Best neighborhood for community feeling for young families near dc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We currently live and work in dc, and I never thought the suburbs would be appealing to me. I love so much about dc. That said, I crave an easier pace with more space. I’d love to look out a window into trees. I’d love to play in a backyard instead of pack up for the park every once in a while. City living is just feeling hard lately with kids.

What are some suburbs/neighborhoods that have a sweet downtown or strip of stores (e.g. not downtown silver spring), that feel green, neighborly and community oriented?

Barcroft, Arlington (the 4th parade was so quaint and fun). Stores at the new Centro development won’t open until later this year, though.

That said, what you seek describes most neighborhoods in Arlington. Almost each one has some stores nearby, probably walkable, backyards big enough for a swing set, and parks in walking distance if you want to meet up with other parents and kids. Many are close to trails and larger open green spaces like the nature centers. I don’t know where you’re commuting or what your budget is, or I’d have more specific recommendations.

Np. Completely agree. Drive through Barcroft some evening (slowly!) and witness actual kids-in-street playing with parents chatting.

[Anonymous]

Falls church city

[Anonymous]

Brookland NE DC

[Anonymous]

Old Town

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poster who lives in Alexandria- I would say a third of the kids on the block do private, a third are in public (and very happy with the school), and a third are in parochial. We are fortunate there are so many choices and everyone seems happy with what they have.

I'd say in Old Town skews 3/4 public elementary then 1/3 private for MS and beyond. We're trying for public all the way through. The system works if you make the most of it but plenty of privates to bail to if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Somerset or Chevy Chase West Maryland. Tons of young kids, huge park nearby and walkable to downtown Bethesda or Friendship Heights depending on the house location.

[Anonymous]

We moved from DC to Takoma Park. It is exactly what you described and blends seamlessly with DC

[Anonymous]

Hyattsville, MD, without a doubt. There's a very active parents community, with an active email listserv, and age-based subgroups so you can meet parents of kids the same age. There's also the Hyattsville Swap, which is a free children's clothing/gear swap- a godsend in the first couple years. Multiple nearby parks, splash pools, etc. You can also check out the blog Route One Fun for a weekend list of kid's activities every week. Much more affordable than Del Ray, for example, and an easy commute into DC on either the green/yellow line, or straight down Rhode Island Ave.

[Anonymous]

Brookland!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brookland NE DC

+1 but OP, do you need a good in-bound school? And where do you work? If not, Brookland, as this poster and another one mentioned, may be a good fit. Lots of green, friendly neighbors, several good food options, a growing strip of other stores, Yes!, wine store (Wardman’s), doggie day care, yoga, Ace, etc - all close to the metro and with relatively easy driving commute as needed depending on where you work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We currently live and work in dc, and I never thought the suburbs would be appealing to me. I love so much about dc. That said, I crave an easier pace with more space. I’d love to look out a window into trees. I’d love to play in a backyard instead of pack up for the park every once in a while. City living is just feeling hard lately with kids.

What are some suburbs/neighborhoods that have a sweet downtown or strip of stores (e.g. not downtown silver spring), that feel green, neighborly and community oriented?

Barcroft, Arlington (the 4th parade was so quaint and fun). Stores at the new Centro development won’t open until later this year, though.

That said, what you seek describes most neighborhoods in Arlington. Almost each one has some stores nearby, probably walkable, backyards big enough for a swing set, and parks in walking distance if you want to meet up with other parents and kids. Many are close to trails and larger open green spaces like the nature centers. I don’t know where you’re commuting or what your budget is, or I’d have more specific recommendations.

Np. Completely agree. Drive through Barcroft some evening (slowly!) and witness actual kids-in-street playing with parents chatting.

Sorry, I just redfinned Barcroft and your local elementary is zoned a two. A TWO. Why would anyone who could afford to live in a better school
District live there with school aged children? Are these toddlers that you see out playing? I could see living there with a Five or a six school, but a TWO?! Why would you live there if you have kids? So you can sit in hours of traffic to go to private?

[Anonymous]

Sixteen Street Heights

[Anonymous]

Kensington or Woodmoor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 to Kensington MD. Parades for every holiday, classic car show, movie night and bounce house in the summer at st Paul park, 8k race in the fall, mode train sho, day of the book festival, weekly farmers market at the the train station, I could go on and on. Kensington also has a variety of price points, from as low as $400k to $2 M.

+100

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park, MD. Love it.