PS. Double posting. you may wish to check out Takoma Attachment Parenting. Super crunchy and Portland-like.

I used to live in Portland. I think the closest is Takoma Park, hands down. Near the Metro. Very crunchy. Nuclear free zone. Also the housing stock is similar to SE Hawthorne and many other parts of Portland.

If you can afford inner Capitol Hill, that has lots of amenities. Very different feel architecturally. Lots of cool folks/families. IN DC you get free preschool.

In VA, I think Del Ray would be the closest. Good luck. It's a lot more expensive and the weather is a big adjustment. The summers here suck.

Another vote for Capitol Hill. It's a great neighborhood - you should check it out!

You guys are being so weirdly alarmist about Capitol Hill. Yes, what happened to the Maslins was horrible. And there are occasional muggings, like in most other urban neighborhoods. But I've lived in a very transitional part of Capitol Hill for 7 years and never once felt in danger. The worst thing that's ever happened to us is having our car window broken and our change stolen.

There is so much to love about this area, from Eastern Market to H Street's restaurant scene to all the parks and improving schools, it seems crazy to dismiss Capitol Hill because of crime. It just isn't that bad.

Anonymous wrote:I used to live in Portland -- (mostly Sellwood but NW too) and I can tell you, without a doubt, you will not find anything here in DC like it. The closest would be Takoma Park. That's it. This area is going to feel way more conservative and conformist than Portland. You will not like NoVa at all, so cross that off your list.

Capitol Hill would be a great way to experience the city for a year or two. I strongly recommend being close enough to downtown cultural events to actual enjoy them on a regular basis. And I live in Bethesda.

Del Ray is the Virginia version of Takoma Park. Definitely more low-key, funky and friendly than friggin' Bethesda.

Del Ray in Alexandria would fit the bill best for NoVA

I used to live in Portland -- (mostly Sellwood but NW too) and I can tell you, without a doubt, you will not find anything here in DC like it. The closest would be Takoma Park. That's it. This area is going to feel way more conservative and conformist than Portland. You will not like NoVa at all, so cross that off your list.

I suggest not having expectations of finding a Portland-type neighborhood, b/c you will be disappointed, but instead embrace what DC offers.

Pretty much everywhere PP mentioned, you would have no problem fitting in. There are farmers markets everywhere -- not just Silver Spring and Dupont Circle, but even in Bethesda!

Instead, focus on what DC has that Portland may not -- a thriving international scene, tons of museums, etc.

Capitol Hill would be a great way to experience the city for a year or two. I strongly recommend being close enough to downtown cultural events to actual enjoy them on a regular basis. And I live in Bethesda.

If you were moving here for life, I might have different advice, but with one kid, and a little one at that, take advantage of the city.

I have lived in many, many cities -- not just Portland and DC -- and I find if you are going to be somewhere for a short while, live in the most central place possible, even if it means you have less space or go over your budget a little.

You do not want to spend your two years here schlepping a 2-year-old back and forth on the metro.

I think Brookland is your best bet for the amount ot money you are willing to spend each month. Plus you can get free preschool and I think the Yu Ying community would be perfect for you guys. Also Takoma park but it is a little more costly. Good luck.

Welcome to Capitol Hill

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/capitol-hill-assault-heightens-crime-concerns-wife-says-victim-fighting-to-live/2012/08/20/70749e32-eae5-11e1-b811-09036bcb182b_story.html

Whatever you do don't live in a large apartment complex on the side of a busy road in one of the VA or MD suburbs. My friend did this and his wife had a skewed view of living here, they lasted a year and hightailed it out of here. I think they set themselves up to hate it.

Rent a townhouse or smaller home in NW DC or close in Bethesda - another couple we know did this and loved it. There should be some available in the 3000s.

Ledriot Park, Shaw, Bloomingdale, Logan Circle...You can probably afford a condo/apartment, just see what's out there. There are a lot of parents and quite a diversity of professionals, artists, hipsters, etc...not the best public schools...but there are homeschool groups (can't get more crunchy than that) and it's not too far to decent preschools if you get on the list early enough. And your DH can commute by bike, bus, or subway in less than 1/2 hour. Can't say the same if you live in arlington.

Anonymous wrote:Capitol Hill near Eastern Market is very crunchy granola.

NOT! A few people have been savegly attacked there recently while just going about their business.

Anonymous wrote:for crunchy in DC, I'd go with Brookland, Petworth, Mt. Pleasant, or Takoma (all of which have public preschool for 3 year olds, should you want it!). In Maryland, look into Takoma Park, College Park, and Mt. Ranier.

In Virginia, maybe Del Ray?

^This. Not Arlington. Whoever called Arlington "progressive and crunchy" needs to get out more.

I don't really understand why you would move the DC in order to feel like you are in Portland. Stepping out of your comfort zone and associating with women who had medicated hospital births might do wonders for your understanding of the world. As other PPs noted your budget is modest for DC. You could live in Columbia Heights, Alexandria, Silver Spring but probably could not afford better locales like Arlingon, DuPont, Bethesda.

You might want to have a look at the southwest waterfront. It's not explicitly crunchy, per se, but it has a couple nice parks, a little farm stand at the duck pond on weekends, a couple restaurants, and, I think, a more laid back vibe than other parts of the city. A good number of residents moved there in the '60s, when it was the first part of the city to open with integrated housing. So, a reasonable portion of residents are older and it can have a bit of a "hey kids, get off my lawn!" feeling because of that...but the grouchy lady telling you to get off her lawn is usually an aged hippy who also wants you to join the ANC. And it's practically walking distance to the Smithsonian and other parts of the mall.