Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely go for Columbia Heights, because you'll be very close to Soldier's Home, but close enough to other places in DC that you'll be able to walk anywhere to many places in downtown DC. like a PP said, look around 11th street, where there are more and more families. if you go to the coupe (restaurant) on a weekend, it will be full of families with young kids, also at bloombars, an arts center with things for kids on 11th. We rent near the metro, where there is crime occasionally, but it is quieter toward 11th street. you just have to choose your block carefully.

Petworth is great too but you said you wanted walkability, and you have more walkability in CH.

I don't know why people are suggesting bloomingdale, I would not want to drive from there to Soldiers' Home 2 x/ day, in traffic, when you have the option of living much closer in petwroth or CH. the handful of cool coffee shops and restaurants there aren't worth it, and there are just as many families in petworht or Col heigths.

Soldier's home is straight up North Capitol, takes less than 5 minutes by car, and unless they want to live in Petworth right next door, they'd be driving anyway. It' also a much more walkable neighborhood and much more urban and centrally located. Also, much more desirable overall than Petworth. Columbia Heights has a lot more racial tension and is just a less pleasant place to live. Someone else suggested Brookland, which has a lovely neighborhood feel and lots going for it, but isn't as urban so probably not what OP is looking for.

Have you been in Petworth or Columbia Heights recently? These are great neighborhoods for families, there are tons of young families there. Ridiculous to talk as if Bloomingdale doesn't have racial tension. Columbia Heights, Petworth, Mt Pleasant, Bloomingdale ALL have racial tension and crime.

Yes, I have, in fact I was in both this weekend. I have also lived in Columbia heights and moved from there to Bloomingdale. There is MUCH less racial tension in Bloomingdale than any of the others. There are relatively few section 8 housing complexes, for example (unlike Columbia Heights and, to a lesser extent, Petworth). But it's also a very diverse neighborhood - rich, poor, gay, straight, white, black, mixed race, single people and families, long term residents, mid term residents and brand new residents. It's a tight knit neighborhood (though this varies a little block by block) with the older neighbors looking out for the new neighbors and vice versa. It's the type of place that when you move in, everyone on your block will stop by and welcome you at some point -- regardless of their race or income level.

Have you been to Bloomingdale lately? Have you lived there?

OP here. First of all, thanks for all your concern everyone ( ) but I am not cheating anything. I have been upfront with CM the whole time. They have a copy of my government orders showing the summer transfer. They informed me that I can enroll now with those orders, but will need to demonstrate proof of residency by the first day of school -- which I will certainly do.

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue here is that OP is coming just for a few years. That means she is taking up early elementary spots with no intention of staying past Kindergarten. That is very sad for the child who doesn't get in who would have stayed all the way through elementary - on many, many levels.

Quotes like the above are NUTS! Yes, we'll be here temporarily -- for 2 to 3 YEARS! What would you have me do doing this time? Not enroll my child in school? Purposely pick a lesser school? (Note that I struck out of the common lottery and other individual school lottery, so I have no other public options for PS3). Give me a break! I did not buy or cheat my way into the lottery, I entered and crossed my fingers and got lucky (for once!). I'll be a resident and paying my taxes every year, so have just as much right as you do to take my kid to the best possible school that I can. (But kudos to you for agreeing to keep your DC in your current PS3 for the next 15 years until he graduates, that's a very noble commitment).

Finally, thanks to all the previous posters who have provided neighborhood input, it's all been very helpful. Looking like Mt. Pleasant area is seeming ideal, though will definitely check out CH, Bloomingdale,etc..... I'd love to hear a little more from those in Capitol Hill (or NE Capitol Hill, e.g. Atlast district) regarding the best areas to check out/wander (within my price range). Also curious how the commute (driving) from Old Soliders Home to/from say Capitol Hill would compare to that to/from Mt. Pleasant....

Thanks again to all (well, to the non-bitter, non-paranoid posters, anyway).

Anonymous wrote:OP, CM doesn't know whether they are going to be at 16th St or Old Soldiers next year. I guess since you don't lived here, you wouldn't know that. So if you are determining where to "rent" based on close proximity to the school I would wait to see where they will be, which will hopefully be the case by the time you move to DC in the summer.

OP here. Yeah, I would think that it will be officially announced by the time we rent in July -- though I thought the CM move, wasn't official, but is pretty much a done deal (so says the previous DCUM scuttle-but).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue here is that OP is coming just for a few years. That means she is taking up early elementary spots with no intention of staying past Kindergarten. That is very sad for the child who doesn't get in who would have stayed all the way through elementary - on many, many levels.

So you didn't get in and your wait list number sucks. Stop talking nonsense. OP has every right to send her child to CM whether she lives in DC for 3 yrs or 10 yrs.

I didn't apply to CM. OP has a right to send her child to CM after she has a valid DC address (or can pay). That's my understanding of the rules. But as someone mentioned CM may not follow the rules so OP may be in luck.

OP, CM doesn't know whether they are going to be at 16th St or Old Soldiers next year. I guess since you don't lived here, you wouldn't know that. So if you are determining where to "rent" based on close proximity to the school I would wait to see where they will be, which will hopefully be the case by the time you move to DC in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue here is that OP is coming just for a few years. That means she is taking up early elementary spots with no intention of staying past Kindergarten. That is very sad for the child who doesn't get in who would have stayed all the way through elementary - on many, many levels.

So you didn't get in and your wait list number sucks. Stop talking nonsense. OP has every right to send her child to CM whether she lives in DC for 3 yrs or 10 yrs.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely go for Columbia Heights, because you'll be very close to Soldier's Home, but close enough to other places in DC that you'll be able to walk anywhere to many places in downtown DC. like a PP said, look around 11th street, where there are more and more families. if you go to the coupe (restaurant) on a weekend, it will be full of families with young kids, also at bloombars, an arts center with things for kids on 11th. We rent near the metro, where there is crime occasionally, but it is quieter toward 11th street. you just have to choose your block carefully.

Petworth is great too but you said you wanted walkability, and you have more walkability in CH.

I don't know why people are suggesting bloomingdale, I would not want to drive from there to Soldiers' Home 2 x/ day, in traffic, when you have the option of living much closer in petwroth or CH. the handful of cool coffee shops and restaurants there aren't worth it, and there are just as many families in petworht or Col heigths.

Soldier's home is straight up North Capitol, takes less than 5 minutes by car, and unless they want to live in Petworth right next door, they'd be driving anyway. It' also a much more walkable neighborhood and much more urban and centrally located. Also, much more desirable overall than Petworth. Columbia Heights has a lot more racial tension and is just a less pleasant place to live. Someone else suggested Brookland, which has a lovely neighborhood feel and lots going for it, but isn't as urban so probably not what OP is looking for.

It's more than 5 minutes. 10 at least but with all the road closures due to macMillan park and traffic at least 15 to 20. I drive this every day and then some more for play dates.

Petworth or Columbia Hts are the best bets.

.

Anonymous wrote:The biggest issue here is that OP is coming just for a few years. That means she is taking up early elementary spots with no intention of staying past Kindergarten. That is very sad for the child who doesn't get in who would have stayed all the way through elementary - on many, many levels.

So you didn't get in and your wait list number sucks. Stop talking nonsense. OP has every right to send her child to CM whether she lives in DC for 3 yrs or 10 yrs.

The biggest issue here is that OP is coming just for a few years. That means she is taking up early elementary spots with no intention of staying past Kindergarten. That is very sad for the child who doesn't get in who would have stayed all the way through elementary - on many, many levels.

NP here. OP should not have been able to enter the DC Lottery without a valid address. So, I agree that it is cheating the system. OP may or may not get called on it.

It will be interesting to see if CM follows the law/rules.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely go for Columbia Heights, because you'll be very close to Soldier's Home, but close enough to other places in DC that you'll be able to walk anywhere to many places in downtown DC. like a PP said, look around 11th street, where there are more and more families. if you go to the coupe (restaurant) on a weekend, it will be full of families with young kids, also at bloombars, an arts center with things for kids on 11th. We rent near the metro, where there is crime occasionally, but it is quieter toward 11th street. you just have to choose your block carefully.

Petworth is great too but you said you wanted walkability, and you have more walkability in CH.

I don't know why people are suggesting bloomingdale, I would not want to drive from there to Soldiers' Home 2 x/ day, in traffic, when you have the option of living much closer in petwroth or CH. the handful of cool coffee shops and restaurants there aren't worth it, and there are just as many families in petworht or Col heigths.

Soldier's home is straight up North Capitol, takes less than 5 minutes by car, and unless they want to live in Petworth right next door, they'd be driving anyway. It' also a much more walkable neighborhood and much more urban and centrally located. Also, much more desirable overall than Petworth. Columbia Heights has a lot more racial tension and is just a less pleasant place to live. Someone else suggested Brookland, which has a lovely neighborhood feel and lots going for it, but isn't as urban so probably not what OP is looking for.

Have you been in Petworth or Columbia Heights recently? These are great neighborhoods for families, there are tons of young families there. Ridiculous to talk as if Bloomingdale doesn't have racial tension. Columbia Heights, Petworth, Mt Pleasant, Bloomingdale ALL have racial tension and crime.

Anonymous wrote:I live in Petworth, the neighborhood closest to CM. We love it, and there are lots of families here, but it would definitely feel suburban to someone coming from Brooklyn. Plus, on a scale from 1 - 10 for walkability, I'd give it a 6.5.

The closest thing on your list to Prospect Heights is Mt. Pleasant. You wouldn't be able to tell by walking down the main strip, Mt. Pleasant Street on a Wednesday afternoon, but on a sunny Saturday morning I'm so envious of the community gathering around the farmer's market and standing in line at Heller's Bakery - chock full of families, and plenty of things to do. Other than Capitol Hill, it's the only place I know in DC that captures that small town feeling in an urban setting the way Brooklyn does.

North Columbia Heights kinda sorta does this. I'm talking about the blocks around 11th and Monroe, where you can see families getting an early Saturday morning breakfast at The Coupe before they hit the playground across the street. But Columbia Heights isn't as established in terms of where families would like to live, so it does't feel tight knit. And since it's had the most recent and dramatic gentrification, I feel it's where you stand the greatest chance of experiencing crime. Plenty of low-income mixed with unassuming wealth that still walks drunk down a dark street with a phone to their face. Criminals who want easy targets start there. It's still worth a look, though. The housing stock there is gorgeous.

+1

These are good descriptions of these neighborhood choices.

We live in Mount Pleasant and love it. It's getting very expensive to buy houses here but you won't have problems finding a good 2 bedroom rental, either in a converted row house or one of the larger buildings. Come check it out on a Saturday morning!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP should note that getting into CM is a big status anxiety trigger for many parents here.

So CM holds the spot until they provide cash or proof of residency?

That people who have been tax paying DC residents for years do not have priority over someone willing to pay tuition?

They hold spots for lottery winners. Obviously, residency is not a barrier to entering the lottery, accepting a spot, and enrolling. And it shouldn't be, as the OP's situation exemplifies. But when it comes to attendance, they either give up some cash or give up the spot.

It may be different for DCPS, where address makes a huge difference and priority rightfully goes to neighborhood families.

She won't need to give up any cash, she'll be able to establish residency by the beginning of school.

Why does everyone else need to provide evidence of residency by the establish date or give up the spot?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did you enroll at CM without providing proof of residency?

Yes, good luck renting and apartment & providing DC residency by May 7th. By the way if you are using a lease you also need 2 months proof of utilities.

Congrats to a the family #1 on PreK3 waitlist - you are in.

BS. You can get into a school as a non-resident, but you'd be charged tuition. http://www.dcpcsb.org/Parents/FY2013-Uniform-Per-Student-Funding-Formula.aspx

Won't be a problem as long as residency is established by the start of the school year.

No, you can't get in unless DC residents all turn down spots, i.e., they have exhausted all DC residents on the wait list. Then you can get in when you pay tuition. You can apply from out of state but can't actually enroll w/o being a DC resident.