Is there an alternative DCUM-like forum for non-rich?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of us out here, OP. A couple of years ago I bought a house under $600K in North Arlington. I'm sure the sh*tshack poster would call it a sh*tshack. I love my house, though, and put up with it being older and not large because I like being closer to the city. I will never be able to afford new build, not anywhere I'd want to live, because I simply don't have $400K to knock my current house down and put up something else, and probably never will. I'm ok with that, though.

I hate that a couple of vocal new-build boosters here can overshadow the many of us who are perfectly happy with our older/renovated homes. They seem to think "new" is the way everyone lives, but when I read home magazines (like Better Homes & Gardens, not the super high-end ones), they showcase older homes with lots of character. Those homes are all over the country. All over the country, people are living happily in older, renovated homes. Some of the nicest, most desirable, most expensive neighborhoods in my Midwestern hometown are stately older homes, and the "cool" neighborhoods are also full of older homes. The new developments tend to be way out in the burbs there too.

And yes, if you do have a lower (compared to some) housing budget here, you do have to make sacrifices. For some, it means moving to Woodbridge for a big new house. For others, it means living in a smaller, older home in Arlington and doing work on it over the years. Life is all about compromises.

No one minds your sh*t shack as long as you don't try to go sniffing around their "Mcmansion". It is NOT only one side that needs to "reel it in"! Don't try to act like it is.

[Anonymous]

ask Jeff to make a 'poors' forum - you can talk about Target and stuff

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of us out here, OP. A couple of years ago I bought a house under $600K in North Arlington. I'm sure the sh*tshack poster would call it a sh*tshack. I love my house, though, and put up with it being older and not large because I like being closer to the city. I will never be able to afford new build, not anywhere I'd want to live, because I simply don't have $400K to knock my current house down and put up something else, and probably never will. I'm ok with that, though.

I hate that a couple of vocal new-build boosters here can overshadow the many of us who are perfectly happy with our older/renovated homes. They seem to think "new" is the way everyone lives, but when I read home magazines (like Better Homes & Gardens, not the super high-end ones), they showcase older homes with lots of character. Those homes are all over the country. All over the country, people are living happily in older, renovated homes. Some of the nicest, most desirable, most expensive neighborhoods in my Midwestern hometown are stately older homes, and the "cool" neighborhoods are also full of older homes. The new developments tend to be way out in the burbs there too.

And yes, if you do have a lower (compared to some) housing budget here, you do have to make sacrifices. For some, it means moving to Woodbridge for a big new house. For others, it means living in a smaller, older home in Arlington and doing work on it over the years. Life is all about compromises.

No one minds your sh*t shack as long as you don't try to go sniffing around their "Mcmansion". It is NOT only one side that needs to "reel it in"! Don't try to act like it is.

Hey Jeff, how many of these posts are by the same person?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/jforum.page?module=search&action=search&search_keywords=sh*tshack&match_type=all&search_forum=&sort_by=relevance

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/jforum.page?module=search&action=search&search_keywords=sh*t+shack&match_type=all&search_forum=&sort_by=relevance

[Anonymous]

^ drive a few miles to the VRE station (free parking) and arrive downtown DC in 25-30min. Kids walk to schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the NoVA forum on CityData for a more middle class perspective.

I don't like that you have to register in order to post.

[Anonymous]

speaking of houses under $500K: I like to see what is available in the more sought after school districts in the lower price ranges sometimes. I came across this one in Woodson, right around the corner from Olde Creek ES.

http://franklymls.com/FX8255521


^ drive a few miles to the VRE station (free parking) and arrive downtown DC in 25-30min. Kids walk to schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:speaking of houses under $500K: I like to see what is available in the more sought after school districts in the lower price ranges sometimes. I came across this one in Woodson, right around the corner from Olde Creek ES.

http://franklymls.com/FX8255521


^ drive a few miles to the VRE station (free parking) and arrive downtown DC in 25-30min. Kids walk to schools.

Huh, I would have thought you could get to metro from that location pretty easily, too? I know it isn't walking distance to Metro or anything, but are there busses?

Not discounting VRE - fine option if it takes you where you need to go.

I LOVE the kids walk to all school levels aspect. Not a lot of NoVA areas where this is an option. I live in one neighborhood where this is possible, this is another, and there might be one or two more (South Lakes, possibly South County?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish there was a website, a DCUM alternative, for people who are not rich. For people who buy under $650,000. Is there anyone else reading this forum who wants/needs to buy under-600,000? I wonder if a separate forum would be in order.

Honey, many of these folks are pretentious posers. The other half had mommy and daddy pay for their homes. Or they're like me they inherited their house through grandma. My house has been in my family for years. Don't let these folks on this forum fool you. I knew a lady who lived in a big house, but couldn't afford furniture. The so call rich that you assume are people who are drowning in debt and probably eating ramen noodles every night, but they get a high on projecting their insecurities about wealth onto tho others. You"ll be surprise how DC is full of "rich people" who need government assistance and social services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:speaking of houses under $500K: I like to see what is available in the more sought after school districts in the lower price ranges sometimes. I came across this one in Woodson, right around the corner from Olde Creek ES.

http://franklymls.com/FX8255521


^ drive a few miles to the VRE station (free parking) and arrive downtown DC in 25-30min. Kids walk to schools.

This is a great school feeder too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there was a website, a DCUM alternative, for people who are not rich. For people who buy under $650,000. Is there anyone else reading this forum who wants/needs to buy under-600,000? I wonder if a separate forum would be in order.

Honey, many of these folks are pretentious posers. The other half had mommy and daddy pay for their homes. Or they're like me they inherited their house through grandma. My house has been in my family for years. Don't let these folks on this forum fool you. I knew a lady who lived in a big house, but couldn't afford furniture. The so call rich that you assume are people who are drowning in debt and probably eating ramen noodles every night, but they get a high on projecting their insecurities about wealth onto tho others. You"ll be surprise how DC is full of "rich people" who need government assistance and social services.

Dumb. DC is a region full of educated, high-income folks. Because those incomes often are in professional and service sector jobs, people can be rather insecure, because the connections and contracts/engagements can dry up quickly, but the money and savings are real.

[Anonymous]

I make $95k and bought a fixer upper for $325k in NE DC. I hope I remain forever grateful that those two facts place me among the relatively well-off almost anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

I want a sub-form here called The Poors where I can discuss my low-income issues, and everyone with more money can come in and crap on me. It will give so many a reason to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moms Of South Arlington?

Jennifer. If we've told you once, we've told you twice, you cannot join MOSA until you move to South Arlington. The 22207 zip code does not qualify. So sorry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moms Of South Arlington?

Jennifer. If we've told you once, we've told you twice, you cannot join MOSA until you move to South Arlington. The 22207 zip code does not qualify. So sorry

No need to be such a bitch, Becky. You know I've been trying to unload this house in LV foreeeeever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moms Of South Arlington?

Jennifer. If we've told you once, we've told you twice, you cannot join MOSA until you move to South Arlington. The 22207 zip code does not qualify. So sorry

Huh? I'm not even a MONA member?