Moving from London - where to live?
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Anonymous
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OP we were in a similar position a year ago (SW London to DC move). We rent a townhouse in Old Town Alexandria which is the only place we found with a walkable neighbourhood and a bit of a street life. We still are a one car family and use the metro a lot.
I recommend Old Town - its relatively close to the Pentagon, has a good baby and mums network (there is a yahoo listserve you can join to get to know about them), tons of classes etc. Alexandria does not have decent schools so perhaps not a place to buy but certainly a good place to land from London. |
Anonymous
| Normally I recommend Bethesda or Chevy Chase DC for Brits, but seeing as your husband will work at the pentagon I would look at Old Town Alexandria. Quick hop to the pentagon on the metro, old world feel, and even a chippy if you get homesick. Plus, there is a good butchers in del ray. |
Anonymous
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No, further North - Northwood. Typical commuter belt suburb where people move when they have children! I used to live in Central London, but I wouldn't have liked to stay there with a baby.
We do have a car here, but I enjoy being able to walk to shops / cafés etc. I've been told that Washington is more European in that respect (ie able to walk places) and less typically American where people drive everywhere. |
Anonymous
There are just a lot more two bedroom units, period, in this city than there are three or four bedrooms. Four thou is market for a three bedroom rental in woodley or Cleveland but there just are not that many. There are more in Capitol Hill. Op, most American suburbs are not walkable. |
Anonymous
North Arlington is very safe, has some walkable areas and there are TONS of kids all over the place. You could try the areas near Westover, Lee Heights, Waverly Hills, cherrydale, and Waycroft-Woodlawn for a SFH that is more I urban, but still close to lots of things. I have seen houses for rent around $3500/month. Clarendon/Courthouse is the most lively area in N Arlington with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants, but also the most expensive. You might try the areas nearby - Lyon Park and Ashton Heights. |
Anonymous
Huh, not a bad idea, as long as op won't be looking for a job as that could limit her options. Old town is cute. Some people swear by del ray, I'm not that into it. FYI, op, alexandria is big. Parts of it are huge ugly sprawling strip malls and suburbs, but the part close to the river called old town is cute. |
Anonymous
| OP, I second the suggestion for Old Town Alexandria. It's a really great walkable town feel and has easy access to the Pentagon. |
Anonymous
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A few suburbs are like northwood, but the large majority are unlike anything you could imagine. There are no sidewalks, and very little public transport in most of them.
If I were you I would confine my search to Old Town and Arlington, or DC itself (Capitol Hill). |
Anonymous
| With the $4k budget I'd say Glover Park. Georgetown, Dupont and Cleveland Park are all great too but I don't think you can find a 3+ bedroom for that amount in those areas. Glover Park has a few fantastic playgrounds, a Whole Foods, Safeway and baby classes. You can also walk to Georgetown from Glover. |
Anonymous
This PP answer is the most sane for what you outlined on your opening post. Courthouse/Rosslyn area is the way to go. If you live in Rosslyn your husband will be less than 3 miles and one metro stop from the Pentagon and can ride his bike in good weather. If you pick Courthouse, you'll be about 3 1/2 miles from the Pentagon and 2 metro stop away with a transfer in Rosslyn. Those two neighborhoods are extremely safe with all the amenities your heart desire with the exception of a gym with children sitters, but most of the new buildings in those two neighborhoods have nice workout opportunities. The following two apartments building would check all your boxes if you can afford a unit in one of them. They are less than a year old each. Navigate their website, play with the neighborhood map to give you an idea of distance to the Pentagon and the surrounding area. http://sedona-slate.com/slate/ - in Rosslyn 19nineteen Clarendon boulevard - in Courthouse You're going to get a lot of bullshit advise on this forum, I hope you land well Btw, we moved here a few years ago to work at Pentagon. We had the same criteria as you do. We live in Rosslyn |
Anonymous
You can find one in the other neighborhoods, they just aren't that plentiful. Op, there is no metro in glover park. DH would have to walk or take two different buses to Roslyn then transfer to metro. Busses in this city are a pita. |
Anonymous
| WSC Clarendon has child care I believe. |
Anonymous
| I think you would like Capitol Hill. Short commute for DH, unbelieveablychild friendly, centrally located, walkable, and quite safe. I'd look near Lincoln Park. We know at least two families from the UK in the neighborhood. You could easily get a nice 3 to 4 bedroom house for under $4000. |
Anonymous
| Old town Alexandria or the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington. |
Anonymous