Relocating from NY/NJ - Advice Needed: Elementary Schools in Arlington or surrounding areas

[Anonymous]

Tysons Corner has a significant Asian population.

[Anonymous]

I commuted to NYC every week for five years. Took Amtrak or the Delta shuttle into La Guardia. If you buy in advance, it's about the same price, and depending on where you need to be in the city, and what time you're looking to arrive, they roughly equivalent, with the shuttle being the better option in my case because I can get to DCA in 15 minutes at 6am, and the traffic into the city from La Guardia at 7:15/7:30 was always pretty light. Sometimes I would take the Delta shuttle up, and the train back because I could catch the last train and just sleep on the ride home. As for where to live to make it all easy, consider Crystal City for ease to DCA and Union Station. You could go as far out as Falls Church City and it would still be pretty easy. The South side of Lake Barcroft maps to Belvedere which a great elementary school, and you'll have an easy commute to DCA or Union Station via Columbia Pike if you leave early in the morning. Plenty of options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I commuted to NYC every week for five years. Took Amtrak or the Delta shuttle into La Guardia. If you buy in advance, it's about the same price, and depending on where you need to be in the city, and what time you're looking to arrive, they roughly equivalent, with the shuttle being the better option in my case because I can get to DCA in 15 minutes at 6am, and the traffic into the city from La Guardia at 7:15/7:30 was always pretty light. Sometimes I would take the Delta shuttle up, and the train back because I could catch the last train and just sleep on the ride home. As for where to live to make it all easy, consider Crystal City for ease to DCA and Union Station. You could go as far out as Falls Church City and it would still be pretty easy. The South side of Lake Barcroft maps to Belvedere which a great elementary school, and you'll have an easy commute to DCA or Union Station via Columbia Pike if you leave early in the morning. Plenty of options.

What you presented here is the third best option or maybe you didn’t read OP’s statements. Or, you just don’t know this area very well. OP wants a diverse school she can walk to, easy access to transport to NYC, a grocery store nearby and other amenities. Rosslyn to ballston corridor offers this. DCA is only 2.5 miles and $10 - $15 Uber ride from Rosslyn. So, she doesn’t need to live within a mile of the airport, as apposed to within 2.5 miles and be walking distance to the bus line to NYC and more direct access to the Amtrak. She’s going to be going to New York once a month, her life doesn’t need to revolve around being 1.5 miles closer to an airport at the expense of other conveniences.

[Anonymous]

Old Town Alexandria (esp the southwest quadrant) is walkable to the metro and Amtrak, along with easy access to the Beltway. Can walk to shops, restaurants, pharmacies and grocery stores. Many newer townhome developments. Lyles Crouch elementary school is highly sought after, and St Mary’s has preK-8th grade if you want parochial. I lived in the southwest quad of Old Town for over 20 years - I still miss it.

[Anonymous]

I really think you should take a close look at downtown Bethesda. It has everything you need. Lots of walk to grocery, library, shops, metro. Highly rated Bethesda ES is very diverse with significant Asian presence. Easy metro ride to Union Station and Vamoose and another company have multiple trips to Penn Station every day. Lots of apartments to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Arlington has the best skate park in the dmv.

Other than that, it is a toss up between Bethesda and Arlington for best close in area to live.

Do some research- currently Marylands taxes and electricity are higher than VA. Subtle differences between the states.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I commuted to NYC every week for five years. Took Amtrak or the Delta shuttle into La Guardia. If you buy in advance, it's about the same price, and depending on where you need to be in the city, and what time you're looking to arrive, they roughly equivalent, with the shuttle being the better option in my case because I can get to DCA in 15 minutes at 6am, and the traffic into the city from La Guardia at 7:15/7:30 was always pretty light. Sometimes I would take the Delta shuttle up, and the train back because I could catch the last train and just sleep on the ride home. As for where to live to make it all easy, consider Crystal City for ease to DCA and Union Station. You could go as far out as Falls Church City and it would still be pretty easy. The South side of Lake Barcroft maps to Belvedere which a great elementary school, and you'll have an easy commute to DCA or Union Station via Columbia Pike if you leave early in the morning. Plenty of options.

What you presented here is the third best option or maybe you didn’t read OP’s statements. Or, you just don’t know this area very well. OP wants a diverse school she can walk to, easy access to transport to NYC, a grocery store nearby and other amenities. Rosslyn to ballston corridor offers this. DCA is only 2.5 miles and $10 - $15 Uber ride from Rosslyn. So, she doesn’t need to live within a mile of the airport, as apposed to within 2.5 miles and be walking distance to the bus line to NYC and more direct access to the Amtrak. She’s going to be going to New York once a month, her life doesn’t need to revolve around being 1.5 miles closer to an airport at the expense of other conveniences.

Grow up--there is life beyond the orange line. Maybe you never leave the Rosslyn to Ballston bubble, because Falls Church is plenty convenient, has many more Asians and thus Asian grocery stores, and plenty of elementary schools within walkable neighborhoods, for example Sleepy Hollow Elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I commuted to NYC every week for five years. Took Amtrak or the Delta shuttle into La Guardia. If you buy in advance, it's about the same price, and depending on where you need to be in the city, and what time you're looking to arrive, they roughly equivalent, with the shuttle being the better option in my case because I can get to DCA in 15 minutes at 6am, and the traffic into the city from La Guardia at 7:15/7:30 was always pretty light. Sometimes I would take the Delta shuttle up, and the train back because I could catch the last train and just sleep on the ride home. As for where to live to make it all easy, consider Crystal City for ease to DCA and Union Station. You could go as far out as Falls Church City and it would still be pretty easy. The South side of Lake Barcroft maps to Belvedere which a great elementary school, and you'll have an easy commute to DCA or Union Station via Columbia Pike if you leave early in the morning. Plenty of options.

What you presented here is the third best option or maybe you didn’t read OP’s statements. Or, you just don’t know this area very well. OP wants a diverse school she can walk to, easy access to transport to NYC, a grocery store nearby and other amenities. Rosslyn to ballston corridor offers this. DCA is only 2.5 miles and $10 - $15 Uber ride from Rosslyn. So, she doesn’t need to live within a mile of the airport, as apposed to within 2.5 miles and be walking distance to the bus line to NYC and more direct access to the Amtrak. She’s going to be going to New York once a month, her life doesn’t need to revolve around being 1.5 miles closer to an airport at the expense of other conveniences.

Grow up--there is life beyond the orange line. Maybe you never leave the Rosslyn to Ballston bubble, because Falls Church is plenty convenient, has many more Asians and thus Asian grocery stores, and plenty of elementary schools within walkable neighborhoods, for example Sleepy Hollow Elementary.

Falls Church also is relatively small and has its own government and schools which is going to feel more familiar to someone coming from NY/NJ. However, as someone who goes to NJ every other weekend, Bethesda or Chevy Chase is SO much easier for that and worth a look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I commuted to NYC every week for five years. Took Amtrak or the Delta shuttle into La Guardia. If you buy in advance, it's about the same price, and depending on where you need to be in the city, and what time you're looking to arrive, they roughly equivalent, with the shuttle being the better option in my case because I can get to DCA in 15 minutes at 6am, and the traffic into the city from La Guardia at 7:15/7:30 was always pretty light. Sometimes I would take the Delta shuttle up, and the train back because I could catch the last train and just sleep on the ride home. As for where to live to make it all easy, consider Crystal City for ease to DCA and Union Station. You could go as far out as Falls Church City and it would still be pretty easy. The South side of Lake Barcroft maps to Belvedere which a great elementary school, and you'll have an easy commute to DCA or Union Station via Columbia Pike if you leave early in the morning. Plenty of options.

What you presented here is the third best option or maybe you didn’t read OP’s statements. Or, you just don’t know this area very well. OP wants a diverse school she can walk to, easy access to transport to NYC, a grocery store nearby and other amenities. Rosslyn to ballston corridor offers this. DCA is only 2.5 miles and $10 - $15 Uber ride from Rosslyn. So, she doesn’t need to live within a mile of the airport, as apposed to within 2.5 miles and be walking distance to the bus line to NYC and more direct access to the Amtrak. She’s going to be going to New York once a month, her life doesn’t need to revolve around being 1.5 miles closer to an airport at the expense of other conveniences.

Grow up--there is life beyond the orange line. Maybe you never leave the Rosslyn to Ballston bubble, because Falls Church is plenty convenient, has many more Asians and thus Asian grocery stores, and plenty of elementary schools within walkable neighborhoods, for example Sleepy Hollow Elementary.

Falls Church also is relatively small and has its own government and schools which is going to feel more familiar to someone coming from NY/NJ. However, as someone who goes to NJ every other weekend, Bethesda or Chevy Chase is SO much easier for that and worth a look.

Falls Church City is small, but Falls Church encompasses six zip codes and stretches from the Western boundary with Alexandria out to 495/Tysons/McLean.

Not sure Bethesda or Chevy Chase is more convenient unless OP is driving. If flying then look closer to DCA, if Amtrak, then Redline or close in Nova is best.

[Anonymous]

Arlington is full of snobs for a reason - it is the closest to DC in Virginia and, for the most part; Virginia is bigger and better than Maryland across the board.

North Arlington is where you want to live if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really think you should take a close look at downtown Bethesda. It has everything you need. Lots of walk to grocery, library, shops, metro. Highly rated Bethesda ES is very diverse with significant Asian presence. Easy metro ride to Union Station and Vamoose and another company have multiple trips to Penn Station every day. Lots of apartments to choose from.

I also read the post and immediately thought Bethesda. Tripper bus and Vamoose both leave direct from there to NYC. Metro red line to Union Station, or drive to the next stop on the way to NY for a slightly later departure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think you should take a close look at downtown Bethesda. It has everything you need. Lots of walk to grocery, library, shops, metro. Highly rated Bethesda ES is very diverse with significant Asian presence. Easy metro ride to Union Station and Vamoose and another company have multiple trips to Penn Station every day. Lots of apartments to choose from.

I also read the post and immediately thought Bethesda. Tripper bus and Vamoose both leave direct from there to NYC. Metro red line to Union Station, or drive to the next stop on the way to NY for a slightly later departure.

Same- is there a reason op prefers va?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think you should take a close look at downtown Bethesda. It has everything you need. Lots of walk to grocery, library, shops, metro. Highly rated Bethesda ES is very diverse with significant Asian presence. Easy metro ride to Union Station and Vamoose and another company have multiple trips to Penn Station every day. Lots of apartments to choose from.

I also read the post and immediately thought Bethesda. Tripper bus and Vamoose both leave direct from there to NYC. Metro red line to Union Station, or drive to the next stop on the way to NY for a slightly later departure.

can you still get seats?

[Anonymous]

Arlington also has Tripper and Vamoose bus service.

Bethesda is a little closer to NYC though if you drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington is full of snobs for a reason - it is the closest to DC in Virginia and, for the most part; Virginia is bigger and better than Maryland across the board.

North Arlington is where you want to live if you can afford it.

If you think Arlington is full of snobs, don't even think about Bethesda.

OP, for commuting to NY, I would live in Maryland. I used to go back and forth a lot, and I live in Arlington now, but used to live in Bethesda. It's a 1/2 hour closer which is a big difference if you go a lot.
For Arlington elementary schools I'd consider:


Jamestown
Discovery
Nottingham
Tuckahoe
Cardinal
Taylor
Arlington Science Focus
Glebe

FCC only has one and it's good.

In Bethesda/Chevy Chase/McLean anything will be good, but a lot of people use private school in MD.