Moving to DC with many questions

[Anonymous]

Townhouses have monthly HOA fees. Rowhomes don't. And Townhouse also have to deal with HOA rules, but I suppose some people prefer that to taking the risk that their neighbor will do something odd. We live in a rowhouse on Capitol Hill and love it, but perhaps we've just been lucky to have good neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Townhouses have monthly HOA fees. Rowhomes don't. And Townhouse also have to deal with HOA rules, but I suppose some people prefer that to taking the risk that their neighbor will do something odd. We live in a rowhouse on Capitol Hill and love it, but perhaps we've just been lucky to have good neighbors.

[Anonymous]

OP I think you've gotten good advice about neighborhoods, and sounds like several of the NW neighborhoods discussed here would work for you (Georgetown, Palisades, Glover Park, Cleveland Park, AU Park, Chevy Chase). Given the shortage of inventory right now, I'd look around with an open mind and see if you can find something that you like. For realtors, try Martin Signore (http://signoremove.com/)--he's very knowledgeable and responsive.

[Anonymous]

I have a lovely 4-bed, recently renovated home in the Palisades that I plan to rent beginning later this summer (e.g., mid to late August). Are you interested in renting for a year prior to purchasing a home, and using that year to figure out where you want to live?

[Anonymous]

NP here. I have to address the cab poster: No way in hell would I ride in a dirty, thieving cab in D.C. I would ride in any cab in NYC, any day. See, regulation is not always a bad thing. But you can't say that word around here.

[Anonymous]

ITA NYC and DC are absolutely no comparison, OP. Locals will try to compare it. Ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a lovely 4-bed, recently renovated home in the Palisades that I plan to rent beginning later this summer (e.g., mid to late August). Are you interested in renting for a year prior to purchasing a home, and using that year to figure out where you want to live?

Would consider,yes. Looking at options next week for housing. But have noticed that the 1-1.5mm housing market is slim pickings these days. Want to wait for the right property for us. Would absolutely consider renting if we can't find the right opportunity. Would rather wait than rush

[stephan.corcoran]

What's with all the No Va bashing on this forum? Quite honestly if you don't like low unemployment, lower crime, lower taxes and better schools then stay the heck out of No. VA. For those of you that say No. VA is more conservative - clearly you have no clue. Northern Va turned blue years ago. It's as ethnically diverse as DC or MD without the social issues you find North of the Potomac (NoPo). I would chose SoPo any day.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - I'm so sorry for not responding earlier. I checked back for a few days but stopped checking while on vacation. If you'd like to discuss renting the house, please send me an email at PalisadesDC2013 (at) gmail (dot) com. We have to make a decision in a couple of weeks so it would be helpful to know when you're thinking of moving in and if you have any specifications. Feel free to send me an email and we can set up a time to chat this week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a lovely 4-bed, recently renovated home in the Palisades that I plan to rent beginning later this summer (e.g., mid to late August). Are you interested in renting for a year prior to purchasing a home, and using that year to figure out where you want to live?

Would consider,yes. Looking at options next week for housing. But have noticed that the 1-1.5mm housing market is slim pickings these days. Want to wait for the right property for us. Would absolutely consider renting if we can't find the right opportunity. Would rather wait than rush

[Anonymous]

stephan.corcoran wrote:What's with all the No Va bashing on this forum? Quite honestly if you don't like low unemployment, lower crime, lower taxes and better schools then stay the heck out of No. VA. For those of you that say No. VA is more conservative - clearly you have no clue. Northern Va turned blue years ago. It's as ethnically diverse as DC or MD without the social issues you find North of the Potomac (NoPo). I would chose SoPo any day.

You're funny! NoPo and SoPo are not a thing. You from San Fran? I agree random nova bashing is uncalled for. However, when it co ES to generalities, va s more conservative than md. And nova is part of va. Montgomery county and fair fax county have the two best school systems in the area. Some of md schools are bad. Just on size, more va schools are bad. Crime varies widely, from horrible in Alexandria to nonexistent in loudoun. Same in md. Income taxes are higher in md. Personal property in va. And social issues? Just as bad everywhere in this area.