Move to SFH or stay in Dupont Circle?

[Anonymous]

We are currently in wonderful 4br/4ba townhouse in Dupont Circle, and would appreciate advice on whether to move to a single-family home in upper NW WOTP, close-in MD, or close-in NoVA, and if so in what neighborhoods should we be looking. Some context on our situation is below.

+ Mid-30s couple
+ 3 year old and 1 year old children. We will likely send them to private school in upper NW. May have 1-2 more.
+ 1 biglaw attorney walking to work downtown, 1 government attorney driving to work in NoVA
+ Friends mostly still EOTP NW, but starting to move out
+ Like the vibe and urban amenities of NW DC EOTP -- high-end and walkable dining, bars, shopping, gym, workout classes, etc.
+ But also like the idea of having a yard and being in a more family-friendly neighborhood with kids roaming, block parties, big playgrounds, other young couples raising kids
+ Travel frequently, mostly out of DCA and some IAD
+ No meaningful housing budget constraints (family money), but want something age-appropriate and would prefer to live in a walkable/active/young neighborhood. No McLean mansion behind a gate.

Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

I would move. Cleveland Park or Cathedral Heights would be my choices if budget is not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Arlington, or Cleveland and Woolley Park, DC.

[Anonymous]

I have the house for you.

[Anonymous]

Move. A yard is so much better for the kids and quality of life.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the people that suggest Cleveland park. You will be walking distance from the best private schools in NW and the neighborhood is amazing. You will still be close in the city, but will have a yard. Budget 2.5 mil

[Anonymous]

Move to Langley Park and rep los vatos de Sangre Noche 🇸🇻

[Anonymous]

The bit about family money was unnecessary. You can give a housing budget without that detail. But you do you.

Cleveland Park is fantastic and you can still get to fun things in metro/ uber pretty readily.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, don't move to NoVa if you plan to send your kids to a private in NW DC.

Stay where you are. See where they get into schools. Move if you don't like living in Dupont and driving to the private.

Tho if money were no object, I would move to Cleveland Park or Woodley.

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing you'd love the vibe of Capitol Hill. However, distance to private schools is a significant factor, so I'd probably stick with Woodley or Cleveland Parks.

[Anonymous]

Foxhall Crescent or Wesley Hgts.

You’re welcome.

[Anonymous]

I would wait until they are in school, personally. Then move to a neighborhood close to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bit about family money was unnecessary. You can give a housing budget without that detail. But you do you.

Cleveland Park is fantastic and you can still get to fun things in metro/ uber pretty readily.

Are you jealous that you aren’t wealthy like many of us here?

As for the young power couple, just do whatever but keep having more kids to spread the impressive genes and wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, don't move to NoVa if you plan to send your kids to a private in NW DC.

Stay where you are. See where they get into schools. Move if you don't like living in Dupont and driving to the private.

Tho if money were no object, I would move to Cleveland Park or Woodley.

I think the Arlington reference was due to one parent working in NoVA. Because of that, I would suggest staying where you are (as another PP did) until you sort out PK for your oldest (1-2 years, you can move the spring/summer after they get in). The gov lawyer will also have a better sense of what is happening with their job and/or may have changed jobs at that point. You’ll also have a better sense of how many kids you’ll have and your space needs. Two working parents and three kids is the upper limit of what most people can handle. With four young kids and two working parents you may end up needing a live in nanny, especially if you’re living in NW and one parent is going to NoVA every day and the other parent is working in BigLaw. If you want the flexibility to have a live in nanny you’ll probably be looking for a house with somewhat separate quarters for them (third floor bedroom or basement bedroom or apartment over the garage set up) and you will want to know something like that going into your search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are currently in wonderful 4br/4ba townhouse in Dupont Circle, and would appreciate advice on whether to move to a single-family home in upper NW WOTP, close-in MD, or close-in NoVA, and if so in what neighborhoods should we be looking. Some context on our situation is below.

+ Mid-30s couple
+ 3 year old and 1 year old children. We will likely send them to private school in upper NW. May have 1-2 more.
+ 1 biglaw attorney walking to work downtown, 1 government attorney driving to work in NoVA
+ Friends mostly still EOTP NW, but starting to move out
+ Like the vibe and urban amenities of NW DC EOTP -- high-end and walkable dining, bars, shopping, gym, workout classes, etc.
+ But also like the idea of having a yard and being in a more family-friendly neighborhood with kids roaming, block parties, big playgrounds, other young couples raising kids
+ Travel frequently, mostly out of DCA and some IAD
+ No meaningful housing budget constraints (family money), but want something age-appropriate and would prefer to live in a walkable/active/young neighborhood. No McLean mansion behind a gate.

Thanks for your input.

You can have both in NW DC in the neighborhoods mentioned (although maybe not Woodley Park).