Anonymous wrote:I grew up there so I'm biased, but it's a beautiful, friendly neighborhood with a nice layout. Easy to run up and down the streets and play with friends as a kid. The park itself is nice to have access to.
+1 My kids are just finishing up at W-L after going through Long Branch and TJ. It's been a great neighborhood for them to grow up in and we were happy with our experience with the schools.
But, things have definitely changed over time with gentrification and the challenges with the schools. It seems most of our long-term neighbors have government, non-profit, IT jobs (as do DH and I) and chose the area for its short commute and family friendly flavor, compromising on smaller/older houses to get more time with family. Now, with the new builds and high prices it's more the lawyers/lobbyists. And, for the schools, I know Long Branch's very long-term principal has retired and it sounds like there's some growing pains with the new leadership and there's the overcrowding at W-L.
There are still a lot of neighborhood events and you can't beat the location if you commute into DC but it's not the hidden gem it was when we moved in 20 years ago.