Arlington losing families

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1

Rigor is gone! We still live in Arl but send our kids to private for all the reasons below. We would leave if it weren't for friends, sports, etc...and a super low mortgage rate!

I'm sure someone will respond with a nasty comment back, but arlington schools are not all they are hyped up to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted (NO), zero homework policy (TRUE in certain elementary schools), unlimited test retakes (NO, can retake if get below 80), and standards based grading (TRUE, again this is elementary schools). Rigor ELIMINATED (MAYBE but PROBABLY NO. You should check your facts before you say others are being lazy).

They're not. LOTS of families moved to private and then subsequently moved to less expensive areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

This is a house that's being replaced by a 6 unit apartment building using a MM permit. What do you think a young family in Arlington would prefer, this house and yard or a 2 bedroom unit in an apartment building for $1M? If I didn't already own, I'd probably move to Fairfax too.

https://redf.in/Cqyjaf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

This is a house that's being replaced by a 6 unit apartment building using a MM permit. What do you think a young family in Arlington would prefer, this house and yard or a 2 bedroom unit in an apartment building for $1M? If I didn't already own, I'd probably move to Fairfax too.

https://redf.in/Cqyjaf

+1 It's really frustrating. I wouldn't have an issue with the MM/EHO thing if it was limited to duplexes/townhouses. Allowing up to 4-6 units incentivizes building expensive 1-2 bedroom condos or rentals and there is no shortage of those in Arlington. A duplex/townhouse at least does fill that "missing" housing type that can be a bridge for a young family.

[Anonymous]

The best school pyramids in Fairfax have had a reputation, deserved or not, for being better than the best that Arlington has to offer for generations. This hasn’t changed. What also hasn’t changed is that outside of those pyramids (Langley and McLean) the school systems largely are interchangeable reputation wise.

What HAS changed are the differences in housing prices in the two jurisdictions. Arlington prices have risen higher and faster than Fairfax as a whole. Virtually no part of Arlington is affordable for young families seeking a single family home anymore. That is not the case in Fairfax.

For every family who moves out of Arlington “because of the schools” there are 100 who either want to move to a SFH in Arlington but can’t afford it or move out of Arlington because they can’t afford the house they want.

This is the reality of the situation. It’s only in the fantasy land of DCUM weirdos where people think that Arlington families are abandoning the County for Fairfax for school “rigor.” A small number may be abandoning Arlington’s public schools for private, sure, but they’re not moving to Fairfax for the public schools. They’re moving there because their housing dollar goes further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think that Arlington has become so rich, many more families send kids to private school -- it is about 50% of the families on my street. When we moved in 20 years ago, no one used private.

It's about 25% on my street in $$$$ neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best school pyramids in Fairfax have had a reputation, deserved or not, for being better than the best that Arlington has to offer for generations. This hasn’t changed. What also hasn’t changed is that outside of those pyramids (Langley and McLean) the school systems largely are interchangeable reputation wise.

What HAS changed are the differences in housing prices in the two jurisdictions. Arlington prices have risen higher and faster than Fairfax as a whole. Virtually no part of Arlington is affordable for young families seeking a single family home anymore. That is not the case in Fairfax.

For every family who moves out of Arlington “because of the schools” there are 100 who either want to move to a SFH in Arlington but can’t afford it or move out of Arlington because they can’t afford the house they want.

This is the reality of the situation. It’s only in the fantasy land of DCUM weirdos where people think that Arlington families are abandoning the County for Fairfax for school “rigor.” A small number may be abandoning Arlington’s public schools for private, sure, but they’re not moving to Fairfax for the public schools. They’re moving there because their housing dollar goes further.

AKA Republicans pushing faux hysterics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have any homework in our elementary school in north arlington. And very little in middle.

So you are incorrect!! Most elementarys in arlington do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

Do you actually have a kid in APS? Clearly not.

Because they haven’t eliminated gifts and kids still get homework. And there are not unlimited test retakes.

Stop spreading misinformation.

Some ES schools eliminating homework does not mean that APS eliminated homework. Stop spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

The issue is that Arlington is getting richer-- therefore the families are becoming more entitled and believe their kids "deserve" more. There is a direct correlation. As a teacher who has worked across the county, I can honestly say the level of entitled parents in some richer schools is through the roof. The rigor isn't gone-- the families are just changing and the expectations are unrealistic for a public school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that Arlington is getting richer-- therefore the families are becoming more entitled and believe their kids "deserve" more. There is a direct correlation. As a teacher who has worked across the county, I can honestly say the level of entitled parents in some richer schools is through the roof. The rigor isn't gone-- the families are just changing and the expectations are unrealistic for a public school district.

I'm not any richer than I was before Covid, but have found a big shift in APS from trying to differentiate to challenge all learners pre-pandemic, to a notion that APS's job is to teach to the standards following the pandemic. For a while this was based on huge learning loss gaps that needed to be filled, with lots of kids needing extra support, but now it seems just to be generally acceptable not to go beyond the standards. There has been a mindset shift, at least at my kids' elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also think that Arlington has become so rich, many more families send kids to private school -- it is about 50% of the families on my street. When we moved in 20 years ago, no one used private.

It's about 25% on my street in $$$$ neighborhood.

I'm probably is a slightly less $$$ N Arlington neighborhood, but don't know more than a couple kids in private except for those needing special supports and lower ratios (e.g., dyslexia or severe ADHD). What private schools are kids moving to from APS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

WRONG. The percentages I posted are taken from the approved permits on the county site that you linked. Only 15% of approved permits are for duplexes. About 50% of permits are for 4-6 plexes.

[Anonymous]

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

WRONG. The percentages I posted are taken from the approved permits on the county site that you linked. Only 15% of approved permits are for duplexes. About 50% of permits are for 4-6 plexes.

I'm right. Look at the link.

There are 14 duplex/TH/semi-detached approved projects. And 13 MF (10 6-plex). 14 > 13

10 D/T/S are proposed and 8 MF. 10 > 8

I'll be waiting patiently for your apology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?