Anonymous wrote:It is possible to avoid that intersection by taking 13th St NE. You'll pop out at the corner of 6th NE and Florida, right next to the school. That said, I would prefer a 40m walk to a 60m drive, unless it's raining!

I'm a PP who suggested you stay local. I agree a thousand times. With an infant? Heck, yes.

It is possible to avoid that intersection by taking 13th St NE. You'll pop out at the corner of 6th NE and Florida, right next to the school. That said, I would prefer a 40m walk to a 60m drive, unless it's raining!

Anonymous wrote:The real commute test will begin after labor day when the entire DC region is back to work. The New York Ave/Fla Ave interchange is shockingly crazy. I would happily opt for an outdoor walk with my child and infant each day than a car, bus or metro commute. Best of luck with your decision, OP.

This. I live near there and August is not the time to test. It is nothing to what it usually is - the rest of the year. The New York Ave/FL Ave intersection is horrible but add in all the traffic going into Wash-Balt expressway in one direction and the traffic into 395S off of New York Ave in the other direction, that entire area should be avoided during morning and evening commutes (starts around 2 PM, no joke). You should take metro to test b/c realistically that is what you'll be doing. If I were you, I'll take the outdoor walk.

OP, I had a horrible commute to a popular charter and it was not pleasant. The school quality was more hype than reality but our local DCPS was much worse. So we didn't have good options. I feel for you. FWIW, we moved and now are in a wonderful neighborhood school.

I've got to agree with 10:21, OP. Fish or cut bait. There are a lot of families hoping for those slots at TR and probably some waiting for those at TEC as well. Your thread suggests that what you are a SAHM seeking some peer-socialization for your "academically advanced" 3 year old with zero commute or committment from you. Why don't you just keep your kid at home and take him to the park or start a play group?

I live close to that intersection and it is truly insane. Gridlock much more often than not and during rush hour it has to be one of the worst spots in the city. I would definitely plan on metro if you choose 2R.

The real commute test will begin after labor day when the entire DC region is back to work. The New York Ave/Fla Ave interchange is shockingly crazy. I would happily opt for an outdoor walk with my child and infant each day than a car, bus or metro commute. Best of luck with your decision, OP.

OP here. I have done the 2R drive a few times, but I have not done the commute during school pickup hours, per se. Until school starts, nothing will be quite the same, of course. In reality, 2R will be about an hour round trip, whether by metro or car, given no huge problems, while Takoma will be about 40 minutes, walking. So both are a bit of a commitment, and an interruption to things with the infant, but nobody promised any of this would be easy.

Anonymous wrote:I think testing the commute situation for a week or so (although it will be a little lighter before school starts) is a great idea. Bottom line is that regardless of which school is 'better' if you are miserable no one wins.

I'm the PP that suggested this test and we found that with a few houses we looked at when it came time to do the week-long test commute if we were having a tough time bringing ourselves to even attempt it, that sent a strong message. But sometimes there are pleasant surprises.

I think testing the commute situation for a week or so (although it will be a little lighter before school starts) is a great idea. Bottom line is that regardless of which school is 'better' if you are miserable no one wins.

2Rs is next week but I suggest you make your decision before school starts so the school you don't choose can pick up someone off of the waitlist earlier than later. Otherwise, the child who does get picked off of the waitlist will not be able to participate in the orientation and family gatherings or the first day of school which is typically a transition day. I know your family is first in your decision but you might want to consider the impact on the child who will be taking your child's place too.

Anonymous wrote:OP again... With all the recent and ongoing development around NY Ave metro, is there anything fun to do with little ones at that stop? The commute would be easier to accept if sometimes we did something fun in the area, rather than shuttle straight back home.

I think there are a few more restaurants than there used to be, but mostly office buildings and chain restaurants and auto body shops. Keep in mind that the morning will be fairly quick, but as a SAHM picking up your kid at 3-ish, you will be waiting for the metro for up to 15 or 20 minutes at times, as it's not rush hour with a frequent train schedule. I'd encourage you to do this commute for a week now, alternating car/metro trips - we've done that for housing and it's eye opening to say the least!

Are you attending Takoma's orientation next week? And the one at 2R (I don't know when this one is)?

OP again... With all the recent and ongoing development around NY Ave metro, is there anything fun to do with little ones at that stop? The commute would be easier to accept if sometimes we did something fun in the area, rather than shuttle straight back home.

I really haven't, but the feedback has been great and very, very appreciated. I'm not sure it has made the decision any easier, either... Largely, it has confirmed many things we believed to be true. If only we had a crystal ball to see where we, and the schools are three or four years down the road.

It sounds like the OP has made her mind up already but is in the limbo land that we all feel when making a major decision. The feedback for her has been great overall but it seems like going local is the better option. Particularly with the notion that they will be moving in a few years. Good luck!