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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
MD or VA??
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Anonymous
| No offense but I think that spending 50% of your take home is just too much. Housing pay be out of control, but at the same time one must live within their means. While it is nice to live in a fun chic urban area, it is just not feasible for all people. I'd much rather live in an area where I don't pay $3k per month and have extra money every month. |
Anonymous
If that were the case, all but the very rich in this area would be living 30 miles west of the Beltway. Some people sacrifice additional income for lifestyle and shorter commutes. It's the price you pay to live in this area (and most of the major cities on either Coast). I'd eat Kraft Mac & Cheese everyday rather than commute in traffic for 3 hours a day. To each his own. |
agcdc
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| What about Woodside in Silver Spring? Its walking distance from 2 metros, either Forest Glen or Silver Spring. Also walking distance to downtown SS- restaurants, AFI and Majestic movie theaters, Borders (Barnes and Noble?), a farmer's marker, outdoor concerts and movies in the summer, etc. There are a lot of neighborhood activities too- block parties, parades, Easter egg hunts. There are a lot of bungalow type houses that I'd imagine would be in your price range. |
Anonymous
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"I'd eat Kraft Mac & Cheese everyday rather than commute in traffic for 3 hours a day. To each his own. "
AMEN to the poster who wrote this!!! I'd rather be frugal than miss out on HOURS each day with my family! |
Anonymous
| I personally vote for Clarendon, but then I am biased since we live there. We have a DD who attends a great local elementary school in VA, and we enjoy the parks, trails, and more laid back feel (compared to DC). There are many condo/apartment buildings where you can rent a 2 bedroom, it's safe, walkable, good restaurants, and I have found people to be friendly and laid back. Yes, you will find some people who are bitchy and focused on money, but overall I really like it. |
Anonymous
I'd go with Clarendon too. I like it a lot. |
Anonymous
| With OP's income, I'd go with Fairlington. The commute is easy, and the homes are more reasonably priced. |
Anonymous
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I didn't read through all the previous replies (got turned off after the "condescending bi*ch" exchange), but wanted to throw in a pitch for Arlington. I've been here for seven years now and have always found it to be friendly, easy and livable. Looking way ahead, I love the fact that the VA state colleges are so strong. It'll be great to have the in-state tuition option some day!
More specifically, if you're thinking about the Clarendon area, I highly recommend the Williamsburg Condo building. It's two blocks from the Courthouse Metro on North Wayne Street -- and a very quick walk to the Clarendon shopping and restaurants. The building is GREAT -- small, quiet, and really well-maintained with a pool downstairs and a playground right across the street. It's mostly owner-occupied with really nice people and a handful of families with small kids. Not sure which school it feeds to (Key Elementary, maybe?), but it might be a great home for a small family. Check CraigsList -- I think there are 2BR apartments up for rent there occasionally in the $2500 range. Good luck! |
cmkeough
Member Location: Arlington, VA
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Member Location: Arlington, VA
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|
Arlington. But I am biased as I live in Arlington. Husband grew up in Potomac MD and prefers it over here too. Schools are fantastic here.
In way of rent you can totally afford some place nice for the range size that you're looking for in the Arlington area. We own a second home in Cherrydale that's a 2 bedroom 1 bath updated SFH that we rent (the market was horrible to sell) so we posted it on Craigslist and rent it for $1750 so I know that there are affordable places for you and your family. Best of luck! |
Anonymous
| I live in Chevy Chase and work in Clarendon. I think both are nice and maybe you should consider adding CC, especially Friendship Heights to your list. It has many of the things Bethesda has and more condos, and houses to rent near there, so you may have better luck. Can't go wrong with Clarendon though. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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to the PP, can you tell me where Cherrydale is?
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Anonymous
I am not the pp, but I live next to Cherrydale, so I can tell you where it is!  It is off Lee Highway, about a mile from Clarendon and/or Ballston. Very nice neighborhood, full of families, close to shops and parks, and very close to DC!
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Anonymous
We live in downtown Bethesda and I have to say I absolutely love it. I am friends with my neighbors, we have block parties. We do live in the East Bethesda side(the "ghetto" to Bethesda  ) and it's great!!!!
I love it when I don't have to hop in my car for groceries, shopping, restaurants, car maintainance, bank, movies, theatre etc. It is quite expensive I grant you to live here, but I wanted to put my two cents in so you don't think Bethesda has all rude people. I love sitting in front of Barnes and Nobles and watch parents with their kids. We talk to random strangers who also have kids out age...stroll, bike through the trail. |
Anonymous
I'm thinking of living in East Bethesda but am concerned that it's mostly young families. I'd want to stay for years to come. Do you think people tend to leave as their kids get bigger because the houses are so small? |
Anonymous
| East Bethesda might've been young family town before but now that all of the homes are "mcmansionizing" lack of space is not an issue. My neighbors have kids from infants to teenagers. Some have their kids in college. At my gym I overhear people talk all the time about their kids in college. |