Anonymous
Post 05/12/2012 06:51     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
SS poster here - thanks Burke PP for the nice post. I was thinking about the families who seem happy here in SS and it's really the people who lived in some fun place in the city and LOVED it - the charming older rowhomes, the diversity, the never having to use your car, there being tons of stuff to do right nearby - but then had kids, have around a 500k budget and will never be able to afford private school. It seems like a lot of us would pick up and move back to the city if we could swing it, but have admitted its not gonna happen with kids and SS is a great compromise. I'm glad you found a place that fits your needs too.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 20:20     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:and just because I don't want you to think that I'm wrong when I categorize you as a "bigger house/lot" person. I mean more than just that you wanted a bigger house. If you live in Burke, you're more of a suburb person. You couldn't pay me to live in Burke - that doesn't mean you're wrong, it means we want different things and most of the families I've met in Silver Spring want what we want which is why they love it.

The things you listed - "house size for the money", "upkeep of neighborhoods", "parks" and "pools" - as being "way better" in Burke than in SS are all things that don't matter nearly as much to us as walkability.

Although, I do have to say, we have a just under 2,000 sq ft updated SFH for under $500k, which is actually too big by our standards anyway. And there are a ton of practically new playgrounds within a short walk from our house, Sligo Creek trail, lots of pools to join, and at least in our neighborhood, very mature flower-filled landscaping. I can't say that SS is better than Burke, but I certainly don't find those things lacking in SS.

The other things you name - commute and schools, I find kind of questionable too to be honest. How do you commute from Burke? It does take me 45 mins to get to Capitol Hill door to door, but I don't consider that awful in this area for under $500k. And on the few occasions when I drive, it's under 30 mins. Schools are good and not so good depending and there's always the MOCO versus Ffx County schools debate, but our elementary school is an 8 out of 10 on greatschools and we're very happy with it.

I say these things not to denigrate your choice, but to one, say that I don't agree with your characterization of Burke being "WAY BETTER" in the areas you named at all, and to mostly say that your opinion on Burke seems to lie in the suburb/urban feel contrast that the PP pointed out. From our perspective also having compared both areas, the "amenities" you pointed out as important are fairly comparable in Burke and SS. The main difference is the suburban feel, which is what you went for (to avoid traffic and congestion as you said) versus the urban feel, which is what we wanted.


I'm the OP of the post you're responding to and I agree with your assessment overall. SS just felt very congested to us and I didn't really like the quality of the places I could walk to. I guess we just preferred less of a city vibe. We've lived on Capitol Hill (Barracks Row area) for 8 years (renting) and honestly, it's not very city-ish either once you get off of 8th street or Pennsylvania Ave. So you're right that we just have more of a suburbs preference than I'd like to admit! Our commute is easy because both my husband and I work untraditional hours. He works early and comes home early (Home by 3:30 most days) and I work part time in the middle of the day. So our commute to Capitol Hill from Burke/Springfield is 25 min. It seemed liked we'd have traffic any time of the day and lots of stop lights from Silver Spring (but not as bad during rush hour, though that isn't a concern for us) and we prefer driving to metro because of our hours.

But, yeah, my initial post was more combative than it needed to be, probably because of the vibe of the question. I have friends that live in Silver Spring who really like it.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 15:43     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
and just because I don't want you to think that I'm wrong when I categorize you as a "bigger house/lot" person. I mean more than just that you wanted a bigger house. If you live in Burke, you're more of a suburb person. You couldn't pay me to live in Burke - that doesn't mean you're wrong, it means we want different things and most of the families I've met in Silver Spring want what we want which is why they love it.

The things you listed - "house size for the money", "upkeep of neighborhoods", "parks" and "pools" - as being "way better" in Burke than in SS are all things that don't matter nearly as much to us as walkability.

Although, I do have to say, we have a just under 2,000 sq ft updated SFH for under $500k, which is actually too big by our standards anyway. And there are a ton of practically new playgrounds within a short walk from our house, Sligo Creek trail, lots of pools to join, and at least in our neighborhood, very mature flower-filled landscaping. I can't say that SS is better than Burke, but I certainly don't find those things lacking in SS.

The other things you name - commute and schools, I find kind of questionable too to be honest. How do you commute from Burke? It does take me 45 mins to get to Capitol Hill door to door, but I don't consider that awful in this area for under $500k. And on the few occasions when I drive, it's under 30 mins. Schools are good and not so good depending and there's always the MOCO versus Ffx County schools debate, but our elementary school is an 8 out of 10 on greatschools and we're very happy with it.

I say these things not to denigrate your choice, but to one, say that I don't agree with your characterization of Burke being "WAY BETTER" in the areas you named at all, and to mostly say that your opinion on Burke seems to lie in the suburb/urban feel contrast that the PP pointed out. From our perspective also having compared both areas, the "amenities" you pointed out as important are fairly comparable in Burke and SS. The main difference is the suburban feel, which is what you went for (to avoid traffic and congestion as you said) versus the urban feel, which is what we wanted.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 15:29     Subject: Re:S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:I agree with Del Ray and Silver Spring. Del Ray is way over-priced for the size of the homes and the terrible schools. Might as well live in the district where it's a better urban feel and and least you have charter schools and lottery options.

We were really excited about the prospect of Silver Spring after all the raves it gets here. We have a relatively small housing budget (under $500,000) and commute to capitol hill. After comparing to west springfield/burke, we found that everything - house size for the money, commute, schools (by a lot), upkeep of neighborhoods, parks, pools, were all WAY BETTER out in west springfield/burke. Silver Spring had the worst of both the suburbs and the city (congestion, traffic, etc.).


So it sounds like you're a bigger house/lot for the money over walkability person (as the reasonable PP explained). Silver Spring resident here. We had an under $500k housing budget and a commute to Capitol Hill too - weird. We looked everywhere (including Burke), but our #1 thing we wanted is to be able to avoid driving as much as humanely possible. We wanted to be able to walk to the grocery store, to theaters, to lots of different restaurants and shops and to schools and lots of playgrounds. We wanted to Metro into work. Silver Spring was perfect for us based on our price limit. We looked at Burke, and FOR US (because we are different from you!), it screamed boring suburb and would require me to be on 395 way too frequently. Silver Spring has everything we want, SFHs under $500k, a more urban feel, and amazing walkability. We're different types, and most of the families we meet in SS are similar - they want a more urban feel, but can't really afford to live in the city because of the schools.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 15:06     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Oh--and no one who is actually from here or a member of Congressional Country Club calls it Congo.


I know you are going to think I'm a troll...or clueless...but I'm neither. I'm a member at Congo and have been since I was 10 and everyone in my family calls in Congo. So, at least on this small point, you are wrong.


I don't think you are a troll and if that is what it is called these days, I think it is new phenomenon and maybe it is only used by certain members. I talked with some folks who are members yesterday because I had see this Congo thing and wanted to know if it was real. They had never heard of it. So, I may be wrong --look DCUM--someone admitting they are wrong--but I truly had never heard of it and I have lived in the area forever and been there quite a few times.

Anyway, it was not the real point of my posting. My main point was that too many people on this forum--the real estate forum in particular--seem to act like real estate is what defines people. Having lived here forever, it doesn't. There are rich people in houses that are very modest. There are people up to their eyeballs in debt in huge houses driving ritzy cars. There are tons of kids at the "best" schools who struggle and have to move to private school to get a quality education while other kids do just fine and excel in the very same public school. Tons of kids excel at some of the "other" public schools. I really do believe that most people who come here from other places were superstars back home and come here and find out that they are just run of the mill. They talk about how competitive it is here and it is very competitive but it is now kind of something people brag about--"Oh, the Washington Area is so competitive. It wasn't like this where I came from." Then those same people do all the things that make people think it is so competitive. It is, I guess, and where I grew up I guess it always was but it was just not something people were so focused on. And I never heard my parents or others talk down about people who lived in more modest neighborhoods or make snide comments about people who moved to more wealthy areas. This forum really brings out the worst in people and there is so much nastiness.


I grew up here, and I agree 100%.




I grew up here too, and I also agree with you. Anone remember when Tysons I was just one level, there was no Tysons II, and across the street from Tysons on Rt. 7 (where the ritzy shops are now), there were the Kmart and the Chesapeake Bay Seafood House? Man, I miss the Chesapeake Bay Seafood House.


Yup-and there was like one office building in the whole area--the "flash cube" building over the Olive Garden. Remember the cement factory in the heart of Bethesda and what a big deal it was when the Bethesda Metro Center food court opened and United Artists moved in to Bethesda on Wisconsin because there wasn't a whole to do in Bethesda--other than go to Hot Shoppes and the Herman's sporting goods store.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 10:12     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Oh--and no one who is actually from here or a member of Congressional Country Club calls it Congo.


I know you are going to think I'm a troll...or clueless...but I'm neither. I'm a member at Congo and have been since I was 10 and everyone in my family calls in Congo. So, at least on this small point, you are wrong.


I don't think you are a troll and if that is what it is called these days, I think it is new phenomenon and maybe it is only used by certain members. I talked with some folks who are members yesterday because I had see this Congo thing and wanted to know if it was real. They had never heard of it. So, I may be wrong --look DCUM--someone admitting they are wrong--but I truly had never heard of it and I have lived in the area forever and been there quite a few times.

Anyway, it was not the real point of my posting. My main point was that too many people on this forum--the real estate forum in particular--seem to act like real estate is what defines people. Having lived here forever, it doesn't. There are rich people in houses that are very modest. There are people up to their eyeballs in debt in huge houses driving ritzy cars. There are tons of kids at the "best" schools who struggle and have to move to private school to get a quality education while other kids do just fine and excel in the very same public school. Tons of kids excel at some of the "other" public schools. I really do believe that most people who come here from other places were superstars back home and come here and find out that they are just run of the mill. They talk about how competitive it is here and it is very competitive but it is now kind of something people brag about--"Oh, the Washington Area is so competitive. It wasn't like this where I came from." Then those same people do all the things that make people think it is so competitive. It is, I guess, and where I grew up I guess it always was but it was just not something people were so focused on. And I never heard my parents or others talk down about people who lived in more modest neighborhoods or make snide comments about people who moved to more wealthy areas. This forum really brings out the worst in people and there is so much nastiness.


I grew up here, and I agree 100%.




I grew up here too, and I also agree with you. Anone remember when Tysons I was just one level, there was no Tysons II, and across the street from Tysons on Rt. 7 (where the ritzy shops are now), there were the Kmart and the Chesapeake Bay Seafood House? Man, I miss the Chesapeake Bay Seafood House.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 08:23     Subject: Re:S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:yeah they do. My friend's handle on another message board is "CongoHoya" because he is a member.


He should just change it to "douchebag" for the sake of accuracy.

And you admit to being friends with some nimrod like that? I'd dial that back, it doesn't reflect well on you.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2012 06:26     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Oh--and no one who is actually from here or a member of Congressional Country Club calls it Congo.


I know you are going to think I'm a troll...or clueless...but I'm neither. I'm a member at Congo and have been since I was 10 and everyone in my family calls in Congo. So, at least on this small point, you are wrong.


I don't think you are a troll and if that is what it is called these days, I think it is new phenomenon and maybe it is only used by certain members. I talked with some folks who are members yesterday because I had see this Congo thing and wanted to know if it was real. They had never heard of it. So, I may be wrong --look DCUM--someone admitting they are wrong--but I truly had never heard of it and I have lived in the area forever and been there quite a few times.

Anyway, it was not the real point of my posting. My main point was that too many people on this forum--the real estate forum in particular--seem to act like real estate is what defines people. Having lived here forever, it doesn't. There are rich people in houses that are very modest. There are people up to their eyeballs in debt in huge houses driving ritzy cars. There are tons of kids at the "best" schools who struggle and have to move to private school to get a quality education while other kids do just fine and excel in the very same public school. Tons of kids excel at some of the "other" public schools. I really do believe that most people who come here from other places were superstars back home and come here and find out that they are just run of the mill. They talk about how competitive it is here and it is very competitive but it is now kind of something people brag about--"Oh, the Washington Area is so competitive. It wasn't like this where I came from." Then those same people do all the things that make people think it is so competitive. It is, I guess, and where I grew up I guess it always was but it was just not something people were so focused on. And I never heard my parents or others talk down about people who lived in more modest neighborhoods or make snide comments about people who moved to more wealthy areas. This forum really brings out the worst in people and there is so much nastiness.


I grew up here, and I agree 100%.


Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 20:40     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Wisteria Lane
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 20:21     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Oh--and no one who is actually from here or a member of Congressional Country Club calls it Congo.


I know you are going to think I'm a troll...or clueless...but I'm neither. I'm a member at Congo and have been since I was 10 and everyone in my family calls in Congo. So, at least on this small point, you are wrong.


I don't think you are a troll and if that is what it is called these days, I think it is new phenomenon and maybe it is only used by certain members. I talked with some folks who are members yesterday because I had see this Congo thing and wanted to know if it was real. They had never heard of it. So, I may be wrong --look DCUM--someone admitting they are wrong--but I truly had never heard of it and I have lived in the area forever and been there quite a few times.

Anyway, it was not the real point of my posting. My main point was that too many people on this forum--the real estate forum in particular--seem to act like real estate is what defines people. Having lived here forever, it doesn't. There are rich people in houses that are very modest. There are people up to their eyeballs in debt in huge houses driving ritzy cars. There are tons of kids at the "best" schools who struggle and have to move to private school to get a quality education while other kids do just fine and excel in the very same public school. Tons of kids excel at some of the "other" public schools. I really do believe that most people who come here from other places were superstars back home and come here and find out that they are just run of the mill. They talk about how competitive it is here and it is very competitive but it is now kind of something people brag about--"Oh, the Washington Area is so competitive. It wasn't like this where I came from." Then those same people do all the things that make people think it is so competitive. It is, I guess, and where I grew up I guess it always was but it was just not something people were so focused on. And I never heard my parents or others talk down about people who lived in more modest neighborhoods or make snide comments about people who moved to more wealthy areas. This forum really brings out the worst in people and there is so much nastiness.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 19:26     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:

Oh--and no one who is actually from here or a member of Congressional Country Club calls it Congo.


I know you are going to think I'm a troll...or clueless...but I'm neither. I'm a member at Congo and have been since I was 10 and everyone in my family calls in Congo. So, at least on this small point, you are wrong.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 14:56     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do people who think Arlington is ugly think all of it is ugly? Or just Lyon Village? Or just the many 1950s ramblers that are all over North Arlington.

I heart Maywood. I think it's beautiful, not that I live there and not that I love it enough to want to move.


The problem with arlington is that the tiny crappy 50s 60s homes are above tear down price so they stick around


Not really $800k properties are tear-downs in my neighborhood.


Developers buy them, tear them down, rebuild and sell for $1.4-1.8 mill.


Wrong, some people buy them, remodel them and live in them. Get off your high horse people and get a taste of reality! We are one of these families who bought a home for 800K and cannot afford to rebuild or buy a 1.5 mil house. So, deal with it, our ugly rambler will be there to stay right next to your 2 mil homes. And I know for a fact, we are not alone, not everyone aspires to live in 5000sq.ft drywall palace.


You are not Mickey Simpson, BCN, Arl. Dealt, etc. I said "developers".


It is not just the problem with Arlington, but the entire DC metro. The prices are just so expensive that people wanting to be close to specific areas for work commute or schools and amenities cannot afford to tear down every single outdated home on the block, they just move in, fix things up and deal with it. DCUM's wealthier snobs like to call it "putting a lipstick on a pig". So, you see the mish mash of large older homes, new construction and small dated homes that many of you consider tear-down. Unless you are going to some gated community or uniformly rich area that's been polished for decades or centuries, you will not get your perfect richness uniformity in the look of the housing stock.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 14:32     Subject: Re:S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:yeah they do. My friend's handle on another message board is "CongoHoya" because he is a member.


Oh, he went to GU? Ok, that explains it.


Including his college and his country club in his handle says a lot. Like I said (I am the original poster about Congressional), people need to chill out.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 14:32     Subject: S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Wait, wait, wait. Your friend feels his membership in a country club is somehow vital to his identity? He has to brag about it on anonymous message boards?

Um, okay. Just convinces the sane people here that you are all crazy social climbers.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2012 14:26     Subject: Re:S/O: Most overrated neighborhood in the area?
Anonymous wrote:yeah they do. My friend's handle on another message board is "CongoHoya" because he is a member.


Oh, he went to GU? Ok, that explains it.