Anonymous wrote:The Columbia Pike corridor in Arlington is undergoing a transformation. More and more stuff you can walk to. No metro but buses run right down the Pike to the Pentagon Metro. SFH prices are pretty reasonable (by Arlington standards). Schools are still good plus there's mobility with Arlington schools. Very diverse. We live in Douglas Park and love it.

LOL. Only in Arlington would people pretend schools like Carlyn Springs, Hoffman-Boston, Kenmore and Wakefield are good.

Anonymous wrote:PP, what school pyramid tho'?

Let's not dismiss the fact that so-called "mobility" to ATS is still lottery-based unless you're someone like Arne Duncan.

Arne Duncan's kids go to Arlington Science Focus, not Arlington Traditional School. I believe they live in Clarendon, so they are in the Key/ASFS boundary.

PP, what school pyramid tho'?

Let's not dismiss the fact that so-called "mobility" to ATS is still lottery-based unless you're someone like Arne Duncan.

The Columbia Pike corridor in Arlington is undergoing a transformation. More and more stuff you can walk to. No metro but buses run right down the Pike to the Pentagon Metro. SFH prices are pretty reasonable (by Arlington standards). Schools are still good plus there's mobility with Arlington schools. Very diverse. We live in Douglas Park and love it.

Anonymous wrote:Company Halt! Claws In! Dress Right Dress! DIS-MISSED!

OK, APS folks -- I turn the battle over to you.

Haha, I love it!

I bought a mostly-renovated SFH in North Arlington (Yorktown pyramid) for $560K this past summer. The finished basement could be a little nicer, and the bathrooms are in need of work. But it has 4 bedrooms, a family room addition and a great kitchen, on a nice level lot and a non-busy street. there are houses to be had for under $600K in close-in areas w/ good schools, and my commute is much shorter than my previous commute from Fairfax.

Your friend should first figure out where the best 2 or 3 areas are for commuting for her and her husband's job and then go from there. Do they want metro access? (Arlington, Falls Church, several HS in Fairfax incl Marshall and Oakton) Are they commuting into DC? (They'll be happier in Arlington or Falls church, probably) If their jobs are farther out, they have more options. And below a certain $ limit for houses, their options aer more limited. (at certain price points, they won't be able to buy the better schools in ARL or FFX.)

What is "near metro?" You can get a place in Falls Church City that's been touched since the first Bush administration for 600-700k. (for under 500k, you've got to go back to Kennedy.)

If OP's friend insists on a decently renovated SFH with 4+ BR, and has a budget of say 400k, I'll make sure there's a good place here in Leesburg for her -- because I'm just nice like that.

Lots of people want walkable near the Metro.

Anonymous wrote:I live in the District. I think this is even more complicated than the District! What are the best districts, schools, feeder patterns? Of course I know this is all subject to personality of kids (hers aren't in school yet -- looking ahead to the future), but just in general what are the no-brainer areas, what are the oh, not so good areas?

[list]Advise her not to!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I bought my house in Vienna (1999), a house comparable to mine in the Ballston area of Arlington sold for about 600K. My house was about 250K. Assuming the relative prices are similar, a basic non-updated 1950's - 1960's house in North Arlington will cost north of 1 million.

No, basic non-updated older houses in N. Arlington will run in the mid-500,000s to $650,000.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/4723-24th-Rd-N-22207/home/11227786

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/6119-Williamsburg-Blvd-22207/home/11226506

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/1024-N-Larrimore-St-22205/home/11241114

Yes--near the Courthouse/Clarendon metros--SFH are around 1 million--esp if you factor in choice elem and middle schools.

The homes listed above are not in walkable area-- metro, etc.

The PP (not the OP) did not say walkable area, she said N. Arlington (Ballston area). Basic, unrenovated homes in N. Arlington/Ballston do not sell for $1 million+.

The OP is looking for:
Anonymous wrote:
OP here: Arlington, she's interested in Arlington, walkable areas, near subway.
Price range, please.

I was responding to that and indicating the homes listed do not meet OP's criteria. Maybe I confused postings. Sorry!

No problem - I was just basically saying that while N. Arlington's prices are high, you can find unrenovated, older houses in the $500,000-$600,000 range away from the Clarendon area. Even walkable areas - although not Clarendon.