Moving to DC, will there be anything on the Market to buy?

[Anonymous]

I run in that area frequently during the day, and I'd probably pick the South Carolina house over the 16th St. house purely because I think 16th NE is where things start to get sketchier. South Carolina around 13th is pretty nice. I know nothing about the schools, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

FYI, it's "DC." Locals never say "the district."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

FYI, it's "DC." Locals never say "the district."

That is crap. Locals say The District all the time. There was even a TV show based on that fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. We already have a realtor and a lender. We've been lurking for a while and did a recon visit back in April,,but haven't been able to commit until now.
I definitely don't need something West of the Park, it's better for our commutes to be East. We also have will child care already worked out through work.
When I said I didn't know what would happen in 5 years, I meant with the school system, not my situation. I'm a big believer in the idea that schools are not good or bad, and the big determinant of a schools quality is the income of the parents. I think if you bussed the entire student population from Bethesda into a poor performing school in SE and vice versa, the performance of the students would likely not change. In fact I suspect that given an influx of motivated students with wealthy families to the school in SE would probably do better.
It's fairly obvious that the demographics of the District are changing at a rapid clip and in 5 years the distribution of wealth in the area will look very different. The schools will likely improve and the calculus will change. So buying now planning on what schools will be like in 5 years seems silly to me.
And I'm a little sad to be leaving my college town, but the opportunity for me is very promising. That's the thing about the city. More opportunities.
I actually liked Brookland, especially the yards. Takoma is nice as well. Brightwood, not as much. The only thing I worry about Brookland is that it is very hot and the potential to overpay is high. I've actually done a fair bit of research and there are probably 5-6 neighborhoods that are acceptable to us where we probably would be very happy, especially given my school philosophy..

Thanks for the advice.

What do you mean west of "the park?"

Schools in DC are horrible unless you get into a charter school, and I think there is a whole thread on that. You are in la-la land with regard to the schools. But based on your ideologue, hypothetical rhetoric, I think you would fit in SE or NE PERFECTLY. The ideologue transplant. Perfecto - BINGO!

Wow, I am betting PP does not live in DC, and knows very little about the current state of DCPS. H/She has probably never lived in DC and base information off of anonymous internet sources.

[Anonymous]

This has turned into one of those threads where the people on both sides are being unlikable so there's no one left to root for. OP, those PPs are clearly trolls or totally misinformed. But you sound increasingly defensive and arrogant. Maybe start a new thread with a more neutral tone to get better advice?

[Anonymous]

Both of these homes are in not good parts of the Hill, folks. Don't try to trick the OP. I would not pay over $800k for either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

Only the a**holes are like many of the posters on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

FYI, it's "DC." Locals never say "the district."

Ignore her OP, it's obvious PP is not a local. She might be from Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has turned into one of those threads where the people on both sides are being unlikable so there's no one left to root for. OP, those PPs are clearly trolls or totally misinformed. But you sound increasingly defensive and arrogant. Maybe start a new thread with a more neutral tone to get better advice?

His original question was neutral, and then the trolls came out and began posting from the VA and MD suburbs.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you'd like more information on DC schools, head over to the DC public and charter schools forum. More realistic and up to date info there, though you won't find a lot of love for Michelle Rhee.

People on this forum tend to be suburban dwellers who may or may not be up to date on what's happening with schools in DC, which is a complicated tale even for those of us who live in the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. It's amazing all the things being attributed to me. I'm sanctimonious, I care more about my dogs than my kid, I'm naïve, thin skinned, etc.

First off, I never said I didn't care about schools. What I did say was that I think it is premature to buy a house based on a non existent (I mean not born yet) kid going to school in a school system very much in a state of flux (for a number of reasons, changing demographics, changing administration, etc.). I also said there is a chance that the schools will change. No all schools and not all at once, but the chance is there. And that I was willing to chance it and if there was no change, then so be it. It's not like 5 years from now is an unreasonable time to move anyway.

People on here then went crazy at the idea that the schools MIGHT change. which I don't really understand. Maybe it's because they don't want them to so they can lord it over their friends and coworkers in lesser neighborhoods, I don't know. But there is definite movement. Scores are improving slowly, although still not at a great level (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/despite-dc-public-school-gains-system-trails-behind-large-city-average/2013/12/18/481bb332-67e2-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html).

All the improvements instituted by Michelle Rhee are in still in place. Incomes in the district are improving. To say there is no chance that schools will improve even in some neighborhoods is just wrong.

I also know people who live in Takoma, Shepherd Park, and Brookland. They all love their schools, some public, some charter. It's working for them and I respect them, so obviously it can work for me.

And if we are handing out the unvarnished truth. How many of the people who went nuts on me suggesting that I have no idea what I was talking about have actually ever set foot in a DC public school? I'm sure there are some, but I bet they are in the minority. Some schools are bad and dangerous. But some schools are thought to be bad because of low test scores on greatschools.com (which is purely correlated with HHI), or because they have too many black or brown kids attending. When you do some digging you find the parents love their schools, the teachers and principals are great and the school is safe. This is especially true of some elementary schools. I am certain I can find good elementary options.
There are some good schools east of the park, that I imagine are good, but suffer from reputation. And then we are looking at 10 years out. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

And if it doesn't, then guess what? I can move or go private. But to imply I'm some wild eyed idealist who doesn't know anything is just crazy.

And the suggestion that I care more about my kid than my dog, is utterly ridiculous. I do care about my dogs, since they are living things that are my responsibility. I really didn't even say that the dogs were a part of the consideration of what area I was looking to live in. I simply said renting would be difficult because of them which is one of the reasons (along with making my wife happy) I prefer to buy now. I'm not sure how saying I don't want to get rid of the dogs right now, so buying would be much easier, turned into you care more about your dogs than your kid's education. WTF?

I really appreciate the people who took the time to try to help me with my question. But to the people who took a simple question about home inventory and turned it into questions about my motivations, intelligence, love of my family, I hope everyone in the area isn't like the people on this forum.

I'm a firm believer in "good enough" schools. I think many of the schools in neighborhoods you'd look in would be good enough, but some might not be. Just don't ignore the schools where you are looking is my advice. Don't worry about the people thinking you care more about your dogs than your kids. If you came on here lamenting the fact that you had to get rid of your dogs so you could rent a place before you buy, the same people would be biting your head off over that and asking why you got dogs if you weren't willing to care for them.

[Anonymous]

So I have heard Maury is good, but the South Carolina house is zoned for Payne. How is that one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you'd like more information on DC schools, head over to the DC public and charter schools forum. More realistic and up to date info there, though you won't find a lot of love for Michelle Rhee.

People on this forum tend to be suburban dwellers who may or may not be up to date on what's happening with schools in DC, which is a complicated tale even for those of us who live in the city.

Did the public or charter schools in DC suddenly surpass those in VA and MD? Please inform us what is happening up to date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I run in that area frequently during the day, and I'd probably pick the South Carolina house over the 16th St. house purely because I think 16th NE is where things start to get sketchier. South Carolina around 13th is pretty nice. I know nothing about the schools, though.

At the 16th house you could run faster - adrenaline and fear. Burn more calories.