Anonymous wrote:$170k HHI, should be able to afford more home than $500k-$600k...especially if you move to better school district and switch out of private?


Anonymous wrote: no wonder so many people claim to be broke. our HHI is $230k and I wouldn't dream of buying a $600k house.

+1

OP, those steering you in the direction of Rock Creek Forest and Rosemary Hills are right on. I would say that HHI170K is probably in the middle of the residents in these neighborhoods with young children (maybe increasingly on the lower end of new residents buying in). There are of course still older residents with grown children who undoubtedly have much lower incomes. These neighborhoods are zoned for BCC. I have worried that my DCs would feel "poor" (although they clearly are no such thing) in the BCC cluster because of the super-wealthy neighborhoods it draws from. Haven't felt that yet. The neighborhood kids stick together quite a bit, and I feel like it's a pretty "normal" environment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh yes, yes they are. You couldn't pay me enough to move to FFX country. Love ALL of Arlington.

Signed, HH with 2 highly educated parents (one from an Ivy), HHI 200K.

I'll see your Ivy and raise you one. From FFX COunty (McLean), HHI 800k. Whatever. FFX County is fine.

Puke. People who cite their Ivys are such douches. You do know it does not equate to your value or intelligence? So sick of people in this area talking about their degrees, it is so pathetic.

I find it hilarious, as if the degree somehow makes the point valid. Next time I post in the Food and Cooking forum I'm going to end "signed Ivy grad"

You can keep your Ivy. I'll take the $800K HHI. Money talks!

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County, VA. A lot of federal workers live in this area because of its very good public schools -- which will save you the cost of privates.

You can buy 1950s ramblers at good prices within your range in the McLean HS area of McLean, VA. There are a lot of families similarly situated in the McLean HS pyramid.

With a HHI of $170k? Are you certain?

And no, not trying to pick a fight, I live in McLean too.

I think that McLean is ideal. I also live here and, yes, there are many families in the modest rambler neighborhoods surrounding McLean HS whose parent(s) work for the federal government.

Not only are the McLean pyramid schools the very best in Fairfax County, but it is an excellent investment as these neighborhoods continue to appreciate and be converted into teardown havens. Also, having your kids surrounded by some measure of wealthier families makes for great future connections, and teaches them to study and work hard as they aspire to some of what they see around them.

that's BS homes start at 700 in mclean now. http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1716-Linwood-Pl-22101/home/9403851

THis one is $650k. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1813-Westmoreland-St_Mclean_VA_22101_M62248-79015?row=6

And there are several townhomes in the center that are quite large (3 beds 3 ba) that are walkable to parks and stores for under $600k.

Um, thanks for providing a link to a property with so many caveats it's clearly not the norm. The house is $650 because the seller is trying to prevent a short sale and the tenants made it inconvenient to show. So, under normal circumstances the house would've been much more costly. Agree that $700K is the starting price for fixer uppers in McLean.

Umm, you're welcome. Part of the point appears to be the townhomes.

Next time just leave out the misleading link and stick to the facts. No harm, no foul that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like Oneness Family. Do you like it? I've always wondered about it. OP, I relate to so much of what you say. We are in the same boat, financially and philosophically. We are in DC at a nontraditional charter ES and pretty happy, but not sure what we'll do for MS or HS. We could scrape to afford a small house in one of the "top" school clusters, but as simple livers, I'm concerned that we wouldn't fit in with our neighbors. Hope you'll keep the thread posted on what you decide.

Ha ha, not Oneness but the other school that is almost always mentioned when it is mentioned . . .

I think we are going to try for Takoma Park 1/2 mile to the metro (and then Silver Springs 1/2 mile, which is still zoned for Blaire). We spent an afternoon in Silver Springs downtown, son playing in the fountain, and I did like it more than I thought I would. The commute will be bad (40 minutes to school and about an hour to work in the mornings), and the wait for a house will be long, but I think it will be a good fit for us.

I am sorry to leave NW DC. If the schools were better, we could just move to a row house east of 16th street, but I can't count on charters or on our ability to sustain private school tuition for 2.

I'm with you sister! Loved DC for a long time (10+ years), but I can count on charters and 2 private school tuitions may not be sustainable for us longterm. Looking to jump ship soon!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County, VA. A lot of federal workers live in this area because of its very good public schools -- which will save you the cost of privates.

You can buy 1950s ramblers at good prices within your range in the McLean HS area of McLean, VA. There are a lot of families similarly situated in the McLean HS pyramid.

With a HHI of $170k? Are you certain?

And no, not trying to pick a fight, I live in McLean too.

I think that McLean is ideal. I also live here and, yes, there are many families in the modest rambler neighborhoods surrounding McLean HS whose parent(s) work for the federal government.

Not only are the McLean pyramid schools the very best in Fairfax County, but it is an excellent investment as these neighborhoods continue to appreciate and be converted into teardown havens. Also, having your kids surrounded by some measure of wealthier families makes for great future connections, and teaches them to study and work hard as they aspire to some of what they see around them.

that's BS homes start at 700 in mclean now. http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1716-Linwood-Pl-22101/home/9403851

THis one is $650k. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1813-Westmoreland-St_Mclean_VA_22101_M62248-79015?row=6

And there are several townhomes in the center that are quite large (3 beds 3 ba) that are walkable to parks and stores for under $600k.

Um, thanks for providing a link to a property with so many caveats it's clearly not the norm. The house is $650 because the seller is trying to prevent a short sale and the tenants made it inconvenient to show. So, under normal circumstances the house would've been much more costly. Agree that $700K is the starting price for fixer uppers in McLean.

Umm, you're welcome. Part of the point appears to be the townhomes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax County, VA. A lot of federal workers live in this area because of its very good public schools -- which will save you the cost of privates.

You can buy 1950s ramblers at good prices within your range in the McLean HS area of McLean, VA. There are a lot of families similarly situated in the McLean HS pyramid.

With a HHI of $170k? Are you certain?

And no, not trying to pick a fight, I live in McLean too.

I think that McLean is ideal. I also live here and, yes, there are many families in the modest rambler neighborhoods surrounding McLean HS whose parent(s) work for the federal government.

Not only are the McLean pyramid schools the very best in Fairfax County, but it is an excellent investment as these neighborhoods continue to appreciate and be converted into teardown havens. Also, having your kids surrounded by some measure of wealthier families makes for great future connections, and teaches them to study and work hard as they aspire to some of what they see around them.

that's BS homes start at 700 in mclean now. http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1716-Linwood-Pl-22101/home/9403851

THis one is $650k. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1813-Westmoreland-St_Mclean_VA_22101_M62248-79015?row=6

And there are several townhomes in the center that are quite large (3 beds 3 ba) that are walkable to parks and stores for under $600k.

Um, thanks for providing a link to a property with so many caveats it's clearly not the norm. The house is $650 because the seller is trying to prevent a short sale and the tenants made it inconvenient to show. So, under normal circumstances the house would've been much more costly. Agree that $700K is the starting price for fixer uppers in McLean.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like Oneness Family. Do you like it? I've always wondered about it. OP, I relate to so much of what you say. We are in the same boat, financially and philosophically. We are in DC at a nontraditional charter ES and pretty happy, but not sure what we'll do for MS or HS. We could scrape to afford a small house in one of the "top" school clusters, but as simple livers, I'm concerned that we wouldn't fit in with our neighbors. Hope you'll keep the thread posted on what you decide.

Ha ha, not Oneness but the other school that is almost always mentioned when it is mentioned . . .

I think we are going to try for Takoma Park 1/2 mile to the metro (and then Silver Springs 1/2 mile, which is still zoned for Blaire). We spent an afternoon in Silver Springs downtown, son playing in the fountain, and I did like it more than I thought I would. The commute will be bad (40 minutes to school and about an hour to work in the mornings), and the wait for a house will be long, but I think it will be a good fit for us.

I am sorry to leave NW DC. If the schools were better, we could just move to a row house east of 16th street, but I can't count on charters or on our ability to sustain private school tuition for 2.

OP, definitely look at Rock Creek Forest, which is Chevy Chase east of Beach. We live here, and the neighborhood is friendly and HHI right around yours. Bethesda-Chevy Chase school district. There are a couple homes in the neighborhood for sale - one at 710, one at 649 (the nicest one, IMO), and one at 750 (which I think is overpriced and will need to come down).

Here's a link to the 649k house. It is on my street and I've been inside; it's a great house! http://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/2614-Spencer-Rd-20815/home/10999908

^^ I just realized that "simple livers" is a funny term, but I think you get my drift.

Sounds like Oneness Family. Do you like it? I've always wondered about it. OP, I relate to so much of what you say. We are in the same boat, financially and philosophically. We are in DC at a nontraditional charter ES and pretty happy, but not sure what we'll do for MS or HS. We could scrape to afford a small house in one of the "top" school clusters, but as simple livers, I'm concerned that we wouldn't fit in with our neighbors. Hope you'll keep the thread posted on what you decide.

OP here. thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help.

re private schools, the one my son is in and the others I've looked at are not elite, 35-40K schools. There are lots of middle class "niche" private schools around - they just aren't big topics on this board. Many of the people at my school rent or live far far out (longer commutes than I'm ready for). But the kind of education I want for my kids is a priority, and I would put them in any school, even a rich one, for that purpose, even if it meant social hardships. Fortunately, the kind of hippie dippie schooling I want for them comes cheap and comes full of middle income folks . . .

12:35 -THIS. Get real, OP. The wealthy have no use for "hangers on". You may as well know it before your try to spend the money on private.

If you do t want yr kids around wealthy kids, why r u sending them to private school??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given your commute to Bethesda I'd say Takoma Park or Silver Spring. However, I just bought in 22042 with a similar wish list. If VA isn't too far for you, check it out. LIke you, I wanted somewhere safe, good schools, where my kids wouldn't be the poorest or the richest.

22042 schools especially high aren't that great

OP said schools didn't have to be great b/c she wanted to stick with private, but wanted decent schools as an option just in case. 22042 schools are certainly decent by anyone's standards.

NP but yes, you give major douche vibes. "snicker." Is that a DCUM thing, or is it just you posting that frequently? It is tiresome.