Perfect neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

We're finally throwing in the towel and thinking of leaving the city. Private school tuition and a recent crime in our neighborhood have finally pushed us over the edge.

We are a family of four with $1 million to about $1.4 million to spend on a home. DH works downtown but I can consult from home. So we're looking for great public elementary schools, the easiest possible commute for my husband, proximity to some sort of town, pretty homes, a bit of property (more than the .13 acres that we normally see in our price range in Bethesda), a nice community, including some sort of public or private pool for summers, etc.

I'm sure you're all snickering by now, but I have to believe that there's somewhere out there! TIA

[Anonymous]

Chevy Chase, MD fits all your criteria except the yard part. I honestly think you have to choose between yard and commute. You can get a large yard in Potomac or McLean, but then you don't have an easy commute and your "town" could be a bit of a drive from your house. I also tend to think that generally bigger yards = less of a community because people don't see their neighbors often.

[Anonymous]

You are not going to find huge lots within walking distance of a town. The two don't go together, for obvious reasons.

[Anonymous]

McLean!

[Anonymous]

Edgemoor

[Anonymous]

Arlington -Lorcom Lane

[Anonymous]

Hell.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda or chevy chase.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, where are you moving from?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure how much the difference means to you, but while you won't find one acre lots, you can find lots that are .25 acres pretty easily in your price range. Depending on what you want to do, .25 acres is a decent amount. Keep in mind that for a lot of things, it's pretty rare that any yard will be big enough (e.g., batting practice) and that as kids grow older, and the bigger yard seems like it would be more important, more of their activities are organized activities that are outside the home.

FWIW, we're house hunting now, with a price range lower than yours ($950 is our max). I come from an area where most people have at least an acre of land, so I was initially skeptical that these seemingly tiny yards were big enough for much beyond toddler-hood. DH grew up in a more suburban area and moved around a lot, and said that really, for most things, his dad and he tended to go to the park, anyway. Our nanny was the one that pointed out how kids get involved in organized sports and don't use yards as much. I say this because (1) I want to make clear it's not my personal experience and (2) I'm not coming from a defensive position.

In our search, I've noticed that Va. seems flatter than MD, which means you get more usable yard, generally. Houses in close-in VA along the metro have very small lots, and most of the houses in your price range won't have a bigger lot, but will rather be a tear-down (which actually tend to use up most of the lot). If you go a bit north in Arlington, I don't think there's as much that's walkable to retail. McLean has a downtown area, but it's a bit farther out, so you lose some on commute (but not tons if you're considering that versus North Arlington). Parts of CC are walkable, and you can definitely find a decent yard there (.25 or so). Same with Bethesda (more so with downtown Bethesda than Friendship Heights).

Lastly, if commute is important, drive it yourself. Everyone seems to say that their commute is shorter than it actually is.

[Anonymous]

OP, McLean new construction is running 2.2+ in the "desirable" areas. Yes, there is trash in McLean. If you are okay with old construction, "needs TLC" (wink,wink) then you will pay about $900 for basically land. Just an insiders perspective. Don't know about other areas.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?
My rec's: Edgemoor in Bethesda and Somerset in Chevy Chase would be my top picks, ESP. Somerset. Then Section IV or Town of Chevy Chase; possibly Westmoreland Hills or Mohican Hills/Glen Echo or Sumner in Bethesda (you can't walk into a town from these last areas, but lovely, friendly neighborhoods with easy commuting up Mass Ave and terrific schools).I obviously don't know VA!

[Anonymous]

Collingwood/Fort Hunt area of Alexandria (Fairfax County) is paradise for raising a family. I know a great Realtor there.

[Anonymous]

We live in Sumner in Bethesda and are happy here, but our price range was lower than yours (1m). We lived in Somerset briefly (rented before buying here) and did not find it friendly -- very few hellos when people were out walking with children or dogs, not sure why. We have found Sumner much friendlier and it answers many of your needs, save for land. OTOH, the access to the Cap Crescent Trail, Little Falls trails, creek, etc mean that we don't spend as much time on our backyard as we otherwise might.

Not sure what, if anything, 1.4 can buy you in Edgemoor, but as much as I like Sumner, I'd move there and walk to Bethesda in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

i wish i had this problem!