Moving to DC. Kids will be in K and PK-3 in the Fall -where to begin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pick Columbia Heights. Too much crime and loitering in many parts, and the schools are no good.
It’s not that convenient for your commute either.
In your place I would rent in Upper NW. Janney, Oyster, Eaton, Hearst are all pretty convenient to the red line.
No PK3, so you could try to lottery into one of the charters, though getting a spot seems unlikely at this stage. Or else do a nanny share, or try to find a daycare for a year - many of them have spots for three year olds once kids leave for PK3.
But with a kid already enrolled your second would have a very good chance of getting in to PK4, we know several families who’ve had that happen.

No opinion on schools, but agree that Col Heights isn't that convenient for your commute metro-wise. If you metro, you'll have to change trains at Gallery Place. Not a huge deal if you work regular 9-5 weekday hours, but I would not want to deal with changing trains off-peak. Check to see if there are bus routes though, you might be able to find a bus line that will take you close to your office more directly.

I also second the assertion that there is a lot of loitering in Columbia Heights. I recommend you head over there, particularly right off the metro stop, and see if you like the vibe/feel. There is absolutely nothing wrong or bad about it, but it is not for everyone (myself included).

If you are going to rent, the suggestions to rent WOTP near the Red line or Shepherd Park (red line, Silver Spring stop is very close, just across the line in Maryland) are good ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pick Columbia Heights. Too much crime and loitering in many parts, and the schools are no good.
It’s not that convenient for your commute either.
In your place I would rent in Upper NW. Janney, Oyster, Eaton, Hearst are all pretty convenient to the red line.
No PK3, so you could try to lottery into one of the charters, though getting a spot seems unlikely at this stage. Or else do a nanny share, or try to find a daycare for a year - many of them have spots for three year olds once kids leave for PK3.
But with a kid already enrolled your second would have a very good chance of getting in to PK4, we know several families who’ve had that happen.

No opinion on schools, but agree that Col Heights isn't that convenient for your commute metro-wise. If you metro, you'll have to change trains at Gallery Place. Not a huge deal if you work regular 9-5 weekday hours, but I would not want to deal with changing trains off-peak. Check to see if there are bus routes though, you might be able to find a bus line that will take you close to your office more directly.

I also second the assertion that there is a lot of loitering in Columbia Heights. I recommend you head over there, particularly right off the metro stop, and see if you like the vibe/feel. There is absolutely nothing wrong or bad about it, but it is not for everyone (myself included).

If you are going to rent, the suggestions to rent WOTP near the Red line or Shepherd Park (red line, Silver Spring stop is very close, just across the line in Maryland) are good ones.

+1. Shepherd has a PK3 and all PK3 with siblings will get in. Their price point for rent is doable (although rare and you’d have to find a broker that has knowledge of area and pre-lists) but for purchase later it’s more like $850k average but some for $750k that need work pop up. If not, maybe you can buy in Brightwood or Takoma in a year or two and principal will let you stay. Half of Shepherd is 0.5-1.0 mile to Silver Spring metro and other half is 0.5-1 to Takoma metro.

[Anonymous]

I'd look near Union Station--check out JO Wilson and Ludlow-Taylor. If you enroll your K I bet your PK will get in, and if not there are some federal childcares nearby that often have open 3 year old spots. I would also look at apartments in-bounds for Thomson, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens, and Seaton, where you will have decent commutes and a good shot of your younger child getting off the waitlist once your older is enrolled.

I would not worry too much about middle school; once you know the DC area better you will likely move anyway (possibly out of DC to Maryland or Virginia) and it's worth getting to know different neighborhoods. Raising kids on Capitol Hill is nice. Upper NW is nice. Brookland is nice. Takoma is nice. But they are all different from each other--where you'll grocery shop, swim, meet your neighbors, do Boy Scouts or dance class, go to church--whatever you like to do. At this point, I'd try to get both kids into the same decent school and have reasonable commutes. Your kids are so small that having them together and being close to them will make it easier for you to get to know your new city!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your future self will thank you if you move WOTP park along the redline. Best for ease of commute and top schools. DuPont for Ross. Cleveland Park for Eaton. And Van Ness for Hearst/Murch.

This. But if you insist on EOTP, try for a Stuart-Hobson feeder. Or Seaton-- you can definitely live in Bloomingdale for $4K a month, and your K will easily get in OOB and pull in the sibling. Last year I got into Seaton as a post-lottery applicant for K in early summer. You might really love Bloomingdale-- tons of kids and a pool!

Bloomingdale is great, but Bloomindgale will put you in Langley, not Seaton. People seem to really like Langley too, but its academics in the higher grades are a few years behind Seaton's, I gather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your future self will thank you if you move WOTP park along the redline. Best for ease of commute and top schools. DuPont for Ross. Cleveland Park for Eaton. And Van Ness for Hearst/Murch.

This. But if you insist on EOTP, try for a Stuart-Hobson feeder. Or Seaton-- you can definitely live in Bloomingdale for $4K a month, and your K will easily get in OOB and pull in the sibling. Last year I got into Seaton as a post-lottery applicant for K in early summer. You might really love Bloomingdale-- tons of kids and a pool!

Bloomingdale is great, but Bloomindgale will put you in Langley, not Seaton. People seem to really like Langley too, but its academics in the higher grades are a few years behind Seaton's, I gather.

The idea would be to get into Seaton OOB, which is totally doable for K. If there is some tolerance for keeping the PK3 in daycare until a spot opens at Seaton (maybe in September) this is a great plan. Or if not, Langley is a cute school on the rise and OP may find it congenial. The K teacher they have now is stellar.

[Anonymous]

Their housing budget for purchasing is going to be the limiting factor.

How long are you planning to live in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their housing budget for purchasing is going to be the limiting factor.

How long are you planning to live in DC?

We're hoping to love it and stay long term! Agreed the budget for purchase is limiting. We are willing to put some work into the right place. Definitely leaning towards a row-house neighborhood. We lived in Philly for a long time and loved it. 4 years ago moved to the NJ suburbs of NY and are very much looking forward to living in the city again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their housing budget for purchasing is going to be the limiting factor.

How long are you planning to live in DC?

We're hoping to love it and stay long term! Agreed the budget for purchase is limiting. We are willing to put some work into the right place. Definitely leaning towards a row-house neighborhood. We lived in Philly for a long time and loved it. 4 years ago moved to the NJ suburbs of NY and are very much looking forward to living in the city again!

It does not hit everything you are looking for - but I would search in the Glover Park area. It will be hard to get a place in your budget - but if you are patient you might find something on the smaller side.

I have a middle school student - and elementary students. We have been in Charters and neighborhood schools. I speak from experience - supporting children through middle school is hard. You want the best option you can line up for your child. I would target a property in bounds for Hardy (they do not struggle with the size challenges that Deal does).

[Anonymous]

Suggest living in-bounds for Ludlow Taylor and walking to NoMa. It's basically my situation/commute now and I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your future self will thank you if you move WOTP park along the redline. Best for ease of commute and top schools. DuPont for Ross. Cleveland Park for Eaton. And Van Ness for Hearst/Murch.

This. But if you insist on EOTP, try for a Stuart-Hobson feeder. Or Seaton-- you can definitely live in Bloomingdale for $4K a month, and your K will easily get in OOB and pull in the sibling. Last year I got into Seaton as a post-lottery applicant for K in early summer. You might really love Bloomingdale-- tons of kids and a pool!

Bloomingdale is great, but Bloomindgale will put you in Langley, not Seaton. People seem to really like Langley too, but its academics in the higher grades are a few years behind Seaton's, I gather.

The idea would be to get into Seaton OOB, which is totally doable for K. If there is some tolerance for keeping the PK3 in daycare until a spot opens at Seaton (maybe in September) this is a great plan. Or if not, Langley is a cute school on the rise and OP may find it congenial. The K teacher they have now is stellar.

I second this. Seaton is a good choice for elementary, Langley is a really energetic and growing school, and Bloomingdale is really lovely with a nice vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your future self will thank you if you move WOTP park along the redline. Best for ease of commute and top schools. DuPont for Ross. Cleveland Park for Eaton. And Van Ness for Hearst/Murch.

This. But if you insist on EOTP, try for a Stuart-Hobson feeder. Or Seaton-- you can definitely live in Bloomingdale for $4K a month, and your K will easily get in OOB and pull in the sibling. Last year I got into Seaton as a post-lottery applicant for K in early summer. You might really love Bloomingdale-- tons of kids and a pool!

Bloomingdale is great, but Bloomindgale will put you in Langley, not Seaton. People seem to really like Langley too, but its academics in the higher grades are a few years behind Seaton's, I gather.

The idea would be to get into Seaton OOB, which is totally doable for K. If there is some tolerance for keeping the PK3 in daycare until a spot opens at Seaton (maybe in September) this is a great plan. Or if not, Langley is a cute school on the rise and OP may find it congenial. The K teacher they have now is stellar.

I second this. Seaton is a good choice for elementary, Langley is a really energetic and growing school, and Bloomingdale is really lovely with a nice vibe.

This. Realistically, post-lottery placement of a PK3 is not going to be easy. If you want both kids in the same place, Langley is a likely option and Seaton is a maybe. And Langley will be perfectly fine. Then OP can take next year to lottery and figure out a more permanent plan.

[Anonymous]

I would do Ludlow-Taylor. Gives you an increasingly viable MS option (Stuart-Hobson) with a reliable school all the way through ES. Many of these EOTP schools people are mentioning still have low test scores and bad MS feeds. Now, what $750K will get you IB for L-T is another question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do Ludlow-Taylor. Gives you an increasingly viable MS option (Stuart-Hobson) with a reliable school all the way through ES. Many of these EOTP schools people are mentioning still have low test scores and bad MS feeds. Now, what $750K will get you IB for L-T is another question.

Agree. Or JO Wilson, which isn't on the Hill but close to H St amenities and might have some more affordable options that the Hill.

[Anonymous]

For JO Wilson in your price range:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/632-1-2-Morton-Pl-NE-20002/home/9898052

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1026-4th-St-NE-20002/home/9892405

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/614-I-St-NE-20002/unit-1/home/160552990

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t pick Columbia Heights. Too much crime and loitering in many parts, and the schools are no good.
It’s not that convenient for your commute either.
In your place I would rent in Upper NW. Janney, Oyster, Eaton, Hearst are all pretty convenient to the red line.
No PK3, so you could try to lottery into one of the charters, though getting a spot seems unlikely at this stage. Or else do a nanny share, or try to find a daycare for a year - many of them have spots for three year olds once kids leave for PK3.
But with a kid already enrolled your second would have a very good chance of getting in to PK4, we know several families who’ve had that happen.

I agree with the bolded. Either Upper NW WOTP in boundary for Deal & Wilson or in boundary for Shepherd Elementary/Deal/Wilson in Upper NW EOTP to be near the Silver Spring or Takoma metro stations on the red line. You could probably squeeze into a SFH that needs work in Shepherd Park for $750. Not sure what that budget would get you WOTP. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could weigh in on that.