Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm also tired of the demographic of people moving in- hipsters who want to protest corporations, but use apple products and wear Abercrombie & Fitch (two big ass corporations) while doing it. Where the hell are the normal moms and dads? Vegans who don't shave are just getting really old for me. Not to mention, they're not friendly at all. They talk all of this BS about diversity, etc..., but look scared and weird when black and Hispanic kids want to play with their kids on the playground. My kid has always been REAL about diversity from day 1. These phonies just make it another reason to roll out!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would I be missing by crossing the river? Also, is a $700K budget doable for a 3 bed, 2 bath in some kind of wooded setting?

I don't know about a "wooded setting", but you can get a nice house with a yard within walking distance from parks with woods on that budget in parts of Arlington. I think that if you're an involved parent who pushes education and reading, your kid can get a great education at any Arlington public school, although I know some folks on here will try to tell you otherwise.

What you will miss:
- seeing DC friends who don't drive to the 'burbs a lot
- diversity (economic and racial)
- the amount of retail and food/entertainment options
- a short commute without driving in traffic (assuming you currently walk/metro/bus to work in DC)
- not having to drive; walking or biking a lot
- frequent casual encounters with other people
- the excitement that you never know what you might come across when you're out an about.

The last three are part of that "hustle and bustle" of city life. Even in the most urban parts of Arlington (i.e., around the metro stops) it's not quite the same hustle and bustle that you have in DC (even in the more quiet residential areas).

Good luck with your decision!

DC is not diverse is is basically black and white, you are missing out on others, NOVA is diverse

+1 diversity may not exist as much as in DC in very specific communities in arlington, but t is very present in many other parts of the county.

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Anonymous wrote:NP. Think about the opportunities your children will have if you do get them into a good school (they exist, my child is in an amazing one). Walking to museums to satisfy academic interests. Learning to live in the community rather than drive through it. Your time that would otherwise be used commuting...

What about families that don't luck out. What becomes of our kids?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would I be missing by crossing the river? Also, is a $700K budget doable for a 3 bed, 2 bath in some kind of wooded setting?

I don't know about a "wooded setting", but you can get a nice house with a yard within walking distance from parks with woods on that budget in parts of Arlington. I think that if you're an involved parent who pushes education and reading, your kid can get a great education at any Arlington public school, although I know some folks on here will try to tell you otherwise.

What you will miss:
- seeing DC friends who don't drive to the 'burbs a lot
- diversity (economic and racial)
- the amount of retail and food/entertainment options
- a short commute without driving in traffic (assuming you currently walk/metro/bus to work in DC)
- not having to drive; walking or biking a lot
- frequent casual encounters with other people
- the excitement that you never know what you might come across when you're out an about.

The last three are part of that "hustle and bustle" of city life. Even in the most urban parts of Arlington (i.e., around the metro stops) it's not quite the same hustle and bustle that you have in DC (even in the more quiet residential areas).

Good luck with your decision!

DC is not diverse is is basically black and white, you are missing out on others, NOVA is diverse

Anonymous wrote:NP. Think about the opportunities your children will have if you do get them into a good school (they exist, my child is in an amazing one). Walking to museums to satisfy academic interests. Learning to live in the community rather than drive through it. Your time that would otherwise be used commuting...

Anonymous wrote:

LOL. My kids go to Janney and Deal. Is the diversity there somehow illegitimate? My Janney DC's class has students from Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. My DC at Deal has all of that PLUS a huge amount of economic diversity. I think that these DC v. NOVA debates set up a false dichotomy where people resort to stereotypes to make their point. In DC, it is possible to have diversity (cultural and economic), proximity to parkland and a good education without "going private." In NOVA, it is possible to live a walkable lifestyle, eat at fine dining establishments and own a home with good access to public transport.

Peace out and have a lovely weekend.

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Anonymous wrote:Unless you make 600k a year you will suffer in dc

...And any of the very close-in, urban suburbs of MD and VA as well.

Anonymous wrote:Unless you make 600k a year you will suffer in dc

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One more vote for the diversity in NoVa. You have to understand that diversity means different things to different people. In DC, diversity is code for "black" and maybe "Hispanic" in some parts of the city. In NoVA, diversity means actual diversity, lots of people from lots of places. In my close-in, non-posh NoVa neighborhood I can count people from 15 countries off the top of my head in the 5-block radius:

It's not 'code' for anything it's basic math. Those are the 2 largest minority groups in the United States. I think it's fair to say an area lacking people from those backgrounds lacks diversity. And before you start, I'd say the same thing for most parts of Prince George's county - they lack diversity.

But diversity isn't connected to who is the largest minority group, is it? Diversity means lots of people from lots of places. A classroom with a white, black, Hispanic, Korean, Indian and French kid is more diverse than a classroom with a white and a black kid, and certainly more diverse than a classroom with only black kids. NoVa doesn't lack blacks or Hispanics, it just has plenty of other people, too. In DC, a "diverse" school means a school with white and black kids, which I would argue is a very limited expression of diversity (except the Janney kind of diversity with WB/IMF/embassy kids).

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.

Anonymous wrote:^^OP here! You're the exact type of person that has me high tailing it outta here as soon as I can get my shit together. The vitriolic attitudes for no reason whatsoever on top of the lack of quality options for my kids makes an area I've called home for far too long totally beneath me now. Unlike you, my kids' welfare comes first and it's best for them to grow up around nature vis a vis green space and in a healthy challenging educational environment. Sorry, a lot of people sacrifice their kids' future to serve their own desires. I just can't be one of those people. So, one thing we can agree on- we won't miss each other. But, I do feel sorry for your kids. To the other posters, thanks for all of the great feedback. Gave me plenty to think about.