Sorry to hear, OP. Consider it part of the journey and NOT the destination, and you will do just fine. The D.C. (and area) people and their facial expressions alone make for HOURS of entertainment. Be amused. Be very amused.

If you're comfortable with a condo/apt rental then you could find something closer-in (e.g. Courthouse, Rosslyn etc.), but if you're looking for a TH/SFH then check out the last two stops of the Blue or Orange lines in VA and see if you can get something with shuttle/bus distance from the metro.

Driving in from the further 'burbs into central DC is a nightmare.

If you'll be working near Union Station in DC, you could consider Burke and take the train in. There are townhouses (and probably some single family homes) in your price range, there's a nice lake (with swimming) nearby and the schools are pretty good. It's a nice family neighborhood. That said, if you have a driving commute, it's a hike.

If you end up in Fairfax, try to find something very close to the orange line metro. it's nice to be able to hop a train and read the paper till you're in the city, and there are probably properties to rent near the Vienna and Dunn Loring metro stations. Falls Church is another good option; it has two metro stations, good schools (mostly) and is a bit closer in.

Maybe consider parts of South Arlington? The commute to DC would be great, and the schools are decent at the elementary level, depending on the area. (Fairlington is a very family-friendly community, though the townhouses aren't all very big.) Some sections of South Arlington feed into decent middle schools - i've heard Kenmore is ok. And if you could find a townhouse in North Arlington, even better, and the commute would be great.

(I can't speak to Maryland - I didn't live there very long.)

OP, if you want close in and close to Metro, but can only spend $2000 or less on a rental, take a look at Cheverly in Prince George's County.

Here's a 4 BR house for rent for $2000 -- smaller houses go for less.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/apa/2498203774.html

Spellman Elementary School is great. Middle school is another story but you will probably be ready to move by then.

21:52 here. Thank you 21:51 -- that was what I was getting at!

OP, will you also need full time daycare/preschool for the 3 year old, and morning/aftercare for the 8 year old?

How expensive are those things in Arlington and elsewhere people are suggesting?

Our HHI is about $130,000 and we don't have to pay for those things (because I work part time) but I cannot figure out how we'd pay $1,000/month for daycare for a preschooler plus $350/month for aftercare on top of our mortgage.

Are those realistic amounts for full time day care and aftercare in this area?

OK people are you all insane?? Recommending DC proper and close in burbs? This OP has a HHI of 125k and needs daycare for the youngest and most likely after care and summer care for the oldest. How in the fuck is she going to afford these places? The OP will be wayyy out in timbucktoo. This is what average earners do when they want good schools.

Get your heads out of the sand. Stop talking from a place of 300k incomes and up, or because you bought a home here ten years ago. The poster is coming from fucking Detroit.[url][i]

OP forget being in close DC, unless you are OK in a one bedroom apt. I'd love these people to find a decent 2200 rental in these nice areas.

OP - what will be your rental budget?

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I agree with 17:08. Be a city family. The commutes associated with most of these are hellish. Family time is more important!

Commute from Clarendon/Courthouse area is incredibly quick to DC...quicker to downtoWn than some of the outer NW neighborhoods...and there is metro and some of the best public schools in the entire country. The Secretary of Education chose to send his child to school here.

where are you living now?
I would not recommend moving to DC. There are a lot more friendly places.

OP,

I agree with 17:08. Be a city family. The commutes associated with most of these are hellish. Family time is more important!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2504220360.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2504196985.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2504174894.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2503936247.html

I would consider renting in the Woodley Park, Cleveland Park or Chevy Chase area of DC. Since youll only be here for a few years you can make do with a larger 2 bed apt or small 3 bed house/townhouse you can take advantage of the city and those all have good ES.

Even though I live in Ffx City, I'd say that, if you plan to rent for a couple of years, North Arlington is probably your best bet. We rented near Lyon Park (not Lyon Village- which is nice but has less retal opprotunites) and what we lost in backyard space we made up in the local playgrounds- Lyon Park (of course) being the favorite. The public schools are uniformly decent and there's enough preschools nearby (although may be difficult to get into) so that commuting after drop off wouldn't be a complete headache.

I would rent in Arlington. In my humble opinion Campbell Elementary is one of the best public schools. Admission is based on lottery. You'll have an easier time getting in if you live in South Arlington.
Arlington Heights, Alcova Heights, and Barcroft are all nice, diverse neighborhoods.

Welcome to DC!!