Work on the Hill and downtown, where to live?

[Anonymous]

Looking to make a move from our current location, have a child to enter into the DCPS pre-school lottery for the 2014/15 school year, though obviously would not count on getting a spot. Would love to have public school be an option for at least elementary school, with the understanding we would likely have to find other options for middle and high school.

Budget is roughly $800K and am hoping to find a 3 bdrm 2 bath place.

Would ideally like to cut our commutes from our current residence slightly outside the Beltway in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County, which takes an hour each way driving to and taking Metro.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to look?

[Anonymous]

800K will buy a 3bd 2 bath Capitol Hill rowhouse. Pick one in-bounds to the elementary school of your choice but be prepared if middle/high school doesn't work out.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Live on the hill -- buy in-bounds for Brent (nicer part of the hill) or Maury (somewhat less nice part of the hill, but still OK, and cheaper).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Live on the hill -- buy in-bounds for Brent (nicer part of the hill) or Maury (somewhat less nice part of the hill, but still OK, and cheaper).

PP here - this is funny! Just moved from near Brent to near Maury and I agree completely!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that's sort of where I was leaning, but wasn't sure if I missed any other areas that would work.

Now to get my house on the market and hope we don't take as big a hit from what we paid as I think we will. Stupidly bought in 2007 before kids were really even a consideration and didn't realize how much the commute would kill us post-kid.

[Anonymous]

Another Hill resident--ditto above. We aren't in-bounds for either; we just lucked into SWS a few years ago. But if I were moving to the Hill now, I'd aim for those two. Or the Cluster. But there are lots of good options on the Hill and $800,000 will get you a nice house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Live on the hill -- buy in-bounds for Brent (nicer part of the hill) or Maury (somewhat less nice part of the hill, but still OK, and cheaper).

PP here - this is funny! Just moved from near Brent to near Maury and I agree completely!

Definitely Maury.


Also, calling it "less nice" is possibly true in the STRICTEST sense of the phrase, but it's still really VERY nice. I would give my left arm to be able to afford to live in bounds for Maury.

[Anonymous]

Also, calling it "less nice" is possibly true in the STRICTEST sense of the phrase, but it's still really VERY nice.

PP#1 - True, in terms of "nice," but the Brent area has more going on that is walkable and is more convenient to metrorail. Less options below 800K for a house, too, I would think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Also, calling it "less nice" is possibly true in the STRICTEST sense of the phrase, but it's still really VERY nice.

PP#1 - True, in terms of "nice," but the Brent area has more going on that is walkable and is more convenient to metrorail. Less options below 800K for a house, too, I would think.

I guess the question is whether you'd rather be near Barrack's Row and the Eastern Market metro station, or H Street and the streetcar. Nice to have such tough choices!

[Anonymous]

For free schools ARlington near Ballston metro should work for your price. If you are a good shopper and move in the school year, maybe even closer in. Walk to metro and both of you should be to work in 40 minutes door to door. Alt, drive in together early, you park on the hill and the other metro downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For free schools ARlington near Ballston metro should work for your price. If you are a good shopper and move in the school year, maybe even closer in. Walk to metro and both of you should be to work in 40 minutes door to door. Alt, drive in together early, you park on the hill and the other metro downtown.

40 minutes is not, IMO, a short commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For free schools ARlington near Ballston metro should work for your price. If you are a good shopper and move in the school year, maybe even closer in. Walk to metro and both of you should be to work in 40 minutes door to door. Alt, drive in together early, you park on the hill and the other metro downtown.

40 minutes is not, IMO, a short commute.

In everyone's opinion.

[Anonymous]

If the red line would suit you both for work, there are some houses near Tenley that could suit your needs, you will just have to wait and find the right one for an $800,000 budget. Elemtary schools are awesome, and you would be okay beyond that, too. Capital Hill is fine, but just wanted to throw that option out as well, if you had concerns about safety, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would kill for a 40 minute commute.

[Anonymous]

Definitely live on the hill. Getting to the hill from the western burbs (even arlington) is torture. Union Station side of the hill opens up eastern red line possibilities of takoma park or silver spring, which fit with your budget.