s/o Would you move to Ward 3 if money wasn't an issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 is beautiful and I can see why some people love living there, but its too vanilla for me. My ideal DC neighborhood would be a home in the U Street corridor (with off street parking). I'm granola meets urban chic and still under 30 fyi. Being in walkable distance from a Whole Foods, more than one metro, and Ben's/Ben's Next Door would be awesome! My friends and I were leaving Lauriol Plaza last week and were joking how we'd all be in trouble if one of us lived in walking distance.

You'll change your mind when your sweet little toddler bends down to reach for some drunken bum's poo on the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

I live in the U street neighborhood (with off street parking - never realized I was living the dream, we just had the good luck/vision to buy pre-gentrification) and we have two little ones and LOVE it. walking distance to several great playgrounds and an easy metro ride to the Portrait Gallery and Building Museum - plus the shaw library has great kids programs. A short commute. We may eventually move to ward 3 or not. Once or twice there are kids smoking pot at one of the local playgrounds and we just ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You'll change your mind when your sweet little toddler bends down to reach for some drunken bum's poo on the sidewalk.

We literally had drunk guys unzip and urinate on the sidewalks when we were walking with DC in a stroller in Ward 1. As well as some bum expose himself for no reason at all in the public library.

Not sure if that was the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning.

[Anonymous]

quote=Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You'll change your mind when your sweet little toddler bends down to reach for some drunken bum's poo on the sidewalk.

We literally had drunk guys unzip and urinate on the sidewalks when we were walking with DC in a stroller in Ward 1. As well as some bum expose himself for no reason at all in the public library.

Not sure if that was the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning.

I grew up in Baltimore City in Bolton Hill. My parents were those urban pioneers who bought a crumbling Victorian from the city for $100 when I was a baby. They renovated for years, and my dad is still fixing things. I remember my nanny taking us to the park and seeing all kinds of crazy things. People peeing, smoking pot, probably drug deals. We went to private schools and overall, had a great childhood. We went to museums, the symphony, to plays and to interesting restaurants all the time. It was definitely a fun urban upbringing.

I now live in Montgomery County because I don't think I have the resolve my mother did to manage all of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this thread. Ward 3 is huge. It's urban like Connecticut ave it's mansions in Spring valley , it's small town like the Palisades etc etc. You rubes have no idea about this city. Stick with the Vienna talk.

Yentas.

Wasn't it started by someone who lives there and wants affirmation that she made a wise choice?

Putzes.

You have reading comprehension issues. I wasn't trying to affirm my choice. I don't think ward 3 is for everyone. I started this thread because I'm tired of the "rich" people of ward 3 trying to put down people who live in other places by saying that anyone who dislikes ward 3 are just arguing "sour grapes" because they can't afford to live here. I think this should dispell that theory since many people have valid reasons for liking their neighborhoods outside of ward 3. I'm happy where I am and I'm glad to learn that others are as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 is beautiful and I can see why some people love living there, but its too vanilla for me. My ideal DC neighborhood would be a home in the U Street corridor (with off street parking). I'm granola meets urban chic and still under 30 fyi. Being in walkable distance from a Whole Foods, more than one metro, and Ben's/Ben's Next Door would be awesome! My friends and I were leaving Lauriol Plaza last week and were joking how we'd all be in trouble if one of us lived in walking distance.

I love this area of DC too and lived there for 11 years. I'm now 32, married, TTC and while I still LOVE the more urban feel of U St/Dupont, we just moved to the calmer Ward 3 and I'm really enjoying it. At least I can still walk to a Whole Foods and Starbucks - and it's a quick drive down Mass if I go through withdrawal! I can't imagine raising children in the hustle and bustle of U St.

By the way, the houses in Dupont and Kalorama are more expensive (per square foot) than anywhere else in DC. I love Kalorama.

I don't really get this pervasive idea. If you liked living in a more urban place when you didn't have kids, why wouldn't you with kids? We love being urban even more now that we have kids, and so do the kids!

Because needs change when you have kids. I'm glad that what you do works for you. I too loved the urban vibe before kids, but once they arrived, the following happened:
- I don't have time or money to spend much time in trendy bars and restaurants I adored pre-kids. So I don't need to be close to them;
- I need space with kids. A lot more space. I'm just not a minimalist person.
- Quiet
- Large backyard
- I love museums and theatres as much as the next person, but I simply don't spend much time there with kids. A quick trip down to the Mall with kids every month (once they are old enough) is not reason enough to live near them. Besides, getting to museums from Ward 3 takes as much time as from NOVA burbs
- Don't want to take kids on metro

Again, I respect your choices, but you asked a question, and I'm happy to answer.

This makes sense to me, although my own preferences are opposite on almost every count. I am, or at least aspire to be, a minimalist. I like noise the sound of active streets. I don't want to have to take care of a yard. I go to museums and theatres much more than I did prior to having a child, on average 2-4 a week. I love taking my child on public transportation of all kinds, and I hate driving. But, although I still feel a sense of reminiscence about living close to my beloved bars and restaurants, I rarely actually go to them.

Just curious where you're from. I'm from Manhattan and I love being able to drive and have easy access to parking wherever I go. (I'm not the pp you quoted.)

PP here. I feel the same way as Manhattan poster. I grew up in a big city and I love having a car. I had a car and drove everywhere during the four years I lived in Dupont Circle (if you know local parking tricks, it's easy). I could have easily given it up, but didn't want to. For me, public transit has its place, but it doesn't work for all purposes. Getting anywhere by metro outside rush hour often means waiting on a platform for 20+ minutes. At least when you're stuck in traffic you have control over sound and temperature in your car. If I had to grocery shop and walk in Dupont, my choices would have been to shop at a corner mart (King of Overpriced Wilted Produce), or take cabs to Whole Foods, hardly convenient. I loved the freedom of going anywhere any time I fancied. Also loved being able to wear glamorous, impractical shoes. Now that I have a kid, I appreciate having all the extras on hand in the car at all times (umbrella, extra sweater, toys, snacks, extra diaper bag, permanently installed carseat..) without needing to lug them. For me, the only frustration of having a car is that rare situation when you have no parking, which can usually be solved with money.

I also note that my carless friends who lived in Dupont bummed rides from me all the time - showed me that when costs are removed from the equation, people would rather be in a car than metro.

This is my opinion, your mileage may vary. I'm sure some people don't miss having a car and cope fine with only public transport, but I was not willing to endure the inconvenience it involves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 is beautiful and I can see why some people love living there, but its too vanilla for me. My ideal DC neighborhood would be a home in the U Street corridor (with off street parking). I'm granola meets urban chic and still under 30 fyi. Being in walkable distance from a Whole Foods, more than one metro, and Ben's/Ben's Next Door would be awesome! My friends and I were leaving Lauriol Plaza last week and were joking how we'd all be in trouble if one of us lived in walking distance.

I love this area of DC too and lived there for 11 years. I'm now 32, married, TTC and while I still LOVE the more urban feel of U St/Dupont, we just moved to the calmer Ward 3 and I'm really enjoying it. At least I can still walk to a Whole Foods and Starbucks - and it's a quick drive down Mass if I go through withdrawal! I can't imagine raising children in the hustle and bustle of U St.

By the way, the houses in Dupont and Kalorama are more expensive (per square foot) than anywhere else in DC. I love Kalorama.

I don't really get this pervasive idea. If you liked living in a more urban place when you didn't have kids, why wouldn't you with kids? We love being urban even more now that we have kids, and so do the kids!

Because needs change when you have kids. I'm glad that what you do works for you. I too loved the urban vibe before kids, but once they arrived, the following happened:
- I don't have time or money to spend much time in trendy bars and restaurants I adored pre-kids. So I don't need to be close to them;
- I need space with kids. A lot more space. I'm just not a minimalist person.
- Quiet
- Large backyard
- I love museums and theatres as much as the next person, but I simply don't spend much time there with kids. A quick trip down to the Mall with kids every month (once they are old enough) is not reason enough to live near them. Besides, getting to museums from Ward 3 takes as much time as from NOVA burbs
- Don't want to take kids on metro

Again, I respect your choices, but you asked a question, and I'm happy to answer.

This makes sense to me, although my own preferences are opposite on almost every count. I am, or at least aspire to be, a minimalist. I like noise the sound of active streets. I don't want to have to take care of a yard. I go to museums and theatres much more than I did prior to having a child, on average 2-4 a week. I love taking my child on public transportation of all kinds, and I hate driving. But, although I still feel a sense of reminiscence about living close to my beloved bars and restaurants, I rarely actually go to them.

Just curious where you're from. I'm from Manhattan and I love being able to drive and have easy access to parking wherever I go. (I'm not the pp you quoted.)

I moved a lot, mostly in suburbs. High school in Ridgewood, NJ. I liked having a car and driving when I was a teenager, but I much prefer using public transportation. Moreover, when I think back about all the dangerous situations my friends were in (and the several that died in car accidents), I would much prefer my child to be able to get around without (not that she won't learn to drive; I just hope that she will learn that it isn't always necessary, especially when people are drinking).

Also I do have a car, I just don't use it that often, and almost never within the city. For example, I walk to the Mall, take the bus to Mount Pleasant, take the metro to Cleveland Park, but I drive to visit people in Kent or the Palisades, and to skip town (although sometimes I will train or bus to NYC because I find it more pleasant than driving and trying to park there). Where I choose to drive, I can generally park. If there isn't parking where I am going, there is usually a simple form of public transportation, which I prefer anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ward 3 is beautiful and I can see why some people love living there, but its too vanilla for me. My ideal DC neighborhood would be a home in the U Street corridor (with off street parking). I'm granola meets urban chic and still under 30 fyi. Being in walkable distance from a Whole Foods, more than one metro, and Ben's/Ben's Next Door would be awesome! My friends and I were leaving Lauriol Plaza last week and were joking how we'd all be in trouble if one of us lived in walking distance.

You'll change your mind when your sweet little toddler bends down to reach for some drunken bum's poo on the sidewalk.

LOL! I think picking up dog poo is far more likely.

I have a 2 yo now and we're happily condo living in Ward 8. Like a previous poster mentioned, I'm more comfortable with "noise". A native Washingtonian, I'm probably one of the few here who actually attended DCPS growing up. We still have a pretty active social life, and regularly go out with friends and "date". I have alot of family in the area and my parents expect overnights with DD almost every weekend. We're 28 and 30, so our interests could change, of course, but I think I'll always be a city gal. The club wasnt too appealing after 25, but I've always enjoyed restaurants and live music and regularly indulge. I want DD to have street smarts like we did as kids. If I wanted the suburban-in-the city feel, I'd move back to Brookland. Gorgeous homes, fairly walkable, Metro, and great charters (we're only interested in strong bilingual programs).

[Anonymous]

PP, you do know that living near a great charter gives you no priority in their lottery, yes?

[Anonymous]

Penn Quarter PP, where and how do you go for grocery shopping?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Penn Quarter PP, where and how do you go for grocery shopping?

Not the pp you are asking, but another PP who lives near there. I get most of my groceries delivered from Washington's Green Grocer. The concierge leaves them inside my door once a week. Throughout the week, I pick up other stuff at the Penn Quarter farmer's market, the Reagan Building farmer's market, Cowgirl Creamery, Seasonal Pantry, CVS, and very rarely, at the Safeway. It is extremely rare that I would "go grocery shopping" in the traditional sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Not the pp you are asking, but another PP who lives near there. I get most of my groceries delivered from Washington's Green Grocer. The concierge leaves them inside my door once a week. Throughout the week, I pick up other stuff at the Penn Quarter farmer's market, the Reagan Building farmer's market, Cowgirl Creamery, Seasonal Pantry, CVS, and very rarely, at the Safeway. It is extremely rare that I would "go grocery shopping" in the traditional sense.

Amazing how one can sound throughly modern and utterly boring at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way. Won't touch DC and the messed up political 'leadership' / schools with a 10 ft pole. I'll stay in NOVA

Ditto. HHI of $435K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Not the pp you are asking, but another PP who lives near there. I get most of my groceries delivered from Washington's Green Grocer. The concierge leaves them inside my door once a week. Throughout the week, I pick up other stuff at the Penn Quarter farmer's market, the Reagan Building farmer's market, Cowgirl Creamery, Seasonal Pantry, CVS, and very rarely, at the Safeway. It is extremely rare that I would "go grocery shopping" in the traditional sense.

Amazing how one can sound throughly modern and utterly boring at the same time.

I wasn't trying to sound any particular way. I was just answering the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Not the pp you are asking, but another PP who lives near there. I get most of my groceries delivered from Washington's Green Grocer. The concierge leaves them inside my door once a week. Throughout the week, I pick up other stuff at the Penn Quarter farmer's market, the Reagan Building farmer's market, Cowgirl Creamery, Seasonal Pantry, CVS, and very rarely, at the Safeway. It is extremely rare that I would "go grocery shopping" in the traditional sense.

Amazing how one can sound throughly modern and utterly boring at the same time.

I think it is just silly that you have standards of how other people must grocery shop to be considered..I dunno...glamorous? interesting? entertaining? Like, the way I grocery shop is SO entertaining. And I say this as someone who loads up the cart every Friday night, in uber-traditional sense, at my McLean Safeway, complete with plastic double-bagging. People never run out of ways to rank each other. Just silly.