Can someone explain what about CC feels more like part of the city as compared to AU Park? You cannot even get to the metro.

The western part of Chevy Chase DC extends to Wisconsin Ave as its western boundary. The commercial area around the Friendship Heights metro is more densely built than the corresponding commercial area near AU Park.

Can someone explain what about CC feels more like part of the city as compared to AU Park? You cannot even get to the metro. Really, my perception has always been more burb like for CC.

I lived in Kalorama pre-kids and moved to AU park when pregnant, which I fully recognize as the burbs within city lines. I just do not see CC as more urban that AUP, what am I missing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Throwing another option/question out there -- Wouldn't you think that the Janney area (Tenley/AU) would be better for OP? Young families, close community, parks, etc...

AU Park might as well be suburbia though. CC feels like part of the city.

<smirks> in Adams Morgan.

Oh, very true. CC is undeniably sleepy compared to Adams Morgan! If the OP were single, had no kids, or was planning on going private then Adams Morgan would be great. The only problem with Adams Morgan is that the OP is interested in good DPCS schools and there aren't any east of the park. The ones in Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant are terrible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Throwing another option/question out there -- Wouldn't you think that the Janney area (Tenley/AU) would be better for OP? Young families, close community, parks, etc...

AU Park might as well be suburbia though. CC feels like part of the city.

<smirks> in Adams Morgan.

Anonymous wrote:Throwing another option/question out there -- Wouldn't you think that the Janney area (Tenley/AU) would be better for OP? Young families, close community, parks, etc...

AU Park might as well be suburbia though. CC feels like part of the city.

There are definitely plenty of young families in the neighborhood and a huge amount of kids that go to Lafayette. You will not be unhappy as far as a "neighborly" feeling. We moved in when we were in our early 30s and had no kids, we're now in our mid-40s and have 3 kids at the school. I would say that the neighborhood has gotten younger since we have moved here (also from Dupont) but I like the fact that there is a mix of ages. I don't feel old yet, but I'm aware that when I look at the playground, I'm no longer young either! This is a great neighborhood to live in - anyone I know who comes to visit always gets wistful.

Anonymous wrote:Throwing another option/question out there -- Wouldn't you think that the Janney area (Tenley/AU) would be better for OP? Young families, close community, parks, etc...

I would say similar, but not better. I personally prefer CC, b/c of the proximity to Rock Creek Park and the nicer (IMHO) commercial strip.

There are definitely lots of families in the neighborhood with young (pre-school) children. In fact, two women on our block are pregnant and another family recently moved in with an infant. You're not even guaranteed to get your kid into Lafayette pre-K just by living in the neighborhood (though most get off the waitlist), b/c there are so many families in the neighborhood with 4-year-olds. I do think that most Lafayette families tend to have older parents--late 30s or 40s--rather than late 20s, early 30s.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your input. This is very helpful!

One last question. My wife and I are 29 and 32, and our son is a year old. We currently live NW of Dupont Circle, where there are lots of people our age just starting out with their first kid. Would we find other young couples just starting their families in Chevy Chase DC, or is the demographic slightly older (i.e., multiple kids, already in elementary school)? Thanks again.

We moved into the neighborhood in 1997. I was 31, DH was 29, and we had a dog. Now, 2 kids and one dog later, we are still there. One of the things we love about the neighborhood is that there are families like ours, young couples starting out (with and without kids), families with older kids, and retirees all on the same street. Our neighbors across the street, who have lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and retired long before we ever arrived, make a really big deal out of Halloween for the kids and never fail to leave a little something for the kids (chocolate or cookies) at Christmas. It's a neighborhood many people stay in, so you will find people in all stages of life.

Throwing another option/question out there -- Wouldn't you think that the Janney area (Tenley/AU) would be better for OP? Young families, close community, parks, etc...

We moved to CC DC a few months ago with what was then our 18 month old. We are the youngest family in our surrounding area -- most of the families seem to have older kids or are emply nesters. We expect in time that will change. That said, on weekends at Lafayette Park we see so many families with young kids at the playground, it could be that we just didn't move to the right part of the CC DC neighborhood. FYI - we are in bounds for Murch, not Lafayette. While I agree that the setting of the Lafayette school and surrounding aread is idyllic, you shouldn't necessarily rule out a house in the Murch area if you find something you like there -- some would argue that the classroom set up is actually better than Lafayette.

Anonymous wrote:
Yes the demographic is older.


OP here. I recognize that families in CC DC will be more mature than families in Dupont Circle. But, just to clarify, are you saying there is not even a critical mass of young families in CC DC? Thanks again.

I'm not that poster you are asking, however I can tell you there are families with babies in CC DC. I live there.

I would say, though, that the for the most part the younger adults with infants or pregnant moms TEND to live further east within CC DC. Look around Lafayette, 32nd etc. rather than right near Connecticut (where I sense there are greater numbers of families with 8 yr olds)

Anonymous wrote:Yes the demographic is older.

OP here. I recognize that families in CC DC will be more mature than families in Dupont Circle. But, just to clarify, are you saying there is not even a critical mass of young families in CC DC? Thanks again.

Anonymous wrote:

Really? I've never heard of a Catholic church having a strict boundary. As far as I know, you can join any one you want, and the stated admissions preference is for parishoners, not people living within the parish boundary.

Oh yes, oh yes they do have boundary lines. It creates a ranking system should there be too many applicants for too few spots.

You know i'm not so sure this is true anymore. (It absolutely was true a few years ago.)

See
http://www.bsstoday.org/page.cfm?p=281

Also I think the requirement on $ is more giving weekly via faith direct or envelopes than total amount. If you send in one check for $1000 that doesn't mean you participate in the church (ie attend and participate in various activites).

Absolutely you would find many young families and I think this is the best time to move into the neighborhood. Everyone who recently moved in our street seems to have new babies or toddlers (or they are empty nesters).