Capitol Hill families - If you moved to NW or burbs for school, do you have any regrets?

[Anonymous]

Heck things in Bloomingdale or even Eckington are going for $1 million. I really don't know why.

[Anonymous]

Probably because ppl want different things. I like that I live in a more walkable and bikable part of town (at least to the areas where I need and want to go, of course, like Shaw, union market/noma, downtown). The neighborhood is beautiful, with a very small town, know your neighbors vibe, filled with diverse ppl in every way people. We bought here before kids but have stayed because we really like our neighbors and our school (not sure what MS will hold but that’s true pretty much true across the board in most of dc, including the Hill). The hill never held much appeal for me. Which is all to say, different ppl like different areas, and that is why houses in Bloomingdale and Eckington are selling for over a million even though you don’t want to live there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

The market is very thin right now as we roll into the slow August real estate market, as is to be expected, but there are things in the Hamm zone that are less than $1m. You just have to keep looking and be patient. Here's one, though I think there are better options:

https://redf.in/sxoC9R

Not affordable with the HOA fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

Popping open Redfin I see 9 houses within a few blocks of my house on the Hill that have sold for over 2 million in the past 2 months …

What does that have to do with the average Hill family zoned for Maury? Many of us live in homes well under the $1 mil mark. The point of this line of discussion is not that there are no expensive houses on the Hill. It’s that many of us can’t just up and move to a “good” pyramid because we can’t afford the real estate. The Hill is still (relatively) affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want the hill, but in NW, you have 4 good options: Glover Park, Mt Pleasant, Woodley Park or Burleith/parts of Georgetown

Again - you need well over $1 mil to buy in those neighborhoods. Many Hill families do not have that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

The market is very thin right now as we roll into the slow August real estate market, as is to be expected, but there are things in the Hamm zone that are less than $1m. You just have to keep looking and be patient. Here's one, though I think there are better options:

https://redf.in/sxoC9R

Not affordable with the HOA fees.

And SO depressing. Would rather be in an apartment with real amenities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

with fees that make them unaffordable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

there are literally 3 under $1 mil.

Meanwhile there are 154 2+ bedrooms in 20002 - 20003 zip on Redfin right now under $1 mil. In addition you can usually rent a full rowhouse on the Hill for around 3500/month. Not all zoned for the “good” Hill elementaries but many of those families will use decent elementary charters or lottery into LT etc.

The point again is that many Hill families are looking at the DCC in MoCo not Arlington, as a matter of affordability. Or going way out to Howard Co etc to access a balance between affordability and school quality… but at the price of a very big change in lifestyle and increased commute time. All factors that keep us here on the Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

there are literally 3 under $1 mil.

Meanwhile there are 154 2+ bedrooms in 20002 - 20003 zip on Redfin right now under $1 mil. In addition you can usually rent a full rowhouse on the Hill for around 3500/month. Not all zoned for the “good” Hill elementaries but many of those families will use decent elementary charters or lottery into LT etc.

The point again is that many Hill families are looking at the DCC in MoCo not Arlington, as a matter of affordability. Or going way out to Howard Co etc to access a balance between affordability and school quality… but at the price of a very big change in lifestyle and increased commute time. All factors that keep us here on the Hill.

southwest.
There is almost nothing on the market in Arlington right now--it's almost August and the bottom of the low season. I've said that multiple times. It's not because those options don't exist. You just have to watch and be ready. That's the current market in Arlington. We checked listing daily for about 9 months before we found a place in Arlington to move from CH.

If you aren't worried about schools, there are also options in S Arlington. Let's not compare the most expensive Arlington neighborhoods (e.g., Lyon Village) with the least expensive CH options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

there are literally 3 under $1 mil.

Meanwhile there are 154 2+ bedrooms in 20002 - 20003 zip on Redfin right now under $1 mil. In addition you can usually rent a full rowhouse on the Hill for around 3500/month. Not all zoned for the “good” Hill elementaries but many of those families will use decent elementary charters or lottery into LT etc.

The point again is that many Hill families are looking at the DCC in MoCo not Arlington, as a matter of affordability. Or going way out to Howard Co etc to access a balance between affordability and school quality… but at the price of a very big change in lifestyle and increased commute time. All factors that keep us here on the Hill.

southwest.
There is almost nothing on the market in Arlington right now--it's almost August and the bottom of the low season. I've said that multiple times. It's not because those options don't exist. You just have to watch and be ready. That's the current market in Arlington. We checked listing daily for about 9 months before we found a place in Arlington to move from CH.

If you aren't worried about schools, there are also options in S Arlington. Let's not compare the most expensive Arlington neighborhoods (e.g., Lyon Village) with the least expensive CH options.

Again I’m not talking about you specifically. I’m sure it’s possible to wait a year for that one rare house in Arlington. That’s not going to work for most people.

As for comparing S Arlington v DCPS v DCC - when I was doing this research I didn’t find as much info about S Arlington being decent compared to discussion about Blair, Einstien and Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

My neighbors got just over 2 mil but we probably live in a different area than you.

No, we’re in the same area. Not all houses are selling for $2mil. Not even on E Cap. That’s a high not an average.

It's the same in Arlington. New builds generally go for $2m and up, but there are lots of SFH between $1.1-$1.8m. Below $1m there are condos, townhouses, and very small and old SFHs. It's not that different than the Hill. People are just sometimes surprised you don't get more for your money because it's the "burbs."

The market is really tight so you do have to just keep watching and spring when you see something that you like.

There are actually quite a few homes well under $1mil zoned for Maury. I jusr do not see that for Arlington but maybe I’m missing something.

There are townhouses in Arlington zoned from Hamm under $1m. I linked one a few posts ago.

there are literally 3 under $1 mil.

Meanwhile there are 154 2+ bedrooms in 20002 - 20003 zip on Redfin right now under $1 mil. In addition you can usually rent a full rowhouse on the Hill for around 3500/month. Not all zoned for the “good” Hill elementaries but many of those families will use decent elementary charters or lottery into LT etc.

The point again is that many Hill families are looking at the DCC in MoCo not Arlington, as a matter of affordability. Or going way out to Howard Co etc to access a balance between affordability and school quality… but at the price of a very big change in lifestyle and increased commute time. All factors that keep us here on the Hill.

southwest.
There is almost nothing on the market in Arlington right now--it's almost August and the bottom of the low season. I've said that multiple times. It's not because those options don't exist. You just have to watch and be ready. That's the current market in Arlington. We checked listing daily for about 9 months before we found a place in Arlington to move from CH.

If you aren't worried about schools, there are also options in S Arlington. Let's not compare the most expensive Arlington neighborhoods (e.g., Lyon Village) with the least expensive CH options.

Again I’m not talking about you specifically. I’m sure it’s possible to wait a year for that one rare house in Arlington. That’s not going to work for most people.

As for comparing S Arlington v DCPS v DCC - when I was doing this research I didn’t find as much info about S Arlington being decent compared to discussion about Blair, Einstien and Rockville.

I'm not familiar with the MD schools, but S Arlington schools are generally as good or better than LT, JO Wilson and SH middle school. There's also no fall off in upper elementary like you see for Maury and Brent. I'd also choose Wakefield and WL well before Eastern.

Housing options in Arlington are tight at all price points. It took months for our friends to purchase at around $2m, and even that required them contacting the builder before it was on market. Right now that's because people are staying put right now because of higher interest rates. It's not because there's only one house.