How hard is is in DC if you're not zoned for a good school, really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my personal calculations, if I needed to buy a house in DC that required daily use of a car to get to schools, pharmacy, coffee shops, WORK , I would not continue to live in the city. The largely car free lifestyle is the key thing that offsets the public school madness for me. I also look toward the future when my teenagers will be able to walk, bike, metro to wherever they need to be.

If your kids get mugged at school or outside your home it might change your mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my personal calculations, if I needed to buy a house in DC that required daily use of a car to get to schools, pharmacy, coffee shops, WORK , I would not continue to live in the city. The largely car free lifestyle is the key thing that offsets the public school madness for me. I also look toward the future when my teenagers will be able to walk, bike, metro to wherever they need to be.

That is fine. The problem is the poster implied that only DuPont and downtown were areas that you can live car free (or urban vs suburban which was original discussion) I would have to disagree as there are many many more areas that you can live car free including Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, already mentioned Shepherd Park (Ga avenue), parts of petworth, parts of Cap Hill, Ledroit, Eckington etc....

[Anonymous]

We lived in Adams Morgan without a car and now live downtown. Bought a car to get our kid to and from his charter, over an hour to get to by metro and bus but 10 minutes by car. The only saving grace is we can walk to work, stores, etc. The urban lifestyle without a car in DC isn't possible with kids.

[Anonymous]

At least if your in boundary school sucks like ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least if your in boundary school sucks like ours.

I've known many people who were car-free who bought a car when the 1st or 2nd kid came along. If your kid is in daycare you face this problem sooner than later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Adams Morgan ithout a car and now live downtown. Bought a car to get our kid to and from his charter, over an hour to get to by metro and bus but 10 minutes by car. The only saving grace is we can walk to work, stores, etc. The urban lifestyle without a car in DC isn't possible with kids.

Statements like this set me off. CLEARLY a carless lifestyle is possible but requires trade offs. I have children at three different schools spread around the city and a typical day does not involve a car to get them there. Our choice of schools heavily weighed this outcome. We passes up a clearly better school option for one that is just ok so no car transport was needed now or in the future. Not judging your choices, just pointing out that your final blanket is not, by any means, true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Adams Morgan ithout a car and now live downtown. Bought a car to get our kid to and from his charter, over an hour to get to by metro and bus but 10 minutes by car. The only saving grace is we can walk to work, stores, etc. The urban lifestyle without a car in DC isn't possible with kids.

Statements like this set me off. CLEARLY a carless lifestyle is possible but requires trade offs. I have children at three different schools spread around the city and a typical day does not involve a car to get them there. Our choice of schools heavily weighed this outcome. We passes up a clearly better school option for one that is just ok so no car transport was needed now or in the future. Not judging your choices, just pointing out that your final blanket is not, by any means, true.

Really? You really passed up a better school option because you didn't feel like getting a car? Yes, I'm judging.

Please don't come crying back to this board when your school goes to pieces. We're making choices now for our children's future.

I would never choose a second tier school because I didn't want to get a car in the city.

[Anonymous]

Having lived in the DC area for over 40 years now...you can't bank on DC schools getting better in 5year or even 10.

The schools were ok for a while when people wanted to live in the City, then people moved out the schools sucked and then people moved back in and the schools were ok BUT part of that is now attributed to charter schools.

So in 40 years the City schools never really improved to a point that anyone is going to put them on par with the surrounding suburban area schools.

A more important question might be what is the future of charter schools and will their role stay the same, falter, grow, etc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Adams Morgan ithout a car and now live downtown. Bought a car to get our kid to and from his charter, over an hour to get to by metro and bus but 10 minutes by car. The only saving grace is we can walk to work, stores, etc. The urban lifestyle without a car in DC isn't possible with kids.

Statements like this set me off. CLEARLY a carless lifestyle is possible but requires trade offs. I have children at three different schools spread around the city and a typical day does not involve a car to get them there. Our choice of schools heavily weighed this outcome. We passes up a clearly better school option for one that is just ok so no car transport was needed now or in the future. Not judging your choices, just pointing out that your final blanket is not, by any means, true.

Really? You really passed up a better school option because you didn't feel like getting a car? Yes, I'm judging.

Please don't come crying back to this board when your school goes to pieces. We're making choices now for our children's future.

I would never choose a second tier school because I didn't want to get a car in the city.

I own a car, just don't want to use it on a daily basis. And this discussion highlights how we all value things differently. My choice about my kids future involves lessons around community, choices and how living in an urban environment allows us to not drive and waste resources if we plan carefully. Not trying to be sanctimonious, just pointing out that we all reason differently. My kids will be just fine, and so will yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Adams Morgan ithout a car and now live downtown. Bought a car to get our kid to and from his charter, over an hour to get to by metro and bus but 10 minutes by car. The only saving grace is we can walk to work, stores, etc. The urban lifestyle without a car in DC isn't possible with kids.

Statements like this set me off. CLEARLY a carless lifestyle is possible but requires trade offs. I have children at three different schools spread around the city and a typical day does not involve a car to get them there. Our choice of schools heavily weighed this outcome. We passes up a clearly better school option for one that is just ok so no car transport was needed now or in the future. Not judging your choices, just pointing out that your final blanket is not, by any means, true.

Really? You really passed up a better school option because you didn't feel like getting a car? Yes, I'm judging.

Please don't come crying back to this board when your school goes to pieces. We're making choices now for our children's future.

I would never choose a second tier school because I didn't want to get a car in the city.

NP. Why are you judging her choices, have you asked yourself that? Does she need to make the same decisions as you, so that you can feel validated? It takes all kinds in this big old world. Is it really so hard to just agree to disagree? Can you offer your opinion or advice and still keep your claws sheathed?

Sheesh. That's the thing about this board that drives me nuts.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree! People are SO judgemental not just in here but even in real life. I come across this NOW when I tell collegues/friends that I am moving from safe and quiet Loudoun County to Petworth and I will put my 2 chilren in public school there. I am happy about my decision.

[Anonymous]

OP, check out Hill East. there are some really good elementary schools, and a plan is being made to get the middle schools up to par. there are many, many dedicated parents who are making the schools better everyday. i'm one of them. we live 3 blocks from our DCPS so we are in and out all the time, as are most of the parents in the neighborhood. we are investors and you will be, too. i agree that you should consider renting first, though, just so you know what you are getting into. but if you are looking for a diverse, urban environment, close to metro and downtown, you can't beat capitol hill. and there are still some bargains for nice homes in Hill East.

good luck! and stay true to yourself!

[Anonymous]

Hill East. there are some really good elementary schools,

do tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree! People are SO judgemental not just in here but even in real life. I come across this NOW when I tell collegues/friends that I am moving from safe and quiet Loudoun County to Petworth and I will put my 2 chilren in public school there. I am happy about my decision.

If you have kids you only live in petworth if you are going to do private. You are saving money on the location so private is the safest bet for your kids education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree! People are SO judgemental not just in here but even in real life. I come across this NOW when I tell collegues/friends that I am moving from safe and quiet Loudoun County to Petworth and I will put my 2 chilren in public school there. I am happy about my decision.

If you have kids you only live in petworth if you are going to do private. You are saving money on the location so private is the safest bet for your kids education.

I know a large number of parents who live in Petworth, love their kids, and send them to public or charter schools.