Teachers' favorite neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

We are at West and are happy. The parents of older children we've met are happy as well. We also have friends at Powell and those families are happy with the school as well. Yes, at this point the middle and high schools are a question mark but people are working hard to develop programs that parents want and will be successful.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but I get so tired of the continuous negative posts re: schools that people have 0 experience with. You can't have it both ways- wanting the "extras or oob" kids pulled out of the deal and Wilson feeders but then stating negatives about schools you have no experience with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which elementary/middle/high schools zoned for Petworth are good?

I'm thinking West and Powell in the context of this thread, which is "young kids" (see original post), and you (or a PP) said that the schools were "bad".
Some areas for West and Powell are also zoned for Deal, but MS / HS is a bigger unknown for most of the area.

Even Truesdell isn't a bad school. Just not popular with this crowd.

Personally, I think a teacher is more than qualified to check out any of those schools to see if they work for them.

[Anonymous]

hah, jinx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

[Anonymous]

OP, other PP's have suggested it as well - it might make sense to rent for a year, just to get a feel of where you want to be. A lot of people do that and rent apartments up and down Connecticut Ave, mainly because it's close to the metro and within relatively easy access to many WOTP elementary schools. Houses in that area are really expensive to buy, though (you can get a feel for that - look up real estate in zips 20008, 20015, 20016), so you may prefer to look in an area you may wish to live in longer term, although there are little pockets of deals if you are paying attention. Sometimes people buy without an agent, so getting to DC and putting yourself out there for a year might help.

Someone mentioned Glover Park - that's good, too. 20007.

A bunch of PP's have suggested EOTP areas as well, which are also good. I just don't know enough about them to offer knowledgable advice, so I leave that to them.

Not sure of your price range, but that might honestly dictate where you even start. DC is expensive, but you can do it if you are smart about it.

Good luck and welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

This one across from Shepherd Elem. looks reasonably nice and listed for 775K. However, agree these are rare--which may explain why it's under contract after 5 days on the market.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1406-Jonquil-St-NW-20012/home/10019619

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

This one across from Shepherd Elem. looks reasonably nice and listed for 775K. However, agree these are rare--which may explain why it's under contract after 5 days on the market.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1406-Jonquil-St-NW-20012/home/10019619

Tiny with no yard, but it's priced for a bidding war and I'd be surprised if it went for less than $825K. Also, they may as well move to the suburbs because they'll both need cars. Nearest transportation is the Georgia Avenue bus line half a mile away, and it would take about an hour to get down to Federal Triangle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, other PP's have suggested it as well - it might make sense to rent for a year, just to get a feel of where you want to be. A lot of people do that and rent apartments up and down Connecticut Ave, mainly because it's close to the metro and within relatively easy access to many WOTP elementary schools. Houses in that area are really expensive to buy, though (you can get a feel for that - look up real estate in zips 20008, 20015, 20016), so you may prefer to look in an area you may wish to live in longer term, although there are little pockets of deals if you are paying attention. Sometimes people buy without an agent, so getting to DC and putting yourself out there for a year might help.

Someone mentioned Glover Park - that's good, too. 20007.

A bunch of PP's have suggested EOTP areas as well, which are also good. I just don't know enough about them to offer knowledgable advice, so I leave that to them.

Not sure of your price range, but that might honestly dictate where you even start. DC is expensive, but you can do it if you are smart about it.

Good luck and welcome!

Renting for a year is a good idea if you are open to that. There are plenty of spacious (eg, 1000 sq feet) 2 bedroom apartments along Connecticut Ave for $2500-$2800 a month. All are walkable to a metro and would be an easy commute downtown for your husband on the red line. Schools from south to north are Oyster (Spanish immersion at Woodley Park metro), Eaton (Cleveland Park metro), Hearst (Van Ness metro) and Murch (Van Ness). All schools are excellent and starting in September 2016 you would almost certainly have a (free) pre-k spot for your 4 year old and kindergarten for your 5 year old -- 4 year old would get lottery preference bc there is an older sibling. Oyster and Murch are probably a bit more convenient as Eaton and Hearst are walkable from the metro, but much longer -- especially if you have to walk to the school and back to the metro. (Eg, Murch has tons of large apartment buildings within 2-3 blocks of the school so easy to drop your child off and walk to the metro). Hearst and Eaton are further into the residential neighborhoods. Another potential option is you can look for a 3 bedroom rental in McLean gardens and you will be zoned for Eaton or Hearst, not sure which.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

This one across from Shepherd Elem. looks reasonably nice and listed for 775K. However, agree these are rare--which may explain why it's under contract after 5 days on the market.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1406-Jonquil-St-NW-20012/home/10019619

Tiny with no yard, but it's priced for a bidding war and I'd be surprised if it went for less than $825K. Also, they may as well move to the suburbs because they'll both need cars. Nearest transportation is the Georgia Avenue bus line half a mile away, and it would take about an hour to get down to Federal Triangle.

I live on that block and commute near white house. The 16th Street bus line is under 2 blocks away. It takes me 30-40 minutes to commute down 16th (less time than my co-workers that bus from Cleveland Park and Petworth), hope to cut down even more if/when they make bus only line on 16th as anticpated. Also, some parts of SP are 5-7 blocks from red line metro (either Takoma or SS). There are a lot of rumors that SP is very isolated and it could be just lack of knowledge, but to say closest bus line half mile away is inacurate.

[Anonymous]

I live in SP, also work downtown. I walk from the edge of the neighborhood to SS metro in about 10 min (I'm a fast walker). Then my commute on the red line is about 20 min.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

This one across from Shepherd Elem. looks reasonably nice and listed for 775K. However, agree these are rare--which may explain why it's under contract after 5 days on the market.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1406-Jonquil-St-NW-20012/home/10019619

Tiny with no yard, but it's priced for a bidding war and I'd be surprised if it went for less than $825K. Also, they may as well move to the suburbs because they'll both need cars. Nearest transportation is the Georgia Avenue bus line half a mile away, and it would take about an hour to get down to Federal Triangle.

I live on that block and commute near white house. The 16th Street bus line is under 2 blocks away. It takes me 30-40 minutes to commute down 16th (less time than my co-workers that bus from Cleveland Park and Petworth), hope to cut down even more if/when they make bus only line on 16th as anticpated. Also, some parts of SP are 5-7 blocks from red line metro (either Takoma or SS). There are a lot of rumors that SP is very isolated and it could be just lack of knowledge, but to say closest bus line half mile away is inacurate.

I stand corrected. WMATA's trip planner showed Silver Spring Metro to be 18 minute walk and the nearest bus line on Georgia Avenue. I guess their unreliability goes beyond their people movers.

But for that distance from downtown, they could find something more affordable in Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

And don't take my comments on that house as not appreciating Shepherd Park as a desirable neighborhood - we looked there for quite some time before finding something more to our liking in 16th Street Heights. It's just that access to Deal is not the end all/be all and it really is somewhat removed from the city for newcomers. Not to mention expensive. And unless mom and both kids are all headed to the same place every morning, their commute issues won't end with husband's trip to Federal Triangle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Petworth/Park View is good for this, with two dual-language schools, short commute to several others, plenty of young families, and an easy commute downtown. We just sold our Petworth house to a young couple for $740K, to give you an idea of prices; our agent told us we only got that much because demand is high while inventory is low, and it could change in either direction soon.

So weird you say other people are out of touch... when you think this is normal? You could buy in Shepherd Park for that, and have much better school options.

You just confirmed how out of touch you are. There is absolutely nothing livable in Shepherd Park for under $800K. I can think of one house across the street from the school that's on the market for something in the low $700s, but it needs probably $150K worth of work.

I think the OP should rent for awhile and decide for herself what will work for her family. There's nothing affordable for purchase in the neighborhoods that most in this forum consider acceptable.

This one across from Shepherd Elem. looks reasonably nice and listed for 775K. However, agree these are rare--which may explain why it's under contract after 5 days on the market.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1406-Jonquil-St-NW-20012/home/10019619

Tiny with no yard, but it's priced for a bidding war and I'd be surprised if it went for less than $825K. Also, they may as well move to the suburbs because they'll both need cars. Nearest transportation is the Georgia Avenue bus line half a mile away, and it would take about an hour to get down to Federal Triangle.

I live on that block and commute near white house. The 16th Street bus line is under 2 blocks away. It takes me 30-40 minutes to commute down 16th (less time than my co-workers that bus from Cleveland Park and Petworth), hope to cut down even more if/when they make bus only line on 16th as anticpated. Also, some parts of SP are 5-7 blocks from red line metro (either Takoma or SS). There are a lot of rumors that SP is very isolated and it could be just lack of knowledge, but to say closest bus line half mile away is inacurate.

I stand corrected. WMATA's trip planner showed Silver Spring Metro to be 18 minute walk and the nearest bus line on Georgia Avenue. I guess their unreliability goes beyond their people movers.

But for that distance from downtown, they could find something more affordable in Silver Spring or Takoma Park.

And don't take my comments on that house as not appreciating Shepherd Park as a desirable neighborhood - we looked there for quite some time before finding something more to our liking in 16th Street Heights. It's just that access to Deal is not the end all/be all and it really is somewhat removed from the city for newcomers. Not to mention expensive. And unless mom and both kids are all headed to the same place every morning, their commute issues won't end with husband's trip to Federal Triangle.

Noted. I just wanted to point out that my commute is almost half of my co-workers in Petworth and Cleveland Park (via bus that is). Many are suggesting Petworth (same price as SP) and CP (more expensive). And at least for now, SP will have access to Deal/Wilson for OP's kids. I am on S line bus for about 7 minutes before we get to 16th St Heights (which we also love). I would also wager that SP ES is better than Takoma and SS (but that's subjective).

FYI My Trip Planner says:

From 1406JONQUIL ST NW to WHITE HOUSE on 10/23/2015
Itinerary 1
(approx 34 min transit)
Walk 0.21 mile W from 1406 JONQUIL ST NW to NW 16TH ST & NW JUNIPER ST

[Anonymous]

Noted. I just wanted to point out that my commute is almost half of my co-workers in Petworth and Cleveland Park (via bus that is). Many are suggesting Petworth (same price as SP) and CP (more expensive). And at least for now, SP will have access to Deal/Wilson for OP's kids. I am on S line bus for about 7 minutes before we get to 16th St Heights (which we also love). I would also wager that SP ES is better than Takoma and SS (but that's subjective).

I agree with you about Cleveland Park, but I don't know why people keep saying that Petworth has the same prices as Shepherd Park. That's never been true. Sure, you can now find newly flipped houses in Petworth for the same cost of a fixer-upper in SP, but I don't think the OP is looking for an $800K house on a $200K HHI and two kids.

[Anonymous]

The house on fernway in s p is listed at 675 and may go under that, since it's dated. I love how it's dated, and think that's a great location. It is also close to the silver spring 28 loop bus, which is free to downtown ss. No need at all for two cars.

That being said, the large lots and empty streets in sp can make sp feel more isolated than it is. If you like that, it's a good thing...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The house on fernway in s p is listed at 675 and may go under that, since it's dated. I love how it's dated, and think that's a great location. It is also close to the silver spring 28 loop bus, which is free to downtown ss. No need at all for two cars.

That being said, the large lots and empty streets in sp can make sp feel more isolated than it is. If you like that, it's a good thing...

Pretty sure you're the only person who likes the dating. Any other person would need $120-175k to gut/renovate. It does have potential.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1330-Fernway-Rd-NW-20012/home/10172422