Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 19:36     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:Palisades is famous for airplane noise and pollution since it is right on the DCA flight path. DCUM has more than a few threads about the noise and people who were lied to by realtors trying to downplay it.


Oh for god's sake I've lived here my whole life and it's a non-issue.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 19:35     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Palisades is famous for airplane noise and pollution since it is right on the DCA flight path. DCUM has more than a few threads about the noise and people who were lied to by realtors trying to downplay it.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 19:25     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Putting in a vote for Palisades. It has great houses, great community (huge 4th of July parade, regular concerts, a huge park with tennis, pickleaball, baseball, basekeball etc. And the neighborhood's maid drag, MacArthur Blvd, has a ton of good restaurants. The nearby neighborhood Kent is more upscale -- bigger houses, beautiful leafy streets, but still convenient to the MacArthur Blvd.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 19:11     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Just curious, when are you looking to move? From your original post where you mentioned wanting playground I assume you have younger children so you may not be too wedded to an elementary school start date. ?
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 18:53     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
OP here-

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share insight and information. I am developing a solid list of neighborhoods and towns to research and explore.

I especially appreciated the Cantabrigians who made direct neighborhood comparisons.

Thanks, everyone, this has truly been so helpful.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 18:30     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Takoma Park? Maybe it’s the 4 million budget which is generally higher than prices there. Or the distance to some private schools. But you should add it to your list.

I think all the neighborhoods that fit your criteria have been mentioned. There are other great places to live, and that would fit many of your criteria, but with lower budgets and a different feel. Cambridge is a great place to live. DC area has a very different feel


+1

Takoma Park checks many of your boxes. Check out the historic district, close to the Takoma Metro Station. It’s a wonderful, lively, diverse community. Mature trees, great restaurants (check out Cielo Rojo), lots of neighborhood events. The local public schools house some of the most rigorous magnet programs in the county and are beloved by the neighborhood. The principal at the local elementary school recently won the Washington Posts principal of the year award. It’s a really special community full of smart, down to earth people.


Takoma Park? Ugh! Hard pass.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 18:23     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:Georgetown. Very family friendly, safe, not as diverse as other parts of the city (eg capital hill) but more diversity than you would expect because the university is right there. Walkable parks, coffee, restaurants, shops, work (if close enough downtown area), can walk to metro if you are on the eastern side, and the buses also run downtown and up Wisconsin regularly. Leafy but feels like a city.


Georgetown does not have a Metro stop and the schools are NOT good. You'll be totally car dependent. It's fun for tourists but you don't really want to raise a family there.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 18:21     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Clarendon Virginia, North Bethesda, real Bethesda, Garrett Park and Kensington (under priced gems)
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 18:15     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Georgetown. Very family friendly, safe, not as diverse as other parts of the city (eg capital hill) but more diversity than you would expect because the university is right there. Walkable parks, coffee, restaurants, shops, work (if close enough downtown area), can walk to metro if you are on the eastern side, and the buses also run downtown and up Wisconsin regularly. Leafy but feels like a city.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 17:55     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Takoma Park? Maybe it’s the 4 million budget which is generally higher than prices there. Or the distance to some private schools. But you should add it to your list.

I think all the neighborhoods that fit your criteria have been mentioned. There are other great places to live, and that would fit many of your criteria, but with lower budgets and a different feel. Cambridge is a great place to live. DC area has a very different feel


+1

Takoma Park checks many of your boxes. Check out the historic district, close to the Takoma Metro Station. It’s a wonderful, lively, diverse community. Mature trees, great restaurants (check out Cielo Rojo), lots of neighborhood events. The local public schools house some of the most rigorous magnet programs in the county and are beloved by the neighborhood. The principal at the local elementary school recently won the Washington Posts principal of the year award. It’s a really special community full of smart, down to earth people.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 16:39     Subject: Re:Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Takoma Park isn’t a great location and has crap schools. I don’t see how it fits what OP has listed as her criteria.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 16:26     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned Takoma Park? Maybe it’s the 4 million budget which is generally higher than prices there. Or the distance to some private schools. But you should add it to your list.

I think all the neighborhoods that fit your criteria have been mentioned. There are other great places to live, and that would fit many of your criteria, but with lower budgets and a different feel. Cambridge is a great place to live. DC area has a very different feel
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 15:35     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
We live in AU Park behind American University Law School and St. Ann's church. We love it, especially the vibe. I think you'd really like the area. It's not Cambridge (that's so unique) but it checks the boxes on walkability, metro, sidewalks, parks, restaurants, stores, friendly neighbors with children, community events, history, big trees, diversity, etc. As I'm sure you know, moving can be crazy stressful so please take good care of yourself during this incredibly busy time. Best of luck to you!
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 08:11     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:There are a couple houses near Clarendon in Arlington for under $3M that are nice.


And probably more things are available that aren't listed. Often the nicest homes that sell aren't ever listed. This is walkable to the densest part of the entire DMV.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2024 07:48     Subject: Recommendations for DC area neighborhoods or towns
Anonymous wrote:Lol @ everyone ignoring OP’s criteria and recommending unwalkable neighborhoods in Virginia


Lyon Village is as walkable as any of the DC neighborhoods, and it's might be the most diverse neighborhood on this list. Because this neighborhood is located near the metro and tons of apartments, there is also socioeconomic diversity (you will find all kinds of people at the parks - of which there are many- and just walking by).

If OP doesn't want to live in VA, Lyon Village won't work, but otherwise it's probably the best suggestion from the above list.