Hi all. I know we have some DC area folks here, and I am moving to DC. We seem to be looking for something rare but not impossible: New high quality build, yard for dogs, under 1.5 million, easy commute to Farragut North area, good walkability. We do have some possibilities- restored row homes in Columbia Heights and Petworth. Saw some on Capitol Hill as well. Here in the city it seems we can get decent quality and a yard on a street we don’t love or high quality and not much of a yard on a street we do love. Also looked in Arlington and Alexandria in VA and Silver Spring and Kensington in MD. Then we can get a nice yard but the commute gets worse. I guess I’m just curious about your favorite areas in DC, sports bars where Giants fans meet, etc.
Personally i like the Capitol Hill area. My wife and I keep our eye out in that area, but its a bit out of our price range at the moment. We currently live in Navy Yard by Nats park, but just renting. Navy yard area is solid, tons of bars/restaurants/etc.. but thats true for a lot of parts of the city. This area is just a bit newer i guess.
Giants bars are pretty limited, maybe now that we are playing better more might appear, ha. Across the pond is one of the few giants bars, but its a half giants half pats bar and its not very big.
the commute is WAY less of an issue now that working remotely is so commonplace. pre-pandemic traffic patterns are gone for good. i wouldn't let anything like that dissuade you from a much better run state that takes crime seriously, takes education seriously (all the way through multiple excellent state colleges), where your vote actually counts, and where your taxes are lower.
Seriously, VA suburbs are great.
Look at the 22207 zip code. Cherry dale is a few feet away from pretty much where every major well knows politician lives.
Don’t live in DC proper unless you enjoy crime. It’s gotten out of hand. I’m born and raised in the DMV. Went to St John Highschool in upper NW DC near Maza gallery. I know the area better than most. I’ve lived in every letter of the acronym DMV.
If you want to be closer to the city, Arlington is fine.
It's just a terrible time to buy or rent and the costs will be high in the tri-state area of DC, Maryland and northern VA.
Personally, I wouldn't live anywhere in MD except maybe Annapolis. So, stay clear of that hideous state... ;)
I’ve since moved to Leesburg since you and I somewhat crossed paths in Arlington. Pretty funny you went up 270 to Gaithersburg and I shot out 267 to the burg. Both scattered but different states far out. The other thing many people don’t realize is Leesburg is attached to Frederick MD by the bridge.
Personally I wouldn’t touch MD as BW says above. The taxes are insane.
Smart move. Lots of people at my firm live there and we are located in Tyson’s. Homes are nice and affordable in Fredericksburg.
THe Hill is a great placed to live. LOts of restaurants. Beautiful area. Tones to do.
SIlver Spring was great when I lived there but crime seems to be on the uptick.
The problem with both of those areaas is if you have kids, schools are going to be a problem.
King Farm where I live is fanatastis, especially if you have kids. For 1.5 million you can get a 4 bedroom house near a great park and a community pool. Lots of awesome restaurants right near by, and schools are among the best in the country if you have kids. It's also at the top of the Redline which takes you right to the Farragut North station. Probably there in about 35-40 minutes.
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and now back again. This time I wanted no part of the DC traffic and settled on Fredericksburg.
Smart move. Lots of people at my firm live there and we are located in Tyson’s. Homes are nice and affordable in Fredericksburg.
Don't get me wrong, the commute sucks when I have to go in, but well worth it on my off time. It's the best of both worlds, all the stores and restaurants we need, plus still somewhat country. We also were able to get a big yard for the dogs.
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In comment 15910256 JOrthman said:
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and now back again. This time I wanted no part of the DC traffic and settled on Fredericksburg.
Smart move. Lots of people at my firm live there and we are located in Tyson’s. Homes are nice and affordable in Fredericksburg.
Don't get me wrong, the commute sucks when I have to go in, but well worth it on my off time. It's the best of both worlds, all the stores and restaurants we need, plus still somewhat country. We also were able to get a big yard for the dogs.
Oh I know. Former BBIer foust lives there. And the other good posters. I know the area.
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In comment 15910278 bradshaw44 said:
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In comment 15910256 JOrthman said:
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and now back again. This time I wanted no part of the DC traffic and settled on Fredericksburg.
Smart move. Lots of people at my firm live there and we are located in Tyson’s. Homes are nice and affordable in Fredericksburg.
Don't get me wrong, the commute sucks when I have to go in, but well worth it on my off time. It's the best of both worlds, all the stores and restaurants we need, plus still somewhat country. We also were able to get a big yard for the dogs.
Oh I know. Former BBIer foust lives there. And the other good posters. I know the area.
There are a few others as well, but I don't mention them in case they don't want their location out there.
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In comment 15910288 JOrthman said:
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In comment 15910278 bradshaw44 said:
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In comment 15910256 JOrthman said:
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and now back again. This time I wanted no part of the DC traffic and settled on Fredericksburg.
Smart move. Lots of people at my firm live there and we are located in Tyson’s. Homes are nice and affordable in Fredericksburg.
Don't get me wrong, the commute sucks when I have to go in, but well worth it on my off time. It's the best of both worlds, all the stores and restaurants we need, plus still somewhat country. We also were able to get a big yard for the dogs.
Oh I know. Former BBIer foust lives there. And the other good posters. I know the area.
There are a few others as well, but I don't mention them in case they don't want their location out there.
That’s why I didn’t say their handles.
You get a lot more house and yard for less, and nice suburban amenities, trees, better schools, etc. here in suburbia. My wife worried about the commute but it’s not generally been a big issue.
Oregon Avenue is beautiful, I’ve lived here for 20+ years and just discovered that area.
Arlington is closer to downtown than Bethesda/Chevy Chase, for what it’s worth.
Where near the zoo? I live near there now. We love it.
I would say Adams Morgan, where I live, but there's hardly any new construction and any place with a yard is... difficult to come by.
I have a friend who just bought a refurbished duplex in Columbia Heights, with a really really small yard. I think she paid over 800, but the neighborhood can be a little dicey at times.
Alexandria, Mt. Vernon, spots in Fairfax County close in are all good. Yards are possible, often hidden behind bland fronts in neighborhoods with garages and young children. $1.5m makes it doable.
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and live in Fairfax City, Virginia. The Orange line ends in Vienna, a five minute drive, and goes directly to Farragaut. If it’s a concern, Fairfax High School is one of the best. Plenty of shopping, including a Wegmans. We have lived in a 4 bedroom 90 year old Dutch colonial, on 3/4 of an acre, in a wonderful neighborhood for over 33 years. Northern Virginia is great to raise a family. If it’s just you and the Mrs. I’d live in DC, in Northwest, but with a yard that’s pricey.
Alexandria, Mt. Vernon, spots in Fairfax County close in are all good. Yards are possible, often hidden behind bland fronts in neighborhoods with garages and young children. $1.5m makes it doable.
Whoops. Way too late with this. Sorry.
I lived in Petworth, it's a great area. There is a Giants bar in the Cleveland park area called Nanny O'Brien's. Great wings. The Hitching Post and Slash Run in Petworth are great spots to get food too. Good luck!
Nice! Petworth has some nice neighborhood events - I had a lot of fun at the Petworth Porchfest this year.