We're in Barcroft and like a PP, we didn't start out looking in S. Arlington. However, we found a house we liked, did a little research, and went for it. The neighborhood has a very nice mix of families and seniors. People are incredibly friendly (we've lived all over the country and have never seen anything like it.) People are always out walking dogs or pushing strollers. We've never had anything taken from our yard--and one night we accidentally left the back door wide open all night after letting the dog in and my computer/purse/tv were right where we left them. Do we lock our cars? Yes, but that's just smart. As for schools, when we moved in our kids were middle school aged so we sent them to Kenmore, the neighborhood school. We figured if we didn't like it, we'd pull them out to Catholic school. Kenmore was wonderful. Great teachers and atmosphere. The arts focus has been an added bonus. When we were looking the thing that sealed the deal were the number of people who were putting additions on their homes. I figured if they were adding on (at Arlington prices) they liked the neighborhood enough to stay and not move away. Oh, and great commutes to downtown DC from here. Super easy, with quite a few options. I've even walked home on a nice day.

Anonymous wrote:I have lived in S. Arlington for 10 years. I am white, my kids are white, no one minds

My kids go to Barcroft and I have been very pleased with how the school manages their economically and culturally diverse population. My children have so far gotten a great education, lots of enrichment opportunities. We have had wonderful experiences with the rec leagues on teams composed of S. Arlington kids and coaches.

There is not a lot of crime in S. Arlington, so taking common sense precautions (as anyone should be) is all you need.

I agree the neighborhoods between Columbia Pike and Route 50 are nice (that is where I live). S. Arlington definitely has some ugly areas, but I feel it is like that in some parts of N. Arlington, Alexandria, & close-in Fairfax Co. too.

There is not that much violent crime but a lot of larceny. I have friends who live in south Arlington that keep getting things stolen out of their backyard like kids toys and bikes. They even have a fence with a lock.

if you're going to be that fussy, maybe you ought to move further out. Ashburn's pretty clean.

South Arlington "hater" here. I wouldn't move to the older duplexes off of Glebe Road between I-395 and Route 1/Alexandria. The newer places are okay.

Nauck and Green Valley also have a risk of having less than desirable neighbors, much as I had between 2002-08 (things have probably gotten better overall since then but that does you little good if you move in to one of the remaining bad places.)

Look at the FARMS percentage for your neighborhood elementary school, as well as the percentage of Hispanics (they're a rough proxy for ESOL, ELL, etc.) Of course, not all ELL are created equal.

Did you state a budget? $600k won't get you much in the nicer areas anymore, really, maybe a TH with 3BR, but not much in the way of SFHs.

If you're going to be that fussy,

Would I give South Arlington a chance again? Sure, since I know what I'm looking for. But my wife would leave me before agreeing to do that and I can't afford the nicer parts anyway.

the answer: there is no part of south arlington

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me just be frank. I want a safe neighborhood with good schools for my family (I have an almost one year old and hope to have another) and South Arlington is within our price range. I know there are some parts of South Arlington that have a lot of crime, some schools that are not rated as well as others, and some flat out ugly parts. I don't want to live in those parts, I want to live somewhere with other young affluent families. I can't afford North Arlington (again, I'm being frank), but like Arlington over all, so South Arlington it is. I'm not white, for what it's worth, I'm Asian. Diversity is fine, but I don't want my kid to be an English speaking minority in her school.

Do you have any neighborhood recommendations?

(And yes, I'm prepared for people to flame me, and I will ignore them, like I said, I'm being honest, frank, and real. No tiptoeing.) Thanks!

Isn't that an oxymoron? I.E. if you were affluent, you would be able to afford NARL?

Perhaps comprimise on sq.ft/type of home and buy in NARL?

So you think you're only affluent if you can afford a million dollar plus home?

Affluent is a relative term, but yes. Now not all afluent people want a million dollar home, but that would be reflected in larger value of other assets (savings, investment portfolio, etc.).

I live in penrose, but I would say penrose, arlington heights, Ashton Heights, or aurora hills (which is pricey compared to neighborhood)

Barcroft, Penrose, Alcova Heights, Arlington Heights, North Barcroft, South Arlington Forest, Douglas Park, Arlington Village

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me just be frank. I want a safe neighborhood with good schools for my family (I have an almost one year old and hope to have another) and South Arlington is within our price range. I know there are some parts of South Arlington that have a lot of crime, some schools that are not rated as well as others, and some flat out ugly parts. I don't want to live in those parts, I want to live somewhere with other young affluent families. I can't afford North Arlington (again, I'm being frank), but like Arlington over all, so South Arlington it is. I'm not white, for what it's worth, I'm Asian. Diversity is fine, but I don't want my kid to be an English speaking minority in her school.

Do you have any neighborhood recommendations?

(And yes, I'm prepared for people to flame me, and I will ignore them, like I said, I'm being honest, frank, and real. No tiptoeing.) Thanks!

Isn't that an oxymoron? I.E. if you were affluent, you would be able to afford NARL?

Perhaps comprimise on sq.ft/type of home and buy in NARL?

So you think you're only affluent if you can afford a million dollar plus home?

I have lived in S. Arlington for 10 years. I am white, my kids are white, no one minds

My kids go to Barcroft and I have been very pleased with how the school manages their economically and culturally diverse population. My children have so far gotten a great education, lots of enrichment opportunities. We have had wonderful experiences with the rec leagues on teams composed of S. Arlington kids and coaches.

There is not a lot of crime in S. Arlington, so taking common sense precautions (as anyone should be) is all you need.

I agree the neighborhoods between Columbia Pike and Route 50 are nice (that is where I live). S. Arlington definitely has some ugly areas, but I feel it is like that in some parts of N. Arlington, Alexandria, & close-in Fairfax Co. too.

Anonymous wrote:Let me just be frank. I want a safe neighborhood with good schools for my family (I have an almost one year old and hope to have another) and South Arlington is within our price range. I know there are some parts of South Arlington that have a lot of crime, some schools that are not rated as well as others, and some flat out ugly parts. I don't want to live in those parts, I want to live somewhere with other young affluent families. I can't afford North Arlington (again, I'm being frank), but like Arlington over all, so South Arlington it is. I'm not white, for what it's worth, I'm Asian. Diversity is fine, but I don't want my kid to be an English speaking minority in her school.

Do you have any neighborhood recommendations?

(And yes, I'm prepared for people to flame me, and I will ignore them, like I said, I'm being honest, frank, and real. No tiptoeing.) Thanks!

Isn't that an oxymoron? I.E. if you were affluent, you would be able to afford NARL?

Perhaps comprimise on sq.ft/type of home and buy in NARL?

OP here, thank you very much for the helpful responses - those are exactly what I am looking for, and really helps me in figuring out where we should be looking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Asian. Diversity is fine, but I don't want my kid to be an English speaking minority in her school.

TROLL!!! If you are really Asian, remind yourself that's the exact same reaction (white) people had when your parents (or whenever your first generation was) moved next door. FYI the Chinese Exclusion Act was the core of US immigration law until WWII and the civil rights era.

I'm not sure this is a troll. Lots of Asians (me included) are kinda racist like that. Just sayin'

At least OP is being honest.

What the OP said is not racist.

Moved to barcroft last year and dd Just got into immersion so she won't go to barcroft elementary. Have to say thatbthe majority of people I see in houses are white or Asian. Apartment dwellers are African or Hispanic. Nice homes mostly, and I cannot believe how nice people are, much nicer than when I lived in fairfax.

I see kids of all ages around. I had no intention of buying in s arlington, but found a home I fell in love with. I just knew it was the place to raise my girl.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Asian. Diversity is fine, but I don't want my kid to be an English speaking minority in her school.

TROLL!!! If you are really Asian, remind yourself that's the exact same reaction (white) people had when your parents (or whenever your first generation was) moved next door. FYI the Chinese Exclusion Act was the core of US immigration law until WWII and the civil rights era.

I'm not sure this is a troll. Lots of Asians (me included) are kinda racist like that. Just sayin'

At least OP is being honest.