Budget <500k, have to buy in DC proper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

Does the charter go through middle school and high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

But, you don't live in DC now? Weird. I think you are crazy to buy anything you can afford. Rent something in a nice, safe DC neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to take a guess that OP must live in a not-so-great (schools-wise, at least) part of PG that borders DC. So this is why the DC charter is so attractive (that, along with the huge convenience of having your child at the same place where you work). So, maybe there isn't a huge compromise with the potential EotR middle/high schools and neighborhood, when compared with where she's already living. The only compromise may be the size of the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My guess is not, unless she gets insane raises in the next 5 years.

My guess is that the neighborhoods with the better high schools will be even more expensive 5 years from now. If you can't afford them now, you sure as hell won't be able to afford them 5 years from now.

She could bet on the schools improving over time..

Dumb question - is there such a thing as a charter high school in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My guess is not, unless she gets insane raises in the next 5 years.

My guess is that the neighborhoods with the better high schools will be even more expensive 5 years from now. If you can't afford them now, you sure as hell won't be able to afford them 5 years from now.

She could bet on the schools improving over time..

Dumb question - is there such a thing as a charter high school in DC?

Yes it is a dumb question. There are several Charter high schools in dc. Check out this site. http://www.myschooldc.org/

[Anonymous]

OP, I am surprised you are having so much difficulty, but maybe my own house (3 bedrooms; refurbished in 2004 with basic appliances that I've upgraded since purchasing in 2005; in Brightwood park but walking distance to Ft. Totten) would sell for more than I think, but I doubt it. I don't peg it as a 500K house and I think the comps from my neighborhood would back me up.

Either that or the homes around me selling for $399 are in worse shape than I realize.

[Anonymous]

Riggs Park. Brightwood (maybe).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My guess is not, unless she gets insane raises in the next 5 years.

My guess is that the neighborhoods with the better high schools will be even more expensive 5 years from now. If you can't afford them now, you sure as hell won't be able to afford them 5 years from now.

She could bet on the schools improving over time..

Dumb question - is there such a thing as a charter high school in DC?

Yes it is a dumb question. There are several Charter high schools in dc. Check out this site. http://www.myschooldc.org/

But are there charter k-12 schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My guess is not, unless she gets insane raises in the next 5 years.

My guess is that the neighborhoods with the better high schools will be even more expensive 5 years from now. If you can't afford them now, you sure as hell won't be able to afford them 5 years from now.

She could bet on the schools improving over time..

Dumb question - is there such a thing as a charter high school in DC?

Yes it is a dumb question. There are several Charter high schools in dc. Check out this site. http://www.myschooldc.org/

Wow, there are so many charter schools on there that you never read anything about on here. On these boards, it seems like there are about 5 charter schools people want to get into. There are so many that have never been mentioned. Are there charter schools that middle class people find acceptable and a different set of charter schools for the poors?

[Anonymous]

This one just makes me sad. They should change the name of the school, it is really misleading. They aren't preparing anyone for college with those scores.

National Collegiate Preparatory Public Charter High School 4600 Livingston Rd. SE
Ward 8 202-832-7737 9–12 9–11
Math: 26%
Reading: 33%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

My guess is not, unless she gets insane raises in the next 5 years.

My guess is that the neighborhoods with the better high schools will be even more expensive 5 years from now. If you can't afford them now, you sure as hell won't be able to afford them 5 years from now.

She could bet on the schools improving over time..

Dumb question - is there such a thing as a charter high school in DC?

Yes it is a dumb question. There are several Charter high schools in dc. Check out this site. http://www.myschooldc.org/

Wow, there are so many charter schools on there that you never read anything about on here. On these boards, it seems like there are about 5 charter schools people want to get into. There are so many that have never been mentioned. Are there charter schools that middle class people find acceptable and a different set of charter schools for the poors?

Start a new thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am surprised you are having so much difficulty, but maybe my own house (3 bedrooms; refurbished in 2004 with basic appliances that I've upgraded since purchasing in 2005; in Brightwood park but walking distance to Ft. Totten) would sell for more than I think, but I doubt it. I don't peg it as a 500K house and I think the comps from my neighborhood would back me up.

Either that or the homes around me selling for $399 are in worse shape than I realize.

Yeah I think your house would sell for at least $500k, I just went through the home buying process and saw very few houses even in terrible shape in Brightwood for less than $500k.

[Anonymous]

I'd look in Brightwood/Manor Park/Takoma DC. I keep seeing newly flipped houses when I visit friends in the area. Close to greenspace, Takoma playground + rec center and pool, nearby grocery. They say you can walk to Takoma metro, though I've never tried it. I know several families who've never complained about safety (though they're all Peace Corps types accustomed to tougher conditions)

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/707-Somerset-Pl-NW-20011/home/10053044

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/729-Tewkesbury-Pl-NW-20012/home/10053235

[Anonymous]

I live in Riggs Park, and really like the neighborhood except for schools, which isn't an issue for you. Safe, friendly neighbors, Metro, and you can get your desired square footage with a yard for your budget. More retail is coming soon to the area.

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5247-Chillum-Pl-NE-20011/home/10082020
$390


https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/4813-10th-St-NE-20017/home/10088388
$399

A couple of Ft. Totten area homes for sale. There isn't a ton for sale now, but it will probably pick up in the spring.