Moving from London - where to live?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Old town Alexandria or the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington.

+1. Definitely one of these two areas -- very close to the Pentagon, and both are walkable, metro-friendly neighborhoods with lots of moms and young kids. I'd also look at the Hill because you don't need to worry about schools. It's also a fabulous neighborhood with lots of moms and babies/toddlers/kids.

As a fellow Brit they are also incredibly bland and boring. You'll want to stay in the city, and the Hill is really a great spot for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, once you get settled:

The Irish Channel, 500 H Street, near the Verizon Center, to watch early morning football(soccer), have a great breakfast, and feel a little like you are back in London.

Brit again. You won't feel anything like you are in London there. Also, dont' count on getting a decent cup of tea ever. They make it luke warm and don't use teapots. In fact they don't even know what a kettle is on the most part. Bring tea with you. And Marmite, if you like it. You may also want to bring chocolate (tastes different here) and Walkers crisps.

[Anonymous]

https://british-goodies-clarendon.jux.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, once you get settled:

The Irish Channel, 500 H Street, near the Verizon Center, to watch early morning football(soccer), have a great breakfast, and feel a little like you are back in London.

Brit again. You won't feel anything like you are in London there. Also, dont' count on getting a decent cup of tea ever. They make it luke warm and don't use teapots. In fact they don't even know what a kettle is on the most part. Bring tea with you. And Marmite, if you like it. You may also want to bring chocolate (tastes different here) and Walkers crisps.

Pretty sure they sell (and use) tea kettles here. And Walkers may have started out as a British brand, but is now available in grocery stores nationwide. You sound lovely.

[Anonymous]

You can get marmite and weetabix here easily.

Barry Norman's pickled onions, on the other hand, are scarce as hens' teeth.

[Anonymous]

Will you have a car? Glover Park is a really nice, safe neighborhood with lots of kids, parks, grocery stores, etc. and close to many nice preschools. BUT it's not on a metro line, so DH would most likely want to drive to work. It's just north of Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am going to second all the Capitol Hill suggestions here. It really does sound like what you are looking for.

But I really wanted to chime in and correct something regarding metro. Some posters have suggested that if you choose Capitol Hill that your husband will have to change trains when using the metro to get to the Pentagon and that just isn't the case. Both Eastern Market and Capitol South are on the blue/orange lines. The Pentagon is on the blue/yellow lines. Thus, if your husband just makes sure to get on a blue line train from the start, no train changes are necessary.

Some might argue that it is "faster" to switch to the yellow line, and looking at the metro map it certainly looks like it would take less time; however, once you consider the time it can take to change trains it is usually a somewhat insignificant difference and I always just opt to stay on the blue line when headed out that direction.

Yes but taking the blue line from Capitol Hill doesn't make sense because he would have to go through the city and via arlington cemetery. It is much longer than changing at lefant to the yellow.

That said I think it is not a bad commute at loll. The train from king street is a straight shoot but overall I think that ride is longer.

And switching at Rosslyn from north arlington takes a long time for some reason.

I guess my point was just that you don't have to switch trains. For what it's worth, I don't think it is "much longer" to take the blue line form Capitol Hill versus switching at L'Enfant plaza. Staying on the blue line usually only takes about 20/22 minutes. If you switch at L'Enfant plaza and time things correctly, it will take about 15. I don't find that to be a significant difference so I usually choose not to switch. Of course, this is just personal preference but I really hate changing trains, especially during rush hour, so I tend to opt to staying on one line if possible when the difference between the two options is not significant.

Umm, as someone who used to do this commute, it is indeed much longer to stay on the Blue line through the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Woodley and Cleveland Park is also what comes to my mind when reading the poster's preferences. 4000 K will be ahrd though.

This. Just went through finding a 3BR for $4k, looking at both Woodley/Columbia Heights/Cleveland Park/close in Cap Hill. It was WAY more challenging than I thought. Good luck, OP! Be prepared to spend a lot of time looking on craigslist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you have a car? Glover Park is a really nice, safe neighborhood with lots of kids, parks, grocery stores, etc. and close to many nice preschools. BUT it's not on a metro line, so DH would most likely want to drive to work. It's just north of Georgetown.

This is actually a really good suggestions. Probably slightly cheaper rents so the $4k would go farther.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://british-goodies-clarendon.jux.com/

Love this place!

[Anonymous]

Capitol Hill, for SURE! You can walk to the Mall with your guests. Tons of restaurants, cafes, parks, kids. Cute row houses and brick sidewalks. Baseball stadium/Yards Park on the riverfront (with free Friday night concerts/excellent splash park for kids) also in walking distance (depending on where you are - we are in SE mid-way between Eastern Market and Capitol South - best location, in my opinion ). Old Town is a distant second best (much more touristy/bland - and you aren't walking distance from the DC touristy stuff). I actually know someone who is about to rent his rowhome in a perfect location . . . BUT it is a two bedroom (actually has a fair amount of space, e.g., two "living" rooms, but it is three stories and only two true bedrooms).

[Anonymous]

YOu should move to Old town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YOu should move to Old town.

I love Old Town--but it is just way too far to DC for my tastes. When we were buying we chose Georgetown over Oldtown for this reason. It really is a 'major trip' even to do small things on the weekend. I also think the commute is too long to the Pentagon.

Between Capitol Hill and Old Town--I'd choose CH (even though I grew up 5 min from Old Town and love it). OT just has more of a 'small town/southern' feel whereas Georgetown felt more International.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YOu should move to Old town.

I love Old Town--but it is just way too far to DC for my tastes. When we were buying we chose Georgetown over Oldtown for this reason. It really is a 'major trip' even to do small things on the weekend. I also think the commute is too long to the Pentagon.

Between Capitol Hill and Old Town--I'd choose CH (even though I grew up 5 min from Old Town and love it). OT just has more of a 'small town/southern' feel whereas Georgetown felt more International.

I do think a day trip to Capitol Hill, Old Town and Clarendon area is warranted to get a lay of the land, proximity to work, sights, etc.

[Anonymous]

Why are people recommending that someone moving to DC for 2-3 years -- someone who can afford to live in DC proper with an easy commute to the Pentagon, someone who doesn't have to worry about schools -- should move to Virginia?

OP, you will have a much better experience if you live in DC itself.