Anonymous wrote:Lots to consider here, OP, but I'll tell you what convinced this Petworth resident with a two-year old. A few months back, the host of the Petworth Parents Facebook page hosted a potluck party and I was so shocked to see the number of families with kids 5 and under. And I see more and more newborns in strollers these days than I've ever seen in the eight years that we've lived there. That means there's enough critical mass in this area to get the amenities and more importantly, the schools, that you want. It's still very diverse, which I appreciate, but there's a growing number of educated, connected and driven parents who are motivated by their love of the neighborhood to keep things moving up and up.

I agree it's probably best to stay where you are for awhile, but the value of Petworth for families is growing.

That's a joke. Toddlers do not portend a critical mass if the families move when the kids get older, as is so often the case. People who are happy to have kids still in strollers look at it differently once the kids are ready to play on their own.

Lots to consider here, OP, but I'll tell you what convinced this Petworth resident with a two-year old. A few months back, the host of the Petworth Parents Facebook page hosted a potluck party and I was so shocked to see the number of families with kids 5 and under. And I see more and more newborns in strollers these days than I've ever seen in the eight years that we've lived there. That means there's enough critical mass in this area to get the amenities and more importantly, the schools, that you want. It's still very diverse, which I appreciate, but there's a growing number of educated, connected and driven parents who are motivated by their love of the neighborhood to keep things moving up and up.

I agree it's probably best to stay where you are for awhile, but the value of Petworth for families is growing.

PP again, ps, from my house I can walk Target in 12 min!

pregnant now and live in south petworth (Parkview technically, about two blocks south of metro). We moved here from CH a year ago and so happy we did. Its much more family oriented than CH and less drama. Truly less crime, trash, shit talking etc. CH has the highest concentration of public housing this side of anacostia and its not going anywhere anytime soon, therefore the problems aren't either. I work in real estate development and I am thrilled with our investment in Petworth. the downside are schools of course. But quite frankly there aren't any good public schools in CH or petworth. Council is looking to pass a bill though to give preference to neighbors of charter schools. We are two blocks from EL Haynes which is an awesome charter school but with 300 people on the waiting list. A lot of new development is coming GA avenue too. the crappy safeway will be torndown this fall and rebuilt similar to City Vista Safeway with housing on top.

We have lived in Petworth off of Sherman Circle for 10 years now. We have two children. It's a GREAT neighborhood and we seen a ton of development in the past several years. It's a very walkable neighborhood with lots of young families. Sherman Circle is a Godsend when you have an infant and need to go for a walk. Barnard, the local elementary, has a great rep for the early years. EL Haynes is RIGHT THERE too. So there are possible education options. We happen to attend a WOTP school that we scored an OOB slot at. Petworth is well situated because you can get downtown fast and you can get to Rock Creek Pkwy quickly too, enabling you to get out of the city or across town easily. And no parking hassles. We're getting a new Safeway, YES market moved in, Ace Hardware opened up and good restaurants have arrived (Domku, Chez Billy, etc.). For the money, Petworth is an excellent deal. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I guess I am in the minority here, but I love petworth and would totally buy there. It's a lovely neighborhood and seems very family friendly.

+1. I am planning to raise my kid in a similar neighborhood and so are most of my friends.

Assume you don't have kids yet. Right?

I do have a kid. And i bought in NE DC and plan to stay here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In DC the public playgrounds and parks are often filled with homeless bums during the day and drug users at night.

You're actually totally wrong. I imagine you have spent no time in the playgrounds of DC. But I guess it makes you feel better to say this.

LOL! This VA poster is smoking the crack she's so afraid of. VA lady, you know you can get high by contact, right? Have you been hanging around the "dirty" city? You should go detox! Return to the safety of the suburbs where you can "walk" to Target, oh wait, no you can't.

Anonymous wrote:In DC the public playgrounds and parks are often filled with homeless bums during the day and drug users at night.

You're actually totally wrong. I imagine you have spent no time in the playgrounds of DC. But I guess it makes you feel better to say this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia is for lovers and families

Unless you are gay.

WRONG

Washington D.C.

Most popular neighborhood among same-sex male couples: Logan Circle, Washington D.C. ($525 per square foot). Affordable alternative: Columbia Heights, Washington D.C. ($333 per square foot).Most popular neighborhood among same-sex female couples: Alexandria, Va, ($405 per square foot). Affordable alternative: Hyattsville, Md. ($101 per square foot).

http://gaysocialites.com/2012/06/20/here-are-the-afforable-neighborhoods-in-top-gay-friendly-cities/

Anonymous wrote:Suburban poster here with a question. Is "target" code for some cool urban amenity, or do you all actually mean a target retail store? Many of these posts have touted walking to target as a big draw for living in CH with a baby. I have to laugh!! Move to Rockville or Arlington if that's what you want!

The point is that you can step out your door and have a nice walk to the Target store, inside of packing up and driving along Rockville Pike to go to the Target. Sure, it's not a great play destination (although it is, actually, at times), but it's convenient, and the more casual walking you do during the day like this, the healthier you are. Something else to factor in.

Anonymous wrote:Suburban poster here with a question. Is "target" code for some cool urban amenity, or do you all actually mean a target retail store? Many of these posts have touted walking to target as a big draw for living in CH with a baby. I have to laugh!! Move to Rockville or Arlington if that's what you want!

Shhh. City folk are talking. If we want to talk about highways or real housewives marathons, we will let you know.

Anonymous wrote:Virginia is for lovers and families

Unless you are gay.

As someone who is raising two kids in CH, I can say that I am glad that I chose to make our home here. Yes, school selection is something to consider, but your time frame for choosing a school is light years away in the world of charters. DCPS is emerging too.

Our family has been here long enough to claim some trailblazing credit. We are prosperous enough to live in upper NW or suburbia yet we deliberately chose to invest here. We're just not suburban people.

Bottom line: I think to stay in CH a little longer is a great idea - especially as a new mother for all the reasons previously stated. Petworth is cool too - just lower key.

The name of this website is DC Urban Moms and Dads. To insult people for living and raising families in DC is just wrong.

In DC the public playgrounds and parks are often filled with homeless bums during the day and drug users at night.