who lives in these gorgeous DC neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

I live in CC DC and was driving through what I guess is Shepherd Park - up Alaska toward Silver Spring and Takoma Park. The area is beautiful - big houses, nice lawns, windy streets... I love where I live, but this area looked as nice or nicer (bigger houses and lots, for sure), yet I never hear anyone talk about it as a desirable place to live - those with the $$ who want to stay in the district seem focused on CC, Palisades, Forest Hills... generally areas west of Rock Creek Park. Why is that? Is it the schools, is it not as nice as it looks, or am I just not talking to the right people?

[Anonymous]

It's an older AA neighborhood with new people moving in.

[Anonymous]

It is a gorgeous area, we agree. We live not far from there. The main issues are the schools -- Shepherd Elementary is decent, but after that, you are screwed. Also, crime in neighboring areas -- SP is not far enough from lower income neighborhoods, and some subsidized housing/projects, thus there are higher crime rates (while there was a recent spree in SP, mostly the crime is farther South or East).

[Anonymous]

actually, Shepherd has an odd feeder pattern. Deal for middle, Coolidge for high. Shepherd Elementary is not that good. I'd consider living in Shepherd Park, doing charter for elementary (I know, lucky in lottery), Deal middle, with right to attend Wilson if an application only doesn't work out for your kid.

Shepherd Park is also a neighborhood where there have been complaints of underwater mortgages. Prices still below peak (desirable for buyers I'd think).

[Anonymous]

Ah, didn't know SP fed to Deal for middle! Interesting (and good for the neighborhood). We do have a friend w/ child at Shepherd Elem. and they have been (relatively) happy there. Coolidge is defin. a problem. Our friends who moved from there said there were not a lot of young families, so not a lot of neighbors w/ little kids to play w/ their kids, basically kind of lonely on the (admittedly beautiful) streets.

[Anonymous]

But it seems like hardly anyone sends their kids to public (at least after elementary) in the more affluent areas of the city anyway. So it seems like bad schools is not really a valid argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But it seems like hardly anyone sends their kids to public (at least after elementary) in the more affluent areas of the city anyway. So it seems like bad schools is not really a valid argument.

Shepherd Park is not considered one of "the more affluent areas of the city". Prices range from $500K to $800K on average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But it seems like hardly anyone sends their kids to public (at least after elementary) in the more affluent areas of the city anyway. So it seems like bad schools is not really a valid argument.

Shepherd Park is not considered one of "the more affluent areas of the city". Prices range from $500K to $800K on average.

But it easily could be. For the money you save on a big house you could afford private easily AND get togther with neighbors to hire private security to deal with higher crime in the area. Sounds like a plan to me. I think the only issue is, if you have business (I mean that broadly) in VA it is a bit far. Otherwise I see no downside. Its a gorgeous area and I have log wondered the same thing.

-From a Kent resident

[Anonymous]

The insurmountable problem for me is the lack of walkability (to anything other than more residential blocks).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The insurmountable problem for me is the lack of walkability (to anything other than more residential blocks).

Look hippie, not everyone wants to live in Columbia heights.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, folks. I guess schools would make the difference to the people I talk to, because lots of people here in CCDC are families with young kids who are here in part because of Lafayette or Murch. But I swear, we want a house with 4 BR so grandparents dont have to sleep on the couch, and we're looking at $1M! Makes me look enviously at those nice big houses up there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The insurmountable problem for me is the lack of walkability (to anything other than more residential blocks).

Look hippie, not everyone wants to live in Columbia heights.

Look grouchy, Columbia Heights isn't the only neighborhood that's walkable to businesses and entertainment. Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, etc...all have nice homes that are walking distance to restaurants, libraries, shops, etc...If OP is asking why people don't live in Shepherd Park, maybe PP's observation is the answer for some people. They want more than just other houses in easy walking distance and Shepherd Park doesn't provide that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But it seems like hardly anyone sends their kids to public (at least after elementary) in the more affluent areas of the city anyway. So it seems like bad schools is not really a valid argument.

Shepherd Park is not considered one of "the more affluent areas of the city". Prices range from $500K to $800K on average.

Exactly, that was my point. Most people end up sending their kids to private schools, even in the "nicer" areas of the city, so why not buy in SP and spend a whole lot less for a beautiful house. Some of the earlier posters were saying that bad schools are a reason more people aren't attracted to SP, and I'm just saying that is sort of a moot point if you are going to send your kids to private anyway.

[Anonymous]

Actually OP are you talking about the neighborhood near Lowell? That isn't Shepard Park.

[Anonymous]

The neighborhoods near Lowell are North Portal Estates or Colonial Village (Shephed Park is a bit south), and the houses there are quite a bit more expensive. Full of cave dwellers, black and white. Also, I think the in-bounds school for those neighborhoods is Lafayette.