Forum Index
»
DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Has anyone decided to give up on DCPS and move to Virginia?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| PP, if you live in the suburbs, you can still go to the museums and restaurants on the weekends. A little more time, but definitely doable. Let's make it acceptable to live in many types of places, whatever suits your family. I grew up in the suburbs and craved the city. My friends who grew up in the city wanted a suburban house and yard. It's all good. |
Anonymous
Me too 
|
Anonymous
and me |
Anonymous
Your whole premise is laughable. We certainly wouldn't want a realtor to tell us about the quality of the in-boundary school, nor about neighborhood crime statistics. Heck, if they knew the house was built over an unmarked indian graveyard, they should certainly keep mum. You're obviously a troll, and no nothing of the subject other than how to get a rise out of people. |
Anonymous
Aside from the traffic, which is only going to get worse as regional population growth continues apace. I think the "idea" of suburban living is appealing to some--but the reality is often something that they just aren't fully aware of until they've bought the house. Then it's a matter of trying to manage the cognitive dissonance. |
Anonymous
Parents move to the burbs because of what they assume will be good for their 5-10 year old children. But the burbs are Hell on Earth for kids 11+. And that's when it matters. Suburban living is essentially "more convenient" for parents. It's the equivalent of buying your kid an iPod Touch, and letting them watch as much cartoons as they want. Convenient for parents; and kids really, really love it. Of course, our job as parents is *not* to give our kids what they want, but what they need. Pretty funny that you think you can't cook a meal in a townhouse in DC. |
Anonymous
|
I wrote the original posting about the GREAT city lifestyle, and wanted to respond to the poster who says he/she is " so much like me " ( except enlightened enough to move to the suburbs, purportedly ) I also wonder if this is the same person urging us to make "the responsible choice', grow up and move out of the city.
First, it seems you are well intentioned and worried about my kids' welfare, but your posting here reeks of inner conflict. We all make different choices and have different priorities. Why question mine if they don't affect yours? My kids have the choice to hang out at the museums, at thr monuments, in the parks OR to hop down the street to hang out at a friends house. No car involved either way. We happen to have a home cooked meal every night ( except for occasional pizza ) because we can't afford as a family of five to eat out. But as we walk down our neighborhood streets ---to the library, gym, school, pharmacy, bank, market, sports practice, music lessons, playground--we pass the people at the outdoor cafes and restaurants and it brings a real vibrancy and energy to the neighborhood. Even if we are a solidly MIDDLE-CLASS, one income family who can't afford to eat there. And I know this is odd in Washington, but really don't consider or care if people are liberal or conservative. The diversity that I crave.is meeting people with very different life stories, past experiences, ways of seeing the world: rich, poor ans in between. And my kids benefit from that immeasurably. So off to the suburbs with you. Prosper and do well. But there is no need to hang around here giving the rest of us lectures on what you assume is our short sighted selfishness. |
Anonymous
Why are the burbs hell at 11+? Inner city doesn't look too good either. Are you a rich, private school parent?
|
Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtY_545-ST8 |
Anonymous
| ...versus the city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o6QKpNK9Cc |
Anonymous
| DC is not NYC (don't get me started) and Arlington/Bethesda is not 1970's Ohio. |
Anonymous
Then why are you still here justifying your choice? You'll notice that we haven't hopped over to the VA or MD forums to desperately persuade anyone else to our way of thinking. |
Anonymous
No, you're right: DC is not NYC. It's arguably a better place to raise a kid--especially if you're not insanely wealthy. And while Arlington/Bethesda isn't 1970's Ohio, most of the folks we're talking about aren't living in Bethesda, or Arlington. They're living in some "family-friendly" cul-de-sac off of i-66 or the like, patting themselves on the back that their kids will never be exposed to anything other than the XB0X and the DVD player in "Mom's Taxi". Crystal Meth by 14. |
Anonymous
It's not ridiculous. It is absolutely a major component of steering. What constitutes a "good school"? Are you sure your agents definition is the same as yours. Agents did use terms like "good school district" for many years to get around saying blatantly racist things which is precisely why it is illegal to do it now. And again, the clients has every right to say they only want to look in a certain district, they just need to decide that without the help of their agent. |
Anonymous
|
Ways for agents to avoid steering:
http://www.realtor.org/rmolaw_and_ethics/articles/2009/0904_law_illegalsteering When buyers ask you to recommend neighborhoods, be careful how you respond. It’s possible to inadvertently violate the Fair Housing Act by steering a customer to or from certain areas. Here’s how to help clients find their dream community without crossing the line. Ask about hobbies. This will often elicit information that helps you determine properties in neighborhoods that fit their lifestyle without your having to get into questions of religion, ethnicity, or other sensitive matters. Swimmers might want to be near a park with a pool, while biking enthusiasts might prefer proximity to a nature preserve. Offer school district resources. When buyers ask questions about schools, point them to the school district’s Web site and encourage them to schedule a visit to the schools. You can help them locate the district boundaries to ensure they’ll be purchasing within the school district they choose. But don’t say anything yourself about the quality of the schools. Direct them to the police. If buyers want to get a picture of the area’s crime rate, direct them to the police department or other sources of information. Don’t disclose crime statistics or say a neighborhood is a safe place to live even if you believe it to be true. Make a list of spiritual places. Develop a list of all houses of worship in the neighborhoods you serve and provide that as a resource to buyers. Get to know the Census Bureau. If buyers want to know the demographics of the area, refer them to the "fact finder" section of the U.S. Census Bureau Web site, where they can find racial, ethnic, and income breakdowns. If buyers want to dig deeper, refer them to the city government or local nonprofits. Stick to the rules. If buyers persist in asking questions that could result in a charge of steering against you, be polite but firm in telling them: "I’m sorry, but I can’t provide that information. Fair housing laws prevent me from steering people away from or toward a certain neighborhood based on race, color, or other protected categories." Help buyers get their own information. April is Fair Housing month. Download a free "Fair Housing Focus" publication, produced by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. |