Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been house hunting for TWO YEARS and have not yet been able to find the right place. We have had a few close calls but nothing has panned out. We have to move in the next six months.

We require:
-At least two bedrooms
-A reasonable amount of safety. We have a small child.
-Price less than 500k, though of course less is better
-Turnkey ready. No fixer uppers. We are not at all handy.
->900 square feet
-Close to some sort of public transport, but can be bus
-If a condo, then condo fees less than $300/month
-If a condo, no shared laundry

We would like:
-At least three bedrooms
-At least 1100 square feet
-A house vs a condo
-Walking distance to metro (1 mile or less)

In an ideal world:
-A small yard
-A finished basement with kitchenette
-A friendly community with lots of kids
-Amenities in walking distance, like playground, grocery store, library etc

Not a factor:
-Schools
-Parking, as long as abundant street parking is available

Any suggestions?

Woodridge in NE might meet most of your goals.

Done! Woodridge it is: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3618-24th-St-NE-20018/home/10103986

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It has to be DC. That is the one thing that is 100% non-negotiable. The plan is for my child to attend the school where I work. But we need to live inside DC city limits for that to happen. We currently live just outside the city limits.

How can you guarantee that your child will get into this school? If it's private, it doesn't matter where you live, if it's public or charte there is no guarantee unless it's your neighborhood public.

Not OP - but I would assume OP has already looked into whether the child can attend the school she works at and the answer is yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria or South Arlington. Just bring your kid to school when you commute to work.

OP obviously got a job at a decent school in DC but must live in boundary to let her child attend. No way is she going to drop her kid off at some shitty Alexandria City school on the way to her decent DC school.

Please, South Arlington elementary schools compare easily to any charter school or DCPS public, and Gunston is a pretty solid middle school.

At high school, Wilson and DCI seem pretty comparable to Wakefield:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/arlington-county-public-schools/wakefield-high-20363

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/district-of-columbia/districts/district-of-columbia-public-schools/wilson-woodrow-high-school-4649


Honestly, kind of confusing b/c Wakefield has higher math and reading proficiency but lower college readiness than Wilson; and why was Wakefield nationally ranked but not Wilson -- I would argue they are comparable but surprised Wakefield trumps Wilson in these rankings.

Wakefield has average SAT of 1462 and non-minority SAT of 1639 -- anyone have Wilson scores?

I guess my confusion is why OP is resigning herself to probably huge compromises in housing when she can get a good school and housing that works for her at in So Arlington? Is she teaching at some magic school in DC; and is she guaranteed to work through through her child's career (are they guaranteed full-term admission even if she leaves, that would seem like a charter school or DCPS loophole that people would quickly exploit).

Seriously? Her job is in DC....get it? She's not going to change jobs so she can live in Arlington. Would you change jobs to live in DC? Probably ly not. Don't take it personally that not every single person on earth wants to live in Arlington.

Hey Arlington hater, cool your jets. There was no discussion of changing jobs; So Arlington commute to DC can be faster than many DC-DC commutes, so why would she change jobs.

She seems to have some special in with a DCPS or Charter school where she can not have to lottery in nor live in bounds (this is huge loophole and I'm splitting of a thread to talk about it b/c this is the backdoor into a great school, work for a few years teach for America style and guaranteed great schooling). That is why she is aiming for DC residence. But So Arl schools seem at least comparable to DC options and she would get a much nicer neighborhood and good schools and keep her DC school job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been house hunting for TWO YEARS and have not yet been able to find the right place. We have had a few close calls but nothing has panned out. We have to move in the next six months.

We require:
-At least two bedrooms
-A reasonable amount of safety. We have a small child.
-Price less than 500k, though of course less is better
-Turnkey ready. No fixer uppers. We are not at all handy.
->900 square feet
-Close to some sort of public transport, but can be bus
-If a condo, then condo fees less than $300/month
-If a condo, no shared laundry

We would like:
-At least three bedrooms
-At least 1100 square feet
-A house vs a condo
-Walking distance to metro (1 mile or less)

In an ideal world:
-A small yard
-A finished basement with kitchenette
-A friendly community with lots of kids
-Amenities in walking distance, like playground, grocery store, library etc

Not a factor:
-Schools
-Parking, as long as abundant street parking is available

Any suggestions?

Woodridge in NE might meet most of your goals.

Done! Woodridge it is: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3618-24th-St-NE-20018/home/10103986

This house is SOOOO cute!

[Anonymous]

Wow that house in Woodridge does look promising. Thanks for the tip!

I don't have much time to read and respond right now as I am on a brief lunch at work, but I wanted to say thanks to those who have offered suggestions.

To clarify:
-I have zero interest in ever living in Virginia
-I am 100% committed to our plan of having my child attend the charter I work at. And yes, my child gets preferred admission via the lottery.
-Yes we have been searching for 2 years. No, we clearly weren't doing the max that could be done for that two years. Now we need to move before the lottery so we still have time, but less wiggle room.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions!

[Steve]

Do your homework, and target specific, realistic neighborhoods/homes, and knock on doors? BESTEST OF LUCK!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been house hunting for TWO YEARS and have not yet been able to find the right place. We have had a few close calls but nothing has panned out. We have to move in the next six months.

We require:
-At least two bedrooms
-A reasonable amount of safety. We have a small child.
-Price less than 500k, though of course less is better
-Turnkey ready. No fixer uppers. We are not at all handy.
->900 square feet
-Close to some sort of public transport, but can be bus
-If a condo, then condo fees less than $300/month
-If a condo, no shared laundry

We would like:
-At least three bedrooms
-At least 1100 square feet
-A house vs a condo
-Walking distance to metro (1 mile or less)

In an ideal world:
-A small yard
-A finished basement with kitchenette
-A friendly community with lots of kids
-Amenities in walking distance, like playground, grocery store, library etc

Not a factor:
-Schools
-Parking, as long as abundant street parking is available

Any suggestions?

Woodridge in NE might meet most of your goals.

Done! Woodridge it is: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3618-24th-St-NE-20018/home/10103986

This house is SOOOO cute!

I'll bet you it's lovely inside. Once you are allowed to take possession by the bankruptcy court you can see artwork behind the walls the previous owner salvaged the copper wire for scrap.

[Anonymous]

Wait, you're still subject to the lottery? It's not a done deal? RENT for now and only buy once your kid for sure has a spot. I mean, what is your backup plan if kiddo doesn't make the cut? Arlington might not look as bad in that case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you're still subject to the lottery? It's not a done deal? RENT for now and only buy once your kid for sure has a spot. I mean, what is your backup plan if kiddo doesn't make the cut? Arlington might not look as bad in that case.

'Preferred' is just lip services so DCPS won't cry foul. Their kid is guaranteed to 'win' the lottery don't worry.

[Anonymous]

Something is wrong with that Woodridge house. It's a flip that's been under contract twice and is now back on the market, AS-IS.

Someone found something in an earlier inspection. I'd be careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Something is wrong with that Woodridge house. It's a flip that's been under contract twice and is now back on the market, AS-IS.

Someone found something in an earlier inspection. I'd be careful.

This and 202 days on the market...

[Anonymous]

Teachers and Staff have lottery preferences; her child WILL get in.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you'd posted here two years ago, you'd be comfortably ensconced in Riggs Park by now.

That's still my recommendation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you're still subject to the lottery? It's not a done deal? RENT for now and only buy once your kid for sure has a spot. I mean, what is your backup plan if kiddo doesn't make the cut? Arlington might not look as bad in that case.

+1. Even if elementary is covered, I'm concerned about the middle and high schools that the suggested homes are zoned to. They are rated 1 and 2! I'm not one to get all hung up on ratings, but when a school is rated as low as it can possibly go, that gives me cause for concern. Those 5 years of elementary are going to fly by, will OP be able to sell and move again in five years? Or would it not be better to rent for now?

[Anonymous]

You can learn to be handy. It's really not that hard. I'd look for a fixer upper in the better neighborhoods.

(And I'll let the DC people fight about where that is; I know nothing about DC neighborhoods). But I stand by my main principle. You can get into a better area than you would otherwise afford. After 2 yrs, I think something has to give in the wish list.