Is Brookland a good place to live with small kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking of moving to brookland and I'm curious what folks do about day care options there. Also, where do you go for groceries (other than yes organic), and do you need a car?

You will want a car. You can live without one, but getting around is much, much easier with one and parking in Brookland is not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thinking of moving to brookland and I'm curious what folks do about day care options there. Also, where do you go for groceries (other than yes organic), and do you need a car?

You will want a car. You can live without one, but getting around is much, much easier with one and parking in Brookland is not a problem.

That said, it's accessible enough that a family can easily get by on a single car. I agree I'd not want to go without one here.

[Anonymous]

A lot of nice drug dealers who give them candy.

[Anonymous]

This seems pertinent:

http://rhodeislandavene.com/2014/04/01/trader-joes-coming-to-ria/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've only been to that side of DC once, to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, so admittedly I don't know much about that area. It did not have a neighborhood feel. Also the more east and south you go in DC, the higher the crime rate.

Our first house was in Brookland, second in Chevy Chase, MD and third in Colonial Village in DC. By far, the best place with kids was Brookland. I loved it. It was the most kid friendly neighborhood we've ever lived in. We wanted stay, but couldn't find a house big enough.

[Anonymous]

Brookland has a better balance of commercial activity, safety, metro accessibility and family friendly-ness than other NE and SE neighborhoods outside of Capitol Hill. It's not as economically or racially homogenous as NW along the red line, but it's a lot cheaper, too. If you were choosing between other neighborhoods in the Brookland price range (houses available in the $500K ballpark) Brookland is a good value for families. The poor performing public schools are the biggest drawback, I think.

This poster hit the nail on the head. I think the primary schools may be quicker to improve than in some other areas of D.C. due to the existing income mix and a large number of very involved parents. The middle/high schools on the other hand...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've only been to that side of DC once, to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, so admittedly I don't know much about that area. It did not have a neighborhood feel. Also the more east and south you go in DC, the higher the crime rate.

Having only been to one part of the neighborhood once would be a great reason not to comment!