Hearst is a fantastic school! And the area gives you a nice city life, depending on what you are looking for.
DCPS is out in three weeks. Maybe visit now, while school is still in session, to get a better feel for the schools in the areas you are considering. Most principals will be happy to meet with you and show you around.

Good luck!

OP, where in the suburbs do you live? Obviously, if you're out in Potomac or Rockville (or Fairfax County) the "feel" is quite different than close-in Bethesda or Arlington. I think the differences between the close-in suburbs and the Upper Northwest DC areas are less distinct. In fact, parts of DC are definitely less urban than parts of Arlington or Bethesda.

Anonymous wrote:I'd think a lot about what you are missing about DC. After we moved to VA (I know, I know, but we needed to be near family, etc.), I longed to move back to DC and thought I would always hate the 'burbs. After a while, I realized that I missed the "idea" of DC more than I missed the reality of it. I may be different for you, but this was the case for me. Once I realized that, it was easier to compare the pros/cons of the burbs. We send our kids to public school, so that was a big pro to say in VA. Also, a good friend reminded me that we moved 7 miles away not 700 miles! Good perspective. Also, remember, you can always move back after your kids are out of school. If you do move back, definitely check out the elementary school first and make sure you are ok with it.

We moved 1.5 miles away from our DC neighborhood into VA. It is more urban over here. I actually want to move back to our former DC city neighborhood where it is quieter and I feel safer having the kids walk to the parks. My husband thinks I've lost my mind as we just bought this house 2.5 years ago. I do realize I am somebody that always wants to move again at the 3 year mark. That is the longest I've lived in any one house. Maybe because my parents have been in their house for 40+ years and never moved. Could this be your problem to? I get this bug and just want to move.

I consider AU Park pretty suburban so I don't know what the difference would be from any other suburb. I do get that sometimes "the people" are just different and maybe that is why you want to move out.

My current neighborhood has a lot of high stress, type-A parents that helicopter and micromanage. They also have some ridiculous rules at the elementary school for safety that bar kids from being able to even play normally. My old neighborhood (with the influence of a large european population) had a much more normal way of raising kids. However, there is a small sub-set of neighbors that I love and they are keeping me here.

THanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. Some good points were made and I'll keep them in mind as I keep looking. One question though, is Hearst really a good school? We have seen a couple of houses in that school district but have shied away from Hearst. Also, I have heard that there is overcrowding at Janney and Lafayette houses feel more suburban than urban to me.

Anonymous wrote:Also, AU Park the others mentioned are not exactly urban places. Consider whether this will really mean a lifestyle improvement.

I tend to agree. There are communities in DC that are more suburban than urban. They may be desirable to some (AU Park, Chevy Chase DC, Takoma) but they're in the middle of nowhere and you would be stuck with DCPS, as opposed to more reliable public schools where you are now. By moving to some of these DC communities, you may find that you've jumped from the pan into the fire.

I'd think a lot about what you are missing about DC. After we moved to VA (I know, I know, but we needed to be near family, etc.), I longed to move back to DC and thought I would always hate the 'burbs. After a while, I realized that I missed the "idea" of DC more than I missed the reality of it. I may be different for you, but this was the case for me. Once I realized that, it was easier to compare the pros/cons of the burbs. We send our kids to public school, so that was a big pro to say in VA. Also, a good friend reminded me that we moved 7 miles away not 700 miles! Good perspective. Also, remember, you can always move back after your kids are out of school. If you do move back, definitely check out the elementary school first and make sure you are ok with it.

Also, AU Park the others mentioned are not exactly urban places. Consider whether this will really mean a lifestyle improvement.

OP, where do you live now? The JKLM schools are fine, but so are many of the schools in Montgomery County and Virginia (although if I lived in Virginia I'd want to leave too, by the way). And, despite what you may read here, Deal and Wilson aren't so fantastic (they are our IB schools and we went private). If you local schools are just OK, then your plan sounds like a good one, but if they are good, think again.

We had a condo in Cleveland Park, which we sold, and bought a house in Van Ness/Tenleytown. There are houses out there, just keep at it. I'm definitely a city person, and I can't recommend it enough. Our kids are babies, but we're in the Hearst school district, which is a very good school.

What is your price range? Would you consider Lafayette or Janney? Why not expand your search a bit?

Maybe you need a new realtor? I know things have been crazy the last few months, but looking at sales over the past year there have been houses selling w/o multiple offers.

Anonymous wrote:I know this might be off topic a bit, but please I need some advice. We live in the suburbs and have been looking to move back into the city for several years but we keep getting outbid for houses. I used to live in DC and miss everything about it. We try to get in on the weekends as much as we can. I have been seriously looking at AU Park for the last year and would love my child to attend Murch for the international kids there and then go on to Deal and WIlson. RIght now, my child is going to a Montessori school on full scholarship and is learning so much. My husband is content where he is but is willing to move for me. Am I being selfish (at the expense of my child) for wanting to move back to DC? Should I suck it up until my child is done with school? I sometimes feel that there would be more opportunities for him living in the city...but we can't find any houses!

Mama, life is too short. You need to be happy too. We moms tend to forget about that Follow your heart and gut.

Wait out the market for a bit. The DC market is very competitive right now (little availability, bidding wars, etc.) but things will eventually improve and you will find your dream home in the city.

Just on a basic level -- AU Park does not go to Murch.

The other stuff I can't answer. We all have to make decisions. You will too.

I know this might be off topic a bit, but please I need some advice. We live in the suburbs and have been looking to move back into the city for several years but we keep getting outbid for houses. I used to live in DC and miss everything about it. We try to get in on the weekends as much as we can. I have been seriously looking at AU Park for the last year and would love my child to attend Murch for the international kids there and then go on to Deal and WIlson. RIght now, my child is going to a Montessori school on full scholarship and is learning so much. My husband is content where he is but is willing to move for me. Am I being selfish (at the expense of my child) for wanting to move back to DC? Should I suck it up until my child is done with school? I sometimes feel that there would be more opportunities for him living in the city...but we can't find any houses!