If you had $1,000,000 budget for a home, work in DC and desire a short cummute, and cannot afford

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right, the point is that OP should get accurate information, and "racial incident...or maybe not?" doesn't really meet that standard. In fact, very little of what was written on DCUM about that incident was accurate. I live in the neighborhood (but in Murch district) and still don't know the whole story myself, but it was evident that the DCUM thread was a font of innuendo and misinformation.

OP is a big girl. She can no doubt filter a message board for herself. Other posters don't need to whitewash another mother's worries - your idea of a legitimate playground concern may not be the same as someone else's.

[Anonymous]

Consider City of Falls Church, next to Arlington. Easy driving, two metro stations, bike path. Strong, small school system (about 125 kids per grade) Look in Broadmont neighborhood, near East Falls church Metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider City of Falls Church, next to Arlington. Easy driving, two metro stations, bike path. Strong, small school system (about 125 kids per grade) Look in Broadmont neighborhood, near East Falls church Metro.

Falls Church is nice, but let's be honest here. This is not going to be a short commute (not during rush hour anyway).

[Anonymous]

It's shorter than many in dc region..... it's all a balancing act -- home size, neighborhood, schools, community, commute.

I like Falls Church, commuting by car faster than metro if you time it right, sense of community is very strong, some nice older housing stock (if youve got 1M), good public schools.

[Anonymous]

At what time during the rush hour would you be able to get from Falls Church to Union Station in < 45 minutes, which is what OP wants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Not so fast. Isn't Lafayette the school with a recent racial incident? Or was it a 2nd grader beating up a 1st grader and the school tried to cover it up? Can't remember the details, but I'm pretty sure it was ugly and it was at Lafayette.

Ha! Were you trying to prove 1:00's point? If so, well done. (And, no, I'm not a Lafayette or Janney parent.)

Well thanks I guess, 'cause I'm just trying to help and the OP ought to know. It's not like it's a big secret. It was pretty well discussed on these boards as I recall and it was only a couple of months ago.

Right, the point is that OP should get accurate information, and "racial incident...or maybe not?" doesn't really meet that standard. In fact, very little of what was written on DCUM about that incident was accurate. I live in the neighborhood (but in Murch district) and still don't know the whole story myself, but it was evident that the DCUM thread was a font of innuendo and misinformation.

Lafayette parent here with first hand knowledge - it was not a racial incident and the school handled it appropriately. And yes the DCUM board and other listservs had a lot of misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At what time during the rush hour would you be able to get from Falls Church to Union Station in < 45 minutes, which is what OP wants?

If you cut down Lee Highway instead of going on 66, you could get from Falls Church to the GW Parkway at Spout Run in Arlington in 10-15 minutes during rush hour. Then, assuming traffic was not horrible, you could get to Union Station in 1/2 hour. While Lee Highway has lots of lights, there is never a traffic back up like there can be on 66.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what time during the rush hour would you be able to get from Falls Church to Union Station in < 45 minutes, which is what OP wants?

If you cut down Lee Highway instead of going on 66, you could get from Falls Church to the GW Parkway at Spout Run in Arlington in 10-15 minutes during rush hour. Then, assuming traffic was not horrible, you could get to Union Station in 1/2 hour. While Lee Highway has lots of lights, there is never a traffic back up like there can be on 66.

I'm a different poster who lives on the Arlington/E Falls Church line. You can also take route 50 E and get on to the GW parkway that way, or cross a different bridge. There are so MANY non I 66 options to get into the district when you live inside the beltway (which is what City of FC and parts of FC are considered). THIS is one of the main reasons these areas are so desirable to live in.

[Anonymous]

I thought OP wanted to drive into Foggy Bottom -- that can be a 20 min drive from falls church in rush hour

[Anonymous]

Downtown Bethesda. No need for private schools ever, if you want to save your money for college.

[Anonymous]

You can get a nice rowhouse in Cleveland Park for around $800k. Eaton is a terrific school and the new Eaton playground, which is incredible, is just about done. Deal is newly renovated and Wilson has plans for a major renovation in the next few years. Both schools are wonderful.

[Anonymous]

PP - this post was from early 2009. Why did you start it up again?

Did you think the OP was still looking for input?

[Anonymous]

I agree - Cleveland Park and Eaton would be my choice, but alas I don't have $800k to spend on a house.

[Anonymous]

Oyster is OK. Strong elementary, the Middle School has yet to pan out. Disagree with previous poster that this is due to less talented Spanish teachers. Incredible thought! No group of teachers is uniform, but in general the Spanish speaking teachers there are on par with the English--creative and dedicated. There is a new admin courtesy of M. Rhee, teachers who have had change after change after change fatigue, a vociferous parent population which can cut both ways between helpful and helicoptering. Basically, I would not buy a home to be in the Oyster District, though others would...so you get re-sale value I guess!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids will go to Murch, so I really have no agenda here -- other than hoping to promote generally positive feelings about DCPS. Let's be happy that we have so many great options and not spend time tearing them down!

PP we are a new Murch family and are very happy. It's a great community. The new playground and soccer fields are wonderful and there are trees, grass, and soon, an organic garden. Not sure it will rival Mann's gardens, but it's all good.

That all said, if I had that kind of money at the moment I'd put it down in a walkable Arlington neighborhood and metro in. Hands down. Way better commute than MC and the schools seem far less worksheet driven than MD. The peace of mind of knowing that you could call 911 and have a competent person actiually answer and send competent help would be tremendous. That is one of my big fears in DC. There are several excellent magnet schools and all sorts of great county rec programs in Arlington. Schools are good all the way through, I really don't think that Deal and Wilson compare, at this point at least. I'm not thrilled with my kids going to schools with metal detectors, although I wouldn't want them in those schools without them either.

If you are ok with driving or metroing 20-25 min or so in, friends are very happy with life and the schools in Falls Church city. The schools are small and are divided into K-2, 3-5 and so on. Great and affordable aftercare. They have a First Night, farmer's market, all the little extras, plus 2 metros and the bike trail. Friend's hubby bikes in to work. The trail runs all the way through Arlington, it can be nice to have safe biking as an option.