Where is it most fun for middle schoolers to live?

[Anonymous]

We are trying to decide between AU Park and Glover Park. Any idea which neighborhood is more fun --more activities, more gatherings, more neighborhood scene?--for a Middle School aged child? This geographic decision is independent of schools since that is set--but related to where the kids that age are.

[Anonymous]

Neither, PP.

The ideal place to be a middle-schooler is San Diego, specifically La Jolla, but that doesn't really address your question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither, PP.

The ideal place to be a middle-schooler is San Diego, specifically La Jolla, but that doesn't really address your question.

Ha ha--actually, San Diego may be next on the roster for HS. If you have any recommendations for that--would love them (schools too). Sounds more fun for grown-ups as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither, PP.

The ideal place to be a middle-schooler is San Diego, specifically La Jolla, but that doesn't really address your question.

Ha ha--actually, San Diego may be next on the roster for HS. If you have any recommendations for that--would love them (schools too). Sounds more fun for grown-ups as well

I do! La Jolla Country Day School! Of course, I went there back in the Cenozoic you know, but I understand it has aged well and is still a wonderful school.

And San Diego is indeed more fun for the grown-ups too. I'm not a Washington-hater by any stretch, I just LOVED living in San Diego! Lucky, LUCKY you if you go!

[Anonymous]

DD was at Hardy Middle School in Georgetown/Glover Park and she and her friends liked to hang out in Georgetown after school.

Later when Hardy moved over by the New York Ave metro stop during the renovations, dd took full advantage of the redline to visit friends and hang out in the neighborhoods around various redline stops. So walkable access to metro is something she really enjoyed (we're within 3 blocks). If one choice is closer to metro, I would look carefully at that, especially if your dc's school is on metro. On the other hand, Glover Park is right on the 30s bus line which has great access up and down Wisconsin Avenue so you would do fine there, too.

However, I will say that while dd enjoyed being able to take metro all over the place, it is also an opportunity for kids to get in trouble. When you're driving them places, maybe you have a little more clarity about what they're out doing.

On the other hand, I'm guessing there are more middle-schoolers in AU Park. Most of dd's friends live in upper NW and she is always schlepping up there to Friendship Heights, Van Ness, and Tenley (from Capitol Hill) to visit with people.

Don't know if that helps. I don't have that much direct experience with AU Park. But once you and dc are comfortable with them taking metro, they can easily get to lots of cool places around the city so you might want to consider a place close to metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD was at Hardy Middle School in Georgetown/Glover Park and she and her friends liked to hang out in Georgetown after school.

Later when Hardy moved over by the New York Ave metro stop during the renovations, dd took full advantage of the redline to visit friends and hang out in the neighborhoods around various redline stops. So walkable access to metro is something she really enjoyed (we're within 3 blocks). If one choice is closer to metro, I would look carefully at that, especially if your dc's school is on metro. On the other hand, Glover Park is right on the 30s bus line which has great access up and down Wisconsin Avenue so you would do fine there, too.

However, I will say that while dd enjoyed being able to take metro all over the place, it is also an opportunity for kids to get in trouble. When you're driving them places, maybe you have a little more clarity about what they're out doing.

On the other hand, I'm guessing there are more middle-schoolers in AU Park. Most of dd's friends live in upper NW and she is always schlepping up there to Friendship Heights, Van Ness, and Tenley (from Capitol Hill) to visit with people.

Don't know if that helps. I don't have that much direct experience with AU Park. But once you and dc are comfortable with them taking metro, they can easily get to lots of cool places around the city so you might want to consider a place close to metro.

This helps a lot; sort of in line with what I was thinking. Gtown seems more fun to me, but for our child the parking lot of Chipotle in Tenleytown will probably seem like the happening place for the next few years. right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither, PP.

The ideal place to be a middle-schooler is San Diego, specifically La Jolla, but that doesn't really address your question.

Ha ha--actually, San Diego may be next on the roster for HS. If you have any recommendations for that--would love them (schools too). Sounds more fun for grown-ups as well

I do! La Jolla Country Day School! Of course, I went there back in the Cenozoic you know, but I understand it has aged well and is still a wonderful school.

And San Diego is indeed more fun for the grown-ups too. I'm not a Washington-hater by any stretch, I just LOVED living in San Diego! Lucky, LUCKY you if you go!

I am so glad to have you here. I will check out Country Day School--also to work in, since I am a teacher. Looking specifically for good independent private and/or public high schools so we can find housing near there. But by then we may have a younger as well, so will be back looking for a strong elementary. Husband is military and lived in San Clemente prior. Beautiful little walking town (I don't drive) but not sure what the education scene is. If you have any insight into the rigorous private or public High Schools would love to hear. Are you from there? Not a DC-hater either, but ready for a change.... we are adventuresome and happy in city or small town, not so much suburbs...or driving dependent places. Where would you live with those criteria? Thank you thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This helps a lot; sort of in line with what I was thinking. Gtown seems more fun to me, but for our child the parking lot of Chipotle in Tenleytown will probably seem like the happening place for the next few years. right?

PP again -- yes, Chipotle is a big favorite with dd!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad to have you here. I will check out Country Day School--also to work in, since I am a teacher. Looking specifically for good independent private and/or public high schools so we can find housing near there. But by then we may have a younger as well, so will be back looking for a strong elementary. Husband is military and lived in San Clemente prior. Beautiful little walking town (I don't drive) but not sure what the education scene is. If you have any insight into the rigorous private or public High Schools would love to hear. Are you from there? Not a DC-hater either, but ready for a change.... we are adventuresome and happy in city or small town, not so much suburbs...or driving dependent places. Where would you live with those criteria? Thank you thank you

OP, we lived in the University City area near La Jolla. I couldn't say what San Diego Unified schools are like now, some are better than others of course. The elementary we lived near was called Curie (as in Marie Curie) and I think it was one of the better ones. Sorry I can't be more help. Loved La Jolla CDS, though! And going to the tide pools was like a mini-oceanography class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad to have you here. I will check out Country Day School--also to work in, since I am a teacher. Looking specifically for good independent private and/or public high schools so we can find housing near there. But by then we may have a younger as well, so will be back looking for a strong elementary. Husband is military and lived in San Clemente prior. Beautiful little walking town (I don't drive) but not sure what the education scene is. If you have any insight into the rigorous private or public High Schools would love to hear. Are you from there? Not a DC-hater either, but ready for a change.... we are adventuresome and happy in city or small town, not so much suburbs...or driving dependent places. Where would you live with those criteria? Thank you thank you

OP, we lived in the University City area near La Jolla. I couldn't say what San Diego Unified schools are like now, some are better than others of course. The elementary we lived near was called Curie (as in Marie Curie) and I think it was one of the better ones. Sorry I can't be more help. Loved La Jolla CDS, though! And going to the tide pools was like a mini-oceanography class.

I am looking forward; thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad to have you here. I will check out Country Day School--also to work in, since I am a teacher. Looking specifically for good independent private and/or public high schools so we can find housing near there. But by then we may have a younger as well, so will be back looking for a strong elementary. Husband is military and lived in San Clemente prior. Beautiful little walking town (I don't drive) but not sure what the education scene is. If you have any insight into the rigorous private or public High Schools would love to hear. Are you from there? Not a DC-hater either, but ready for a change.... we are adventuresome and happy in city or small town, not so much suburbs...or driving dependent places. Where would you live with those criteria? Thank you thank you

OP, we lived in the University City area near La Jolla. I couldn't say what San Diego Unified schools are like now, some are better than others of course. The elementary we lived near was called Curie (as in Marie Curie) and I think it was one of the better ones. Sorry I can't be more help. Loved La Jolla CDS, though! And going to the tide pools was like a mini-oceanography class.

I am looking forward; thank you!

If it matters I was a Navy brat. The two best stations for Navy families must be Hampton Roads and San Diego. Hampton Roads is a distant second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so glad to have you here. I will check out Country Day School--also to work in, since I am a teacher. Looking specifically for good independent private and/or public high schools so we can find housing near there. But by then we may have a younger as well, so will be back looking for a strong elementary. Husband is military and lived in San Clemente prior. Beautiful little walking town (I don't drive) but not sure what the education scene is. If you have any insight into the rigorous private or public High Schools would love to hear. Are you from there? Not a DC-hater either, but ready for a change.... we are adventuresome and happy in city or small town, not so much suburbs...or driving dependent places. Where would you live with those criteria? Thank you thank you

OP, we lived in the University City area near La Jolla. I couldn't say what San Diego Unified schools are like now, some are better than others of course. The elementary we lived near was called Curie (as in Marie Curie) and I think it was one of the better ones. Sorry I can't be more help. Loved La Jolla CDS, though! And going to the tide pools was like a mini-oceanography class.

I am looking forward; thank you!

If it matters I was a Navy brat. The two best stations for Navy families must be Hampton Roads and San Diego. Hampton Roads is a distant second.

Oh it matters; Hampton Roads is Norfolk? San Diego does seem lovely. When I was visiting hubby there (whilst courting) noticed it seemed hard not to be healthy there (the ia outdoors beckons). Conversely, am worried about how to avoid the California Car culture when not whiling away the hours jogging on the beach.... Did Navy brattage ever take you overseas? Am foreign service brat--different tours, same pack up and go drill though I imagine

[Anonymous]

How are these responses related to the OP's question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are these responses related to the OP's question?

OP's original question led to new questions. But please shed light on OP's orginal question.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. Gee, dingy Glover Park, AU Park, or LA JOLLA........

I wish I could move too!!!!!!!