Friends with kids live in McLean Gardens and love it. Nice, stable community, seems their finances are in decent shape, nice amenities with the pool and open play spaces. Good schools, too.

I loveeee McLean Gardens. My husband had to drag me out kicking and screaming when we moved to the suburbs. Right there uve got the pool, tennis courts, community garden, awesome playground and dog park. Natl Cathedral short walk away as well as family friendly restaurants. I spent soooo many hours of my life walking my babies in their strollers and little buggies through the neighborhood and before they came along, walking my dog. I always felt safe and the neighborhood is just pretty. Lots of trees and greenery considering being in a city. The whole neighborhood is lined with cherry trees and magnolia trees in the spring. I could go on and on. I swear I will move back there when we no longer need a larger house!! I really enjoyed living there as you can see Best of luck on your search!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked at the many condo buildings along Connecticut? They are zoned for Murch or Hearst, and I've seen several listed for less than $650K.

Looked at a few but some of the condo fees are insane. One we toured told us they had to do a 6,000 assessment that year to fix an elevator. Do you have specific suggestions of good buildings?

We are in tilden gardens. Zoned for Hearst. Have been very happy here with 3 kids

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP from above -

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3259-Sutton-Pl-NW-20016/unit-A/home/9954462

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3249-Sutton-Pl-NW-20016/unit-C/home/9954420

We've been looking in Sutton Pl and McLean Gardens. How is the diversity over there?

Lol

Here's another option - also tiny kitchen, but potential to open it and it does come with a parking place. No elevator, which is what keeps the HOA fee down - but it's ground floor. And very convenient to metro.

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2712-Ordway-St-NW-20008/unit-1/home/9990024

We live nearby and our kids attend school (Eaton) with lots of kids in McLean Gardens and we’ve been to several play dates there. They seem very nice, if small. Many units have fantastic lighting and charm. Lots of families and dogs throughout the complex.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You aren't going to find any condos in NW with low HOAs. Most average right around 1K, some as high at 1700. The lowest I've seen was around $600 but that was for no amenities. DH and I have been watching NW real estate for about 6 months now. You can get a 2 bedroom 2 bath for anywhere from 399K to 475K but the HOAs are going to be insane.

I'd correct that and say - just UpperNW. I routinely find old buildings in Dupont/Logan/Mt. Pleasant with HOAs anywhere from $500/mo to at most $900/mo and that's for either huge space or brand-new.

So what's UpperNW's HOA problem?

$499K 2bedroom - $800 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1301-20th-St-NW-20036/unit-111/home/9059929

$550K - $877 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/777-7th-St-NW-20001/unit-926/home/10193250

$594K - $627 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2001-12th-St-NW-20009/unit-412/home/10183233

$574K - $602 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/811-4th-St-NW-20001/unit-810/home/12532187

$499K - $421 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1613-Harvard-St-NW-20009/unit-114/home/39900467

$570K - $385 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1404-11th-St-NW-20001/unit-102/home/9875730

$390K - $511 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1457-Park-Rd-NW-20010/unit-000403/home/11748181

Insane, and in some of these buildings you dont even have your own washer and dryer. $500 HOA to use an old dirty shared laundry room, probably with your own quarters. Sorry, I just dont see the value.

Hello - the $1,400/mo HOA that the others are recommending on here is SHARED LAUNDRY too. Now you think $500/mo is too much, how about 3X that?

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3900-Watson-Pl-NW-20016/unit-B-G3C/home/77618846

You all really need to stop comparing the “HOAs” of condos with those of co-ops.

THIS. Co-op monthly charges also include your share of property taxes, interest+principal on underlying mortgage, and usually all utilities. I've yet to see separately metered co-ops in older bldgs in NW DC.

McLean Gardens are condos, so you need to pay property taxes separately. And also hence why they are very careful about budgeting for capital expenses (i.e., the condo association can't take out a mortgage).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You aren't going to find any condos in NW with low HOAs. Most average right around 1K, some as high at 1700. The lowest I've seen was around $600 but that was for no amenities. DH and I have been watching NW real estate for about 6 months now. You can get a 2 bedroom 2 bath for anywhere from 399K to 475K but the HOAs are going to be insane.

I'd correct that and say - just UpperNW. I routinely find old buildings in Dupont/Logan/Mt. Pleasant with HOAs anywhere from $500/mo to at most $900/mo and that's for either huge space or brand-new.

So what's UpperNW's HOA problem?

$499K 2bedroom - $800 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1301-20th-St-NW-20036/unit-111/home/9059929

$550K - $877 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/777-7th-St-NW-20001/unit-926/home/10193250

$594K - $627 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2001-12th-St-NW-20009/unit-412/home/10183233

$574K - $602 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/811-4th-St-NW-20001/unit-810/home/12532187

$499K - $421 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1613-Harvard-St-NW-20009/unit-114/home/39900467

$570K - $385 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1404-11th-St-NW-20001/unit-102/home/9875730

$390K - $511 HOA
https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1457-Park-Rd-NW-20010/unit-000403/home/11748181

Insane, and in some of these buildings you dont even have your own washer and dryer. $500 HOA to use an old dirty shared laundry room, probably with your own quarters. Sorry, I just dont see the value.

Hello - the $1,400/mo HOA that the others are recommending on here is SHARED LAUNDRY too. Now you think $500/mo is too much, how about 3X that?

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3900-Watson-Pl-NW-20016/unit-B-G3C/home/77618846

You all really need to stop comparing the “HOAs” of condos with those of co-ops.