Teachers' favorite neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

There's affordable areas for teacher's with kids everywhere in DC...are you looking to buy or rent? Do you have a car?... A single parent with your income can allow you to be in a rent subsidized residence which are in all new developments...make sure you inquire with the landlords or rental management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's affordable areas for teacher's with kids everywhere in DC...are you looking to buy or rent? Do you have a car?... A single parent with your income can allow you to be in a rent subsidized residence which are in all new developments...make sure you inquire with the landlords or rental management.

If you read the thread, the OP said it's a two parent household with kids aged 3&4 and HHI of about 200K...

[Anonymous]

Former teacher here...I lived in Glover Park and had a lot of teacher friends who lived there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dh is a DCPS teacher. We live in Brightwood.

Do you have kids in DCPS also?

Yes we do. DH is very committed to raising our children in DC public schools- not charters*. They are both at Seaton Elementary and we are very happy there.



*We do recognize that our opinion might change as the kids get older but we are making every effort for this to be a reality. Please do not sidetrack the convo by commenting on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the poster again: Thanks so much for all of the feedback already. I'm really not sure what we will have to go for. I have a son and a daughter and would rather buy than rent. I'm very okay with a small space, but will probably "need" a 3 bedroom for when the kids older. My husband will be working in Federal Triangle and from the research I've done so far, I don't know that commuting is worth it for us. It seems like we have to get very far out before we get to "affordable" homes and at that point, the schools seemed to be a mixed bag of ratings, much like DCPS.

We looked for two years for a small three bedroom in a decent NW school district. Nothing in our price range below 625. and we would have done 1,000 feet and condo or townhouse. Finally we got lucky in the lottery and found a 3 bedroom in NE. it's lovely here, but lottery into a good charter or dcps first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the poster again: Thanks so much for all of the feedback already. I'm really not sure what we will have to go for. I have a son and a daughter and would rather buy than rent. I'm very okay with a small space, but will probably "need" a 3 bedroom for when the kids older. My husband will be working in Federal Triangle and from the research I've done so far, I don't know that commuting is worth it for us. It seems like we have to get very far out before we get to "affordable" homes and at that point, the schools seemed to be a mixed bag of ratings, much like DCPS.

We looked for two years for a small three bedroom in a decent NW school district. Nothing in our price range below 625. and we would have done 1,000 feet and condo or townhouse. Finally we got lucky in the lottery and found a 3 bedroom in NE. it's lovely here, but lottery into a good charter or dcps first.

we would have done no ac and old kitchen and bathrooms. nothing.

[Anonymous]

For affordability and diversity that are not too stabby, Brightwood, Woodridge, Brookland, Petworth (or as we call it, "Not-yet-worth," apartment in area near Woodley/Forest Hills (for schools.) Columbia Heights is very trendy now, but pricier. Park View I cannot really rec. for safety reasons, having friends who own there now. My favorite neighborhoods are Adams Morgan and Woodley Park (nice tot lots, restaurants and strollerable amenities, proximity to Metro and Rock Creek park...also Cleveland Park. American University area seems to be preferred but a little...boring.

[Anonymous]

Our must haves were at least 2 BR, off street parking (after living in Adams Morgan with a baby and no parking spot) fireplace (for coziness) yard or patio space (BBQ, friends that smoke, gardening.) Also wanted to stay close to friends in NW. Ended up in Petworth with a detached 3 BR house with a basement, parking and yard space for a swingset, walk to metro and close bus lines to downtown for the price of a 2 BR condo in Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights or Logan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For affordability and diversity that are not too stabby, Brightwood, Woodridge, Brookland, Petworth (or as we call it, "Not-yet-worth," apartment in area near Woodley/Forest Hills (for schools.) Columbia Heights is very trendy now, but pricier. Park View I cannot really rec. for safety reasons, having friends who own there now. My favorite neighborhoods are Adams Morgan and Woodley Park (nice tot lots, restaurants and strollerable amenities, proximity to Metro and Rock Creek park...also Cleveland Park. American University area seems to be preferred but a little...boring.

"Not-Yet-Worth is a moniker from a Washington City Paper in 2006. Have you been there lately? It's booming and full of kids. A renovated rowhouse on our block sold for $859K. You can still get affordable fixer uppers - another sold on our block for $525K. We've been in the neighborhood for over 10 years and love it, and have 2 kids, aged 2 and 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the poster again: Thanks so much for all of the feedback already. I'm really not sure what we will have to go for. I have a son and a daughter and would rather buy than rent. I'm very okay with a small space, but will probably "need" a 3 bedroom for when the kids older. My husband will be working in Federal Triangle and from the research I've done so far, I don't know that commuting is worth it for us. It seems like we have to get very far out before we get to "affordable" homes and at that point, the schools seemed to be a mixed bag of ratings, much like DCPS.

I don't know where you're coming from, but you'll definitely have to change your definition of affordable. Most of the people posting here are living in upper NW and, apparently, haven't set foot outside of their tonier neighborhoods. For your job as an ESL teacher, your husband's commute, and your HHI, I'd say you're better off near any one of the DCPS or charters that offer dual language and/or have a significant population of native Spanish speakers.

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

Actually, any one of the schools east of Rock Creek Park is going to be looking for ESL teachers, and your kids will be fine in the early childhood years - long enough for you to get the lay of the land and figure out what schools your family prefers. What I would do in your situation is rent for a year or two to get more familiar with the city and neighborhoods/schools that meet your needs and prefernces. Find a neighborhood that's central, family friendly, and where you won't need a car - Adams Morgan, Kalorama, Mt. Pleasant, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park. They're expensive for buying, but great for renting. You'll get to know other families that will be a great resource for first-hand recommendations. Spend the year looking at real estate and deciding for yourself what you want within your means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's affordable areas for teacher's with kids everywhere in DC...are you looking to buy or rent? Do you have a car?... A single parent with your income can allow you to be in a rent subsidized residence which are in all new developments...make sure you inquire with the landlords or rental management.

That is simply not true.

[Anonymous]

Aren't the schools bad in petworth though? There aren't enough seats in good schools. Maybe OP should rent until she sees how her oldest does in the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren't the schools bad in petworth though? There aren't enough seats in good schools. Maybe OP should rent until she sees how her oldest does in the lottery.

When's the last time you've stepped foot in one? Are you 5 years behind the time or 10 years? Or do you live in VA (20 years behind)?

[Anonymous]

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

[Anonymous]

Which elementary/middle/high schools zoned for Petworth are good?