What is the value added proposition for living in the District?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

"world class playground?" When did the rankings come out?

Do you have any idea how ridiculous this makes you sound?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You haven't noticed that people can walk to restaurants?

Because DC is the ONLY place in the metro area where you can walk to restaurants. It's also the ONLY place in the metro area where there are any jobs.

23:47, would you settle for a 2BR condo or do you need at least a 3BR townhouse? If the former, then there's plenty of places in North Arlington and Falls Church for you. If you need a 3BR townhouse or more, then you'll need South Arlington or Alexandria, neither of which are known for their stellar public schools.

Past that, it's just populated by barbarian tribes like the Vienni, Rokvilligae, Fairfaces, Gaitorburgi, or their vastly uncivilized cousins like the Herdonni, Restoniae, Manasses, and Sterlingi. Consul Obama really needs to send out a punitive expedition into Laudaunia or Fredericum again, the triumph of Pelosia Magna four years ago apparently did not teach them a lesson and Iannus Boenerius is blockading things within the Senate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

"world class playground?" When did the rankings come out?

Do you have any idea how ridiculous this makes you sound?

Yeah, playing in a playground with drug needles builds character or something. (OK I will concede that world-class playground sounds a bit conceited; I don't know if she is in a perfectly OK just east of the park area, an area that might not be for everyone, or thought Trinidad's revival was just around the corner.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

Again, there are drawbacks to every neighborhood. It is a matter of personal preference (which is tied to the needs of your individual child). For me, I don't feel like I am short-changing my child at all by raising him downtown. In fact, I believe that it is very advantageous. It is true, however, that there are not good public schools or playgrounds here. This is a problem. Once my child is old enough to go to elementary school, I will need to pay for it. I can afford to do so, so I will. If I could not afford to do so, then my tolerance for this area would be lower. There are groups working on getting a playground downtown, and I would encourage people to join this effort. In the meantime, my child gets a lot of exercise at his school playground, walking around (he generally walks 1-3 miles a day, and he asks for more - yesterday after school, for example, we walked all around the tidal basin with one of his friends and then stopped for dinner on the way home, a wonderful afternoon for all of us), scheduled activities, the Wilson aquatic center, the building museum, camping in the warmer months, and at playgrounds when we find ourselves in different neighborhoods. I will not allow my child to play on the unsafe playgrounds that are in somewhat nearby neighborhoods, but on a nice day, we will walk to Stead Park or take the metro/circulator to other parks. Mostly though, we engage in the seasonal activities that are available on the mall or in the local museums and theatres, often with other families so that the kids can play together.

For us, the advantages of living downtown far outweigh the disadvantages. I can completely understand how others would have different priorities. It does take a bit more effort to engage in the child-friendly activities, but they are abundant and spectacular if you make the effort (and I do!). And, living downtown is expensive (I don't think we could afford to do it with two children, but we only have one, so we can). But, it is unfair to insinuate that those who of us make this decision are shortchanging our children.

[Anonymous]

"Because DC is the ONLY place in the metro area where you can walk to restaurants. It's also the ONLY place in the metro area where there are any jobs. "

Silly me, I live in Clarendon and *thought* I walked to restaurants. I also work in Arlington, which makes your second sentence also untrue.

[Anonymous]

Bashing DC is usually just coded racism. I doubt the PP has ever traveled east of the park, so glad you stay away from my neighborhood because I don't want my children surrounded by bigots like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

Maybe you live in a crappy east-of-park neighborhood, but for the benefit of those not so familiar with the city, can you not paint the majority of DC with such a broad stroke? And, don't know where you've been looking as an alternative, but Silver Spring fits the bill for family friendly at $2600/mo.

[Anonymous]

I live in DC. We lived in Washington when we met in our 20s, bought our 1st house in North Arlington, bought our 2nd house in DC after 5 years. We made about 120% on our first house when we sold it (right before the bubble burst or no way would we have made that much) and our beautiful old house in DC hasn't lost any value in the housing slump. We vastly prefer living in DC-proper. There are many reasons, although we don't truly live in "the city," we live in NW, in the neighborhoods around Foxhall Rd, not exactly downtown city living. We have a decent yard and our house and yard have charm and character with old growth trees and shrubs and perennials. I dont have to sit on bridges waiting for traffic to move anymore. My job is in DC, my kids go to private schools in DC (we always planned on private regardless of where we lived and this horrified many of our N.Arlington neigbors), our doctors are all in DC, our kids' friends and activites are all here (or in close-in MD). I think the area we live in is by far the prettiest area in the DC metro region and it is incredibly convenient to everything in my life.

For what it is worth, I was driving in Bethesda yesterday and the road was a mess. Potholes, bad road patches, and excess gravel everywhere. VA has its fair share of these conditions, too. I dont know why people think DC streets are any worse than those in VA or MD. Our garbage and recycling is always picked up on time, our mailcarrier is prompt and friendly, we can walk to restaurants that we love, lots of farmer markets, there are good playgrounds with turf fields and good tracks for the kids, going to the national mall or museums on weekends is a breeze as is anything at Verizon Center and the Kennedy Center. Really, what could be better???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you really think about it, there is none. High crime, high taxes, very very flawed political system, one party state (no checks and balances), poor services, high cost of living (even when compared to just across the line), high number of poor people leeching off services, etc etc. Not to be a District basher but what do you get from living there except some novelty social climbing, but even, most of the "people you should know" live in Potomac or Mclean/Great Falls.

Walk to everything, including work. DD walks a half block to her E.S. We know all (60 or so) neighbors on our block. Zero time spent commuting every week. I find suburban sprawl and the shopping center culture crushingly depressing--it literally leaves me at the point of tears. Hmm. What else? Services are better than at my folks' neighborhood in MoCo. Mass exodus of poor people to the suburbs means that things will only get better and better in comparison to the 'burbs. Excellent topic, though.

Who are these "people you should know" exactly, speaking of "social climbing?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:--Short commute so more time with family
--Walkable to shops, restaurants, amenities, parks, etc.
--Great neighbors from all different backgrounds
--Easy access to museums, sporting events, culture, music, history, etc.
--Character
--Most of our friends live within a 10-minute walk

I lived in NW (Dupont, then moved to the "burbs" of Cleveland Park and Woodley Park) for fifteen years. I was like many on this board, who looked down on people who lived in Maryland or Virginia, much less *gasp* outside the beltway. Then I moved to close-in Virginia, and realized what a fool I'd been -- I have an as short, if not shorter, commute, all of the amenities listed above (I live about the same distance from the metro as I did in DC), and do not have to pay extra taxes to a ridiculously corrupt, inept city government (just a mildly stupid city government). The little secret is that the commute from NW DC is not that great, unless you live in Woodley or Cleveland Park right near Connecticut and work around Farrugut North (which I did, at one time), and that's on a good day. When I worked near Capitol Hill, the commute was a nightmare of gridlock (and the traffic is worse now than when I was doing it). If I took the Metro, I had to change trains, so it wasn't any faster. One immutable law of Washington is that everyone lies about the length of their commute, and that includes folks (outside of the category listed above) who say their commute from NW is "20 minutes." Yeah, it is -- at midnight.

Pretty funny that PP thinks DC residents "look down on people who live in MD and VA. Inevitably someone starts a contentious thread about how "DC is a Shithole", then is shocked when folks defend their neighborhood in less than gentle terms. The sense of victimhood coupled with bullying is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

"world class playground?" When did the rankings come out?

Do you have any idea how ridiculous this makes you sound?

Almost as dumb as the incredibly outdated viewpoint that the West side of "RCPW" is some sort of magical fairy-land, and the "East side of RCPW" is some sort of dystopic Hellscape. That's frankly idiotic, if nothing else than because it ignores the existence of Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

OP are you for real? Why live in this area if you're not living in DC? Save your money and move to Iowa. As for your crazy premise that I need to "know people" in Potomac and McLean? Gross -- just a bunch of law firm partners and SAHMs...no diversity except for rich Indian doctors.

I love, love, love DC! I walk everywhere or take the public transportation from my lovely and convenient G'town home where I can walk to movies, work, restaurants, GWU and G'town. Get a real life and get away from those nasty, narrow-minded burbs lady!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you for real? Why live in this area if you're not living in DC? Save your money and move to Iowa. As for your crazy premise that I need to "know people" in Potomac and McLean? Gross -- just a bunch of law firm partners and SAHMs...no diversity except for rich Indian doctors.

I love, love, love DC! I walk everywhere or take the public transportation from my lovely and convenient G'town home where I can walk to movies, work, restaurants, GWU and G'town. Get a real life and get away from those nasty, narrow-minded burbs lady!

Yes, Georgetown, bastion of diversity.

[Anonymous]

G'town sure beats Potomac and McLean pp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. But it depends on where in the District you live. If you are on the West side of RCPW, and you have kids, it's a wonderful combination of good schools, family friendly neighborhoods, relatively short commute, and good restaurants, wonderful museums and culture just steps away. If you live on the East side of RCPW, then it's really another story. Although the museums, culture and restaurants are equally accessible, and the commute is great, these neighborhoods are not family friendly and the schools are not good, and as someone wiht kids, I often feel I am short-changing my kids and family. There is not a whole lot of value added when what we most value is our children and our children cannot even go to the local playground because it's sketchy..... or attend the local school because it's well.... yes, sketchy. When I was single or just married, but no kids, it didn't matter. Back then, I didn't even know where the playgrounds or schools were, but with kids, your values and focus changes, obviously. And now I value being able to walk to a world class playground, have my kids attend a great local public school, that would make our lives so much better. I will say that I am not willing to go back to wasting my life away commuting 1-2 hrs/day, SO where can you move close-in Virginia or Maryland, or family friendly neighborhood in DC for approx $2,600/month mortgage/rent?

"world class playground?" When did the rankings come out?

Do you have any idea how ridiculous this makes you sound?

Almost as dumb as the incredibly outdated viewpoint that the West side of "RCPW" is some sort of magical fairy-land, and the "East side of RCPW" is some sort of dystopic Hellscape. That's frankly idiotic, if nothing else than because it ignores the existence of Capitol Hill.

Seriously. PP needs to see the recently released census figures. Gentrification has come a long way since many of our fellow DCUMs last ventured east of the park (or anywhere else they can't easily park their SUVs/ minivans) for anything other than their downtown offices. Eastern Market probably is on their radars, though, since it was gentrified in an earlier wave.