Oyster families: where can people live moderately in Woodley?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, people renting a two bedroom in Oyster, you will rent from K-8, for $3k/mo? Do you feel like there is a downside to not owning a home and putting money towards a mortgage? Is it hard to save for college? I know these things are all relative, but just having trouble picturing renting for 10 years, no matter how awesome the school.

It's a lot easier if you are only paying $1900-2300 per month. I think the only folks who stay that long are the ones who have the few, coveted, rent controlled apartments.

There are more of these types of units farther up Connecticut, by the way. But they aren't in the Oyster boundary, and the rent advantage to the market isn't as stark.

Do they make people re-lottery in after moving OOB now? That was mentioned on another thread, but no one has ever stated they had to do it, so it seems like an empty threat? Though not sure I want to be the tester...

It's at the principal's discretion. The "move OOB and then try your luck in the lottery" policy is posted on Oyster's website, as well as near the door in the front office. If someone wants to try that strategy, they should just be prepared for the consequences. It may work out, but it may not. If it doesn't work, make sure you have a back-up school ready...or the means to move back IB.

It would be fool hardy to think you could lottery back in. But has anyone been forced to do that? No one can give an example it seems.

I don't know anyone who has been made to re-lottery. That doesn't mean that it hasn't happened, and it certainly doesn't mean that it can't happen. Not every (current or former) Oyster parent is on DCUM. And perhaps a family that had to re-lottery prefers to keep that (identifying info.) to themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


It's at the principal's discretion. The "move OOB and then try your luck in the lottery" policy is posted on Oyster's website, as well as near the door in the front office. If someone wants to try that strategy, they should just be prepared for the consequences. It may work out, but it may not. If it doesn't work, make sure you have a back-up school ready...or the means to move back IB.

It would be fool hardy to think you could lottery back in. But has anyone been forced to do that? No one can give an example it seems.

No hard info or examples, but based on what I have heard about the dynamics of the school, it would depend on when you moved. If your kid was in early elementary, say up to 2nd or 3rd grade, they might not let you stay because they are full to the gills up to then. But if you moved in say 5th-6th, when a lot of neighborhood kids are peeling off for Deal, you probably have a greater chance of being able to stay. Again, that's based on intuition, not any specific information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, people renting a two bedroom in Oyster, you will rent from K-8, for $3k/mo? Do you feel like there is a downside to not owning a home and putting money towards a mortgage? Is it hard to save for college? I know these things are all relative, but just having trouble picturing renting for 10 years, no matter how awesome the school.

It's a lot easier if you are only paying $1900-2300 per month. I think the only folks who stay that long are the ones who have the few, coveted, rent controlled apartments.

There are more of these types of units farther up Connecticut, by the way. But they aren't in the Oyster boundary, and the rent advantage to the market isn't as stark.

Do they make people re-lottery in after moving OOB now? That was mentioned on another thread, but no one has ever stated they had to do it, so it seems like an empty threat? Though not sure I want to be the tester...

It's at the principal's discretion. The "move OOB and then try your luck in the lottery" policy is posted on Oyster's website, as well as near the door in the front office. If someone wants to try that strategy, they should just be prepared for the consequences. It may work out, but it may not. If it doesn't work, make sure you have a back-up school ready...or the means to move back IB.

It would be fool hardy to think you could lottery back in. But has anyone been forced to do that? No one can give an example it seems.

I don't know anyone who has been made to re-lottery. That doesn't mean that it hasn't happened, and it certainly doesn't mean that it can't happen. Not every (current or former) Oyster parent is on DCUM. And perhaps a family that had to re-lottery prefers to keep that (identifying info.) to themselves.

Btw, I heard that the principal had never enforced the Spanish-dominant requirement (via the SD lottery) UNTIL last year. There were a few English-speaking families who lied about their barely bilingual (via preschool) kids' language dominance. Their kids were tested after being admitted to Oyster, and the truth came out. Unfortunately for those families, they tested the rules and it didn't work out. Are you feeling lucky?

[Anonymous]

I live in a $1,600 a month rent controlled apartment that would jump to $3,000 a month if I moved out. Rent controlled apartments have rent increases in the 4% range. Not great rent control in my book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in a $1,600 a month rent controlled apartment that would jump to $3,000 a month if I moved out. Rent controlled apartments have rent increases in the 4% range. Not great rent control in my book.

other leases can go up by 12% each year in DC, is 4% not enough for you? my goodness!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in a $1,600 a month rent controlled apartment that would jump to $3,000 a month if I moved out. Rent controlled apartments have rent increases in the 4% range. Not great rent control in my book.

Such an increase is very likely not legal. Under most circumstances, a new tenant allows the owner to increase rent by 10%, or up to 30% if there are comparable rent controlled units with higher rent in the building.

But it gets very complicated because there are carve-outs for major capital improvements, owner hardships, etc. There is also the strange situation in which some units in a building are rent controlled, and others aren't. There are a few attorneys who make a very good living because of all of this complication.

http://dhcd.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dhcd/publication/attachments/RentControlFactSheet2013.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Oh, there is one other rowhouse on the market on that street, but I didn't see it because it's "by appointment only." Maybe the $2.5 million dollar price tag has something to do with it.

guess you have to be in the 1% for Oyster if you are not a spanish speaker.

This is silly. 1000+ squ. ft. condos and co-ops with two bedrooms can be had for 450K+. Lots of Oyster families live this way, even with 2 kids. Apartment living is NORMAL in cities, and kids may share bedrooms even in suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Oh, there is one other rowhouse on the market on that street, but I didn't see it because it's "by appointment only." Maybe the $2.5 million dollar price tag has something to do with it.

guess you have to be in the 1% for Oyster if you are not a spanish speaker.

This is silly. 1000+ squ. ft. condos and co-ops with two bedrooms can be had for 450K+. Lots of Oyster families live this way, even with 2 kids. Apartment living is NORMAL in cities, and kids may share bedrooms even in suburbs.

i live in the Oyster neighborhood and i have NO ideas where all of these condos of which you speak are located. you are overstating the square footage and understating the price.

[Anonymous]

The two bedroom condos/apartments on the second and third floors of the Kalorama Mews buildings on the north side of Biltmore Street are inside the Oyster boundary. Check out buildings and rentals inside the boundary in that wedge of Kalorama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Oh, there is one other rowhouse on the market on that street, but I didn't see it because it's "by appointment only." Maybe the $2.5 million dollar price tag has something to do with it.

guess you have to be in the 1% for Oyster if you are not a spanish speaker.

This is silly. 1000+ squ. ft. condos and co-ops with two bedrooms can be had for 450K+. Lots of Oyster families live this way, even with 2 kids. Apartment living is NORMAL in cities, and kids may share bedrooms even in suburbs.

i live in the Oyster neighborhood and i have NO ideas where all of these condos of which you speak are located. you are overstating the square footage and understating the price.

+1. Prior PP: Please let everyone know where we can find 1,000+ sq. ft. condos that are IB for Oyster for about $450,000. Please list buildings/addresses...we are all ears.

[Anonymous]

The 2-bedrooms in Kalorama Triangle's pre-war buildings go for 450-550k, except perhaps for the fanciest buildings. Among these condos and co-ops, some are 1000-1200 squ. feet.

I don't know how often they come on the market these days, but that's what we'd expect to ours to bring in. I do know that when these apartments sell, the buyers are families with kids looking to buy in-bounds for Oyster/Deal/Wilson without sacrificing their souls to UpperNW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Oh, there is one other rowhouse on the market on that street, but I didn't see it because it's "by appointment only." Maybe the $2.5 million dollar price tag has something to do with it.

guess you have to be in the 1% for Oyster if you are not a spanish speaker.

This is silly. 1000+ squ. ft. condos and co-ops with two bedrooms can be had for 450K+. Lots of Oyster families live this way, even with 2 kids. Apartment living is NORMAL in cities, and kids may share bedrooms even in suburbs.

i live in the Oyster neighborhood and i have NO ideas where all of these condos of which you speak are located. you are overstating the square footage and understating the price.

I find that many Woodley Park matrons know very little about our side of the bridge. "Impossible to park" or something like that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ Oh, there is one other rowhouse on the market on that street, but I didn't see it because it's "by appointment only." Maybe the $2.5 million dollar price tag has something to do with it.

guess you have to be in the 1% for Oyster if you are not a spanish speaker.

This is silly. 1000+ squ. ft. condos and co-ops with two bedrooms can be had for 450K+. Lots of Oyster families live this way, even with 2 kids. Apartment living is NORMAL in cities, and kids may share bedrooms even in suburbs.

i live in the Oyster neighborhood and i have NO ideas where all of these condos of which you speak are located. you are overstating the square footage and understating the price.

I find that many Woodley Park matrons know very little about our side of the bridge. "Impossible to park" or something like that...

i am the PP. i rent a condo. i find that DCUMers know very little about me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 2-bedrooms in Kalorama Triangle's pre-war buildings go for 450-550k, except perhaps for the fanciest buildings. Among these condos and co-ops, some are 1000-1200 squ. feet.

I don't know how often they come on the market these days, but that's what we'd expect to ours to bring in. I do know that when these apartments sell, the buyers are families with kids looking to buy in-bounds for Oyster/Deal/Wilson without sacrificing their souls to UpperNW.

Come off it. You don't sacrifice your soul moving 1 mile north. is that what you really think of other people?

[Anonymous]

I can think of a couple of nice row houses that have been converted to condos in the last year in Kalorama Triangle. You may want to check out these, as well as the larger apartment/condo buildings where 800 square feet can be got for about $400 k. Just be sure to be on the Oyster side of Kalorama Rd.