i hate the dc burbs! are there ANY like philly or boston burbs?

[Anonymous]

I grew up on the Main Line and now live in Glover Park. It's not really the same thing at all but it works. In distance-from-the-city terms, Reston, Vienna and Potomac are about the same as the Radnor/Bryn Mawr area, and remind me of home, in their own way (esp Potomac). Of course, the commute time is much worse.

[Anonymous]

I think what the OP notices it that it is all sprawl here. There are no old-fashioned towns centered around a commuter RR station like in the NE suburbs. Instead all you get is mini-cities like Bethesda or Old Town, fake new "towns" like Reston or just areas that are strip mall after strip mall. I'm from the NY area and wish we had suburbs similar to the Westchester burbs here.

[Anonymous]

OP: Again, what you are looking for is INSIDE the District, as a few PP's have said. Don't be scared... give us a try. Glover Park has been mentioned a few times. Come and see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me, I'm glad the "DC 'burbs" aren't like Philly or Boston. I like the fact that we retain some regional variety in the good old USA, even in this age of a Starbucks on every corner and a Gap in every mall. There are plenty of great neighborhoods in this area, but some people are just blind to their charms because they are too busy comparing it wherever they are from. Unrealistic.

agree with this x 10000. it gets so old when people complain about not being able to find a neighborhood similar to Brooklyn, Boston, Philly, etc. Either move to the parts of the country you like or spend some time investigating what makes local areas unique. And despite the strip malls and starbucks, the DC area does have its own flavor if you take the time to explore it and learn a little about its history instead of using it as pitstop on your way to the next cooler town.

Thank you!

Seriously.

Love Boston? Be my guest and take a hike. Or find the good things about this area -there are many.

[Anonymous]

Clifton? Small but definitely its own main street, shops, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit that I can't stand the way the burbs are set up/built in DC.
Are there any burbs like the Main Line outside of Philly or outside of Boston? Older trees, walkable little towns of their own?

I live in near Potomac Village. It is rapidly being converted into the land of huge McMosques and other atrocities built by Niroo company. If they add any landscaping at all that is a huge plus. The village itself is dying as the Mom and Pop stores are priced out of the rent market and replaced by banks. How many banks does one little intersection need? It does seem like NoVa does a better job actually creating liveable neighborhoods but DH would never live in the South.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of tiny houses on huge lots here.

You won't see the huge houses on huge lots, all different, like you are accustomed to. Definitely won't see the number of trees. Absolutely won't see the education. And forget about the smiling faces.

Wait! Smiling faces in the Northeast? I thought New Englanders were sort of dour, insular and not friendly to new people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
OP, check out Rosemont and Beverly hills in Alexandria. You will love them.


Agree with this. And I would add the adjoining neighborhood of Del Ray, which is VERY walkable and has an awesome main street ("the Avenue") full of unique shops and restaurants. These are zips 22301, 22304, and 22305.


What about the schools, though? They're pretty bad, no?

The public schools in Alexandria are getting better and better. Visit Maury Elementary School (22301); you'll find an incredible neighborhood school with a diverse population of kids.

[Anonymous]

It is true that most of the little towns in the DC Suburbs have been usurped by strip malls and tract housing, but you can find elements and vestiges in places like old Rockville, Garrett Park, Kensington, Takoma Park, and as others have noted, Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, DC etc.

Yes it is not the same, but at the same time, it is, what it is.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick DC any day over Philly. Honestly, the entire PA state makes me depressed.

[Anonymous]

My sister lives on the Main Line, and I'm not a fan of Philly (except for their museums and the zoo). I liked Boston better, but I think DC is the best. If you want a town, I'd pick Falls Church, Alexandria or Vienna. All have a lot of community feel to them, and there are walkable areas, shops, festivals, etc. Falls Church and Vienna at least have very good schools too.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for close-in Silver Spring and Takoma Park. Lots of former Bostonians here.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Falls Church City or Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd pick DC any day over Philly. Honestly, the entire PA state makes me depressed.

That's rude and, frankly, ridiculous. (In fact, identical to all of the idiotic posters who talk about [insert hometown] being SOOOO much better than DC. Really? Then why did you pick up and leave, and more to the point, move here?) Philly is gorgeous and a wonderful city.

Anyway, I am from the suburbs of Philly (northeastern) and I don't know what you're talking about, OP -- from my memories of lots of tall trees, rolling hills, big and nice old homes, there is plenty of that where I live right now in North Arlington. Indeed, I am often struck by the similarities. You just need to look for older, more established suburbs closer into town or, as many posters have suggested, look in Upper Northwest DC, most of which looks and feels like the "older" suburbs of northeast cities. That said, these places are very expensive. Philadelphia and Boston have more reasonable prices on real estate than DC. Philly, in particular, is way undervalued.

To the poster that talked about "smiles" and "education" in Philly and Boston versus DC, are you on crack or have you just never been to these places? DC is far more educated than either of these cities (although Boston clearly takes the edge over Philly), and "smiles"? Northeasterners -- New Englanders in particular -- are not known for being friendly. And as a former Philadelphian, I can assure you that, with your condescending-bordering-on-delusional views, you'd be punched right out of any one of my town's sports stadiums. Twice if it were after the Blackhawks victory.

[Anonymous]

How's the job market in Philly and Boston? Robust and well diversified?