I realize what the question was, I just don't get why pointing out that other areas where the features IS available have nicer houses. And I'm sure there are many jobs there. But OP is looking for some place here. Unless perhaps she's decided to look in MA or NJ instead?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Actually, since towns do not charge any income tax, when you factor that in, the taxes are about the same.

The housing stock is a lot nicer, too.
Remind me why I moved here again?

Yep, this. In the end, not much more expensive (sometimes not at all).

Ok. So what? I wouldn't have a job (and definitely not one that pays what mine does here in DC) if I lived in NJ or MA. I'm just not sure of the point of pointing out that in other states there are cheaper, nicer houses. Duh.

The original question was about whether a feature which is common in other areas is available here.

Unless you have job-hunted in NJ or MA (where the job market is robust actually), I don't know how you could know that you couldn't find one that pays what yours does here in DC. Those three places are comparable vis-a-vis cost of living and pay scales.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Actually, since towns do not charge any income tax, when you factor that in, the taxes are about the same.

The housing stock is a lot nicer, too.
Remind me why I moved here again?

Yep, this. In the end, not much more expensive (sometimes not at all).

Ok. So what? I wouldn't have a job (and definitely not one that pays what mine does here in DC) if I lived in NJ or MA. I'm just not sure of the point of pointing out that in other states there are cheaper, nicer houses. Duh.

Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria (near Braddock metro and a couple miles from Old Town). The slogan is "Where Main Street Still Exists." On Mt. Vernon Ave., you'll find restaurants and shops where the owners know your name, an ice cream parlor with a line out the door, and a coffee shop with comnunity events. We go to the playground at the elementary school every afternoon and we always see people we know. On Saturday mornings, everyone walks to the farmer's market and has coffee. We live in the Warwick Village area, in a townhouse. These townshouses average around $400,000 for 1700 (SF), so slightly on the smaller side of what you're looking for, but put us in Del Ray so it's worth it. You can be in the city pretty quickly and we have great bus lines to the metro. The schools are decent, not super, but you definitely get the main street vibe. We know our neighbors, see them out, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Actually, since towns do not charge any income tax, when you factor that in, the taxes are about the same.

The housing stock is a lot nicer, too.
Remind me why I moved here again?

Yep, this. In the end, not much more expensive (sometimes not at all).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Actually, since towns do not charge any income tax, when you factor that in, the taxes are about the same.

The housing stock is a lot nicer, too.

Remind me why I moved here again?

Don't know, but you are free to move back...

Anonymous wrote:MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Actually, since towns do not charge any income tax, when you factor that in, the taxes are about the same.

The housing stock is a lot nicer, too.

Remind me why I moved here again?

Falls Church City meets this description but I don't think your budget will work for that place. Vienna may be nice too but almost too far from DC for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park all the way. It's an awesome community.

+1

BUT, it's pretty much an extension of DC (like, very urban vibe) - so I'm not so sure about the schools - I would double check their standardized test stats on the school website. Also, Takoma Park sprawls across PG, Montgomery County, and DC - I am thinking (without checking) that the better schools are definitely in the MoCo part, but I'm not sure if that is where the main street area is.

You might want to check out Del Ray in VA too - it's sort of reinvented itself as urban chic or I don't know what the right adjective is, but you might want to check it out. And there's like target, movies, etc. not even a mile away. It's really close to Old Town too (like the next town over) so you have access to that whole area too without having to pay millions to live there.

All of Takoma in MD has been in MoCo for a long time. The part in PG bailed on that county years ago.

There is one Tiny Tiny area of Takoma Park that remained in PG county, so be aware. It is east of NH Ave., Erskine Ave and the area of Carole Highlands.

I agree w/ PPs, OP, Takoma Park fits your description to a tee. We wanted the same things, looked for over a year, and just bought in old town TP. It will be hard to find a house for $600K there, though there are a few, e.g. (though this one in particular is on a main road):

http://franklymls.com/MC7787194

Most houses in Old Town TP, that have more than 2 BR, are in the $700K--$900K range. If you are able to expand to $700K you could find something close to the town center. See, for example:

http://franklymls.com/MC7795690

http://franklymls.com/MC7791997

If you need to stick to $600K, I agree w/ PPs, def. check out Sligo Park Hills (also in TP), Woodside Park in SS, and the areas abutting downtown Silver Spring.

FWIW, if most of your friends are in VA, I agree w/ the other PP, def. consider VA as well if you can find a neighborhood you like there. Notwithstanding our good intentions to do so, we rarely see our good friends who live in VA now. Between school events, practice, birthday parties, family obligations, neighbors' gatherings (there are many--TP is a great, supportive, friendly community), school, work, etc., we rarely make it out to VA (or they to us in MD) anymore. Alas.

GL in you decision! We really love TP, and if you find your way to the same area, welcome!

I'm from the 'burbs of Chicago, and the only close-in place that really captures the Stars Hallow, small-town community feeling I like is Del Ray, Alexandria. But, of course, it's not known for great schools. Falls Church City and Westover, Arlington, both capture some elements of the main street vibe and have great schools, but I'm not sure you can find the 2000 square foot SFH you're looking for at that price. I didn't connect with SS or TP (SS's downtown felt too shiny to me), but they're worth checking out. Other places you might want to look into are Fairfax and Vienna.

MA and NJ also have insane property taxes to support those schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I envision as the perfect neighborhood for my family is in my mind pretty simple - a decent sized house (1800-2200 sq ft) with a small yard, great public schools, able to walk to playgrounds, elementary school, and a central downtown "main street" area, friendly neighbors, safe neighborhood, decent shopping (nice grocery store, target, etc.) in a 10-15 drive and all for under $600,000. And we'd like to stay within 20 miles of DC for commuting.

Why does this not exist around here? I guess it's the "main street" feel I'm missing. Why don't places like Burke or Alexandria (FFX county) have a "main street" area. I guess it's just a midwest thing? (I'm from the chicago burbs and they all have that) Does a main street feel exist in more expensive neighborhoods?

It's not just a Midwest thing; it's also a New England thing. Where I grew up in NE, the suburbs are organized by towns, and each town has its own center/main street, with little shops, etc., all on a very human scale. These towns grew organically (were not planned by bureaucracies) a couple of hundred years ago (or more).

Here, OTOH, there are no "main streets" here because most of the 'burbs were developed in the 20th century, and because they are organized as counties (not towns).

This bothers me a LOT, but it is what it is.

Sorry.

Agree with this. I grew up in northern NJ in a cute surburb of NYC, with a main street, top-rated small schools, commuter train to the city. It just is not found in this area. I miss it, but there are other things that are great about this area. If you go out to Leesburg or Middleburg, or to a place like Culpepper or Occoquan, you can find the main streets, but not in the same vein as up north or in the midwest.

Anonymous wrote:OP and PP: Check out my neighborhood: Sligo Park Hills. A couple of really cute houses on the market now and at least one more coming (on Mississippi Ave). We are zoned for East Silver Spring Elementary which was recently renovated. Our kids are not elementary aged but our neighbors are really happy there (despite the high FARMS rate). Middle school is Takoma Park Middle and then Blair for HS. All very good schools. We are about equidistant from DT Takoma Park and DT SS. Best of both worlds!

Hey neighbor! We're in Sligo Park Hills too, but we're Sligo Creek/SS International/Northwood. All our neighbors seem very happy with Sligo Creek. We love it here too. I didn't know there were Sligo Park Hills houses zoned for ESS/TP/Blair.

I love SS, but I wouldn't classify it as having a "main street" feel. The downtown area is terrific, but also it is a relatively big area and is surrounded by large office buildings, and in the midst has a busy, busy bus/metro transit center. You have to park in large parking garages in the downtown area, too. The metro/bus ease is great for commuting purposes, and I love the mix of restaurants, shops, music/arts, etc, but it creates more of a faux urban feel than a main street USA feel.