Since the Lafayette Thread was Removed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not rocket science to know that houses in different areas of the city go for different prices, nor that some individual properties are more or less affordable no matter where they are located. What was off-putting about the now-deleted thread was the poster's attitude that the people on the west side of the city were simply not cool enough for her or her kid, but that she also wanted to send her kid to school over there to take advantage of the better educational opportunities.

Everyone I know WOTP used to live EOTP - in Adams Morgan, Logan, U Street, Mount Pleasant and downtown. It's not like they've been magically transformed into Lululemon-wearing douchebags by moving a few miles. Either they were insufferable before they moved (like the OP of the other thread), or they're just as down to earth in Tenleytown as they were in Adams Morgan.

Probably this.

Nice post. I prefer to focus on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP with the 350k home. I appreciate the clarification from the other posters. I was merely trying to point out that for those of us who can't afford the 700-800--and there are many in my hood--there is no "choice." This thread makes it sound like its a lifestyle choice to live one place or another when in fact it often is an economic decision to live in the home that is affordable to you. This feud makes it sound like everyone is choosing between a detached home in Tenleytown and a 4-story Victorian in Mt Pleasant.

Sure there are, you just might not want to live in an apartment.
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3900-Tunlaw-Rd-NW-20007/unit-303/home/35634009

It's not just about affordability but also the choices you make surrounding them. Which is fine. But don't assume all people WOTP are rolling in cash or that they aren't making the same tough choices you are.

HOA dues on that apartment are almost $900 which would probably make the monthly payment difficult for many, and may not make economic sense when compared to a comparably priced single family home EOTP.

[Anonymous]

Why the lululemon hate? I live EOTP and wear lulu every day because it's comfortable and still looks nice and cute. I don't get the constant stereotype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, this is the schools forum, but most of the above seems like a self-justification entitled, "why I chose to be on the right side of residential segregation and don't want to be judged."

There's a premium for everything in Upper NW, from higher cost of housing to higher cost of living to limited transit, etc., that makes living there a deliberate choice.

Live with it. We all vote Dem, we just don't all live the liberal lifestyle in practice. We can all do better from the position we're in, so just try to do that.

New poster. First off, I voted for Obama but I try to avoid voting Dem in city elections, and I hope more of you will consider doing the same, especially if you care about education.

Second, I didn't see the deleted thread. But on its face your critique of OP of this thread is unfair. Everyone seems to assume that wotp real estate is universally more expensive than, and wotp people universally more affluent than, the eotp houses/people. That's not the case. For example you can spend a lot more on average in Logan Circle or Mt Pleasant right now than in parts of the Lafayette district. That was even more true in 2009-2010 when a lot of people bought houses during the recession. I don't blame people for prioritizing schools and low crime over walkability to cool bars and transit service. It is ridiculous to assume that wtop people are paying a premium to avoid diversity, if that is what you were trying to suggest.

It's really pointless. The PP is far too focused on her own self-importance to concern herself with things like facts and reality.

If he/she could come back and explain to me about my limited transit I would appreciate it. I am within a 10 minute walk of the metro, the L2, L1, H2, H3, H4, and the entire 30 line. How many more options do I need to qualify as an acceptable neighborhood? Also I am interested in this higher cost of living. Is the Giant near my house charging higher prices than the ones EOTP?

+1. Her self-righteousness and condescension, especially in conjunction with her utter cluelessness about Upper NW, are really nauseating, and do not represent most EOTP parents.

New poster here. From EOTP.. I appreciate the OP outlining the ways that we're all pretty much the same. What I find offensive are the posts claiming that only parents who buy/rent WOTP are making responsible decisions. I realize that thaese are people suffering status envy - a citywide epidemic - but there's a prevalence of posts that suggest the only "right" decisions for schooling are JKLM. Which is just impossible for the majority of parents in DC.

Yes, I take everything within these forums with a grain of salt. But the only path to equitable public schooling is a broader swath of households accepting and attending their neighborhood schools. Period. If you don't want overcrowding in your ward 3 schools, stop promoting them as the only responsible choices that parents can make.

We're pretty content with our EOTP DCPS, and I think a lot of parents are discovering the same. It's an outcome we should all want because it broadens the field of choices. We just have to get a few people to stop acting like assholes.

You are wrong. The way to equity is to level the playing field and to make all things equal. Citywide lottery. Equal distribution of quality/highly effective teachers. Neighborhood schools is school segregation 21st century style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why the lululemon hate? I live EOTP and wear lulu every day because it's comfortable and still looks nice and cute. I don't get the constant stereotype.

Because being negative and hateful is easy. Thats why threads like this exist. We try so hard to get our kids to have respect for one another on the playground and so many of the posts on DCUM are shameful in their tone and content. I'm embarassed for us all.

[Anonymous]

Right. But the PPP (before you) was saying that it's all an economic choice and not a lifestyle one - but, in fact, you cant separate the two. For $350K you CAN buy WOTP, you just don't want to because living in a cramped apartment isn't as nice as living in a SFH when you have kids. Totally valid choice, but it is a lifestyle choice. People with bigger budgets are still making the same choice.

I was curious about this so I did a search with these parameters. Keeping in mind that we are at or near the height of the real estate season -- i.e., it doesn't get more voluminous than this -- I located ONE apartment with two bedrooms that is avail for less than $350,000 WOTP. There are about 25 one-bedroom apartments avail for less than $350,000.

So it's true, if you want to sleep together with your children in the same bedroom (which Laura Ingalls didn't even do with Ma and Pa), then in theory you "can" buy a place < $350K WOTP. Otherwise, BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Right. But the PPP (before you) was saying that it's all an economic choice and not a lifestyle one - but, in fact, you cant separate the two. For $350K you CAN buy WOTP, you just don't want to because living in a cramped apartment isn't as nice as living in a SFH when you have kids. Totally valid choice, but it is a lifestyle choice. People with bigger budgets are still making the same choice.

I was curious about this so I did a search with these parameters. Keeping in mind that we are at or near the height of the real estate season -- i.e., it doesn't get more voluminous than this -- I located ONE apartment with two bedrooms that is avail for less than $350,000 WOTP. There are about 25 one-bedroom apartments avail for less than $350,000.

So it's true, if you want to sleep together with your children in the same bedroom (which Laura Ingalls didn't even do with Ma and Pa), then in theory you "can" buy a place < $350K WOTP. Otherwise, BS

Bravo! Big deal, Miss Marple.

[Anonymous]

I hesitate to add to this thread but I will raise the following point, my DH works at a "save the world" type non-profit. He has several coworkers who live WOTP in modest homes in CCDC. Most of them bought their homes 10 years ago. None of his coworkers who are married and/or have kids own a place EOTP. I work with fancy (for lack of a better word) lawyers and lobbyists and have a ton of coworkers in Shaw/Columbia Heights/U street. There are definitely some neighborhoods EOTP that are cheap - but many are as expensive or more than WOTP.

We bought in Shaw 10+ years ago and will stay as long as space and schools allow and then we'll move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hesitate to add to this thread but I will raise the following point, my DH works at a "save the world" type non-profit. He has several coworkers who live WOTP in modest homes in CCDC. Most of them bought their homes 10 years ago. None of his coworkers who are married and/or have kids own a place EOTP. I work with fancy (for lack of a better word) lawyers and lobbyists and have a ton of coworkers in Shaw/Columbia Heights/U street. There are definitely some neighborhoods EOTP that are cheap - but many are as expensive or more than WOTP.

We bought in Shaw 10+ years ago and will stay as long as space and schools allow and then we'll move.

This is my experience as well. I am a relative neutral observer in that I live (and work) in evil Arlington. In general, my friends that live WOTP are feds and nonprofit workers and are not really into social status, expensive things, etc. I'd say more than half of the people I know who live EOTP have fancy (lovely) houses, nicer cars, expensive clothes, and care FAR more about things like stainless appliances, Audis, only patronizing the hottest restaurant, etc. than the WOTP people do. The are very pleased with themselves about their address and talk about how lame every other neighborhood is, which is endlessly amusing to me since they love to brag about their "diversity" and "inclusiveness" and yet mock anyone who makes different choices from them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hesitate to add to this thread but I will raise the following point, my DH works at a "save the world" type non-profit. He has several coworkers who live WOTP in modest homes in CCDC. Most of them bought their homes 10 years ago. None of his coworkers who are married and/or have kids own a place EOTP. I work with fancy (for lack of a better word) lawyers and lobbyists and have a ton of coworkers in Shaw/Columbia Heights/U street. There are definitely some neighborhoods EOTP that are cheap - but many are as expensive or more than WOTP.

We bought in Shaw 10+ years ago and will stay as long as space and schools allow and then we'll move.

This is my experience as well. I am a relative neutral observer in that I live (and work) in evil Arlington. In general, my friends that live WOTP are feds and nonprofit workers and are not really into social status, expensive things, etc. I'd say more than half of the people I know who live EOTP have fancy (lovely) houses, nicer cars, expensive clothes, and care FAR more about things like stainless appliances, Audis, only patronizing the hottest restaurant, etc. than the WOTP people do. The are very pleased with themselves about their address and talk about how lame every other neighborhood is, which is endlessly amusing to me since they love to brag about their "diversity" and "inclusiveness" and yet mock anyone who makes different choices from them.

Indeed. Nouveau riche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hesitate to add to this thread but I will raise the following point, my DH works at a "save the world" type non-profit. He has several coworkers who live WOTP in modest homes in CCDC. Most of them bought their homes 10 years ago. None of his coworkers who are married and/or have kids own a place EOTP. I work with fancy (for lack of a better word) lawyers and lobbyists and have a ton of coworkers in Shaw/Columbia Heights/U street. There are definitely some neighborhoods EOTP that are cheap - but many are as expensive or more than WOTP.

We bought in Shaw 10+ years ago and will stay as long as space and schools allow and then we'll move.

This is my experience as well. I am a relative neutral observer in that I live (and work) in evil Arlington. In general, my friends that live WOTP are feds and nonprofit workers and are not really into social status, expensive things, etc. I'd say more than half of the people I know who live EOTP have fancy (lovely) houses, nicer cars, expensive clothes, and care FAR more about things like stainless appliances, Audis, only patronizing the hottest restaurant, etc. than the WOTP people do. The are very pleased with themselves about their address and talk about how lame every other neighborhood is, which is endlessly amusing to me since they love to brag about their "diversity" and "inclusiveness" and yet mock anyone who makes different choices from them.

Indeed. Nouveau riche.

Really are we just talking about cohort effects? In other words, you've got the (on average) older folks who bought WOTP years ago when buying EOTP wasn't really an option for those with a choice. And then you've got the younger gentrifiers/millennials/etc. who are just recently buying EOTP. Am I right (relative newbie to DC, so not sure)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, this is the schools forum, but most of the above seems like a self-justification entitled, "why I chose to be on the right side of residential segregation and don't want to be judged."

There's a premium for everything in Upper NW, from higher cost of housing to higher cost of living to limited transit, etc., that makes living there a deliberate choice.

Live with it. We all vote Dem, we just don't all live the liberal lifestyle in practice. We can all do better from the position we're in, so just try to do that.

New poster. First off, I voted for Obama but I try to avoid voting Dem in city elections, and I hope more of you will consider doing the same, especially if you care about education.

Second, I didn't see the deleted thread. But on its face your critique of OP of this thread is unfair. Everyone seems to assume that wotp real estate is universally more expensive than, and wotp people universally more affluent than, the eotp houses/people. That's not the case. For example you can spend a lot more on average in Logan Circle or Mt Pleasant right now than in parts of the Lafayette district. That was even more true in 2009-2010 when a lot of people bought houses during the recession. I don't blame people for prioritizing schools and low crime over walkability to cool bars and transit service. It is ridiculous to assume that wtop people are paying a premium to avoid diversity, if that is what you were trying to suggest.

It's really pointless. The PP is far too focused on her own self-importance to concern herself with things like facts and reality.

If he/she could come back and explain to me about my limited transit I would appreciate it. I am within a 10 minute walk of the metro, the L2, L1, H2, H3, H4, and the entire 30 line. How many more options do I need to qualify as an acceptable neighborhood? Also I am interested in this higher cost of living. Is the Giant near my house charging higher prices than the ones EOTP?

+1. Her self-righteousness and condescension, especially in conjunction with her utter cluelessness about Upper NW, are really nauseating, and do not represent most EOTP parents.

New poster here. From EOTP.. I appreciate the OP outlining the ways that we're all pretty much the same. What I find offensive are the posts claiming that only parents who buy/rent WOTP are making responsible decisions. I realize that thaese are people suffering status envy - a citywide epidemic - but there's a prevalence of posts that suggest the only "right" decisions for schooling are JKLM. Which is just impossible for the majority of parents in DC.

Yes, I take everything within these forums with a grain of salt. But the only path to equitable public schooling is a broader swath of households accepting and attending their neighborhood schools. Period. If you don't want overcrowding in your ward 3 schools, stop promoting them as the only responsible choices that parents can make.

We're pretty content with our EOTP DCPS, and I think a lot of parents are discovering the same. It's an outcome we should all want because it broadens the field of choices. We just have to get a few people to stop acting like assholes.

You are wrong. The way to equity is to level the playing field and to make all things equal. Citywide lottery. Equal distribution of quality/highly effective teachers. Neighborhood schools is school segregation 21st century style.

Actually that is the way to equally bad. There would be mass flight from the city of families with school-aged children as there was in the past.

[Anonymous]

Age cohort thing is right. 15 years ago, integrating EOTP schools from white or upper middle class perspective was a highly dubious prospect. 5 years ago to now much more reasonable/it's happening. We're reacting across time as well as geography here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Right. But the PPP (before you) was saying that it's all an economic choice and not a lifestyle one - but, in fact, you cant separate the two. For $350K you CAN buy WOTP, you just don't want to because living in a cramped apartment isn't as nice as living in a SFH when you have kids. Totally valid choice, but it is a lifestyle choice. People with bigger budgets are still making the same choice.

I was curious about this so I did a search with these parameters. Keeping in mind that we are at or near the height of the real estate season -- i.e., it doesn't get more voluminous than this -- I located ONE apartment with two bedrooms that is avail for less than $350,000 WOTP. There are about 25 one-bedroom apartments avail for less than $350,000.

So it's true, if you want to sleep together with your children in the same bedroom (which Laura Ingalls didn't even do with Ma and Pa), then in theory you "can" buy a place < $350K WOTP. Otherwise, BS

Bravo! Big deal, Miss Marple.

14 seconds of Redfin yields actual facts, which completely undermine the 1st PP's blather. This is mockable ... why, again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, this is the schools forum, but most of the above seems like a self-justification entitled, "why I chose to be on the right side of residential segregation and don't want to be judged."

There's a premium for everything in Upper NW, from higher cost of housing to higher cost of living to limited transit, etc., that makes living there a deliberate choice.

Live with it. We all vote Dem, we just don't all live the liberal lifestyle in practice. We can all do better from the position we're in, so just try to do that.

New poster. First off, I voted for Obama but I try to avoid voting Dem in city elections, and I hope more of you will consider doing the same, especially if you care about education.

Second, I didn't see the deleted thread. But on its face your critique of OP of this thread is unfair. Everyone seems to assume that wotp real estate is universally more expensive than, and wotp people universally more affluent than, the eotp houses/people. That's not the case. For example you can spend a lot more on average in Logan Circle or Mt Pleasant right now than in parts of the Lafayette district. That was even more true in 2009-2010 when a lot of people bought houses during the recession. I don't blame people for prioritizing schools and low crime over walkability to cool bars and transit service. It is ridiculous to assume that wtop people are paying a premium to avoid diversity, if that is what you were trying to suggest.

It's really pointless. The PP is far too focused on her own self-importance to concern herself with things like facts and reality.

If he/she could come back and explain to me about my limited transit I would appreciate it. I am within a 10 minute walk of the metro, the L2, L1, H2, H3, H4, and the entire 30 line. How many more options do I need to qualify as an acceptable neighborhood? Also I am interested in this higher cost of living. Is the Giant near my house charging higher prices than the ones EOTP?

+1. Her self-righteousness and condescension, especially in conjunction with her utter cluelessness about Upper NW, are really nauseating, and do not represent most EOTP parents.

New poster here. From EOTP.. I appreciate the OP outlining the ways that we're all pretty much the same. What I find offensive are the posts claiming that only parents who buy/rent WOTP are making responsible decisions. I realize that thaese are people suffering status envy - a citywide epidemic - but there's a prevalence of posts that suggest the only "right" decisions for schooling are JKLM. Which is just impossible for the majority of parents in DC.

Yes, I take everything within these forums with a grain of salt. But the only path to equitable public schooling is a broader swath of households accepting and attending their neighborhood schools. Period. If you don't want overcrowding in your ward 3 schools, stop promoting them as the only responsible choices that parents can make.

We're pretty content with our EOTP DCPS, and I think a lot of parents are discovering the same. It's an outcome we should all want because it broadens the field of choices. We just have to get a few people to stop acting like assholes.

You are wrong. The way to equity is to level the playing field and to make all things equal. Citywide lottery. Equal distribution of quality/highly effective teachers. Neighborhood schools is school segregation 21st century style.

Actually that is the way to equally bad. There would be mass flight from the city of families with school-aged children as there was in the past.

+1. Why does anyone think the schools WOTP are good? It's not the location, facilities, or teachers. It's the students and the parents. If you mix it up and suddenly have a high percentage of students from families who are not invested in their kids' education, those schools won't be good anymore either. This idea that the teachers are the primary cause of school quality is an illusion.