Considering Move from Cap. Hill/Hill East to Silver Spring--Am I crazy?

[Anonymous]

I live in the Indian Spring neighborhood, having moved there from the Hill 5 years ago. My husband does the daily commute to Mclean. It does take 35 min in the morning (he leaves the house by 7am), but coming home can be up to 1.5 hours, usually around an hour. It is rough and when we were back on the market for houses this fall we looked at moving to other areas. But I work in Silver Spring and our baby is in daycare in Silver Spring and we weren't able to find a better location for the price that got him a significantly better commute without killing my commute with the baby.

The isca and ssmoms listserves are super active. It really is a great community and we are really happy with living here.

That being said, I don't know if I'd buy a house on Colesville, especially one without CAC. As everyone else has said it is super busy. You can probably find a house for around $500K in the neighborhood, but be prepared to move fast. We went under contract on our house (against a competing offer) in just a couple of days after listing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a two parent, two kid household and are busting out of our house. I'm fairly organized and have used every space I can, but we've gotten to the point where we simply need more space! We hate to leave the city but, we can't afford significantly more space in our current neighborhood (or even the city.) Our kids are in private school, so we could really move anywhere, but VA is out of the question for hubby. I have fallen in love with this home: http://www.redfin.com/MD/Silver-Spring/9501-Colesville-Rd-20901/home/10966238 We can afford the renovations on it, but hubby doesn't think that the neighborhood is an overall improvement from what we already have. Am I missing something?

I'd say almost no crime, a big yard, good schools, no parking worries and no public housing projects are definitely an improvement. Plus, the Hill is even more depressing place in the Winter; scary dark streets and alleys, people afraid to walk around or even to their cars after dark and neglected children running around without coats on.

Are you teasing? What a weird response. The Hill is beautiful right now--lots of decorations--and I've never seen a kid here running around coatless in cold weather. And I walk lots of places after dark, including from my house to all the many stores and restaurants that are within a short walk.

[Anonymous]

have you seen the house? looks like a lot of major reno to me. seems some water damage in the bathroom, you're putting in new flooring, electrical, tiling, appliances, HVAC (assuming you want central air), etc. I'm guessing 200k. Our house is similar-good bones, great light, space, but freaking old. If we had the money to make our house nice it would entail: replacing all windows, baseboards, replastering, gutting entire kitchen and one of the bathrooms, replacing hardwoods and redoing the outside steps and iron gating all around. It adds up.

You might be able to find a similar house, with less work to be done, in the hood on a quieter street for a bitmore (but spend less in reno).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a two parent, two kid household and are busting out of our house. I'm fairly organized and have used every space I can, but we've gotten to the point where we simply need more space! We hate to leave the city but, we can't afford significantly more space in our current neighborhood (or even the city.) Our kids are in private school, so we could really move anywhere, but VA is out of the question for hubby. I have fallen in love with this home: http://www.redfin.com/MD/Silver-Spring/9501-Colesville-Rd-20901/home/10966238 We can afford the renovations on it, but hubby doesn't think that the neighborhood is an overall improvement from what we already have. Am I missing something?

I'd say almost no crime, a big yard, good schools, no parking worries and no public housing projects are definitely an improvement. Plus, the Hill is even more depressing place in the Winter; scary dark streets and alleys, people afraid to walk around or even to their cars after dark and neglected children running around without coats on.

Are you teasing? What a weird response. The Hill is beautiful right now--lots of decorations--and I've never seen a kid here running around coatless in cold weather. And I walk lots of places after dark, including from my house to all the many stores and restaurants that are within a short walk.

Why feed such a boring and predictable troll? At least make them work for their supper!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a two parent, two kid household and are busting out of our house. I'm fairly organized and have used every space I can, but we've gotten to the point where we simply need more space! We hate to leave the city but, we can't afford significantly more space in our current neighborhood (or even the city.) Our kids are in private school, so we could really move anywhere, but VA is out of the question for hubby. I have fallen in love with this home: http://www.redfin.com/MD/Silver-Spring/9501-Colesville-Rd-20901/home/10966238 We can afford the renovations on it, but hubby doesn't think that the neighborhood is an overall improvement from what we already have. Am I missing something?

I'd say almost no crime, a big yard, good schools, no parking worries and no public housing projects are definitely an improvement. Plus, the Hill is even more depressing place in the Winter; scary dark streets and alleys, people afraid to walk around or even to their cars after dark and neglected children running around without coats on.

Are you teasing? What a weird response. The Hill is beautiful right now--lots of decorations--and I've never seen a kid here running around coatless in cold weather. And I walk lots of places after dark, including from my house to all the many stores and restaurants that are within a short walk.

Why feed such a boring and predictable troll? At least make them work for their supper!

The poster is probably talking about my son. He just simply refuses to wear a coat most days. Insists he's not cold. He's definitely not neglected though. Sorry to disappoint you. Love all the great decorations, walked to the train exhibit at the Botanic Gardens today. Enjoyed the various decorated windows along PA Ave.

Anyway, agree with PP's that the commute would do your head in.

[Anonymous]

I lived in South Four Corners and loved it but hated driving on Colesville Road; can't imagine living on it. There is so much traffic and buses wizzing by if you were outside you would have to shout over the roar. It's much worse then living on a busy city street.

[Anonymous]

I lived in an apartment that faced 16th Street NW. After a while, the street noise really bothered me. I kept the windows closed all the time.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend that lives right down the block on Colesville. They use the rear as the main entrance and when you are in the house you can't tell at all that you are on a busy street.