Safe neighborhoods in DC

[Anonymous]

It's not in DC, but I think those townhouses off Bradley Blvd in Bethesda would fit the bill for walkable to a nice shopping and restaurant area and are about in your price range. Depending on where you're commuting to that might be just as fast as some of the parts of DC east of the park which are lovely but don't have as much transit. I'd also look in SW. Townhouses are aronud $450k and it's a very small neighborhood, so you quickly get to know all your dogwalking and kid parenting neighbors. That said, the schools stink.

[Anonymous]

The smaller THs in GP go for mid-6s BTW. There's just not a lot of turnover. It is an awesome neighborhood for a young family, and seems to fit the bill for OP, if their budget has a little wiggle room and they have time to wait for the right place..

[Anonymous]

i don't know any neighborhood in DC that fits the bill. the affordable neighborhoods are "transitional" which is a code word for places that would sketch your DH out. you would not live in my neighborhood, or the neighborhoods my friends live in. maybe you should look at condos in Georgetown or Capitol Hill. Brookland is not any safer than Columbia Heights or near NE (H St) or Roseland or Bloomingdale.

[Anonymous]

Actually Brookland has way less crime than Columbia Heights. Check the crime maps. On phone so I can't do it right now but I have in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your DH needs to get comfortable with transitioning neighborhoods in DC, because they're all over. It's part of living in the city. Yes, you can live in GP or another staid neighborhood, but you can't leave it and enjoy all the city has to offer.

If he can't do that, do us all a favor and stay in VA. Usually I WANT people to live in and enjoy the city, but not like that (piecemeal picking and choosing b/c of being a "scaredy cat." That's just ridiculous).

Hi, OP here. Sorry I'm not as hip as you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to everyone who gave me some good insight. We will check out a few of the neighborhoods mentioned, and will likely drive around Brookland this weekend.

[Anonymous]

Glover Park is the best! But the market here is super hot and $600K is not going to get you very far unless you want a condo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Brookland sounds great for you, but you didn't mention schools. Are you willing to go private if you don't get into any charters? FWIW, everyone I know in Brookland has gotten into a decent charter but it is a stressful process. Brookland is so cute and family friendly otherwise.

OP, again...how much are privates...10-15k/year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glover Park is the best! But the market here is super hot and $600K is not going to get you very far unless you want a condo.

A good friend of mine lives in GP and I really do like that part of town, but have been house-poor before and don't want to go there again. I like not having to budget every cent or choose between savings or dinners out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Brookland sounds great for you, but you didn't mention schools. Are you willing to go private if you don't get into any charters? FWIW, everyone I know in Brookland has gotten into a decent charter but it is a stressful process. Brookland is so cute and family friendly otherwise.

OP, again...how much are privates...10-15k/year?

Ha! More like 20-30k a year.

[Anonymous]

Regarding "safe" ... I lived in Mt. Pleasant for five years ('03 - '08) and never had a problem - great neighbors, no break-ins, no car theft, etc. Moved to Falls Church and our car got broken into twice in the first six months we were here. Go figure. Enjoy DC - I miss it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your DH needs to get comfortable with transitioning neighborhoods in DC, because they're all over. It's part of living in the city. Yes, you can live in GP or another staid neighborhood, but you can't leave it and enjoy all the city has to offer.

If he can't do that, do us all a favor and stay in VA. Usually I WANT people to live in and enjoy the city, but not like that (piecemeal picking and choosing b/c of being a "scaredy cat." That's just ridiculous).

Hi, OP here. Sorry I'm not as hip as you.

It's not a matter of being hip. It's a matter of being informed and not excessively fearful and reactionary for no good reason.

[Anonymous]

Some of you posters (or maybe it is the same person) are funny. Would you have preferred OP to say looking for a place in DC for me, my hubby, and my little baby and dog and safety is really not a priority. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Brookland sounds great for you, but you didn't mention schools. Are you willing to go private if you don't get into any charters? FWIW, everyone I know in Brookland has gotten into a decent charter but it is a stressful process. Brookland is so cute and family friendly otherwise.

OP, again...how much are privates...10-15k/year?

Ha! More like 20-30k a year.

DD will be in 1st next year--tuition is over $30K. K costs $29. And this doesn't count aftercare (school lets out at 3) or summer camps.

(BTW, daycare at a NAEYC facility in downtown DC can cost between $1500 to $2000/month.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your DH needs to get comfortable with transitioning neighborhoods in DC, because they're all over. It's part of living in the city. Yes, you can live in GP or another staid neighborhood, but you can't leave it and enjoy all the city has to offer.

If he can't do that, do us all a favor and stay in VA. Usually I WANT people to live in and enjoy the city, but not like that (piecemeal picking and choosing b/c of being a "scaredy cat." That's just ridiculous).

Hi, OP here. Sorry I'm not as hip as you.

It's not a matter of being hip. It's a matter of being informed and not excessively fearful and reactionary for no good reason.

And I'll say it again: since when have Near NE and Trinidad been universally regarded as "safe?" Being fearful of those areas is within the realm of reasonableness, IMO.