Has anyone moved to a lower-cost area within DC metro?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HILLCREST! (20020) I swear, that area is the best kept secret in DC. We had a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom/2 story detached house in a cul de sac with a huge front and back yard. the crime rates are lower than on capitol hill, but you're only a 20 minute drive away from the hill/downtown. And we were paying HALF of what it would have cost us for a 3 bedroom townhouse inside the river boundary.

the down side is that the schools SUCK. Our DD wasn't old enough for us to do too much research, but you would definitely have to find a charter or try to get in somewhere else. But check it out - there were beautiful houses for sale in our area, and it's definitely historic over there. Most people think it's anacostia, so they're too afraid to check it out. couldn't be further from the truth, though.

I really don't see how it can be the best kept secret if the schools suck (your words, not mine). That is a huge factor for a lot of families. I'm just not willing to gamble on a lottery or charter. I'm glad you are happy there and certainly not knocking Hillcrest but the schools would be a deal breaker for me.