Relocating from Chicago -- Neighborhood Recommendations in DC, MD and VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Del Ray (Alexandria) is a cool neighborhood, very walkable with good schools and a young family scene. I don't think you will be able to afford a home at that price level, but rent is affordable.

But they want good schools. And, no, they won't find anything there for $575k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, DC is not like Chicago. Apples and oranges. Here are your options:

You can up your budget and live in the city in a rowhouse - and compromise schools or go private.

You can live close-in in somewhere that's still a little funky like Del Ray, TP, or SS - and compromise schools or go private.

You can up your budget (a lot) and live in Arlington or Bethesda - both have good schools.

Or you can move to the suburbs. You will have your good schools, and you can drive to DC, but you'll probably realize that's a pain in he ass and spend all your time close to home.

All of the bolded above are suburbs. haha.

And "funky" is not an adjective I would ever use to describe Del Ray...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

donewithchicago wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you're moving here, but won't have commutes? Move as far out as you can. With that budget, you won't be getting much close-in and it doesn't seem necessary.

Which then begs the question, why bother moving at all? Higher cost of living, not higher income.

Higher cost of living for a better quality region.

I am a Midwesterner and I have lived in the DC area for over 10 years. I am also very familiar with Chicago. You may be deluding yourself a little about this being a "better quality region." I want to warn you that it is very, very expensive and what you actually get for all of that expense really is not much. Unlike Chicago, there is very little supply with respect to housing. In areas with "good schools," tiny little houses with low ceilings that most people in Chicago would not touch with a 10 foot pole cost over a million dollars in certain close in areas. Can't afford that? Well, then you have to live in sketchier parts of the city and deal with bad schools or you have to live really far out and spend your life in traffic. Also, you can't get reasonably priced private/Catholic schools like you can in Chicago. The absolute minimum is 10K per year, but most are 20-40K per year. Daycare for one child can cost upwards of 2K per month. There are waitlists for everything, daycares, preschools, swimming lessons, classes, etc. Also, unlike Chicago, which is more spread out, there are way too many people packed into a relatively small area, so there is constant competition for everything, I mean everything. All of this causes people to become very crabby and unpleasant on a regular basis. And this is made worse by the fact that the area is already populated with more than its fair share of type A climbers who would step on their own grandmothers to get ahead. It is very difficult to make friends because there is still a lot of transience and many reserved people who keep to themselves.

I don't know what your financial situation is OP, but I can tell you that your housing budget of 575K, while great for Chicago, will not get you a lot of desireable choices here. It is a very, very tough place to live, and especially to raise kids, if you are a regular middle or upper middle class person. I am sure that people on this thread will blast me for saying that and tell you that I am wrong, and talk about how great it is, but I can guarantee you that many of those people are either very wealthy, have trust funds or family help, or bought their homes 30 years ago. I wish you the best, OP, but with your housing budget and your list of desires, you may want to reconsider. If you do move here, though, I hope that things work out for the best. Not to scare you, I just thought that you should come into this area with your eyes wide open. Wish someone would have done me this favor before I moved here.

Might I add that, unless you live really far out, everything is hopelessly crowded at all times of day and night. You literally have to plan your life around it. It is ridiculous. Unlike larger geographical cities like Chicago, there are simply not enough resources (stores, restaurants, etc.) relative to the number of people who live here. Even going to the grocery store or running any type of errand is a stress-inducing experience. Lots of pushy people. And that is not even to mention the traffic, which I know if no picnic in Chicago during rush hour, but here the traffic is awful 24-7. I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I leave home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

donewithchicago wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you're moving here, but won't have commutes? Move as far out as you can. With that budget, you won't be getting much close-in and it doesn't seem necessary.

Which then begs the question, why bother moving at all? Higher cost of living, not higher income.

Higher cost of living for a better quality region.

I am a Midwesterner and I have lived in the DC area for over 10 years. I am also very familiar with Chicago. You may be deluding yourself a little about this being a "better quality region." I want to warn you that it is very, very expensive and what you actually get for all of that expense really is not much. Unlike Chicago, there is very little supply with respect to housing. In areas with "good schools," tiny little houses with low ceilings that most people in Chicago would not touch with a 10 foot pole cost over a million dollars in certain close in areas. Can't afford that? Well, then you have to live in sketchier parts of the city and deal with bad schools or you have to live really far out and spend your life in traffic. Also, you can't get reasonably priced private/Catholic schools like you can in Chicago. The absolute minimum is 10K per year, but most are 20-40K per year. Daycare for one child can cost upwards of 2K per month. There are waitlists for everything, daycares, preschools, swimming lessons, classes, etc. Also, unlike Chicago, which is more spread out, there are way too many people packed into a relatively small area, so there is constant competition for everything, I mean everything. All of this causes people to become very crabby and unpleasant on a regular basis. And this is made worse by the fact that the area is already populated with more than its fair share of type A climbers who would step on their own grandmothers to get ahead. It is very difficult to make friends because there is still a lot of transience and many reserved people who keep to themselves.

I don't know what your financial situation is OP, but I can tell you that your housing budget of 575K, while great for Chicago, will not get you a lot of desireable choices here. It is a very, very tough place to live, and especially to raise kids, if you are a regular middle or upper middle class person. I am sure that people on this thread will blast me for saying that and tell you that I am wrong, and talk about how great it is, but I can guarantee you that many of those people are either very wealthy, have trust funds or family help, or bought their homes 30 years ago. I wish you the best, OP, but with your housing budget and your list of desires, you may want to reconsider. If you do move here, though, I hope that things work out for the best. Not to scare you, I just thought that you should come into this area with your eyes wide open. Wish someone would have done me this favor before I moved here.

Might I add that, unless you live really far out, everything is hopelessly crowded at all times of day and night. You literally have to plan your life around it. It is ridiculous. Unlike larger geographical cities like Chicago, there are simply not enough resources (stores, restaurants, etc.) relative to the number of people who live here. Even going to the grocery store or running any type of errand is a stress-inducing experience. Lots of pushy people. And that is not even to mention the traffic, which I know if no picnic in Chicago during rush hour, but here the traffic is awful 24-7. I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I leave home.

PP, you sound really miserable. What stopping you from finding work someplace else and then move?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

donewithchicago wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you're moving here, but won't have commutes? Move as far out as you can. With that budget, you won't be getting much close-in and it doesn't seem necessary.

Which then begs the question, why bother moving at all? Higher cost of living, not higher income.

Higher cost of living for a better quality region.

I am a Midwesterner and I have lived in the DC area for over 10 years. I am also very familiar with Chicago. You may be deluding yourself a little about this being a "better quality region." I want to warn you that it is very, very expensive and what you actually get for all of that expense really is not much. Unlike Chicago, there is very little supply with respect to housing. In areas with "good schools," tiny little houses with low ceilings that most people in Chicago would not touch with a 10 foot pole cost over a million dollars in certain close in areas. Can't afford that? Well, then you have to live in sketchier parts of the city and deal with bad schools or you have to live really far out and spend your life in traffic. Also, you can't get reasonably priced private/Catholic schools like you can in Chicago. The absolute minimum is 10K per year, but most are 20-40K per year. Daycare for one child can cost upwards of 2K per month. There are waitlists for everything, daycares, preschools, swimming lessons, classes, etc. Also, unlike Chicago, which is more spread out, there are way too many people packed into a relatively small area, so there is constant competition for everything, I mean everything. All of this causes people to become very crabby and unpleasant on a regular basis. And this is made worse by the fact that the area is already populated with more than its fair share of type A climbers who would step on their own grandmothers to get ahead. It is very difficult to make friends because there is still a lot of transience and many reserved people who keep to themselves.

I don't know what your financial situation is OP, but I can tell you that your housing budget of 575K, while great for Chicago, will not get you a lot of desireable choices here. It is a very, very tough place to live, and especially to raise kids, if you are a regular middle or upper middle class person. I am sure that people on this thread will blast me for saying that and tell you that I am wrong, and talk about how great it is, but I can guarantee you that many of those people are either very wealthy, have trust funds or family help, or bought their homes 30 years ago. I wish you the best, OP, but with your housing budget and your list of desires, you may want to reconsider. If you do move here, though, I hope that things work out for the best. Not to scare you, I just thought that you should come into this area with your eyes wide open. Wish someone would have done me this favor before I moved here.

Might I add that, unless you live really far out, everything is hopelessly crowded at all times of day and night. You literally have to plan your life around it. It is ridiculous. Unlike larger geographical cities like Chicago, there are simply not enough resources (stores, restaurants, etc.) relative to the number of people who live here. Even going to the grocery store or running any type of errand is a stress-inducing experience. Lots of pushy people. And that is not even to mention the traffic, which I know if no picnic in Chicago during rush hour, but here the traffic is awful 24-7. I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I leave home.

I've lived in close-in suburbs of both VA and MD and haven't had this problem. Maybe PP lives in DC? Just haven't had this problem in the burbs. Considering the can-work-anywhere job and budget, I think the OP should choose a suburb outside of the beltway. Lots of great options for decent housing and good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First, DC is not like Chicago. Apples and oranges. Here are your options:

You can up your budget and live in the city in a rowhouse - and compromise schools or go private.

You can live close-in in somewhere that's still a little funky like Del Ray, TP, or SS - and compromise schools or go private.

You can up your budget (a lot) and live in Arlington or Bethesda - both have good schools.

Or you can move to the suburbs. You will have your good schools, and you can drive to DC, but you'll probably realize that's a pain in he ass and spend all your time close to home.

All of the bolded above are suburbs. haha.

And "funky" is not an adjective I would ever use to describe Del Ray...

Ok. Good for you?

[Anonymous]

I would pick the school pyramid you want first. I've read both this thread, and also the one you posted in the preschool forum.
What I gleaned for it was that you were willing to do private schools b/c of you experience in Chicago- but otherwise what you would probably prefer is good public schools?
I also gleaned that you want somewhat of a small community feel- particularly with respect to business- but that diversity matters to you.
I also got that you are very concerned about the culture of corruption in Chicago, and you would like to avoid that moving here.
I also got that your understanding of housing stock is WAY off- and that while you listed a budget of 575 you probably could afford to double that budget- you just didn't understand what you would be getting for that.
I also got that you want to move to DC to be part of urban style living- you don't want to live in one of the farout bedroom communities where people get up early to spend 45 minutes on the MARC train, etc.
If I misunderstood any of this- then some of my recommendations might be less valid. (FWIW- I have lived here for more than 30 years in various different parts of the DMV, and I really like it here.)

With your concerns about corruption, incompetent local gov't etc I would strongly suggest avoiding DC proper. While the city government has improved over the years, there are still some serious structural issues.

You might well like Takoma Park--- I know less about the school situation there.

I personally really love Arlington- for all of its faults. It is vastly smaller than Fairfax County/ Montgomery County/ Prince George's County, etc. It has a strong commercial tax base (albeit not currently as strong as it was in previous years). As a community, it is very committed to caring for its less fortunate residents. It has solid diversity. It's easy to get involved in local politics, etc., if that is your thing. Look at the civil rights statistics on the schools to see the diversity/ % of free reduced lunch etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

donewithchicago wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you're moving here, but won't have commutes? Move as far out as you can. With that budget, you won't be getting much close-in and it doesn't seem necessary.

Which then begs the question, why bother moving at all? Higher cost of living, not higher income.

Higher cost of living for a better quality region.

I am a Midwesterner and I have lived in the DC area for over 10 years. I am also very familiar with Chicago. You may be deluding yourself a little about this being a "better quality region." I want to warn you that it is very, very expensive and what you actually get for all of that expense really is not much. Unlike Chicago, there is very little supply with respect to housing. In areas with "good schools," tiny little houses with low ceilings that most people in Chicago would not touch with a 10 foot pole cost over a million dollars in certain close in areas. Can't afford that? Well, then you have to live in sketchier parts of the city and deal with bad schools or you have to live really far out and spend your life in traffic. Also, you can't get reasonably priced private/Catholic schools like you can in Chicago. The absolute minimum is 10K per year, but most are 20-40K per year. Daycare for one child can cost upwards of 2K per month. There are waitlists for everything, daycares, preschools, swimming lessons, classes, etc. Also, unlike Chicago, which is more spread out, there are way too many people packed into a relatively small area, so there is constant competition for everything, I mean everything. All of this causes people to become very crabby and unpleasant on a regular basis. And this is made worse by the fact that the area is already populated with more than its fair share of type A climbers who would step on their own grandmothers to get ahead. It is very difficult to make friends because there is still a lot of transience and many reserved people who keep to themselves.

I don't know what your financial situation is OP, but I can tell you that your housing budget of 575K, while great for Chicago, will not get you a lot of desireable choices here. It is a very, very tough place to live, and especially to raise kids, if you are a regular middle or upper middle class person. I am sure that people on this thread will blast me for saying that and tell you that I am wrong, and talk about how great it is, but I can guarantee you that many of those people are either very wealthy, have trust funds or family help, or bought their homes 30 years ago. I wish you the best, OP, but with your housing budget and your list of desires, you may want to reconsider. If you do move here, though, I hope that things work out for the best. Not to scare you, I just thought that you should come into this area with your eyes wide open. Wish someone would have done me this favor before I moved here.

Might I add that, unless you live really far out, everything is hopelessly crowded at all times of day and night. You literally have to plan your life around it. It is ridiculous. Unlike larger geographical cities like Chicago, there are simply not enough resources (stores, restaurants, etc.) relative to the number of people who live here. Even going to the grocery store or running any type of errand is a stress-inducing experience. Lots of pushy people. And that is not even to mention the traffic, which I know if no picnic in Chicago during rush hour, but here the traffic is awful 24-7. I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I leave home.

I've lived in close-in suburbs of both VA and MD and haven't had this problem. Maybe PP lives in DC? Just haven't had this problem in the burbs. Considering the can-work-anywhere job and budget, I think the OP should choose a suburb outside of the beltway. Lots of great options for decent housing and good schools.

I haven't found this to be the case most places either with one major caveat. I travel 25-30 weeks a year for work and have to buy supplies at the grocery stores in all the cities I go to. the DC area is the only place I have ever been where the grocery stores do not give a fuck how long the lines are and how long the wait time is. In other cities you'll see cashiers standing around waiting for someone to choose their line. Never the case here, whether it is in DC or on the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I think something the OP might not yet fully "get" is how big the school districts are here. Montgomery County is one district with about 150,000 students. So, the district is huge and the best way to narrow down neighborhoods is by high school pyramid, but even then there are some pretty big swings when it comes to elementary and middle schools within a single high school "pyramid."

The other thing is that a budget of 575K cannot get absolutely everything on her list. On that budget you can either have walkability and an urban feel with GS 4-7 schools (Takoma Park and Silver Spring) OR more highly ranked schools but less walkability (Olney, a small place in the part of Kensington zoned for a W school).

I literally cannot think of a neighborhood that checks ALL of the boxes, and none that are analogous to Oak Park. The closest neighborhood to Oak Park is probably Takoma DC, I think. Beautiful craftsman homes, easy commute to the city, lots of stuff within walking distance, but the school situation is not solid.

If the OP had more money, I'd suggest Shepherd Park, which is a great part of DC with a clear school trajectory but I don't think you can get into that neighborhood for under 800K at this point.

We are moving to DC from Oak Park this summer for DH's job and you are making me even more sad to leave. We are looking at Silver Spring/Takoma Park so at least this thread and others makes me think we're on the right track.

Have a new neighbor in Takoma Park who moved from Oak Park last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

donewithchicago wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you're moving here, but won't have commutes? Move as far out as you can. With that budget, you won't be getting much close-in and it doesn't seem necessary.

Which then begs the question, why bother moving at all? Higher cost of living, not higher income.

Higher cost of living for a better quality region.

I am a Midwesterner and I have lived in the DC area for over 10 years. I am also very familiar with Chicago. You may be deluding yourself a little about this being a "better quality region." I want to warn you that it is very, very expensive and what you actually get for all of that expense really is not much. Unlike Chicago, there is very little supply with respect to housing. In areas with "good schools," tiny little houses with low ceilings that most people in Chicago would not touch with a 10 foot pole cost over a million dollars in certain close in areas. Can't afford that? Well, then you have to live in sketchier parts of the city and deal with bad schools or you have to live really far out and spend your life in traffic. Also, you can't get reasonably priced private/Catholic schools like you can in Chicago. The absolute minimum is 10K per year, but most are 20-40K per year. Daycare for one child can cost upwards of 2K per month. There are waitlists for everything, daycares, preschools, swimming lessons, classes, etc. Also, unlike Chicago, which is more spread out, there are way too many people packed into a relatively small area, so there is constant competition for everything, I mean everything. All of this causes people to become very crabby and unpleasant on a regular basis. And this is made worse by the fact that the area is already populated with more than its fair share of type A climbers who would step on their own grandmothers to get ahead. It is very difficult to make friends because there is still a lot of transience and many reserved people who keep to themselves.

I don't know what your financial situation is OP, but I can tell you that your housing budget of 575K, while great for Chicago, will not get you a lot of desireable choices here. It is a very, very tough place to live, and especially to raise kids, if you are a regular middle or upper middle class person. I am sure that people on this thread will blast me for saying that and tell you that I am wrong, and talk about how great it is, but I can guarantee you that many of those people are either very wealthy, have trust funds or family help, or bought their homes 30 years ago. I wish you the best, OP, but with your housing budget and your list of desires, you may want to reconsider. If you do move here, though, I hope that things work out for the best. Not to scare you, I just thought that you should come into this area with your eyes wide open. Wish someone would have done me this favor before I moved here.

Might I add that, unless you live really far out, everything is hopelessly crowded at all times of day and night. You literally have to plan your life around it. It is ridiculous. Unlike larger geographical cities like Chicago, there are simply not enough resources (stores, restaurants, etc.) relative to the number of people who live here. Even going to the grocery store or running any type of errand is a stress-inducing experience. Lots of pushy people. And that is not even to mention the traffic, which I know if no picnic in Chicago during rush hour, but here the traffic is awful 24-7. I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I leave home.

I've lived in close-in suburbs of both VA and MD and haven't had this problem. Maybe PP lives in DC? Just haven't had this problem in the burbs. Considering the can-work-anywhere job and budget, I think the OP should choose a suburb outside of the beltway. Lots of great options for decent housing and good schools.

I haven't found this to be the case most places either with one major caveat. I travel 25-30 weeks a year for work and have to buy supplies at the grocery stores in all the cities I go to. the DC area is the only place I have ever been where the grocery stores do not give a fuck how long the lines are and how long the wait time is. In other cities you'll see cashiers standing around waiting for someone to choose their line. Never the case here, whether it is in DC or on the suburbs.

I always do the self check-out line. Never a long line. Always issues with the technology, though.