Moving to DC for a year....school question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I should put OP before commenting.....sorry!

In DC would be nice, but I have a feeling the since of community/neighborhood isn't there. Riding bikes in the street, talking on the front porch with neighbors, kids playing basketball, etc. So, for our kids, we should look in the suburbs. Again......neighborhood with sidewalks, since of close community is what we would really like.

We have all of this in our upper NW DC neighborhood zoned for Deal/Wilson. However, a budget of $3500/month would be tough.

P.S. There is a significant international community at my kid's school, and families going or coming mid-year is not uncommon. I think it's less common in the far suburbs, where you'll get more people who've been here all their lives and can't fathom moving for a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I should put OP before commenting.....sorry!

In DC would be nice, but I have a feeling the since of community/neighborhood isn't there. Riding bikes in the street, talking on the front porch with neighbors, kids playing basketball, etc. So, for our kids, we should look in the suburbs. Again......neighborhood with sidewalks, since of close community is what we would really like.

Why would you get that sense? Many neighborhoods in DC have this type of feel (Shepherd Park, Capitol Hill, Mt. Pleasant, lots of upper NW). You are way more likely to find neighborhoods with sidewalks in DC than in many suburbs. Given that you need high school and middle school, within Deal catchment (and Wilson HS) is best. Plus, those schools are used to transient students. Your only problem is that $3500 is not really going very far - maybe an apartment or small rowhouse (if you are lucky).

[Anonymous]

OP Here.....

Nevermind! Wow.....I hope I do not get in a neighborhood with some of you negative nellies!

We have moved A LOT! There is NOTHING we can do about it. Honestly, my kids love the adventure. All I wanted was some recommendations for communities that are close knit. Just to have people to hang out with in the culdesac and get to know one another. Thats all!

I know that it takes a while to form friendships....but my kids have a TON of friends in their extensive travels and changing of schools. The DC area is quite large.....just wanted a little guidance.

Thanks to the few that actually gave me somewhere to look. I appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Thank you to the person who commented on DC. I will look into that area....we may have to up the budget!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I should put OP before commenting.....sorry!

Community takes time, a year is not enough. People will be reluctant to put time into a relationship that is gone in a year. Most of the kids around here have already had to say goodbye to close friends who have left after a few years. They are not keen to do that again.

I sure hope whoever said this doesn't teach there kids to NOT be friends with someone just because they move a lot. This is RIDICULOUS!

I personally would not be reluctant to be friends with anyone. They may pass away the next day!

[Anonymous]

If you are military, I would look in the Springfield area. There are more military families there.

[Anonymous]

Are you looking for an urban experience or a suburban experience?

If you are looking for urban - which can be a fun change of pace DC proper with an area that feeds into Wilson High School [either Deal or Hardy Middle School].

A few areas that might be a little outside of your budget - but something to consider are Glover Park and AU Park / Tenley town. Glover Park has Hardy Middle School right in the neighborhood - everyone walks to it. There is easy access to some places to play hoops at Jeleff rec center and the Stoddert Rec Center. There are a lot of international families - and the neighborhood does skew younger but something for you to consider. It will be very easy for your kids to explore the city.

For AU Park, similar that all the kids walk to the local middle school and high school. There are no culdesac's - but people hang out on their front porches, have gatherings and block parties. Here is an example of a property (a little outside of your price point) I know the block and a bunch of kids around your kids ages:
https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Washington-DC-20016/house,mobile,land,townhouse_type/442514_zpid/66139_rid/38.976826,-77.019225,38.896711,-77.166853_rect/12_zm/?

December will be hard as in general people are more in doors than out. You can cross your fingers and hope for a good snow - as every goes out to shovel and it is another way to meet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree w/ the PPs that going to a school for just 1 year is tough for kids. But, if it can't be helped, one suggestion is Robinson Secondary in Fairfax. It's 7-12 so your kids could at least go to school together, nice community, big school but that also means it has lots of activities and opportunities to find your people.

Your budget will be no problem in the Robinson zone. Here's an example of a house for rent near there: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10211-Marshall-Pond-Rd-Burke-VA-22015/51895939_zpid/?fullpage=true

Definitely more of a typical, cul-de-sac suburb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking for an urban experience or a suburban experience?

If you are looking for urban - which can be a fun change of pace DC proper with an area that feeds into Wilson High School [either Deal or Hardy Middle School].

A few areas that might be a little outside of your budget - but something to consider are Glover Park and AU Park / Tenley town. Glover Park has Hardy Middle School right in the neighborhood - everyone walks to it. There is easy access to some places to play hoops at Jeleff rec center and the Stoddert Rec Center. There are a lot of international families - and the neighborhood does skew younger but something for you to consider. It will be very easy for your kids to explore the city.

For AU Park, similar that all the kids walk to the local middle school and high school. There are no culdesac's - but people hang out on their front porches, have gatherings and block parties. Here is an example of a property (a little outside of your price point) I know the block and a bunch of kids around your kids ages:
https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Washington-DC-20016/house,mobile,land,townhouse_type/442514_zpid/66139_rid/38.976826,-77.019225,38.896711,-77.166853_rect/12_zm/?

December will be hard as in general people are more in doors than out. You can cross your fingers and hope for a good snow - as every goes out to shovel and it is another way to meet

I agree with these recs. Also, OP's kids' ages, they may prefer a more walkable area with lots of amenities (fast casual restaurants, movie theaters, etc.), like that around Deal and Wilson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here.....

Nevermind! Wow.....I hope I do not get in a neighborhood with some of you negative nellies!

We have moved A LOT! There is NOTHING we can do about it. Honestly, my kids love the adventure. All I wanted was some recommendations for communities that are close knit. Just to have people to hang out with in the culdesac and get to know one another. Thats all!

I know that it takes a while to form friendships....but my kids have a TON of friends in their extensive travels and changing of schools. The DC area is quite large.....just wanted a little guidance.

Thanks to the few that actually gave me somewhere to look. I appreciate it!

What you describe is more common in the outer burbs than close to the city. Closer in most families will have 2 working parents and kids will be in lots of activities (especially at those ages) so the neighborhood may not be the focus of their social energy. You will also find that closer in and in DC proper many kids go to private school (my neighborhood in Bethesda is about 50/50) so the kids will be more focused on school friends.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered private school? Sidwell Friends has quite a few international families with families who have to also relocate often. It’s near Tenleytown DC. Another vote for Upper NW OR Bethesda MD. VA is a completely different vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered private school? Sidwell Friends has quite a few international families with families who have to also relocate often. It’s near Tenleytown DC. Another vote for Upper NW OR Bethesda MD. VA is a completely different vibe.

I'm not sure if OP's housing budget is $3500 and can stretch to a bit more, that Big 3 private is in the cards. Financial aid for half-year or 1 year students is very unlikely. I think upper NW and Deal/Wilson are the best fit if OP's family can manage housing within their budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered private school? Sidwell Friends has quite a few international families with families who have to also relocate often. It’s near Tenleytown DC. Another vote for Upper NW OR Bethesda MD. VA is a completely different vibe.

Private school would be an expensive option for 2 half years. They'd have to pay full tuition for the second year even if they only use one semester. And getting in mid year is a challenge. Sidwell is highly unlikely in that scenario (or any scenario) but the British School or WIS may be more accommodating.

[Anonymous]

OP can find a lots of rental houses in Bethesda. Many transient international families in school so your kids will not be the only new kid in their class.

[Anonymous]

Lake Braddock in Burke along with Robinson. Lots of kids in and out.