Please advise: Capitol Hill or different neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for the comments.
We did hear about Takoma park but also heard the schools were not nearly as good as Brent public school. Plus I really like a short commute. I haven't heard too much about Ross. Perhaps it's worth posting on the school forum. I thought Ross was downtown so wasn't sure how many other kids would be living in the neighborhood and if there wouldn't be a community feel.
Is there a place in Capitol Hill to meet like minded parents... And kids? We had a family food gardening group that was great. There were also nice workshops for kids.

I live across the street from Ross. R Street between 17th and New Hampshire. It's an awesome neighborhood. Tons of kids, Stroller-city in the last few years. Not when I first moved here though, but the neighborhood is totally different now. It's not downtown at all. Dupont is just north of downtown. When I see tourists up here with a map, I know they're totally lost and looking for monuments. Ha.

Ok thanks for this info!
Are there older kids too? I am worried that once the kids get older there won't be that many kids their age. When you have a baby it is easy to live anywhere

Well, you are right. By middle school the kids tended to disappear - a combination of poor middle schools and maybe younger siblings coming along and needing more space.

However, my son is in high school at School Without Walls which is a public high school on GW's campus. We were zoned here for Wilson High School, maybe Cardozo. I can't recall. But he applied and got into Walls as they call it. It's a very highly sought after high school - one of the top high schools in the country. The principal there is now also the principal of Francis Stevens Middle School as of last year. I have zero doubt that man will make that middle school an amazing educational institution. He's very highly regarded in DC. That means, you are going to see a lot more people staying in the city. They would leave before because middle school options weren't good. But now, I think they are. I have to say - there are tons of high school kids in the city. My son has a lot of friends who live all around us - Dupont, Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, Petworth.

[Anonymous]

Takoma park is a winner especially schools and crime vs capital hill

[Anonymous]

I think you would really like Takoma Park. I know a few people who bike to work from there (not a biker so don't know the routes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am so grateful for all these very helpful responses! And it is reassuring to hear that if we do decide to stay in Capitol Hill, we might feel more at home here eventually. Any suggestions on how to meet more people in the neighborhood would be appreciated too. We hung out at some nice parks but it seemed like the majority of the people we talked to were nannies (many suggesting we best move to Northern Virginia Is it easy to meet other quirky families in the Brent area?
Is the takoma park MD neighborhood near a metro? I was definitely wanting to either bike or take the train to work if possible. We are not too keen on purchasing a house at this point and would rather rent for a few years.

Did you hang out during the week or on the weekend OP? Any specific interests besides "quirky"? We're here on the hill, and we're weird and crunchy... But if you can throw out some interests might be easier. Cyclists? Home brewers? What do your kids like? There was a maker faire at Yards Park today...

You said you liked to garden: http://fieldtoforknetwork.org/community-gardens/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I hear "crunchy from Portland" I think of Bloomingdale. Schools are not great, though. So if you must live in boundary, maybe Dupont Circle (in bounds for Ross) would be more your speed.

+1. How old are your kids? IT has some opening in upper grades.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous[OP here. I am so grateful for all these very helpful responses! And it is reassuring to hear that if we do decide to stay in Capitol Hill, we might feel more at home here eventually. Any suggestions on how to meet more people in the neighborhood would be appreciated too. We hung out at some nice parks but it seemed like the majority of the people we talked to were nannies (many suggesting we best move to Northern Virginia Is it easy to meet other quirky families in the Brent area?
Is the takoma park MD neighborhood near a metro? I was definitely wanting to either bike or take the train to work if possible. We are not too keen on purchasing a house at this point and would rather rent for a few years.

Yup. There's a little town center and metro station right in the neighborhood. Totally drive out or metro out one weekend, wander around the main streets and check it out. It's kind of a fun part of this area's history even if you don't ultimately find it's where you want to live. You would like Mark's Kitchen, a couple blocks up Carroll Ave, from the metro station, a lot.

[Anonymous]

You should have visited today for the Annual jazz Fest. Or come on the Fourth of July for our quirky parade. Or come to the farmer's market on any Sunday.

[Anonymous]

Can someone direct me to the best elementary school in Takoma park that is still in walking distance to the train?

[Anonymous]

Tacoma park elementary (k-2) and piney branch (3-5). Not sure why you would pick Brent or Ross with older elementary kids, since there is no good middle school feeder.

[Anonymous]

Seattle and Portland transplant here. Though I've also lived in dc off and on for 15 years.

Takoma park MARYLAND is most like what you're leaving, i suspect. Followed by hyattsville "arts" "district" in md. Then Brookland and petworth, maybe, in terms of its newest gentrifying residents. Not the longtime black homeowners.

I like the Hill fine, and I'm not terrified of crime, but it needs to be said that it in no way captures a vibe of anyplace in the pacific NW.

[Anonymous]

OP - how old is your oldest? Inspired Teaching School has spots available in 5th & 6th grade. Not sure how the waitlists are for 3rd & 4th. If one kid gets in to the school, the other rises to the top of the waitlist http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/383540.page

I think your family would fit right in at the school and you could live wherever you want in DC.

[Anonymous]

Have you also considered Mount Pleasant? Seems like you'd really like it there.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seattle and Portland transplant here. Though I've also lived in dc off and on for 15 years.

Takoma park MARYLAND is most like what you're leaving, i suspect. Followed by hyattsville "arts" "district" in md. Then Brookland and petworth, maybe, in terms of its newest gentrifying residents. Not the longtime black homeowners.

I like the Hill fine, and I'm not terrified of crime, but it needs to be said that it in no way captures a vibe of anyplace in the pacific NW.

Agree with this.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pick the hill for safety issues and school especially after elementary school.

[Anonymous]

You're a crunchy biracial family? Takoma Park is for you!