Pregnant, first time homebuyer, looking to move to DC
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Anonymous
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My husband and I are looking to move to DC (or nearby) and would love any suggestions for neighborhoods. He works on the southeast-ish side of the mall, I just accepted a job in Columbia Heights. Budget-wise, we're most comfortable under 750, but we're able to stretch to 850ish if absolutely necessary. Looking for a 3BR SFH or row home (not a condo) in a friendly neighborhood with lots of trees and green space. I'd love to live somewhere we can get to know our neighbors. In an ideal world, we'd love to be able to walk to public transit and things to do, but live in an area that feels residential and quiet. A big priority is being zoned for a solid elementary school (even better if middle schools are also good). Willing to look outside of DC on the Maryland side, but not the Virginia side (family lives in Maryland and will help with childcare).
Are there neighborhoods in DC that sound like this? So far we've looked at bit at Capitol Hill and Takoma Park MD. Really open to any suggestions!! Thanks so much. |
Anonymous
| Brightwood seems like a good fit. It'd be pretty convenient for your job in Columbia Heights, maybe less so for your partner. But good elementary school (Whittier), green space, nice sized homes, a quiet feel but still within the city. |
Anonymous
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The best neighborhood is next to your office, Mt Pleasant. But your budget is a bit too low there - you'll need more like 900K there. (It has solid schools from PK3 to HS). You will walk to work, daycare, school etc.
Shepherd Park is also pretty good; look at what the commutes will be like for your husband though. |
Anonymous
| Woodridge? It has the neighborhood vibe but it’s not as fancy with fewer amenities. I’m not sure pps are being realistic about your budget. |
Anonymous
| I think you’re going to find that the whole takoma park/silver spring area is pretty nutso right now. |
Anonymous
| I think you first need to decide what exactly you consider a “solid” elementary school. There aren’t many in areas with your budget. Most are going to be up and coming, fast improving, and where newcomers are willing to put their kids. Many leave after 1st grade or so and the upper grades aren’t great. You’ll find DCPS to be much more dysfunctional than suburban districts, and that’s only amplified at the less stellar schools. For someone not interested in dealing with the lottery you need to be pretty confident you are willing to send your child to a not “solid” school. |
Anonymous
| PP to add do a Redfin search and find homes you like and see what schools they are. Post them here and we can tell you about the school and the neighborhood. Redfin will at least help you see what areas you can afford and how inventory is there. |
Anonymous
I posted this Shepherd Park home on a separate thread--I'll post here for OP's consideration. It needs some work and is near Georgia Ave. so not exactly the most desirable part of the neighborhood, but it would get you solid schools and is within your budget if you go up to $850 (I'm sure they'll get offers above $805K). https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1124-Geranium-St-NW-20012/home/10036913 |
Anonymous
Thanks! I saw some recent homes in Takoma Park that were lovely and in budget, and some row homes zoned for Maury that were also quite nice. Am I missing something here? Let me know if I need a reality check! I'm also interested in other neighborhoods- we just started with what we know, as we rented in Capitol Hill at one point. Currently living in Baltimore. In Capitol Hill: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/218-17th-Pl-NE-Washington-DC-20002/426835_zpid/ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/217-17th-St-NE-Washington-DC-20002/426826_zpid/ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1600-E-Capitol-St-NE-Washington-DC-20003/426363_zpid/ In TkPk: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6631-Eastern-Ave-Takoma-Park-MD-20912/37284864_zpid/? https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/527-Albany-Ave-Takoma-Park-MD-20912/37284076_zpid/? |
Anonymous
+1. I feel like at that price with the better public school, you’ll need to be open to condos or a longer commute (maybe not in DC?) |
Anonymous
Thanks! I don't mind a home that needs some work over time. Will check it out |
Anonymous
I think I am definitely priced out of Mt Pleasant. Do you also think the other neighborhoods mentioned here (Brightwood, Shepherd Park) are unrealistic? Zillow shows recent sales in that range, but I'm a first time buyer so I could be missing something. I posted a few things I've saved recently on another comment. Thanks for your thoughts, all- really appreciate it. |
Anonymous
| We moved away from Capitol Hill last year and the neighborhood is great for small kids. But, honestly, your budget is probably not enough for the Hill, and not for more than a 2 BR that you will outgrow in a few years. FWIW, we sold our 2 BR on the Hill last year for close to $1m (and we followed the market closely and many went for more). |
Anonymous
| Takoma Park would be good. My cousin lives there and the mature trees are amazing. Great schools, diverse area with friendly neighbors. It's very liberal. Not sure about how far $750k goes there though, you'd probably need over $800k. Can you husband commute on either green or red lines? |
Anonymous
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Stadium-Armory metro stop, aka Hill East. The zoning for elementary is solid in that area, plus a number of charter schools to which you can apply. I think that’s the only part of the Hill that is really in your budget.
There are some townhouse developments off Sangamore Road in Bethesda that could meet your price range. Excellent elementary schools |