Trinidad, Takoma, Cleveland Park, Capitol Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again.
Wanted to add that I want to get into the city so that DC can get into PS and then PK next year. I'm also trying to cut down on my commute (live in VA right now).

As you surely know by now, the lottery is a total crapshoot for PS and PK, in DC. But, if you are already playing the lottery, why not wait to see where you get a spot, and find a place that is proximate to both that school and metro for your accessiblity to work? Do you have to move now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a really random list of neighborhoods. You need to think about what you can afford to pay, transportation to your work, what kind of neighborhood you like, and what kind of amenities you need. In general, the young, hip, and broke are living in Columbia Heights/Petworth, and Bloomingdale/Shaw/Eckington. If you're willing to live in very small studio, you still find deals for around $1100 - $1400 in some of the centrally located bigger buildings in Dupont (eg, those owned by Bernstein Management). If you're willing to live with other people, you can find group houses in Mt. Pleasant and many other fun areas of the city for less than $1000.

Well, I'm young and broke. Not so hip and I've got a 3yo, so group homes are out. I'm willing to live somewhere small (tiny), but would really like a 1bd so I can close the door after DC goes to bed at night. I work by the Nationals Stadium, have DC on waitlists for PS3 all over the city and I do own a car. I'd like to sell the car as it would free up about $275/mo, but am okay with keeping it if I can find a cheaper place to live. W/D in the building at least and a full kitchen (oven/stovetop, fridge, sink).

I'm looking for something under $1400 if I have to keep the car, under $1600 if I can sell it. I'm trying to move this summer (ideally July-Aug timeframe, but can move in June as well)

The list came from Craigslist postings. I Google-mapped the apts that were in my budget (went to the property management websites also) and saw that they tended to be concentrated in certain areas. Cleveland Park was included because one of the property websites had a building that was close by Cleveland Park Metro.

OP, good luck with your search, but I believe Capitol Heights is in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again.
Wanted to add that I want to get into the city so that DC can get into PS and then PK next year. I'm also trying to cut down on my commute (live in VA right now).

PP again. If you need to move now, and need DC for public or charter schools, I would vote for Takoma DC, something like this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2935226224.html

If you can branch out into MD (not sure if poss. b/c K doesn't start until 5 there), I would vote for historic Takoma MD, b/c TPES etc. are very good and you would be in-boundary, something like this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/apa/2935472222.html

[Anonymous]

OP - is "next year" the 2012/2013 school year, or the 2013/2014 school year?

[Anonymous]

Capitol Hill is a possiblity! Check the website of Yarmouth Realty, which sometimes lists 1 bedrooms for under $1500. You might be able to be in-zone for a great school, plus close enough to walk to Navy Yard, plus in a reasonably safe neighborhood. http://yarmouthmanagement.com/today.htm

You should also checkout the websites of the major property management companies in DC, which have buildings all over the city at varying prices: Bernstein Management, Daro, Chatel, Fred A Smith, Borger.

If you stay on the Metro Green Line, then you may be able to get closer to your dream of being car-free, since you can metro to work in Navy Yard. You could live in Columbia Heights or Petworth, where you should be able to find a 1-bedroom for around $1500 if you look hard enough. Both have their share of safety concerns, but are getting better every day. For Petworth, you generally want to stay very close to the Metro station or north or southwest of it; southeast of it (Park View) is still pretty sketch, imo.

Another option might be Waterfront in SW, which would let you walk easily to work.

Examples of apartments in your range:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2909910249.html (petworth)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2918984965.html (petworth)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2925597352.html (petworth)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2935743995.html (columbia heights)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2932180513.html (columbia heights)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2934119096.html (waterfront/se)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2919158049.html (capitol hill)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2931100948.html (cap hill)

Good luck! Feel free to post craigslist ads here that you're interested in, and I can let you know what I think.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you think you could find a small rental in the Branch Avenue area? Green line walkable, close to the Stadium via Suitland Parkway. PG County Schools though which some like better than DC schools.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
DC is on 9 waitlists. We're also entered into several charter lotteries, with the understanding that we're moving into the city this summer. I need to be living in DC by the start of the 2012/2013 school year if we're granted a spot. I should know about the last lotteries in a few weeks.

If we don't get a spot, I'm screwed. Well, not completely as we can continue living with my parents, but things are getting tense (we've been here a year) and it's time for us to go. I can't afford FT daycare and rent on my salary alone. I'm also stuck with current FT daycare until June. I can probably swing one month of paying both, but not much more than that.

I've got $2100/mo to split between rent, utilities, food and childcare. I work FT, 8:30ish-5ish, so I'll still need to pay aftercare even if we get a spot at a charter. I've been fine-tuning my budget, trying to work and re-work the numbers, but that's the max I can spend. $2300 if I sell the car.

I've looked in VA as well (not as much in MD as my parents are my back-up childcare and they have said it's too far for them, although I'm about at the point where I don't really care, we just need to move) and rents are similar to DC, with the added necessity of keeping the car and the likelihood of a long commute. We currently take the Metro and the bus to daycare and work and it adds 2-3hrs to our day, which is brutal.

I don't know how people manage on less than what I make. I know they do, I just don't know how.

[Anonymous]

OP again.
16:04, THANK YOU THANK YOU!

FWIW, I do have furniture in storage(a 2bd house worth), so at least I don't have to worry about finding that on top of everything else!

[Anonymous]

You can get on DC charter school waitlists without being a resident so long as you commit to move to DC by the start of school? Does it work the same way for out-of-boundary spots?

[Anonymous]

OP, I used to live in Dorchester house, on 16th and Euclid, lots of bus lines and a 10 min walk to col its metro. Large studios and 1 bedroom units. Not sure how much it is now (they renovated so may have jacked up rents) but try it--I paid 1140 for a large one bedroom until 2009. Walking distance to lots of things, and super market next door. If you get into Appletree or Bridges PCS you'll be close by.

[Anonymous]

I was told (by DCPS) that I could call and request to be added to the end of the waitlist for DCPS elementary schools. I was not allowed to enter the lottery and I had to call each school directly after it had ended.
For charters, it was varied. Some allowed me to enter the lottery, some didn't, just tacked us on the end of the waitlist.
If I have not moved by the start of school, I have to pay non-resident tuition (for DCPS or any of the charters).

I don't know how the OOB spots work.

[Anonymous]

OP, I live in Columbia Heights and I think that might be a good option for you. You can also find basement apartments in Mount Pleasant (also close to green line metro). From what I've seen in the last couple months, Petworth also seems to have come a long way. If I was in your situation, I would consider it now, whereas there is no way I would have considered it in 2009.

[Anonymous]

Try the Towers at 4201 Cathedral Avenue NW (Wesley Heights neighborhood) Mix of familes with children and students, complex has large pool and communal areas, very safe, one of the best public schools in DC. The apartments are large for what you pay -- I think you can get a 1-bedroom with ample living space and balcony for the $1400-$1700 range.

Another option for that range is a nice 1-bedroom basement apartment in Cleveland Park. You may be able to find a steal in the larger, older buildings that line Connecticut Avenue between Woodley and Cleveland Parks.

Columbia Heights is another option.

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to live in Dorchester house, on 16th and Euclid, lots of bus lines and a 10 min walk to col its metro. Large studios and 1 bedroom units. Not sure how much it is now (they renovated so may have jacked up rents) but try it--I paid 1140 for a large one bedroom until 2009. Walking distance to lots of things, and super market next door. If you get into Appletree or Bridges PCS you'll be close by.

Not OP but I think, while this is a great neighborhood, the public schools may be a bit rough? Same with Columbia Heights? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Anonymous]

OP, another thing to consider is looking out the V7, V8, V9 busline. I live in Hill East and it swings through that way over to the Navy Yard and the Stadium. If you can swing Hill East (the less elite side of Capitol Hill), you might like it.