Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

On the Hill? There’s not much going for 2 mil unless it’s fully renovated, has a garage, and big. Many are under $1 mil and don’t allow a trade-up to the “good” closer-in schools. Our “crumbling Victorian” will probably go for 900k which isn’t gonna get us a place zoned for Dorothy Hamm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

Every family will of course have to weigh this on their own, with their own kid in mind and other life considerations, but we were much more optimistic about the DCC offerings than those DCPS. MCPS starts accelerating math in elementary for those who are ready, and there are magnet programs starting earlier. And if your kid doesn’t get in the magnet, they can still take the advanced courses if they have the prerequisites. So it felt more secure than what we were facing. Also, if you find a place IB for Blair, you are guaranteed a spot if you want it, and you are likely to have the density/metro, which I certainly wanted. But those areas do have a different feel than the Hill, so YMMV

PP here. I don’t dispute that MoCo has a lot to offer that DCPS doesn’t, especially in the area of special needs and gifted programs. DCPS has smaller class sizes in elementary and later start times in MS/HS. But yeah … if I had it to do all over again I’d probably start out in MoCo. Since we’re here on the Hill, there’s intertia!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ Also- one more thing. Like a lot of places, inventory is low in N Arlington. So if you include this area in your housing search, you probably need to be prepared to wait it out and then jump on something if you’re on a budget. If you’ve looked at housing at all in the past 3 years, I’m sure this isn’t news! A healthy -ish TH budget would probably be up to 1.4M.

That’s all I know- good luck!

I’ve heard many say Arlington middle schools are not good. Can you discuss?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

I think there are a lot of tiny crumbling Victorians that will get maybe 1 million, but there are plenty of row houses going for just under 2 as well. Or maybe that’s just my immediate neighbors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

Every family will of course have to weigh this on their own, with their own kid in mind and other life considerations, but we were much more optimistic about the DCC offerings than those DCPS. MCPS starts accelerating math in elementary for those who are ready, and there are magnet programs starting earlier. And if your kid doesn’t get in the magnet, they can still take the advanced courses if they have the prerequisites. So it felt more secure than what we were facing. Also, if you find a place IB for Blair, you are guaranteed a spot if you want it, and you are likely to have the density/metro, which I certainly wanted. But those areas do have a different feel than the Hill, so YMMV

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

Anonymous wrote:^ Also- one more thing. Like a lot of places, inventory is low in N Arlington. So if you include this area in your housing search, you probably need to be prepared to wait it out and then jump on something if you’re on a budget. If you’ve looked at housing at all in the past 3 years, I’m sure this isn’t news! A healthy -ish TH budget would probably be up to 1.4M.

That’s all I know- good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is fascinating

Are you not entertained

It’s a lot of trolling/sock puppeting. Not much to glean here, except how much time some people seem to have (and how pathetic they are to be trolling a school forum).

This is the most pathetic post of all.

NP. Seems like they struck a nerve, huh? Go back to the Eskay thread. Your trolling there is better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.

Agree with all this. I was the one who posted interest in the Clarendon-Rosslyn corridor and was asking about schools. When I started plugging things into Zillow, it's all waaaaay out of our price range. There are things in the Einstein pyramid we could afford. I do think there is real value to living somewhere like that where the HS is for sure acceptable, if not the "best" school in the area, just for peace of mind. Whereas I really have no peace of mind with regards to Eastern. However, the elementaries and middle schools in that pyramid are no better than the ones on the Hill (in some places not as good), and as stressful as the lottery can be, it is in many ways more flexible and offers more options than the magnet programs and lottery options in MoCo.

We may still move. We'll look at Eastern MoCo in the hopes of finding something metro-accessible and reasonably dense/walkable since obviously that's what we like. But we'll probably also look at Howard and AA counties, knowing that would change our lifestyle entirely, but maybe we give up nice commutes and dense walkability in favor of neighborhood pools and big yards. Ok -- I think I'd probably ultimately be okay with that tradeoff, especially if it mean feeling good about the schools and not having to stress about the lottery anymore. But it's not such an obvious choice that I think it's crazy to stay in CH instead. I don't know if we will but the attitude some have that doing so is crazy, and that there are such perfect and similar choices in the suburbs that would offer all the same amenities at the same price... it's just not true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry- last thing. Try “22201” as your zip code if you search housing. That should exclude Rosslyn and give you some of the other neighborhoods that may feel more “neighborhood-y” in that area.

DP. I searched all over and I don’t think there are any properties or even many apartments zoned for Dorothy Hamm that are the equivalent to the Hill. Someone touched on this upthread, but the Hill is actually relatively affordable for rentals and SFH compared to the “good” pyramids in NW, MoCo and NOVA. Most of us here don’t actually have $1.2 mil for a house especially not at current interest rates. The equivalent is more like the DCC in MoCo - and then you are comparing say McKinley Tech with Einstein, and it becomes less clear which is better.

There ARE a few pockets of value like Rosemary Hills (zoned for BCC with cheaper houses) or Downtown Bethesda (relatively affordable rent if you can do a 2 bedroom.) But when you really start drilling down, the notion that moving to MoCo for the DCC is your option really ends up favoring staying put on the Hill and seeing if SH or EH works, playing it out a little longer.