NW DC vs. NoVa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Think about the opportunities your children will have if you do get them into a good school (they exist, my child is in an amazing one). Walking to museums to satisfy academic interests. Learning to live in the community rather than drive through it. Your time that would otherwise be used commuting...

What about families that don't luck out. What becomes of our kids?

Don't luck out by when. Pretty much everyone I I is has lucked out by kindergarten. If you keep trying. But if you try at preschool and then give up, nothing happens. You left and didn't try.

We're talking about DC, not Mars, honey and that's simply not true. You people already in a school get real preachy when it comes to others that have struck out. You're not in our shoes and have no dog in the fight. The reality is many more kids WILL NOT get in to a kick ass charter, particularly because of urban pop. overgrowth. So, rather than screw with my kids future, I'm moving on (hopefully) greener and greater pastures. BTW- your most kick ass charter pales in comparison to a VA school. Sorry, but the stats don't lie.

Also it's not like these charters are even as good as the mediocre schools in fcps or mcps

[Anonymous]

So do people who live in the suburbs really think that people who raise kids in the city don't care about their children, or is that just what you tell yourselves to feel better about your life choices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So do people who live in the suburbs really think that people who raise kids in the city don't care about their children, or is that just what you tell yourselves to feel better about your life choices?

No, but we do sort of marvel at how residence alone can be such a strong predictor of self-aggrandizing behavior

[Anonymous]

Different families weight different options differently. I owned two places in "hot" parts of DC, but wanted a yard, woods, easy commute, safety, easy access to shopping, etc. etc. So we moved to Arlington. I have a 10 minute commute to DC -- vastly shorter than when I lived in the city. Kids go to a great bilingual school, we come into the city plenty, but come home and can relax. I could have gotten most of what I wanted in DC, but not all (esp. at a price/place I could afford), but some great friends moved back at the same time and went into the city. I do not think they care any less for their kids, just had different desires. It's like politics--you really can be friends with people who might be a different persuasion. people lose their shit on these boards.

[Anonymous]

I love the diversity at our school in Fairfax. The PTA runs an international night and there were over 100 countries represented-it was very cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.

interesting, I grew up in NoVa and partly stay in DC precisely to avoid hurting my kids' welfare my subjecting them to the lifestyle of the suburbs. Soulless, boring, car-dependent, lack of quality amenities (DC's libraries crush Arlington or Fairfax, and our pools -- outdoor, indoor Olympic sized, are free for residents, as is 3 and 4 yo preschool).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Think about the opportunities your children will have if you do get them into a good school (they exist, my child is in an amazing one). Walking to museums to satisfy academic interests. Learning to live in the community rather than drive through it. Your time that would otherwise be used commuting...

What about families that don't luck out. What becomes of our kids?

Don't luck out by when. Pretty much everyone I I is has lucked out by kindergarten. If you keep trying. But if you try at preschool and then give up, nothing happens. You left and didn't try.

We're talking about DC, not Mars, honey and that's simply not true. You people already in a school get real preachy when it comes to others that have struck out. You're not in our shoes and have no dog in the fight. The reality is many more kids WILL NOT get in to a kick ass charter, particularly because of urban pop. overgrowth. So, rather than screw with my kids future, I'm moving on (hopefully) greener and greater pastures. BTW- your most kick ass charter pales in comparison to a VA school. Sorry, but the stats don't lie.

perhaps, as the NoVA test scores may be better, but is that more correlated to SES? There are exciting things happening in DCPS, including one of the nation's top teacher evaluation systems. I've also been impressed with the music teachers, # of adults in the building, etc. I have family who are career FCPS and they acknowledge inferiority to DCPS in many areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.

interesting, I grew up in NoVa and partly stay in DC precisely to avoid hurting my kids' welfare my subjecting them to the lifestyle of the suburbs. Soulless, boring, car-dependent, lack of quality amenities (DC's libraries crush Arlington or Fairfax, and our pools -- outdoor, indoor Olympic sized, are free for residents, as is 3 and 4 yo preschool).

Umm you again, dc public libraries are you trolling?

Those other things are free for a reason think about it

[Anonymous]

I'm in Great Falls (yes, the sticks). I find the focus on diversity so interesting as I never think about that as a priority. We just wanted land and place we could build from scratch due to our highly asthmatic daughter (most existing VA homes have/had we basements which was BAD for her). This proved to be the right move as she's much healthier now as a teen.

We find we have wonderful neighbors that include Middle-Eastern, Indian, Asian, Hispanic, German, Russian, etc. That's just in our little neighborhood. But no one really cares about that - we just want to hang out at neighborhood parties and enjoy each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Think about the opportunities your children will have if you do get them into a good school (they exist, my child is in an amazing one). Walking to museums to satisfy academic interests. Learning to live in the community rather than drive through it. Your time that would otherwise be used commuting...

What about families that don't luck out. What becomes of our kids?

Don't luck out by when. Pretty much everyone I I is has lucked out by kindergarten. If you keep trying. But if you try at preschool and then give up, nothing happens. You left and didn't try.

We're talking about DC, not Mars, honey and that's simply not true. You people already in a school get real preachy when it comes to others that have struck out. You're not in our shoes and have no dog in the fight. The reality is many more kids WILL NOT get in to a kick ass charter, particularly because of urban pop. overgrowth. So, rather than screw with my kids future, I'm moving on (hopefully) greener and greater pastures. BTW- your most kick ass charter pales in comparison to a VA school. Sorry, but the stats don't lie.

perhaps, as the NoVA test scores may be better, but is that more correlated to SES? There are exciting things happening in DCPS, including one of the nation's top teacher evaluation systems. I've also been impressed with the music teachers, # of adults in the building, etc. I have family who are career FCPS and they acknowledge inferiority to DCPS in many areas.

Too bad so many of the adults in the buildings are students who couldn't graduate on time. But it's nice you have family members who indulge your fantasies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different families weight different options differently. I owned two places in "hot" parts of DC, but wanted a yard, woods, easy commute, safety, easy access to shopping, etc. etc. So we moved to Arlington. I have a 10 minute commute to DC -- vastly shorter than when I lived in the city. Kids go to a great bilingual school, we come into the city plenty, but come home and can relax. I could have gotten most of what I wanted in DC, but not all (esp. at a price/place I could afford), but some great friends moved back at the same time and went into the city. I do not think they care any less for their kids, just had different desires. It's like politics--you really can be friends with people who might be a different persuasion. people lose their shit on these boards.

Where did you move in Arlington? And did you sell your DC properties? I'm hoping to keep my DC property, but don't know if it's feasible. I want all of the things you mentioned (really jealous right now!). What's a good budget. We're thinking $700 for a fixer upper. Is this realistic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different families weight different options differently. I owned two places in "hot" parts of DC, but wanted a yard, woods, easy commute, safety, easy access to shopping, etc. etc. So we moved to Arlington. I have a 10 minute commute to DC -- vastly shorter than when I lived in the city. Kids go to a great bilingual school, we come into the city plenty, but come home and can relax. I could have gotten most of what I wanted in DC, but not all (esp. at a price/place I could afford), but some great friends moved back at the same time and went into the city. I do not think they care any less for their kids, just had different desires. It's like politics--you really can be friends with people who might be a different persuasion. people lose their shit on these boards.

Where did you move in Arlington? And did you sell your DC properties? I'm hoping to keep my DC property, but don't know if it's feasible. I want all of the things you mentioned (really jealous right now!). What's a good budget. We're thinking $700 for a fixer upper. Is this realistic?

I'm not the PP, but I kept my condo near H St when we moved to McLean. It's been rented out ever since. The truth is that it served me well enough in my carefree single days, but as soon as I had DS, I couldn't wait to get out of there. Didn't want him to see things around us as "normal."

[Anonymous]

We moved from Capitol Hill to across the country. Your priorities change when you have kids. So from my perspective moving from DC to NoVa is you still would have access to all the same things. It is still the DC area. Just find a house you can afford with a school that is good enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.

interesting, I grew up in NoVa and partly stay in DC precisely to avoid hurting my kids' welfare my subjecting them to the lifestyle of the suburbs. Soulless, boring, car-dependent, lack of quality amenities (DC's libraries crush Arlington or Fairfax, and our pools -- outdoor, indoor Olympic sized, are free for residents, as is 3 and 4 yo preschool).

+ that good cush, huh?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.

What are you talking about. I live in Colonial Village (EOTP) right on Rock Creek Park which is closed on my section during the weekends. You can't get any more green space. We are in great charter schools and have a yard. My kids do not miss green space. Used to live in Chevy Chase, MD and have much more green space now. I also have no flowers because of the deer.

We can walk to downtown Silver Spring or the Metro. It's really a perfect location.