Bethesda vs. Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am confused in what way Arlington and Bethesda are cheaper than the District. Housing is expensive in all three areas (at least in the neighborhoods with good elementary schools), but if you work & live in DC, the commuting costs are less and DC taxes are generally less, esp. when compared to MoCo. What am I missing?

A home in DC is generally more expensive than its equivalent in Arlington/Bethesda. For example, a 3-4 bedroom colonial in our old DC neighborhood is running approx $900-$1 mill these days, versus a similar home in Arlington for a good $100-150,000 less. Also, when calculating all-in costs, which would include property and income taxes, social services (including public schools) provided, etc., and, as you suggest, commuting costs. The property and income taxes both tend to be higher in DC (at least, we paid a lot more in DC than we now do in Arlington). Also, the social services tend to be much worse, i.e., we'd have to send our kid to private school when we lived in DC; here we plan to send to public school. And finally, regarding commuting expenses, coming from places as close-in as Arlington or Bethesda, the commuting costs should be the same (similar metro fare) or even less expensive (gas in car traveling from Upper NW v. Arlington, for example).

[Anonymous]

In many neighborhoods in South Arlington you can walk to everything - metro, shopping, resturants, etc. Very convenient to metro and DC and a quick cab ride as well. I have lived in the district as well and actually find S. Arlington more convenient. Not as charming as many neighborhoods in DC to be sure, but very convenient.

[Anonymous]

I think there is in some ways a better class of person in Bethesda than in Arlington, with more refined sensibilities.

For example, foreigners in Bethesda tend to be Swedish or from Cote d'Ivoire, whereas in Arlington they are likely to be from Nicaragua or Moldova. An Englishman might live in Bethesda, a Scot or Welshman might choose Arlington.

People in Arlington are likely to holiday in Atlantis or Disneyland, whereas people from Bethesda tend to go to places like Nantucket or Tuscany.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is in some ways a better class of person in Bethesda than in Arlington, with more refined sensibilities.

For example, foreigners in Bethesda tend to be Swedish or from Cote d'Ivoire, whereas in Arlington they are likely to be from Nicaragua or Moldova. An Englishman might live in Bethesda, a Scot or Welshman might choose Arlington.

People in Arlington are likely to holiday in Atlantis or Disneyland, whereas people from Bethesda tend to go to places like Nantucket or Tuscany.

Hope this helps!

OMG, What a snob! I know I wouldn't like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is in some ways a better class of person in Bethesda than in Arlington, with more refined sensibilities.

For example, foreigners in Bethesda tend to be Swedish or from Cote d'Ivoire, whereas in Arlington they are likely to be from Nicaragua or Moldova. An Englishman might live in Bethesda, a Scot or Welshman might choose Arlington.

People in Arlington are likely to holiday in Atlantis or Disneyland, whereas people from Bethesda tend to go to places like Nantucket or Tuscany.

Hope this helps!

OMG, What a snob! I know I wouldn't like you.

C'mon, that post made me laugh!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you're right. It took a few to recognize it for what is was intended.

[Anonymous]

We made the move from DC to Bethesda in time for our oldest to go to school there and have been happy there.

If you're planning to do public schools, I'd definitely recommend researching schools thoroughly--so take a few neighborhoods (in either place) that look good and fit your other criteria, and then learn about the schools. Depending on when you make the move, school might seem a long time away for your baby--but it's better to make an informed decision now than to have unwelcome surprises about your school district in just a few years.

What price range are you looking at for houses? That might help people with giving suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In many neighborhoods in South Arlington you can walk to everything - metro, shopping, resturants, etc. Very convenient to metro and DC and a quick cab ride as well. I have lived in the district as well and actually find S. Arlington more convenient. Not as charming as many neighborhoods in DC to be sure, but very convenient.

u crazy????????????????????
the orange line runs through NORTH arlingotn.
south arlington u'll most likely get the bus with the latino workforce early morning and late afternoon/evening and with sahm from all latin america during the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is in some ways a better class of person in Bethesda than in Arlington, with more refined sensibilities.

For example, foreigners in Bethesda tend to be Swedish or from Cote d'Ivoire, whereas in Arlington they are likely to be from Nicaragua or Moldova. An Englishman might live in Bethesda, a Scot or Welshman might choose Arlington.

People in Arlington are likely to holiday in Atlantis or Disneyland, whereas people from Bethesda tend to go to places like Nantucket or Tuscany.

Hope this helps!

OMG, What a snob! I know I wouldn't like you.

C'mon, that post made me laugh!

if such person lives in bethesda i'm so moving to arlington

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused in what way Arlington and Bethesda are cheaper than the District. Housing is expensive in all three areas (at least in the neighborhoods with good elementary schools), but if you work & live in DC, the commuting costs are less and DC taxes are generally less, esp. when compared to MoCo. What am I missing?

A home in DC is generally more expensive than its equivalent in Arlington/Bethesda. For example, a 3-4 bedroom colonial in our old DC neighborhood is running approx $900-$1 mill these days, versus a similar home in Arlington for a good $100-150,000 less. Also, when calculating all-in costs, which would include property and income taxes, social services (including public schools) provided, etc., and, as you suggest, commuting costs. The property and income taxes both tend to be higher in DC (at least, we paid a lot more in DC than we now do in Arlington). Also, the social services tend to be much worse, i.e., we'd have to send our kid to private school when we lived in DC; here we plan to send to public school. And finally, regarding commuting expenses, coming from places as close-in as Arlington or Bethesda, the commuting costs should be the same (similar metro fare) or even less expensive (gas in car traveling from Upper NW v. Arlington, for example).

Well, yes, if she needs a million dollar house & believes that District residents "have to" send their kid to private school, then she probably needs to move to the 'burbs. But, her post made it seem like she was sad to leave, but was forced to because of the expense. We love our much-less-than-a-million-dollar 4-bedroom DC house and neighborhood (incl. its public school) & afford it on 1.5 salaries. It's a misconception that DC has higher taxes. It's about average of area jurisdictions and often lower than MoCo, depending on your income bracket: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2008/01/who_pays_more_taxes_virginia_m.html.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused in what way Arlington and Bethesda are cheaper than the District. Housing is expensive in all three areas (at least in the neighborhoods with good elementary schools), but if you work & live in DC, the commuting costs are less and DC taxes are generally less, esp. when compared to MoCo. What am I missing?

A home in DC is generally more expensive than its equivalent in Arlington/Bethesda. For example, a 3-4 bedroom colonial in our old DC neighborhood is running approx $900-$1 mill these days, versus a similar home in Arlington for a good $100-150,000 less. Also, when calculating all-in costs, which would include property and income taxes, social services (including public schools) provided, etc., and, as you suggest, commuting costs. The property and income taxes both tend to be higher in DC (at least, we paid a lot more in DC than we now do in Arlington). Also, the social services tend to be much worse, i.e., we'd have to send our kid to private school when we lived in DC; here we plan to send to public school. And finally, regarding commuting expenses, coming from places as close-in as Arlington or Bethesda, the commuting costs should be the same (similar metro fare) or even less expensive (gas in car traveling from Upper NW v. Arlington, for example).

Well, yes, if she needs a million dollar house & believes that District residents "have to" send their kid to private school, then she probably needs to move to the 'burbs. But, her post made it seem like she was sad to leave, but was forced to because of the expense. We love our much-less-than-a-million-dollar 4-bedroom DC house and neighborhood (incl. its public school) & afford it on 1.5 salaries. It's a misconception that DC has higher taxes. It's about average of area jurisdictions and often lower than MoCo, depending on your income bracket: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2008/01/who_pays_more_taxes_virginia_m.html.

Excuse me, but the original post I was responding to explicitly suggested confusion regarding expenses for equivalent things in DC v. Arlington or Bethesda. My example was just an example of the way two identical things in two different areas have different price tags. You could sub in $250,000, for all I care, and come to the same conclusion. But nevertheless, you sound like you have a big chip on your shoulder.

[Anonymous]

20:13 what neighborhood do you live in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In many neighborhoods in South Arlington you can walk to everything - metro, shopping, resturants, etc. Very convenient to metro and DC and a quick cab ride as well. I have lived in the district as well and actually find S. Arlington more convenient. Not as charming as many neighborhoods in DC to be sure, but very convenient.

u crazy????????????????????
the orange line runs through NORTH arlingotn.
south arlington u'll most likely get the bus with the latino workforce early morning and late afternoon/evening and with sahm from all latin america during the day.

There is life outside of the orange line folks....like the blue/yellow line. They both run through Pentagon and Crystal City - you can find walkable neighborhoods, shopping, schools and restaurants in these areas.

[Anonymous]

I have lived in Arlington my whole life. It has a lot of pluses and minuses.

Pros:
-- excellent public schools
-- great neighborhoods with lots of kids (not everywhere in Arlington, but good pockets with lots of young families)
-- easy access to Metro (meaning many can walk, others can take a short bus ride or drive to Metro)
-- good selection of shopping, restaurants, parks, recreation, libraries, the things that make life pleasurable

Cons:
-- buying a home can be expensive, particularly in tony N. Arlington neighborhoods and in walking distance to Metro
-- some neighborhoods (particularly in N. Arlington) are not in walking distance to shopping, restaurants, etc. so you need to rely on a car

I definitely agree with the poster who said if you are thinking of staying for the long haul, you might consider that Virginia has more options are far as public colleges and universities are concerned.

You could always reference Washingtonian's periodic articles comparing Maryland and Virginia - although personally I think Bethesda and Arlington are probably pretty similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is in some ways a better class of person in Bethesda than in Arlington, with more refined sensibilities.

For example, foreigners in Bethesda tend to be Swedish or from Cote d'Ivoire, whereas in Arlington they are likely to be from Nicaragua or Moldova. An Englishman might live in Bethesda, a Scot or Welshman might choose Arlington.

People in Arlington are likely to holiday in Atlantis or Disneyland, whereas people from Bethesda tend to go to places like Nantucket or Tuscany.

Hope this helps!

LOL!! You must live in DC. No one outside the District has a sense of humor.