Advice for a complete novice in the world of DCPS

[Anonymous]

Currently living in PG and want to move closer to the city (were thinking Silver Spring or Takoma). Is it worth considering DC at all? Our max budget would be around 650K and we'd need a 2 BR+ townhome or SFH (can't face moving to a condo). How likely is it that we'd wind up missing out on all the lotteries and stuck in a terrible neighborhood school? If you were making this gamble, what neighborhoods would you consider? DD is still a young toddler so we could move in for PK3. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You could always play the lottery and then move, I guess but, with your budget and desires, I would go with TP or SS. Not sure the risk and crappier housing options would be worth it.

Is there something about DCPS you love?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently living in PG and want to move closer to the city (were thinking Silver Spring or Takoma). Is it worth considering DC at all? Our max budget would be around 650K and we'd need a 2 BR+ townhome or SFH (can't face moving to a condo). How likely is it that we'd wind up missing out on all the lotteries and stuck in a terrible neighborhood school? If you were making this gamble, what neighborhoods would you consider? DD is still a young toddler so we could move in for PK3. Thanks!

I think that for a 2BR townhouse, $650K should be plenty in many decent parts of the city. The hard part will be finding such a small townhouse - they're pretty rare, but they do exist. Especially in areas east of rock creek park, like Petworth.

[Anonymous]

Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could always play the lottery and then move, I guess but, with your budget and desires, I would go with TP or SS. Not sure the risk and crappier housing options would be worth it.

Is there something about DCPS you love?

OP here. I think just trying to minimize the commute and maximize family time. DH and I both work in DC and, living in far-out PG, my commute is terrible (his is less bad because he gets off work earlier). Our budget would be lower in Maryland because of higher taxes, and that amount doesn't buy so much these days in TP or SS, unless you go outside the beltway in SS, and then I'm really only shaving maybe 15 minutes off the commute. It seemed worthwhile to consider DC...unless it's just really not. Thanks for your advice!

[Anonymous]

Depends on your risk tolerance - do you want to buy in a neighborhood and know exactly where your child will go to school from preschool to high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

OP here. Metro not needed - I work downtown and have free parking, and DH--ironically a DCPS teacher--will be moving to a new school next year so not sure on location, but I'm sure he'll drive too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on your risk tolerance - do you want to buy in a neighborhood and know exactly where your child will go to school from preschool to high school?

I think my risk tolerance is ok. Just a little nervous that if we maxed out our budget on a good elementary district but then wound up in a bind for middle school and high school, we wouldn't have enough money for private on top of our mortgage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

OP here. Metro not needed - I work downtown and have free parking, and DH--ironically a DCPS teacher--will be moving to a new school next year so not sure on location, but I'm sure he'll drive too.

As a DCPS teacher, wouldn't he know what schools work for you? You can search on redfin within those school boundaries and with 2BR minimum / $650k max.

[Anonymous]

OP, we did what you are thinking and had incredible luck in the lottery and, now, easy commutes. I am sure others have the opposite story.

There are fine schools (at least for the lower grades) that your budget could easily get you a home in bounds for. The issue will be middle school if you don't have lottery luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

OP here. Metro not needed - I work downtown and have free parking, and DH--ironically a DCPS teacher--will be moving to a new school next year so not sure on location, but I'm sure he'll drive too.

As a DCPS teacher, wouldn't he know what schools work for you? You can search on redfin within those school boundaries and with 2BR minimum / $650k max.

He teaches Special Ed in a high school in a rough area, and it's been his first posting in DCPS. I don't know if he should still know, but he doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

OP here. Metro not needed - I work downtown and have free parking, and DH--ironically a DCPS teacher--will be moving to a new school next year so not sure on location, but I'm sure he'll drive too.

As a DCPS teacher, wouldn't he know what schools work for you? You can search on redfin within those school boundaries and with 2BR minimum / $650k max.

He teaches Special Ed in a high school in a rough area, and it's been his first posting in DCPS. I don't know if he should still know, but he doesn't.

Then can you give an idea of what a "good school" means to you? People on this board squabble over that all day, but all that matters to you is what you think.

Do you care about solid middle school / high school paths? If not, there are many areas with good elementary schools options, and possibilities for MS/HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are your jobs? Do you need to be near metro?

OP here. Metro not needed - I work downtown and have free parking, and DH--ironically a DCPS teacher--will be moving to a new school next year so not sure on location, but I'm sure he'll drive too.

As a DCPS teacher, wouldn't he know what schools work for you? You can search on redfin within those school boundaries and with 2BR minimum / $650k max.

He teaches Special Ed in a high school in a rough area, and it's been his first posting in DCPS. I don't know if he should still know, but he doesn't.

Then can you give an idea of what a "good school" means to you? People on this board squabble over that all day, but all that matters to you is what you think.

Do you care about solid middle school / high school paths? If not, there are many areas with good elementary schools options, and possibilities for MS/HS.

OP here. First I really want to thank all of you for taking the time to answer and discuss.

So to me a good school is diverse, with engaged parents, a responsive and strong admin, and great teachers. Where there is care taken with placement of students so that kids who are struggling and kids who are advanced can both get what they need (I know, next I'll ask for the unicorn). I also really appreciate access to the arts. I know Greatschools ratings mean NOTHING, but it's hard to know which ones are great despite low scores, and which ones aren't.

Ideally I'd love solid middle/high school path but I don't see that happening in our budget.

[Anonymous]

you can enter the lottery next year, see how you do, then decide.

you can visit lots of schools and see how the kids are talked to, what work is posted on the walls, and if you feel good about that. You can also visit condos and see if you change your mind about living in one. But MoCo is probably the safer, simpler, option.

[Anonymous]

Here's a house for you!

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/16-Grant-Cir-NW-20011/unit-C1/home/104304061