Moving from Brooklyn to DC

[Anonymous]

Shepherd Park has a significant Jewish population (the largest in DC and LOTS of biracial families. Kids play in streets and neighbors look out for one another. The tricky thing is that rental inventory is always scarce, but if you have it in your saved searches and a suitable house comes up, you should grab it.

One rental SFH comes up on Zillow:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1431-Geranium-St-NW-Washington-DC-20012/469645_zpid/ . Not sure whether it's really still available, but it will give you a sense of what you get for what price. The zip to search is 20012.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a shepherd park or 16th street heights would be a great fit. A good amount of diversity, both racially and socioeconomic. People are very friendly in DC once you’re in the SFH neighborhoods. We live in AU Park and everyone says hi.

That’s interesting. We live in AU Park, too, and almost no one speaks to us. Except when we got a dog. They speak to the dog. We are an interracial family as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i think capitol hill/navy yard is a pretty good choice for nyc transplant families. maybe the mount pleasant area too. maybe arlington. a lot of other dmv neighborhoods are either not so heavily populated with families or can be culture shock as a first location for someone who is very used to a walkable urban area.

+1 to the new poster who asked. I think these sound like good starting places. We live in Arlington and are very happy, but moved from Chicago not nyc. Capitol Hill seems to be great if you can figure out the schools in a way you feel good about. People love it, it’s flat, walkable, great place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shepherd Park has a significant Jewish population (the largest in DC and LOTS of biracial families. Kids play in streets and neighbors look out for one another. The tricky thing is that rental inventory is always scarce, but if you have it in your saved searches and a suitable house comes up, you should grab it.

One rental SFH comes up on Zillow:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1431-Geranium-St-NW-Washington-DC-20012/469645_zpid/ . Not sure whether it's really still available, but it will give you a sense of what you get for what price. The zip to search is 20012.

Thank you! That's super helpful!

Appreciate everyone's input so far!

[Anonymous]

Hi! OP here. We ended up moving to McLean. It was not our first choice by any stretch but it was one of the few places that had inventory. We kept applying for rentals in other towns and would get outbid for really mediocre places. It was pretty frustrating. A house came up on the market in McLean and it was pretty great value so we took it. There are many positives about McLean and it is somewhat diverse. However as part of a biracial family, it is disheartening to see no one that looks like me. I can go weeks and not see another African American person in my neighborhood. We are looking to buy and are not considering McLean for that reason. Honestly, we would probably be happiest in DC but we have a son who has an IEP, and I haven't heard positive things about DC schools and kids with special needs. I honestly don't know where we will end up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! OP here. We ended up moving to McLean. It was not our first choice by any stretch but it was one of the few places that had inventory. We kept applying for rentals in other towns and would get outbid for really mediocre places. It was pretty frustrating. A house came up on the market in McLean and it was pretty great value so we took it. There are many positives about McLean and it is somewhat diverse. However as part of a biracial family, it is disheartening to see no one that looks like me. I can go weeks and not see another African American person in my neighborhood. We are looking to buy and are not considering McLean for that reason. Honestly, we would probably be happiest in DC but we have a son who has an IEP, and I haven't heard positive things about DC schools and kids with special needs. I honestly don't know where we will end up.

I was actually about to post that we moved from BK to SP a few years back and the IEP thing was a big problem. Montgomery county does do a decent job, I think. At least by comparison.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you have the money, you should buy in DC and put your child in a private school which serves students with special needs. There are quite a few to choose from in this area. And, agree, there is not much diversity in McLean if you are hoping to see or live around more African American residents.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, it depends a little what the IEP is for, but I’m certain you will have better luck in FCPS than DCPS with an IEP. There is very little support in DC schools or it is very haphazard, dependent on the individual staff. Not ideal.

Good luck in McLean! At least you are near family.

[Anonymous]

Move to MoCo.

[Anonymous]

I would strongly suggest that you post on the Special Needs board. You will get much better information there about good districts for kids with IEPs.

[Anonymous]

when you say shf, would you be open to a rowhouse? or are you looking for a big lifestyle change from brooklyn?

[Anonymous]

OP again. I just wanted to say thanks for your feedback. It is all really helpful as I try to figure this out.