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maynie
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Kingstowne is one of my favorite areas in VA. I lived there for almost 5 years and loved it.
It's in Fairfax Co so the schools are great and it's one mile from the metro. The metro ride into downtown is about 30 minutes. http://www.kingstowne.org/ |
Anonymous
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Here's a plug for Arlington. ALL kindergartens are full day, and the schools generally have excellent on-site extended day programs.
Fairlington is wonderful. Many of the apartments are small, but the amenities are great. I think you could afford an apartment there, but not a town home. |
Anonymous
| I highly recommend living in Arlington if you can. I've lived in both Arlington and Silver Spring and prefer Arlington for numerous reasons. First of all, although Montgomery county has good schools in general, the ones in Silver Spring are not that great. The Montgomery County schools in Bethesda are much better but unfortunately, Bethesda can be quite pricey. In fact, I personally wouldn't like my kids going the schools in Silver Spring. Arlington schools are excellent. The second reason i like Northern Virginia is that Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church are fairly close in so the commute to D.C. isn't as bad. Another option to explore is a place close to Vienna metro. Vienna has excellent schools, and it may actually be cheaper than Arlington. My choices, from best to worst are as follows: Arlington, Falls Church (City of Falls Church has better schools than the fairfax county schools in Falls Church), Vienna, Kingstown Alexandria, and then Silver Spring. Again when looking in Alexandria, keep in mind that there's both City of Alexandria and Fairfax county. In general, the fairfax county schools in Alexandria are much better than the schools zoned for the city of Alexandria. |
Anonymous
| This question is for Maynie (19:30 posting)-I'd love more feedback on Kingstowne. We've found a couple of places in our price range but didn't know anyone who lives there. Is it family-friendly? When you say it's 1 mile from the metro, which metro would that be? My husband works in Crystal city so the location seems good for us. We just wanted to make sure that it was a friendlly environment with good schools. |
Anonymous
| For the best schools try Montgomery, or as you mentioned Fairfax Counties. DC has some of the worst schools in the nation! |
Anonymous
| i've heard good things about takoma park, md. any thoughts on that? |
maynie
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It's by the Franconia Springfield metro, the last stop on the blue line. Although Van Dorn metro is just about the same distance. Crystal city is only a 20 minute metro ride. Or if has to drive he could try slugging. It's how I get to work everyday  http://www.slug-lines.com/ This would mean no paying for parking at metro and the ride is only about 10-15 minutes to Crystal City.
I thought the people in Kingstowne were very friendly. If you're an outdoorsy type you'll love it. There's so many trails and places to walk. A lot of families live in that area. It is a small community, that's always beautifully landscaped and I really love areas with lots of trees. I was in my early twenties when I lived there, pre-child, so I can't point you right in the direction of all the kids activities and things to do because I didn't worry about that stuff then. I originally moved there because I needed a place that was pet friendly. There's always people out walking and running. All the communities have the pools, tennis courts and racquetball. They just recently finished the shopping center over there so there's lots of restaurants now and a movie theater. You should take a ride through there if you have some time. I'd be surprised if you didn't love it. I'd move back if I could afford it. My in laws live there now and my husband and I occasionally house sit when they go on vacation. Every time we do, we always think how much easier it would be to live there because the location is so convenient for many things. Let me know if you need any more info! |
Anonymous
| Kingstowne has some good shopping options but it is getting crowded, the commute-by car into the district is horrible and the public schools are ok at best. |
maynie
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I guess your car ride was much different from mine. I carpool and have a very easy time. If you want to ride alone, during rush hour, on 395 then yep, probably sucks. Growing up I lived off of Franconia Rd so I did go to Springfield Estates elementary school and then Key for one year. I loved those schools back then but maybe they're just OK now, I don't know. Is your child not doing so well in school? |
Anonymous
| yes, single rider on 395-terrible. My son will start kindergarten this fall, I would not send him to the schools Kingstowne is zoned for-especially given the wonderful schools we have to choose from in Fairfax and Arlington counties. |
Anonymous
| Arlington, specifically Clarendon, Ballston, Rosslyn. Very safe, great schools, several rental options. |
Anonymous
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Just an FYI about a PP comment regarding Bethesda schools being better than Silver Spring schools...
(First of all, although Montgomery county has good schools in general, the ones in Silver Spring are not that great. The Montgomery County schools in Bethesda are much better...) ...the curriculum in ALL MCPS elementary schools is exactly the same. The demographics will obviously be different (as will standardized test scores, # of children receiving free/reduced meals, etc.), but the curriculum is identical in all elementary schools in Montgomery County An MCPS teacher
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Anonymous
We live in Takoma Park and love it. TPES is an excellent elementary school, though the later school choices don't measure up to Bethesda schools in terms of test scores. (Bethesda is a lot more homogeneous. As the MC teacher noted, the curriculum is the same throughout the county.) We will probably do a progressive private school for a variety of reasons. But we love Tk Pk. Husband rides Metro to downtown; 25 minutes tops to the area OP described. He walks to the Metro. Takoma Park is a very friendly, family-filled, progressive community. Tons of children. Rent is considerably more affordable than Bethesda. Less shopping, fewer restaurants than Bethesda, however. |
Anonymous
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again, thanks everyone for the tips.
i am interested in arlington but it looks like i will not be able to afford it at first (having some amenties in the place is important to me and i just can't afford that in arlington). i think i will try takoma park, silver springs, rockville, since they seem to be more reasonably priced. |
Anonymous
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We live in Rockville in the Apartments at Miramont, which is in a good school district, accepts cats (we have one) and is not a bad commute to DC. It is also within your price range and is rated the best apartment complex in Rockville. (I have to agree, and I have lived in many in the last ten years.)
Best of luck with your move, getting settled and adjusted to DC! |