Capitol Hill families - If you moved to NW or burbs for school, do you have any regrets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know some people won't think it's good enough, but Einstein has an IB diploma program that is not part of the DCC magnet system. It also has application art programs (both visual and performing) that are quite good. Einstein's catchment encompasses parts of Kensington, the area just west of the Wheaton metro, parts of downtown Silver Spring, etc. -- so lots of options depending on whether you want something close to public transportation or more residential or more of a small town feel.

There are several elementaries in Einstein's triangle that are really well-liked by parent communities -- Flora Singer and OTES, there are others.

Blair or BCC are not the only options in MoCo, and not every family is laser focused on G&T programming and aggressive tracking as long as the baseline academics are solid. For CH families looking for other options, the eastern part of MoCo offers some of the same community advantages of CH (friendly neighbors, lots of kids and families, community spaces in the form of pools and parks) with better MS and HS options.

I think people in this area sometimes get obsessed with optimizing every aspect of their kid's lives and need their kids to be in the "best" schools defined very narrowly. But if you live on CH, you're already probably making some compromise in terms of education. There are lots of options between Eastern/lottery and Sidwell or TJ that are still major upgrades.

the biggest compromise I feek like I’m making on the Hill right now is safety. I hate feeling worried about letting my kid walk to school.

[Anonymous]

You don’t sound cut out for city life. Our kids have walked, biked and scootered to school and extra curriculars, half a mile or more, on their own since 3rd grade. In the winter, they do it I. The dark with good lights. We have zero concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t sound cut out for city life. Our kids have walked, biked and scootered to school and extra curriculars, half a mile or more, on their own since 3rd grade. In the winter, they do it I. The dark with good lights. We have zero concerns.

Not the PP but perhaps I'm not cut out for city life, because I feel the same way regarding safety. I didn't grow up in the city and after I had kids I started to feel stress about the difference between my experience growing up and that of my kids. I am not sure it's for me. Thus, we are looking for for options in the suburbs. Which is the topic of this thread.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t sound cut out for city life. Our kids have walked, biked and scootered to school and extra curriculars, half a mile or more, on their own since 3rd grade. In the winter, they do it I. The dark with good lights. We have zero concerns.

where and when? was there ever an armed robbery at school dismissal? frequent carjackings by 14 yr olds in the neighborhood? kids getting jumped on the playground?

[Anonymous]

No, 2 kids to Brent, 8 years each. They walked to school together without parents from when eldest was in 3rd grade, from East Cap. We took the self-release-walk-home-independently option for them at school for 4th and 5th, like many other families in their peer groups. We gave them whistles, reflective vests and LED lights for helmets and on bikes and scooters and watch phones to call or 911 us if need be. We taught them to cross streets safely and to be aware of their surroundings. The youngest just graduated in May. Never had any kind of problem in all weather.

[Anonymous]

My kids would even go from Brent to soccer practice at X Park or the Marine Barracks, to a corner store for snacks, to friends' houses and home to East Cap by themselves in the afternoons and evenings. They had to check in with us by phone going and coming. System worked for years, a great help to mom and dad commuting from VA.

[Anonymous]

I think the city as a whole has changed post-pandemic, not just Cap Hill. Jumping fare gates, stealing from stores to the point that everything has to be locked up, people robbing valet stands downtown…the city doesn’t seem to want to enforce rules anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t sound cut out for city life. Our kids have walked, biked and scootered to school and extra curriculars, half a mile or more, on their own since 3rd grade. In the winter, they do it I. The dark with good lights. We have zero concerns.

This is a dumb take. The idea that not wanting to endure violence makes one "soft" or "not cut out for city living" is equal parts ignorant and delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, 2 kids to Brent, 8 years each. They walked to school together without parents from when eldest was in 3rd grade, from East Cap. We took the self-release-walk-home-independently option for them at school for 4th and 5th, like many other families in their peer groups. We gave them whistles, reflective vests and LED lights for helmets and on bikes and scooters and watch phones to call or 911 us if need be. We taught them to cross streets safely and to be aware of their surroundings. The youngest just graduated in May. Never had any kind of problem in all weather.

Where'd you find whistles that deflect bullets and car bumpers? I'd like to get me some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, 2 kids to Brent, 8 years each. They walked to school together without parents from when eldest was in 3rd grade, from East Cap. We took the self-release-walk-home-independently option for them at school for 4th and 5th, like many other families in their peer groups. We gave them whistles, reflective vests and LED lights for helmets and on bikes and scooters and watch phones to call or 911 us if need be. We taught them to cross streets safely and to be aware of their surroundings. The youngest just graduated in May. Never had any kind of problem in all weather.

I wasn’t talking about traffic.

[Anonymous]

I walk with my kids everywhere but I myself nonetheless really like living in a walkable city neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I walk with my kids everywhere but I myself nonetheless really like living in a walkable city neighborhood.

Where was it suggested that people don't like walking everywhere? I think the point is that people take issue with potentially being the victim of violence while walking. One can both enjoy walking and dislike being mugged or shot while walking. Not mutually exclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don’t sound cut out for city life. Our kids have walked, biked and scootered to school and extra curriculars, half a mile or more, on their own since 3rd grade. In the winter, they do it I. The dark with good lights. We have zero concerns.

Not the PP but perhaps I'm not cut out for city life, because I feel the same way regarding safety. I didn't grow up in the city and after I had kids I started to feel stress about the difference between my experience growing up and that of my kids. I am not sure it's for me. Thus, we are looking for for options in the suburbs. Which is the topic of this thread.

Different strokes for different folks.

Most suburban parents also walk their children. Its a personal preference and anxious or protective nature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, 2 kids to Brent, 8 years each. They walked to school together without parents from when eldest was in 3rd grade, from East Cap. We took the self-release-walk-home-independently option for them at school for 4th and 5th, like many other families in their peer groups. We gave them whistles, reflective vests and LED lights for helmets and on bikes and scooters and watch phones to call or 911 us if need be. We taught them to cross streets safely and to be aware of their surroundings. The youngest just graduated in May. Never had any kind of problem in all weather.

Where'd you find whistles that deflect bullets and car bumpers? I'd like to get me some.

Bullets in the Brent District day to day? Ridiculous. More like a few times a year which could happen almost anywhere urban in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I walk with my kids everywhere but I myself nonetheless really like living in a walkable city neighborhood.

Where was it suggested that people don't like walking everywhere? I think the point is that people take issue with potentially being the victim of violence while walking. One can both enjoy walking and dislike being mugged or shot while walking. Not mutually exclusive.

DP but I agree that liking walkability and being concerned about crime are different. But I don't even worry that I'm going to be mugged or shot while walking, tbh. But I still worry about crime.

For me, the crime issues on Capitol Hill involve the following concerns:
- Potential for shootings or other criminal activity that could impact my kid at school during the day -- lockdowns and similar. Whenever there is a weekday shooting on or near the Hill, my stress spikes.
- Spillover from nighttime criminal activity. We have known people who had bullets go through their walls and windows. If you've ever had a friend show you where a bullet wedged itself into the wall 20 feet away from where their children were sleeping, you understand this. If you haven't, well... you might one day.
- Impact of crime on overall quality of life. Businesses closing or changing due to criminal activity. Crime making people less friendly and more suspicious. Crime impacting property values and deterring other families from moving here.

When I say I worry about crime on the Hill, I don't mean I walk around clutching my purse. I'm talking about the practical ways that high levels of violent crime can make a neighborhood less family friendly, less pleasant, and more stressful generally.