Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I just spent the afternoon in meetings in AU Park and I fail to see the appeal.
I understand this reaction. The appeal is in the community.
The neighborhood is moderately charming. The lots are small and the houses are not particularly attractive. The plus side is that you're in close proximity to your neighbors, and in some neighborhoods (like AU Park) that breeds familiarity not contempt.
The commercial areas are good enough. Wisconsin lacks the charm of Connecticut, but it has what you need. Development is still way farther behind where I thought it would be by now. Mattress discounters and dry cleaners, seriously? One block from the metro?
The schools are wonderful and well-utilized. This cannot be stated strongly enough.
There are plenty of other amenities, as well: Wilson Aquatic Center. Turtle Park. Proximity to other fun places, like Glen Echo Park. Proximity to other children's parks: Palisades, Beauvoir, Newark St.
The commute is (by DC standards) excellent. Under 20 minutes into town and about 25 minutes from town. During rush hour. Off-peak, about 12 minutes to Dupont Circle.
Oh, yeah, metro. Walkable.
For AU Park, it's the combination of all these things. Some of the neighborhoods nearby are much prettier (Spring Valley, for one). Some of the neighborhoods nearby have better commercial (Bethesda, for one). Some of the neighborhoods nearby have an equally strong school community (CCDC, for one). Some nearby neighborhoods are equally accessible (Woodley or Cleveland Parks, for example). But nowhere else provides this package. That's what you're paying for with AU Park. While the homes, lots and commercial may be underwhelming (as is Turtle Park, frankly, until it gets renovated next year), the total is greater than the sum of the individual parts.
Anonymous wrote:I just spent the afternoon in meetings in AU Park and I fail to see the appeal.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
Indeed - we can do the same in Alexandria, with a lot more charm, better commute, and probably better restaurants.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I've seen worse. One may have to put some money into the yard and kitchen though.
Stricly speaking this is North Cleveland Park, not AU Park, in'it?
The key part is Janney.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
What MULTIPLE metros, restaurantS and Whole Foods are you walking to from AU? How long IS that walk? Aren't you exaggerating a little?
Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
Indeed - we can do the same in Alexandria, with a lot more charm, better commute, and probably better restaurants.
Those of us who live in Chevy Chase and in Bethesda could do the same with much better schools.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
Indeed - we can do the same in Alexandria, with a lot more charm, better commute, and probably better restaurants.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!
Indeed - we can do the same in Alexandria, with a lot more charm, better commute, and probably better restaurants.
Anonymous wrote:#1 rule in real estate = location. yep, that's why we're staying in our dinky $1M house in AU Park when something in N Potomac or somewhere else suburbia would be lots bigger and nicer. Love, love, love being able to WALK to multiple metros, parks, restaurants, CVS, Whole Foods, library, shopping, etc. Location!