So tired of the crappy housing stock in the DMV combined with skyrocketing prices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same. Spouse is now fully remote and I'm only in the office 2x a week so I'm moving back to the Baltimore area (Ruxton/Roland Park/Homeland) where $1mm goes a long way.

Homes in North Baltimore are drastically nicer than anywhere in the DMV between $500,000 and $1M. There is no neighborhood around here as nice as Roland Park and Homeland.

Hmm maybe Chevy Chase but you're right. Baltimore City had homes built for the rich and you can tell.

Perfect example of what I’m talking about. You would get a 2 br shack anywhere within 15 miles of DC if you were lucky but you can get a pre-War colonial with a kitchen like this in Homewood, Baltimore.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/313-Broadmoor-Rd-21212/home/11152665

This is what $1.2M gets you in a 7/10 ES/MS district in Baltimore City, in the nicest SFH neighborhood in the city. This house would be $5M+ in NW DC.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/218-Ridgewood-Rd-21210/home/11163794

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

[Anonymous]

https://www.redfin.com/MD/University-Park/6701-Queens-Chapel-Rd-20782/home/11038531

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Yes I live in NYC and grew up around DC. I see what you mean but kind of depends on the specific town, though? There are nice ones as you describe but also a lot of run of the mill ones. “Northeast” covers a large area and a lot of it still just looks like suburbs to me…

Yes, of course there are some ugly suburbs in the northeast for sure. The difference to me is that there are also lots of very very nice ones. The DMV has literally none. There are some pockets of beautiful parts in Chevy Chase, Potomac, and Great Falls, but they are surrounded by sprawl and lack community. Just look at all the threads here of people moving to the DMV looking for a nice town. There are none. Even the south is better with their big homogenous developments.

+1 when we moved here I was looking for the Scarsdale/Greenwich of the DMV and it doesn't exist. I thought Chevy Chase would be it, but it doesn't even have a town.

So you’re saying the super expensive areas of NYC are better than the super expensive areas of DC. Doesn’t make the entire DMV area “ugly”.

No, it doesn't.

But the entire DMV area is in fact ugly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

It wasn’t about finding a house. It was how ugly and unattractive the suburbs are in DC. You only live once and I wanted to live in a prettier area with closer proximity to the outdoors. Earning a lot of money but living in Arlington didn’t seem like how I wanted to spend the next 20 years of my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

DP here. Depends what one is accustomed to, I suppose. I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

It wasn’t about finding a house. It was how ugly and unattractive the suburbs are in DC. You only live once and I wanted to live in a prettier area with closer proximity to the outdoors. Earning a lot of money but living in Arlington didn’t seem like how I wanted to spend the next 20 years of my life.

+1

I feel you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

It wasn’t about finding a house. It was how ugly and unattractive the suburbs are in DC. You only live once and I wanted to live in a prettier area with closer proximity to the outdoors. Earning a lot of money but living in Arlington didn’t seem like how I wanted to spend the next 20 years of my life.

Yeah, fair enough. Where did you choose, if you don't mind me asking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If all of you are so unhappy here, why do you stay? Why not move to another city or location that's more appealing to you?

You can also update the outside of a house to make it more visually appealing. I don't see many people in this area making the effort.

People stay for the jobs - certainly not the people. Since you asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

It wasn’t about finding a house. It was how ugly and unattractive the suburbs are in DC. You only live once and I wanted to live in a prettier area with closer proximity to the outdoors. Earning a lot of money but living in Arlington didn’t seem like how I wanted to spend the next 20 years of my life.

Yeah, fair enough. Where did you choose, if you don't mind me asking?

Please don't answer. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Yes I live in NYC and grew up around DC. I see what you mean but kind of depends on the specific town, though? There are nice ones as you describe but also a lot of run of the mill ones. “Northeast” covers a large area and a lot of it still just looks like suburbs to me…

Yes, of course there are some ugly suburbs in the northeast for sure. The difference to me is that there are also lots of very very nice ones. The DMV has literally none. There are some pockets of beautiful parts in Chevy Chase, Potomac, and Great Falls, but they are surrounded by sprawl and lack community. Just look at all the threads here of people moving to the DMV looking for a nice town. There are none. Even the south is better with their big homogenous developments.

+1 when we moved here I was looking for the Scarsdale/Greenwich of the DMV and it doesn't exist. I thought Chevy Chase would be it, but it doesn't even have a town.

So you’re saying the super expensive areas of NYC are better than the super expensive areas of DC. Doesn’t make the entire DMV area “ugly”.

It does when the “super expensive areas” of the DMV are ugly. But it’s beyond that. The whole layout of the VA and MD suburbs is just wrong. The whole area is zoned for cheap housing and efficiency for cars/businesses, not charm, beauty, character, or historical preservation.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

The DMV is exceptionally ugly relative to other large metro areas.

+1

In more ways than one.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Yes I live in NYC and grew up around DC. I see what you mean but kind of depends on the specific town, though? There are nice ones as you describe but also a lot of run of the mill ones. “Northeast” covers a large area and a lot of it still just looks like suburbs to me…

Okay, let’s be specific. Just look anyplace near a commuter rail station north of NYC, in NJ, and in Philly. Set a Redfin filter to only find houses between $500,000 and $1M that were built before 1950. The difference in between housing stock in the suburbs of Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston and DC will blow your mind because those cities were established when DC was still a provincial, swampy outpost for the Feds. There are vast swaths of suburbs in these cities where you can buy a house that looks like it should be in Chevy Chase for $500,000 to $1M and still be in a good school district. Here you are stuck living in some depressing 1970s shack for the same price.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

Really, you moved to another city because you couldn't find a suburban house that you like? Seems like a weird reason to choose a city.

It wasn’t about finding a house. It was how ugly and unattractive the suburbs are in DC. You only live once and I wanted to live in a prettier area with closer proximity to the outdoors. Earning a lot of money but living in Arlington didn’t seem like how I wanted to spend the next 20 years of my life.

So why are you hanging out on a real estate forum focused on dc area residents? If the area was so ugly you couldnt’t, don’t and won’t live there, what is your effort for exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

I live in Fairfield county (east of Stamford) and I would not say tons of people do the commute. Most families I know work locally, and it is relatively common for one spouse to have a job where they are in the city 1-2 days a week. No one has a job where they’re in the city every day, or where both spouses spend time in the city. Unless you live right on grand central, the commute to the city is brutal. And forget about driving, it’s 2+ hours.

That said, yes it is much nicer than anywhere even close to the DMV, but that’s because northeastern suburbs from Philly to Boston are just much more aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s due to a combination of the DMV being built for government workers of modest incomes, and lax southern zoning restrictions. You want more columns on that fake brick McMansion? You got it, that’s freedom! More four lane roads and strip malls? Yes, businesses love those! Giant county run schools that look like prisons? Perfect, keeps our tax bills low.

Is this a generally accepted belief or just your opinion? Asking since I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know the DMV was considered ugly… I thought suburbs anywhere were just suburbs and have different kinds of houses Depending on where you look.

Not trying to be rude at all but have you been to the northeast? Much more charm and character, tasteful architecture, small towns, beautiful landscaping, fewer strip malls and highways. I’ve heard Chicago suburbs are similar. DC area suburbs are a sprawl of tiny brick boxes and infill garage monsters broken up by sad strip malls on mini highways.

Oh please, comparing suburbs to suburbs there is barely any difference. I grew up in what is considered a nice town in NJ and it was full of split levels and bi levels and so-called McMansions just like here.

Sure, wealthy towns in Westchester and Fairfield County have some beautiful homes. So do wealthy areas here... not as many, but the do.

Disagree! I had previous house hunted on Long Island and in CT/Westchester suburbs. I’m also familiar with the burns in 2 other east coast cities. I couldn’t believe how terrible the housing and how ugly the suburbs are in DC. I ended up moving to another city because I couldn’t spend 2 million dollars on an ugly house near strip malls and a four lane highway. There is a huge difference between DMV suburbs and the ones in NY, Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston etc.

+1 I did the same. I grew up in northern VA and found it so depressing. After traveling a lot in college I saw just how much more pleasant life could be, but was torn because I wanted a government job. I decided to look for government jobs outside of the DMV and found a great one in the northeast. I love it here and am never leaving. Not all suburbs are created equal. On the flip side, if aesthetics and community are not important to you, the DMV has a great balance of cool jobs with relatively low cost of living and short commutes.