Best DC Neighborhood For US

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easy:
20007
20008
20016 (but NOT the Palisades or Spring Valley)

No double yellow. Done.

+1 - this is a good list.

[Anonymous]

For your budget, I’d get a very close in single family house. Focus on Cleveland Park, Woolley Park (single family houses are farther from metro but otherwise similar to Cleveland Park) or maybe Friendship Heights/AU Park/Tenleytown. On warm days, these neighborhoods remind me of the Bay Area in that there are lots of people exercising and enjoying the outdoors.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recommendations so far and appreciate the poster who broke down the neighborhoods into Bay Area equivalents. Someone asked about spouse: Chinese.

We don’t mind some renovation work but could probably actually go up to 2.5 if really necessary.

We thought we would check out things online and get some sense of the neighborhoods so when we do talk to a realtor we at least have educated questions. We will also spend some time driving around when we first arrive. We have temporary housing from work already set up for a few months.

[Anonymous]

Two more tips: 1) don't get sucked into Hillandale or similar gated communities (not necessary in NW DC IMO unless you are political celebrity, and even then...) and 2) if looking in Woodley/Cleveland Park, make sure you are NOT in a historic review board area. Renovations are a PITA to get approved and surly neighbors will try to thwart your efforts. If you have any plans of renovating, do not do this to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d look at Georgetown, Palisades and perhaps Cleveland Park. Cleveland Park would be best for when you have kids and is closest to many private schools.

The commute from Capitol Hill is awful, plus you should read all the threads on the crime there (we lived on the Hill but moved due to quality of life/crime issues). Logan Circle isn’t a good suggestion either, as you have to drive through town to get to Georgetown.

NOT Palisades (right under a flight path and in serious decline) and NOT Spring Valley (serious toxic dumpground, the only inhabited FUDS in America)

NOT suburbs (bad traffic, prices will soften)

Woodland, Woodley, Cleveland Park, Forest Hills, Wesley Heights — prices will keep going up

Georgetown is still great

Um, please explain how the Palisades are in "serious decline?" House prices are through the roof and there's a ton of (obnoxiously huge) new construction. There are also at least multiple restaurants/cafes, a great liquor store, a post office, dry cleaners, and a huge rec center and park. Oh and easy access to Battery Kemble park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McLean is a downgrade from SF. OP says they want walkable. DC has some great walkable neighborhoods that are a better value than SF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McLean is a downgrade from SF. OP says they want walkable. DC has some great walkable neighborhoods that are a better value than SF.

Value is a subjective term though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McLean is a downgrade from SF. OP says they want walkable. DC has some great walkable neighborhoods that are a better value than SF.

Value is a subjective term though.

DC is cheaper than SF. This is not subjective.

DC is also cheaper than NYC. I still think DC is so cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rough conversion from Bay Area to DC transplant

Kalorama = Sea Cliff/Presidio (for prestige)
Georgetown = Marina
Wharf = SoMa-ish (newer development, pain to get to SFH areas deep in city)
Upper NW/Cleveland Park = Noe Valley
Chevy Chase/Bethesda = Marin
McLean/Great Falls = Atherton
Annandale = Santa Clara (Korean population)
Arlington = Burlingame

On the plus side, you get SO MUCH for your real estate dollar here. Best of luck with your move!

Bwahaha, Bethesda/CC = Marin; in your dreams…
The most prestigious area of DC is Woodland

+1 Woodland Normanstone for the win.

There is nothing like Atherton around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rough conversion from Bay Area to DC transplant

Kalorama = Sea Cliff/Presidio (for prestige)
Georgetown = Marina
Wharf = SoMa-ish (newer development, pain to get to SFH areas deep in city)
Upper NW/Cleveland Park = Noe Valley
Chevy Chase/Bethesda = Marin
McLean/Great Falls = Atherton
Annandale = Santa Clara (Korean population)
Arlington = Burlingame

On the plus side, you get SO MUCH for your real estate dollar here. Best of luck with your move!

Bwahaha, Bethesda/CC = Marin; in your dreams…
The most prestigious area of DC is Woodland

+1 Woodland Normanstone for the win.

There is nothing like Atherton around here.

How about the mansions in great falls and McLean where the politicians live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Key Bridge traffic sucks.

The D.C. roadway with the highest congestion index is the Key Bridge heading into D.C. with an index of 3.66. That means it takes drivers more than three and a half times as long to traverse during the evening rush compared to other times. Traffic slows to only 8 mph on the bridge during that time, compared to 26 mph under light traffic condition, the study said.

This!!! I commuted from Arlington to DC for one miserable year. We were so lucky we rented before buying. The commute was awful. As soon as our lease was up, we bought in DC and never looked back. Aside from the commute, I found Arlington soulless. I don’t think there’s any part of DC that lacks character the way that NoVa does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McClean is terrible. No wonder you don't like it here. Most of DC is much better than McClean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McClean is terrible. No wonder you don't like it here. Most of DC is much better than McClean.

Sorry - McLean. Ugh auto correct

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a mixed Asian American family and my husband works at Georgetown. We live in McLean with our 3 kids.

I personally would recommend Arlington or Bethesda. If DC, I personally would pick Georgetown or Palisades.

Not sure how important it is to you but all the Asian restaurants and stores are in Virginia and Maryland.

I just looked at the map and I would say Arlington. Arlington is very kid and dog friendly plus should be a decent commute for both of you.

Why would anyone moving to DC now that traffic is as bad as LA move outside of DC when both parents live in DC?
Also some new home buyers in Arlington only just dug themselves out from 2008 purchases. Traffic is worse, planes are worse, VA is Republican. Who would want to deal with that?

Ditto for sketchy crime stat neighborhoods. Avoid planes, trains, automobiles, crime buy in NW WOTP minus Palisades

+1 Moving to Arlington from SF would be a huge disappointment IMO.

I’m pp Asian American from NYC. DC is a big downgrade from SF.

I still miss NYC. My kids are thriving here in McLean though. I’m just not a big fan of DC.

McClean is terrible. No wonder you don't like it here. Most of DC is much better than McClean.

I recommended Palisades or Georgetown in DC.

I didn’t necessarily recommend McLean. We just live here as a mixed Asian family and there are a lot of us. That is all.

I really love our friends and community. I still miss nyc.