Giving up on North Arligton... Is South Arlington going to improve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We all know that the number of designated affordable housing units in N/S is about equal. But, citizens do not allow and the county do not build large low income housing buildings (versus set aside units in new buildings) in the north. Only in the south. That coupled with the concentration of market rate yet cheap housing around the western end of the Pike is the problem both for economic development in that area and more importantly for the schools. However you categorize it - market rate, affordable, what ever, does not matter anymore for the western Pike. It is a very poor area and many of the commercial establishments nearby prey on those very people. The schools that serve that area do not have the seats for the kids and they are underperforming - and they are title I schools. So, South Arlington should not be scattering the affordable units across new developments in the county, not concentrating them into pockets of poverty.

I think you meant to write should be scattering units across the county and not concentrating them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that the number of designated affordable housing units in N/S is about equal. But, citizens do not allow and the county do not build large low income housing buildings (versus set aside units in new buildings) in the north. Only in the south. That coupled with the concentration of market rate yet cheap housing around the western end of the Pike is the problem both for economic development in that area and more importantly for the schools. However you categorize it - market rate, affordable, what ever, does not matter anymore for the western Pike. It is a very poor area and many of the commercial establishments nearby prey on those very people. The schools that serve that area do not have the seats for the kids and they are underperforming - and they are title I schools. So, South Arlington should not be scattering the affordable units across new developments in the county, not concentrating them into pockets of poverty.

I think you meant to write should be scattering units across the county and not concentrating them.

One potential solution is for the county to change its current approach to affordable housing. Right now they give the builders of new residential developments a choice: set aside a certain percentage/number of units for affordable housing, or donate an equivalent amount of money to the county for its affordable housing fund. New developers are choosing to pay, rather than set aside the units. If the county really wanted to disperse affordable housing units - a different goal than simply providing more units - they could take away the choice, and require all new residential developments to set aside some number of units for affordable housing.

This would not disperse affordable housing units equally throughout the county, of course. There is lots of redevelopment underway on Columbia Pike now (and it's likely to continue), and there are not likely to be many (any?) large scale residential developments north of Lee Highway. But the units would probably be more dispersed than they are under the current system, where new affordable housing units are becoming available only in 100% affordable buildings, which tend to be built in areas with lower land prices.

A previous poster made an interesting point that I had not considered: if new developments all have affordable housing units set aside, what happens if the affordable housing residents can't pay the condo fees (or equivalent monthly/annual costs)? If this is the big stumbling block, surely the County can find a way to address this adequately. It's not exactly rocket science.

Now is a good time to talk to the County Board candidates about these issues. They are all on record as supporting more affordable housing. Let's start asking them different - and harder - questions. Not just more or less. Should we disperse the units, or concentrate them? How will this affect the schools?

I am not opposed to affordable housing (and I live in Alcova Heights - a lovely South Arlington neighborhood right off the Pike), but it seems worthwhile to have a County-wide discussion about how to have an affordable housing initiative that benefits everyone, including the children in (all) our schools and the residents in the affordable housing units.

This is getting too long, but I would like to close by saying that this has turned in to a really interesting and thoughtful thread. Thanks to you all for that!

[Anonymous]

It's really easy, guys. All the SFH's in Arlington -- every single one -- are eventually going to gentrify. None or almost none of the crappy 1950's garden-style apartments will. So, look around your neighborhood and figure out where the poors are coming from. If SFH's, then fret ye not, they'll be gone soon enough. If garden-style apts, then fret ye may, as they are here to stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We all know that the number of designated affordable housing units in N/S is about equal. But, citizens do not allow and the county do not build large low income housing buildings (versus set aside units in new buildings) in the north. Only in the south. That coupled with the concentration of market rate yet cheap housing around the western end of the Pike is the problem both for economic development in that area and more importantly for the schools. However you categorize it - market rate, affordable, what ever, does not matter anymore for the western Pike. It is a very poor area and many of the commercial establishments nearby prey on those very people. The schools that serve that area do not have the seats for the kids and they are underperforming - and they are title I schools. So, South Arlington should not be scattering the affordable units across new developments in the county, not concentrating them into pockets of poverty.

What about the new development in Ballston across from the Exxon gas station. That is committed affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really easy, guys. All the SFH's in Arlington -- every single one -- are eventually going to gentrify. None or almost none of the crappy 1950's garden-style apartments will. So, look around your neighborhood and figure out where the poors are coming from. If SFH's, then fret ye not, they'll be gone soon enough. If garden-style apts, then fret ye may, as they are here to stay.

To be or not to be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really easy, guys. All the SFH's in Arlington -- every single one -- are eventually going to gentrify. None or almost none of the crappy 1950's garden-style apartments will. So, look around your neighborhood and figure out where the poors are coming from. If SFH's, then fret ye not, they'll be gone soon enough. If garden-style apts, then fret ye may, as they are here to stay.

What about the garden apartments at four mile and Walter reed? West village of Arlington? Those were crappy garden apartments. Now they are luxury condos. I don't know why you don't think the garden apartments won't eventually be redeveloped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that the number of designated affordable housing units in N/S is about equal. But, citizens do not allow and the county do not build large low income housing buildings (versus set aside units in new buildings) in the north. Only in the south. That coupled with the concentration of market rate yet cheap housing around the western end of the Pike is the problem both for economic development in that area and more importantly for the schools. However you categorize it - market rate, affordable, what ever, does not matter anymore for the western Pike. It is a very poor area and many of the commercial establishments nearby prey on those very people. The schools that serve that area do not have the seats for the kids and they are underperforming - and they are title I schools. So, South Arlington should not be scattering the affordable units across new developments in the county, not concentrating them into pockets of poverty.

What about the new development in Ballston across from the Exxon gas station. That is committed affordable.

One building. Wee!

[Anonymous]

Not too shabby for Nauck

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2205-S-Monroe-St_Arlington_VA_22206_M59614-92963?row=2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think Wakefield's demographics are bound to shift as more middle class white families continue to move in. I know a LOT of them - mostly folks who were slightly priced out of North Arlington or who just wanted something bigger/newer/nicer than what they could afford there. And a lot of folks don't want to move further out - they're happy with the commutes from South Arlington. (if you're metro commuting, it is actually a quicker drive to Ballston from some South Arlington neighborhoods than it is from my North Arlington one.) It's probably never going to become a Yorktown, but I think the odds of it looking more like Washington-Lee in the next 10-15 years are pretty good.

Some of the neighborhoods are very cute - I like Penrose, Alcova Heights, Arlington village. Douglas Park has a lot of families with young kids. You get the best deals right now in Columbia Forest and Nauck, I think, though I didn't want to be that far South. I hear that Patrick Henry ES and Oakridge are the most diverse of the schools down there, i.e. the schools that aren't 70% of one race, but more like 30/30/40. (though Oakridge's SFHs may be above your range, since they are also nearer to blue line metro.)

Good luck!!

You mean as more of the white families move in driving the minority latino black asian families out thru demand of housing. The native DC'ers vs the money hungry transplants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think Wakefield's demographics are bound to shift as more middle class white families continue to move in. I know a LOT of them - mostly folks who were slightly priced out of North Arlington or who just wanted something bigger/newer/nicer than what they could afford there. And a lot of folks don't want to move further out - they're happy with the commutes from South Arlington. (if you're metro commuting, it is actually a quicker drive to Ballston from some South Arlington neighborhoods than it is from my North Arlington one.) It's probably never going to become a Yorktown, but I think the odds of it looking more like Washington-Lee in the next 10-15 years are pretty good.

Some of the neighborhoods are very cute - I like Penrose, Alcova Heights, Arlington village. Douglas Park has a lot of families with young kids. You get the best deals right now in Columbia Forest and Nauck, I think, though I didn't want to be that far South. I hear that Patrick Henry ES and Oakridge are the most diverse of the schools down there, i.e. the schools that aren't 70% of one race, but more like 30/30/40. (though Oakridge's SFHs may be above your range, since they are also nearer to blue line metro.)

Good luck!!

You mean as more of the white families move in driving the minority latino black asian families out thru demand of housing. The native DC'ers vs the money hungry transplants

This is Arlington, take your "native DC" BS to another thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally think Wakefield's demographics are bound to shift as more middle class white families continue to move in. I know a LOT of them - mostly folks who were slightly priced out of North Arlington or who just wanted something bigger/newer/nicer than what they could afford there. And a lot of folks don't want to move further out - they're happy with the commutes from South Arlington. (if you're metro commuting, it is actually a quicker drive to Ballston from some South Arlington neighborhoods than it is from my North Arlington one.) It's probably never going to become a Yorktown, but I think the odds of it looking more like Washington-Lee in the next 10-15 years are pretty good.

Some of the neighborhoods are very cute - I like Penrose, Alcova Heights, Arlington village. Douglas Park has a lot of families with young kids. You get the best deals right now in Columbia Forest and Nauck, I think, though I didn't want to be that far South. I hear that Patrick Henry ES and Oakridge are the most diverse of the schools down there, i.e. the schools that aren't 70% of one race, but more like 30/30/40. (though Oakridge's SFHs may be above your range, since they are also nearer to blue line metro.)

Good luck!!

You mean as more of the white families move in driving the minority latino black asian families out thru demand of housing. The native DC'ers vs the money hungry transplants

It is 2015 PP, the Asians in South Arlington are few and fair between. Many of the blacks are AA, but there are also many Ethiopians, Eritreans, and Nigerians who have the educational values associated with higher SES families. Latinos are not all Salvadorean émigrés living in poverty, but many second generation people who have reasonably good jobs or have small businesses -- tile setters, landscapers, concrete companies, haulers, plumbers, electricians

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pike at glebe and east is improving and the home prices and performance of schools are showing the results.

West of glebe is a mess, still full of title stores, 7/11, check cashing, laundry mats and auto shops. There are a few gems, like pan american cafe, OMG their food is amazing.

Need to redo the food mart corner and the ones around 4 mile run to be more like penrise area. That will help a lot. Mix of local but successful stores and some good anchors, like a decent grocery store. It will still be surrounded by cheap apartment and subsidized housing, but it will get traffic from the higher income sFh as well.

Tired of going all the way to north arlington, shirlington or penrose for a gallon of milk.

They sell milk at food star, you know. Or do you refuse to shop among the browns because you want to encourage the right kind of development?

[Anonymous]

Some people refuse to shop at food lion because of the low quality and really high prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people refuse to shop at food lion because of the low quality and really high prices.

Lion food

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not too shabby for Nauck

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2205-S-Monroe-St_Arlington_VA_22206_M59614-92963?row=2

Someone nice and awesome should move here and be my neighbor