Anonymous wrote:OP here - We will probably try to wait on the PS-3 school lottery before we move. I'm starting to think about how we're going to rank schools, though, and location is part of that calculus. I am leaning toward IT and Cap City right now, but having a hard time deciding between them. So, I'm focusing on Takoma and Brookland (assuming IT ends up at Shaed) to see if the neighborhoods give either one a boost over the other. Of course, we could strike out completely in the lottery and then who knows what we'll do! If that happens, I think there is some logic to PP's statement that, from Takoma, most of the schools are "on the way" to work downtown, though.

I don't imagine you are going to have the opportunity to "choose" between them, FWIW. With the lotteries oversubscribed as they are, it's pointless to say we're leaning toward X or interested in Y immersion. You wait until you get into a place and then decide it's the perfect fit. That's just the way it is.

Curious why you would opt for Takoma DC when just over the line you get MoCo schools. You won't be within walking distance to Metro at that price, but there are plenty of other houses that fit your description that are a short Ride-on bus ride away. And tons of young kids.

I'd vote for Brookland. Lots going on there right now with that big new development on Monroe and tons of young families.

This is cute, the top of your price range but it's been on the market a while:
http://www.homesnap.com/DC/Washington/1404-Otis-Street-NE

OP here - We will probably try to wait on the PS-3 school lottery before we move. I'm starting to think about how we're going to rank schools, though, and location is part of that calculus. I am leaning toward IT and Cap City right now, but having a hard time deciding between them. So, I'm focusing on Takoma and Brookland (assuming IT ends up at Shaed) to see if the neighborhoods give either one a boost over the other. Of course, we could strike out completely in the lottery and then who knows what we'll do! If that happens, I think there is some logic to PP's statement that, from Takoma, most of the schools are "on the way" to work downtown, though.

OP, how old are your kids? Can you see how the charter lottery shakes out for you before making a move?

We have friends who live in a great SFH in Brookland, but they are in a pickle because of schools. Yes, there are a few good charters there, but they are hard to get into and the location makes commuting to some of the other good charters a total hassle. They are facing the fact that if they get into a good charter a little further north and west of them, that will completely screw with their commutes to work downtown. We live in Brightwood and work downtown, so our commute over to our charter and then down to work feels, at least to us, like an on-the-way kind of drive. Just food for thought.

Takoma has a great branch of dc public library and a great new play ground. It's really bringing people out.

OP here: thanks for the replies so far! Max price is $600k, but we'd prefer closer to $500 or $525. We'd also prefer something with a little "character" that needs work over the developer flips that don't need any work but aren't really redone to my taste. We'd also like to be a close to Metro as possible, so we're willing to put up with smaller (say 3 beds 1.5 baths, especially if we could expand later) in order to get closer.

Any other thoughts in terms of family friendliness of the two neighborhoods? It sounds like there might be more little kids in Brookland? Are there better kid activities in one? I know there are lots in Takoma Park and Capitol Hill, so we could just hop across the border from Takoma or head south from Brookland, but are there any in those areas?

What's your price range, OP?

Ooh, good question. My sense is that Takoma DC is a tad pricer? And totally a personal opinion, but I feel like Brookland is in general a bit dumpier (more houses in disrepair, etc). That said, Brookland is much closer to downtown, and there are a LOT of young families there right now. Takoma seems to me to skew older.

Re: charters, yes Brookland has more, but they are admission by lottery. If you don't get in you are truly screwed. In Takoma you have a valid option while you figure it out.

Brooklander here. There are a lot more attractive charters in greater Brookland than in Takoma.

The Metro stats are not hot but are misleading since Brookland has way more ridership than #2 Deanwood.

I hear about more crime in Brookland. In fact, the news reports that the majority of metro crime happened on/near/around the Brookland metro

The school in Takoma DC is better. Not great but absolutely better with a renovated building, enthusiastic principal and many neighborhood families at least trying it out. Families from Brookland try to get into Takoma Ed Campus through the OOB lottery. No one does the reverse. Even if you don't have kids or plan to go private that does a lot for home value.

Anyone have insight into why a family might prefer one of these neighborhoods over the other? They seem pretty similar at a glance...cute houses that are reasonably priced (for the area), red line metro, big public rec centers, meh local DCPS but good charter options. We are house shopping and both seem like good options, but would appreciate any insight about pros and cons of one over the other. Thanks!