The problem is that it's hard to find schools that are close to public transit + affordable housing. The old rule of thumb for SFHs is that ones that are within a mile of a Metro stop were automatically worth $100-150K more than those further away. |
| Have you looked at Van Ness elementary school yet? I think that would be a great choice for you. There is a nice mix of housing in that area and the YArds PArk area is fantastic. It's super close to Crystal City-- just over the bridge. Heck, you could take a water taxi to work if you don't want to drive or take metro! I live on Capitol Hill close to Van Ness and I think that is a much, much better deal generally speaking and for your situation-- young kid and work in Crystal City-- it is absolutely on point. Or am I missing something? |
Maybe something like this? http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Washington-DC-20003/108439397_zpid/66127_rid/globalrelevanceex_sort/38.900017,-76.964379,38.861532,-77.023001_rect/13_zm/ |
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Or this to rent:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/5625110249.html |
I didn't even know there was a water taxi! It got a little unclear to me on the whole metro thing... it seemed like google maps wasn't correct or something and that getting over to crystal city was a hike. I will definitely keep that in mind! Do you have a child there? |
I don't need a SFH, but since we are anticipating a 2nd eventually I was hoping for 3 BD if possible. Thanks for the tip. |
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you don't have to drive to Crystal City.
If you have a kid in a school that's not metro-accessible you may choose to do it, but it is an extremely metro accessible place to work and if you are neutral to positive about transit you will be fine (metro has its problems, but so does driving!). I would look at SWW at Francis-Stevens, Thompson, Cleveland, and some of the charters further north but close to the green/yellow line. If you're willing to change trains at L'Enfant, add Brent, Maury, the Cluster, and Van Ness. The odds of getting a kindergarten spot from out of bounds is small, so either pick one and move in-bounds, or enter the lottery, see what you get, and move close to a charter if you get in and in-bounds for your preferred school if you don't. |
I bet the confusion is that there is Van Ness neighborhood and metro stop in upper northwest, and then there is Van Ness elementary school in Southeast. Totally different areas. No my kids don't go to Van Ness. They go to Brent which is our in boundary school. Van Ness is super close to us and we have watched its development and think it has A LOT going for it. |
Oh yes, I was looking for the school. Thanks for th tip on Brent! I think the Capital Hill area and below (NAvy Yard?) looks promising. |
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Mount pleasant is a short walk to the yellow line at Columbia Heights. Bancroft Elementary is lovely if you're interested in dual language. It feeds to Deal and Wilson, arguably the best middle and high schools in the city, so you'd be set through high school.
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