Looking to buy a house in DC - THANK YOU!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:mann:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4629-Tilden-St-Nw_Washington_DC_20016_1120664800

Janney:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3837-Albemarle-St-Nw_Washington_DC_20016_1118168400

not the biggest houses, but in great neighborhoods and (just) in your price range.

Agreed - great neighborhoods and good schools - but I sadly don't agree that OP could find a house in those areas in her price range.

but those houses posted ARE in her price range!

You're totally right - sorry - I didn't click those links. I'd steer clear of a 2 BR, 1 BA in Spring Valley (too small!) but the Albemarle house looks cute and large enough that you could likve there for a few years. Spring Valley has its own host of issues (buried chemical weaponry, any one?) so I'd avoid ANYTHING there but that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you ALL for your very helpful responses. Is there a way I can find a list of the best DCPS and best charter schools in the city? Also, any thoughts on Takoma Park for schools?
Thanks again!

OP, there's no real "list" because things vary so much from school to school and even year to year. Charters often have to change locations as they grow. So there's no guarantee you won't have to commute in a couple of years. Personally, I wouldn't bank on finding the perfect school and then moving into the neighborhood. Just find a place you like and then spend next 2 years figuring out if and where to send your child after preschool (a whole other issue) Also, FWIW DC is very divided by socio-economic class and race. The consensus on DCUM is not necessarily reflective of the actual population of DC. For example, arguably the best performing charter schools are established ones like KIPP that are virtually 100% black and east of the Anacostia river.

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park MD schools have a quite good reputation, particular for people transitioning from DC. Within Montgomery County, Takoma Pk is not the most expensive neighbordhood and doesn't by reputation have the best schools. You're on a DC Schools board, so probably won't find a lot of responses here on this question, but you can go to the Maryland Schools forum and find quite a bit.

http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/tab2

This is the DC public school website, where there are brief profiles of all the schools. A map comes up. I suggest clicking on elementary schools and looking at demographics, to see how large they are and what races attend, and achievements for summary DC-CAS scores.

http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/SearchSchools.aspx

Here's similar link for charter schools.

Then, I would spend a couple hours reading this forum and you'll have lots of fairly representative random opinions. Most schools have fall open houses.

[Anonymous]

OP, you might want to check out the discussion thread about West EC too. Also, if you have some time before a move, like the next 6-8 months, attend open houses of the so-called top-tier schools but also of the schools in the neighborhoods in yr price range. houses here in 16th st hts range from 439K on allison btw 15th and 14th to about 649K on 15th btw allison and buchanan, rarely into the 700s and beyond.

16th st hts, where i live, is exceedingly friendly and diverse, and i'll be very sad should i ever have to leave it. it's what's made moving from nyc to dc doable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park MD schools have a quite good reputation, particular for people transitioning from DC. Within Montgomery County, Takoma Pk is not the most expensive neighbordhood and doesn't by reputation have the best schools. You're on a DC Schools board, so probably won't find a lot of responses here on this question, but you can go to the Maryland Schools forum and find quite a bit.

http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/tab2

This is the DC public school website, where there are brief profiles of all the schools. A map comes up. I suggest clicking on elementary schools and looking at demographics, to see how large they are and what races attend, and achievements for summary DC-CAS scores.

http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/SearchSchools.aspx

Here's similar link for charter schools.

Then, I would spend a couple hours reading this forum and you'll have lots of fairly representative random opinions. Most schools have fall open houses.

This is key. School shopping is a fall activity here, and the sooner you start the better off you will be. It takes a long time to thoroughly check out all of your options, especially if you're factoring in charter and OOB lotteries. Families who don't start until spring get a rude surprise.

[Anonymous]

THANK YOU ALL so much. This is very helpful. Now the search begins....