I agree with Del Ray and Silver Spring. Del Ray is way over-priced for the size of the homes and the terrible schools. Might as well live in the district where it's a better urban feel and and least you have charter schools and lottery options.

We were really excited about the prospect of Silver Spring after all the raves it gets here. We have a relatively small housing budget (under $500,000) and commute to capitol hill. After comparing to west springfield/burke, we found that everything - house size for the money, commute, schools (by a lot), upkeep of neighborhoods, parks, pools, were all WAY BETTER out in west springfield/burke. Silver Spring had the worst of both the suburbs and the city (congestion, traffic, etc.).

Anonymous wrote:From seeing the latest public school results i think anything in Arlington is overated

What are the "latest public school results"?

From seeing the latest public school results i think anything in Arlington is overated

Anonymous wrote:What counts as McLean's "downtown"? The Chain Bridge Road/Old Dominion intersection? Or Tyson's?

DEFNITELY not Tysons. The McLean "downtown" is Old Chain Bridge Road (from 123 to about Westmoreland) and Old Dominion (from about 123 to the Balducci's shopping center).

What counts as McLean's "downtown"? The Chain Bridge Road/Old Dominion intersection? Or Tyson's?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Arlington is by far the best place in live in the DC metro area, if you can afford it. Love the neighborhoods up by Washington Country Club.

That would come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but keep trying. Sad that you feel the need to drape a nice area with unwarranted superlatives. It does keep Arlington solidly in the lead, though, for the over-rated title.

what do you mean "trying"? Those are my opinions. I wish I could live in Arlington. Why do you care where I wish I could live?

Anonymous wrote:
Arlington is by far the best place in live in the DC metro area, if you can afford it. Love the neighborhoods up by Washington Country Club.

That would come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but keep trying. Sad that you feel the need to drape a nice area with unwarranted superlatives. It does keep Arlington solidly in the lead, though, for the over-rated title.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to make enough money to move to Arlington. Best of everything - location, schools, taxes, benefits, quality of services, entertainment, parks. One day hopefully.

Except that it's ugly.

ssshhh, you can't say that. it is only allowed on DCUM to say such things about the Mclean downtown.

Anonymous wrote:Why such a shitty state like Texas has such a high opinion of itself I will never know. Wish it would engage in a gun-eating contest.

Even though it is where my in-laws live, I completely agree. I have spent time in 3 of the bigger metro areas - 2 of them suck donkey balls. The only reason Austin doesn't is because they have more interest in land-use policy - allowing for green space.

Why such a shitty state like Texas has such a high opinion of itself I will never know. Wish it would engage in a gun-eating contest.

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to make enough money to move to Arlington. Best of everything - location, schools, taxes, benefits, quality of services, entertainment, parks. One day hopefully.

Except that it's ugly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to make enough money to move to Arlington. Best of everything - location, schools, taxes, benefits, quality of services, entertainment, parks. One day hopefully.

Not really.

Arlington is by far the best place in live in the DC metro area, if you can afford it. Love the neighborhoods up by Washington Country Club.

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to make enough money to move to Arlington. Best of everything - location, schools, taxes, benefits, quality of services, entertainment, parks. One day hopefully.

Not really.

I'd love to make enough money to move to Arlington. Best of everything - location, schools, taxes, benefits, quality of services, entertainment, parks. One day hopefully.

Anonymous wrote:
You dipped your toe into this water and now realize it's a bit too hot and you got all pissy. Girl please. Look at the title of the thread. I stand by my assertion that Arlington is overrated (especially on these boards) and has ZERO aspirational qualities. People hope 1 day that they make enough money to move to parts of NW, Mclean/Great Falls, Potomac and Bethesda/Chevy Chase. I've never heard someone say "When I'm CEO/partner I'm going to move to Arlington YEAH!". So yeah DCUM overrates Arlington. Deal with it.

These are separate issues, no?

The ten zip codes in the DC area with the most expensive housing are: Great Falls, McLean, Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase - MD, Chevy Chase - DC, Tenleytown/Palisades/Spring Valley, Georgetown, North Arlington and Vienna. I know plenty of partners in local firms who pick Arlington because, for them, it's the right combination of amenities, affordability, good schools, good commute and so forth. Not everyone can afford it, either, so it definitely has "aspirational qualities."

OTOH, it's also hyped constantly on this forum and, from that perspective, I can definitely see why some would call it over-rated. I actually don't think places like Great Falls, McLean or Potomac are over-rated, because both their advantages and AND their disadvantages get pointed out constantly here. Tell someone in McLean that the downtown area is ugly and they'll likely agree. Point out one flaw in North Arlington and you're suddenly a "hater" who is "spewing vitriol."