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PP here. Agree that you’ll get good intel from the DCPS forum. My daughter goes to Maury and we’ve been happy with it though we moved here after the pre-K days so I’m not knowledgeable about the lower grades. Generally my sense is that all Hill elementaries are reasonably good. If your husband is keen on the train, I’d maybe hope for Ludlow-Taylor so you could live super close to Union Station, which would also work for your commute. If he wants to drive, Maury would be great for you (you can walk to Union from where we live in the Maury catchment but it’s about a mile away so doing it twice a day every day would get old). Brent is also popular—at least to grade 3 or so—but I believe is in a swing space or about to be? The DCPS forum can shed light on that.

It’s true that nowhere in DC is like New York and Hoboken, but I genuinely wouldn’t have shared my opinion if I hadn’t tried the far out suburbs (this was before we had kids) and been deeply unhappy. The Hill is wonderful—it’s true that it’s quieter than Hoboken, but still vibrant, walkable, lots of people out and about—and I think would tick the most boxes for you.

OP here - sorry I can’t figure out this forum! But trying again: Thank you for sharing your opinion/experience. I do think I would feel very isolated in the suburbs, and I am clinging to hope that we can find a community like the one we’ll be leaving behind in Hoboken.

My husband also bikes a mile each way as part of his commute now, so we were also considering that he may do that to union station if he didn’t drive and we lived farther than Ludlow-Taylor area (like the Maury area). In general, are there any big differences between parts of the Hill? I see it is 2 sq mi so it’s small, but even within Hoboken (1 sq mi), there are some “general” differences (old rich area vs college kids area etc). They’re not that noticeable or profound but still curious.

We are planning a trip down in the coming months to get more familiarity with the Hill and the potential commute, but appreciate any feedback in the interim.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I tried to reply to a thread above but I guess I messed up formatting. Long story short - we will be making a trip down to DC in the coming months to scope out the Hill and the commute etc but for those familiar with it - are there any general differences between different areas of the Hill?

Anonymous wrote:What you describe is not an hour each way. It may look like it on paper, but it’s closer to 2 door to door. I know you’re from nyc (basically) but don’t underestimate how much of a pita getting around is in the dc area. For reference, most of the traffic here resembles the belt parkway.

Anonymous wrote:Good lord. You should live on the Hill. And do exactly what you’re proposing - Marc train to fort Meade station. The elementary schools are great and it is charming and walkable. It is absolutely fantastic for young families, and you’re good to middle school.

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Anonymous wrote:OP here - also adding that my husband’s job provides shuttles from the train station in Ft Meade hence the comment about living near union station. Also, we would rent because we don’t know if this is a short term move or longer term. We would prefer a condo or row home or something that is NOT a house with all the yard maintenance etc. We currently rent a first floor condo that has a small yard which would be ideal.

I still would live in MD - maybe near a train station (MARC) that the one who works in DC can take. In metro DC, public transport is hub and spoke, so it is almost always easier to take public transit to/from work in DC while living somewhere outside DC.

Have you been to Union Station recently? Huge issues there since the pandemic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good lord. You should live on the Hill. And do exactly what you’re proposing - Marc train to fort Meade station. The elementary schools are great and it is charming and walkable. It is absolutely fantastic for young families, and you’re good to middle school.

+1
This is a perfect solution, and I bet you’ll end up liking it more than Hoboken

abarem123 wrote:OP here - yes, I know it won't be Hoboken. There are things about Hoboken that we're ready to move on from - e.g., it sounds like we'll get a bit more space for our $$ in CH, a little less hustle/bustle, etc. Those are net positives.

We just really do not want a suburban lifestyle yet. We are not ready to settle into a full detached house with a big front and back yard that we need to maintain, and the requirement to drive everywhere (grocery, parks, school, etc.). Maybe some day but not yet. These factors - plus the plethora of young, seemingly like-minded families, is what is driving us to look at CH. For the record, my husband (the Ft Meade commuter) is just as stubborn about these requirements as I am, if not more, and understands the trade-offs in terms of commute.

We won't be buying - just a lease, likely for one year only as we get our bearings. I hear those of you saying the commute via Union Station would be alot. Just curious - if this were your commute, would you rather drive via 295 or is that worse? Thanks in advance.

Anonymous wrote:NE DC is the clear answer, and I’m shocked no one mentioned that DC has free Pre-K for age 3 and 4 while Maryland does not, which is immediately relevant to you. Plenty of great elementary schools in NE DC, it doesn’t get dicey until middle school and by then you will know the area.

Capitol Hill is a great choice but you should also consider Brookland, which is a shorter commute to Ft Meade. Tons of young families there and walkable restaurants and cafes.