Moving to DC - where to live?
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Anonymous
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I think if you are used to being car-free in London you may be just fine without a car here. Every metro station has an elevator, though sometimes they are out of service and/or smelly. If you have a foldable stroller you can also take it on the bus (you may also want a baby carrier so you don't need a stroller for very short trips).
I agree with the others that if you want your child to go to public school for kindergarten and after your budget can allow for you to live near a metro in some very nice areas (I'd suggest near Woodley Park or Cleveland Park; Van Ness or Friendship Heights if you're willing to trade off a slightly longer commute for proximity to a grocery store). Your husband could get off at Farragut North instead of West since they are so close; you could change at Metro Center or just walk from there to Federal Triangle for preschool. Another option would be Capitol Hill, since it's on the blue and orange lines and so are the places you're going most often. There are a lot of different schools there and the boundaries will change this fall so it is a little more up in the air. Finally, I live in Southwest and really like it. There are some 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses well within your price range and the Federal Center SW or L'Enfant metros are close by to the northern part of the neighborhood. It is very easy to walk to the grocery store, library, parks, and National Mall. The elementary school does not have as high test scores as places in upper NW or the better schools on Capitol Hill but it is a friendly place with a lot of young families and easy to get around the city. |
Anonymous
| In your situation definitely rent until you get your bearings. Your daughter will be in kindergarten the following year, and then you may want to strategically move to get good schooling. So don't sign more than a one year lease for now. |
Anonymous
| If you are coming from London, I think you'd like Capitol Hill. You could get a great old rowhouse with at least 3 bedrooms with that budget and its a very easy neighborhood to navigate carless. If you find a place inbounds for Brent or Maury, you won't have to worry at all about schools. (Our kids attend a different public school on the Hill and we are very happy but it isn't a sure thing like those two.) |
Anonymous
It depends on where exactly your DH works, and how long you plan to stay in DC, but at first glance I'd say Woodley Park is your best choice. Great neighborhood, red line metro, walk everywhere, access to Oyster bilingual if you need to. |
Anonymous
| You should move to Capitol Hill, no question. There's no reason to move farther away from downtown or on the red line. You would love Capitol Hill. |
Anonymous
| Logan Circle - you can walk to school/work, or take bus or metro. Very walkable neighborhood with playgrounds, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Plenty of car sharing services available there if you don't want to buy a car - although I agree with PPs that with kids in DC eventually you'll want a car even if you won't use it much. |
Anonymous
| We live downtown by the Convention Center. Right between Logan Circle and Penn Quarter....can easily walk to both. We have no car and do not find that to be a problem at all. We are about two block from the metro and have a zipcar membership. Zipcars are about half a block away. The new City Center is about another two blocks away and will be fantastic shopping. I highly recommend. |
Anonymous
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OP here again. Thanks for all the recommendations. PP, is downtown kid-friendly? We would most certainly like to be close to parks/playgrounds, grocery stores, restaurants etc. Also, a place where there's potential to meet other moms would be nice (asking for too much?).
The plan is to buy a car eventually and yes, sign a year-long lease with a view to move out for schools. For now, just thinking short-term (upto a year) - commute to work/preschool and a family-friendly neighborhood. |
Anonymous
| If choose one of the rental buildings on Connecticut avenue near the Cleveland park, woodley park or Van Ness metro. |
Anonymous
| The neighborhoods most poster are mentioning are not really downtown. I'd look closer to downtown in Penn Quarter or Dupont Circle. I'd also suggest you rethink the preschool options... |
Anonymous
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OP, with a $4k budget you could also look in Arlington, Virginia. This is a close-in suburb (it used to be part of Washington, DC until 1846).
It's a very walk and bicycle friendly; with the orange line metro you'll be in DC in a few minutes. It's a little more suburban -- but plenty of walkable amenities, and much safer and cleaner than DC. |
Anonymous
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Georgetown/Dupont/Kalorama are the most like Europe.
There is a very high population of expats due to IMF, embassies, World Bank, etc. I loved living in that area with babies and preschoolers. |
Anonymous
| Au Park, Van Ness, Upper Connceticut are not very urban feeling. I think you might prefer Dupont, Kalorama, Logan, Penn Quarter, Cap Hill. Dupont Kalorama and Logan have tons of young families. You could also try the West End area, Foggy Bottom or the side of Georgetown that is closer to Dupont. It is close to the Farragut West metro |
Anonymous
Are these an easy commute to downtown with a baby in a stroller? |
Anonymous
I had to look twice as I could have written this myself, except we don't have zip at. We have one car as my husband has to drive for work, but I don't use it at all. Such a convenient location. I absolutely love it! The kid is six, we are in a great charter that will go through 12th grade, so I can't imagine leaving. Love it here! |