Relocating from Brooklyn to DC area

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the Shaw recommendation. My husband really liked that neighborhood. Alexandria isn’t set in stone so I’m not giving up hope on Shepherd Park!

And just a big thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. This was incredibly helpful. Truly.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend that you look at Maryland rather than VA. Maryland has larger black and Jewish populations in its close-in suburbs, and is more traditionally friendly to both groups. You don't say where you work in DC, but many parts of Maryland are on the subway line. MoCo has excellent schools, and more private schools than NOVA, if that's the route you prefer.

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park, MD
Silver Spring, MD

Capital Hill, DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you would be happiest in South Arlington, which is quite diverse and (generally) more chill when it comes to schools than North Arlington, which also happens to be one of the least diverse parts of the DC region. The classroom sizes will be in the middle of the range you described.

I would guess that coming from NY, OP wouldn't want to spend all her time in the car, which is the kind of life you'd lead in south arlington.

[Anonymous]

OP definitely ask again when you have a better sense of job location. Commute is truly king here and really will make a difference in people’s recommendations (because it will make a HUGE difference in your happiness in this area if you keep this to a minimum as much as you can). Something that can look close enough on the map might actually be a terrible commute so good to get recs. The MD recs that just came through are great places too if you end up more north. But would be straight up miserable to Alexandria. Good luck and you can come back when you know more!

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, if your job is in Alexandria, I would suggest looking at schools in Fairfax County part of Alexandria. We live in 22310 and it's relatively diverse. It doesn't make sense to me to spend extra to live in Arlington (even south Arlington) if your job is closer to Alexandria. Our Fairfax County Public School pyramid isn't as good as some other parts of the county (see: McLean or Fairfax), but it's getting better. I'm expecting it to get much better in a few years after the new Amazon crowd arrives and either settles here or settles in Arlington and pushes more folks down our way.

There are communities in the City of Alexandria like Rosemont or Del Ray which are lovely (but not as diverse). But the schools aren't great, as others have noted. (Again, with Amazon arriving maybe that will change?)

Anyway. Good luck, I'm sure you'll find something great and welcome to the area!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you choose to live in Arlington if you were working in Alexandria? Why not just live in Alexandria?

+1.

+1
We moved from ny to dc and didn’t love it so after a few years moved to Alexandria & could not be happier. It’s a real community - diverse, caring, family centered, etc. The schools get a bad rep on here but tons of what is said is inaccurate & likely from people who have no experience with them. I’d look at old town zones for lyles crouch, del Ray if you’re interested in Spanish immersion or MacArthur. We love it here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you would be happiest in South Arlington, which is quite diverse and (generally) more chill when it comes to schools than North Arlington, which also happens to be one of the least diverse parts of the DC region. The classroom sizes will be in the middle of the range you described.

I would guess that coming from NY, OP wouldn't want to spend all her time in the car, which is the kind of life you'd lead in south arlington.

Do you live in SA? I’ve lived in both areas. Actually, car dependent is what describes north Arlington above Lee highway. South Arlington is far denser than most of NA and Columbia pike has express busses downtown with 5 minute headways during rush hour. Also very accessible to Alexandria by bus and bike. Give South Arlington a look. Unless you can afford to live within walking distance to the metro in NA, it’s no easier to get around up there than it is in south Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend that you look at Maryland rather than VA. Maryland has larger black and Jewish populations in its close-in suburbs, and is more traditionally friendly to both groups. You don't say where you work in DC, but many parts of Maryland are on the subway line. MoCo has excellent schools, and more private schools than NOVA, if that's the route you prefer.

This tired advice is about 50 years old, OP.

-NY Jew living in NoVa

[Anonymous]

^^^Plus, a commute from MD to Alexandria makes absolutely no sense. Might as well commute from Brooklyn. Dumb advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you would be happiest in South Arlington, which is quite diverse and (generally) more chill when it comes to schools than North Arlington, which also happens to be one of the least diverse parts of the DC region. The classroom sizes will be in the middle of the range you described.

OP, if schools are important to you, don't consider South Arlington. It's more diverse than North Arlington, but the schools are not that great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you choose to live in Arlington if you were working in Alexandria? Why not just live in Alexandria?

What is up with you people? OP clearly said schools are important and I don't know anyone from Arlington who would send their kids to Alexandria Public Schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, if your job is in Alexandria, I would suggest looking at schools in Fairfax County part of Alexandria. We live in 22310 and it's relatively diverse. It doesn't make sense to me to spend extra to live in Arlington (even south Arlington) if your job is closer to Alexandria. Our Fairfax County Public School pyramid isn't as good as some other parts of the county (see: McLean or Fairfax), but it's getting better. I'm expecting it to get much better in a few years after the new Amazon crowd arrives and either settles here or settles in Arlington and pushes more folks down our way.

There are communities in the City of Alexandria like Rosemont or Del Ray which are lovely (but not as diverse). But the schools aren't great, as others have noted. (Again, with Amazon arriving maybe that will change?)

Anyway. Good luck, I'm sure you'll find something great and welcome to the area!

Which schools are in your pyramid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park, MD
Silver Spring, MD

Capital Hill, DC

At least spell it correctly for OP: Capitol Hill, DC.

If you are coming from Park Slope/Prospect Park neighborhoods, the Hill is your best bet, including the commute to Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would recommend that you look at Maryland rather than VA. Maryland has larger black and Jewish populations in its close-in suburbs, and is more traditionally friendly to both groups. You don't say where you work in DC, but many parts of Maryland are on the subway line. MoCo has excellent schools, and more private schools than NOVA, if that's the route you prefer.


This tired advice is about 50 years old, OP.

-NY Jew living in NoVa

This "tired advice" is coming from someone who has lived in both MoCo and NOVA. I wasn't even alive 50 years ago.