Where to live in the DMV as a gay middle eastern family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Logan circle dc

Maybe 20 years ago.

Why? I lived in Logan 20 years ago and live in Dupont now and think it's a solid suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Dupont Circle or Capitol Hill in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Logan circle dc

Maybe 20 years ago.

Why? I lived in Logan 20 years ago and live in Dupont now and think it's a solid suggestion.

+1 I've worked in Dupont Circle for over 20 years and agree it's a solid suggestion.

[Anonymous]

FYSA there are tons of Iranians in Bethesda and Potomac; BCC has an Iranian Student Alliance. Plenty of Arabs and South Asians as well. And lots of gay households.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They'll be fine anywhere in the DC area. Their decision about where to live should be driven by commutes and schools.

Incorrect. There are some very unwelcoming conservative enclaves. I know because I accidentally live in one.

[Anonymous]

DuPont Circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC proper or MoCo. Would not take the risk in NoVa with that profile.

What??? It is hard to get more liberal than Arlington. Lots of Muslim students in public schools, school closed for Eid.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of Arab Muslims and Christians in Northern Va. It's been that way for many decades. I'm not sure about the politics of that group however. Some immigrant groups in Northern Va tend to vote Republican like the Vietnamese community.

[Anonymous]

Without a budget, this is a pointless exercise.

[Anonymous]

Agree Takoma Park is a good fit, but if budget is an issue consider East Silver Spring, 20910. Walkable to DTSS and downtown Takoma, weaker ES but feeds to TPMS and Blair. And very friendly neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Ashburn
River creek

[Anonymous]

If one works in Foggy Bottom the answer is Arlington on the Orange/silver line. Rent an apartment for a few years both for convenience and to see the fit. I agree that you don’t want to go to the heavily Muslim areas - they will have the traditional prejudices.

[Anonymous]

They should live in Dupont or near it and move if they have kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very progressive Arab family here (not religious). Whatever you do, do NOT move to MoCo. Not going to get in to it here, but I would definitely do DC first and then NOVA. Many of our Arab friends have faced very real discrimination and racism in MoCo. Most of the DCPS ES feeders to Hardy and Deal are going to be the best fit. Fairfax County would be my next choice, but trust me on this.

I’d agree that there could be a lack of welcomeness in the west side of MoCo where the more affluent and conservative families strive to land for the better public schools…and the influx of Asian/Arab/Middle Eastern families skew conservative.

^^^
That’s the delicate piece for the op’s situation: these newly arrived families (with money and connections) or even first or second generation families from certain backgrounds have far more conservative values than the average American—let alone the average MoCo resident—noting MoCo is literally the most diverse county in the country and skews very, very, super-duper liberal and welcoming overall.

But there’s zero chance the couple would face anything but a warm welcome in Takoma Park which has catered to gay families for several decades. Hyattsville would be another option, but it’s still more “up and coming” for gay families than TP.

I know there’s a big ME community in fancy parts of NoVA, but I’m not convinced their own community will be as welcoming as the gay and uber-progressive community in TP.

PS - MoCo has historically had a big Jewish community (for many, many generations). And they have historically been over in the west side of the county (Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase). As other communities with money and connections have moved in, I can imagine some friction…particularly with the influx of Arab families and businesses. But overall, I really don’t believe MoCo is worse than NoVA…I mean, how could it be?

I’m in the WJ district and I’m really surprised by PPs comment. We were previously in the RM district. Both schools have a lot of Muslim families and they seem very included in the community. I’ve never heard otherwise from our Muslim friends. Of course, there are jerks everywhere including MoCo but I think in general the communities are diverse and welcoming.

I’d be nervous about Fairfax county mainly because when I shop at Tyson’s I see a fair amount of Muslim women who are extremely conservatively dressed (fully covered, often in black)—i don’t know if that’s a good proxy for regressive attitudes towards gay couples but it does seem to suggest a tendency towards more historic gender roles.

[Anonymous]

Totally different vibe from a lot of the suggestions but they could check out Old Greenbelt.
School pyramid is solid (Greenbelt Elementary/Greenbelt Middle/Eleanor Roosevelt High), VERY progressive and has a small Muslim population. Walkable to a coffee shop, small grocery store, swimming pool/rec center, restaurants and a movie theater.
If they are interested in private ES and MS, Friends Community School is nearby and fairly affordable (~$30K).
It isn't for everyone but it is a charming and very welcoming community.
I've found that a lot of people focus on high schools with hypothetical children and end up moving out of the DMV completely before they get that age.