to find a cheaper alternative to Manhattan is going to be deeply disappointed. I don't think OP is looking to replicate Manhattan, otherwise, I would say, just stay there. As far as Capitol Hill touted here as the most fit choice for former New Yorkers, I disagree. It's very similar to the rest of DC in terms of density and access to amenities, it's not more "urban" than Georgetown or Dupont, or Logan, or West End, or U street. It also makes no sense for OP to live there given commute to schools and job.

Urban does mean very dense, highy populated space, but you are right, except fo NYC, and maybe Chicago, there are no real cities in the US. Europe is an entirely different story. Their "suburbs" are often very urban, with block after block packed with tall buildings (not unlike Manhattan though rarely as nice as its nicer parts).

[Anonymous]

If my first zillow home post in Georgetown seems too edgy and urban too you, how about this one-- http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1621-33rd-St-NW-Washington-DC-20007/430903_zpid/?

As I said, I live in Cap Hill, not Georgetown, so I don't know these areas super well, but I really don't see how anyone could say that Georgetown is "most definately not suburban". The house above has a driveway with a garage in the front of the house. You can't get more suburban than that! And her husband could walk to work-- or at least bike. Not sure what the exact street address is of course, but unlikely more than 10 blocks away. The idea that Georgetown would be too urban for someone coming from Manhattan is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

NYC is not Manhattan, it's also Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn, and Staten Island (which is pretty much suburban). There are deeply suburban areas in Queens and Bronx, which would make you forget you are anywhere near the city and a lot of Brooklyn is low rise and lower density urban. I'd say most of DC (outside of National Mall) is similar to Brooklyn in terms of density and access to amenities, I would even say, DC is better, because it is better served by chain stores like Whole foods and Trader Joes, which Brooklyn lacks, and has more cultural amenities and museums and it's cleaner. The subway stations in Brooklyn are vomit-inducing.

in urban environments, most residents live in apartments. If most residents live in houses or townhmes that is not an urban environment. Such arrangements simply cannot create sufficient population density.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I moved here from NYC as well. All these are good suggestions. One thing to note - the good public schools in MoCo (all of them) and NW DC (which are known as the JKLMMs for the first letters of their names) are really excellent -- you might think about it.

Many people will tell you they are better than their privates. They are certainly better than most of the publics in NYC, including PS 6 and PS 234 from what I understand. (my kids are just entering PK.) It's worth thinking about them at least.

The good public schools in MoCo (all of them)? Not. Make sure you look, b/c this is DEFINITELY not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

Urban doesn't always equal living in a pocket of 30 story buildings and fighting for sidewalk space every day, Georgetown is most definitely not suburban, otherwise, all cities of the US would be suburban if compared to Manhattan, because, this density simply doesn't exist anywhere in the US and most of Europe. I am from SF, lived in many US cities, including NYC. The entire comparison of DC to NYC is just silly, anyone trying to move to DC to find a cheaper alternative to Manhattan is going to be deeply disappointed. I don't think OP is looking to replicate Manhattan, otherwise, I would say, just stay there. As far as Capitol Hill touted here as the most fit choice for former New Yorkers, I disagree. It's very similar to the rest of DC in terms of density and access to amenities, it's not more "urban" than Georgetown or Dupont, or Logan, or West End, or U street. It also makes no sense for OP to live there given commute to schools and job.

So you don't think the zillow house seems suburban?

No, are you crazy? It's an attached rowhome in the walkable central city neighborhood. There are smaller row-homes in Manhattan too, not to mention Brooklyn and Queens. Nobody would call West village suburban, or most parts of Brooklyn, just because the sky is not choked up by 20-story buildings in the immediate vicinity. If you say it's village-like or cute town street or whatever, I'd buy it, but suburban? Come on now, your perception of suburbia is really skewed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, but there are pockets of "suburban" living even in Georgetown. Places where you can have a backyard and a cookout. There are adorable little streets in WestEnd that are entirely residential, yet close to retail. If she can afford Georgetown and its environs, why settle for anything else? I concede the lack of a metro stop is annoying, but lots of convenient buses-- preferrable to be above ground when you are new to the city anyway! Seems to me that Georgetown IS suburban compared to NYC.

Signed,

Happy Cap Hill Resident

NYC is not Manhattan, it's also Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn, and Staten Island (which is pretty much suburban). There are deeply suburban areas in Queens and Bronx, which would make you forget you are anywhere near the city and a lot of Brooklyn is low rise and lower density urban. I'd say most of DC (outside of National Mall) is similar to Brooklyn in terms of density and access to amenities, I would even say, DC is better, because it is better served by chain stores like Whole foods and Trader Joes, which Brooklyn lacks, and has more cultural amenities and museums and it's cleaner. The subway stations in Brooklyn are vomit-inducing.

in urban environments, most residents live in apartments. If most residents live in houses or townhmes that is not an urban environment. Such arrangements simply cannot create sufficient population density.

Most people in US cities, except Manhattan don't live in apartments, certain percentage does, but most US cities have lots of central neighborhoods with rowhome/townhome type of housing or even detached SFHs, and low-rise apartment buildings. To me if the neighborhood is central inside the city boundaries, and walkable and has PT access, and you can live there without a car, it's urban. If for you urban means having people living on top of each other stacked 1/5 mile high, then you must refer to the world's densest metropolises, which are very few outside of Asia.
Then US doesn't have any real cities other than Manhattan, because this is the case in most cities. Most people live in SFH or attached townhomes in US cities with a certain percentage of apartment buildings.