Where to live in the DC area?
Hello! My husband is on track for a job in DC and we'll be relocating either this December or possibly next June for less kid/school disruption. The question is, to where? Our priorities are good public schools (middle and high) and a commute into DC via public transport (driving in is possible but less desired for obvious reasons). Like many, we've spent the pandemic fantasizing about relocating in general, to places with more space as well as perhaps a lower cost of living. We know DC isn't really cheaper than the Bay Area (we're in Oakland) but is it possible we might be able to achieve some of those goals, too? We are renters and cannot afford to buy here, and it seems we'll be in the same boat out there, especially with the housing market like it is? Any advice on where to live, and life in general in the DC area, welcome. Thanks!
Parent Replies
DC has awful commuter traffic so I'd avoid driving as much as possible. What part of DC is your husband's job in because that will have a big impact. Bethesda or silver spring could be decent options. Do you prefer a house or are you okay with a bigger condo style building? Beyond good public schools, it would be helpful to understand what your priorities are and what you like to do for fun.
How exciting! We are from Baltimore just up the road from DC. We have many neighbors who commute to DC for their jobs but live in Baltimore for the lower cost of living. The Marc train is an economical way to travel between cities and can be very convenient depending on where your workplace is located. My mother commuted to DC from Baltimore for years to her job in Silver Springs, MD. It took her about an hour each way. Baltimore gets a bad rap in the media for crime but having lived in both Baltimore and Kensington, CA I would say I haven’t personally experienced a difference in my feeling of safety in either place. Sections of Baltimore have neighborhoods with homes with ample property. There are some public schools that are highly rated as well as a large variety of private schools to chose from. There many green spaces, universities, cultural centers, and tourist destinations in Baltimore. All for a lot less money than living in DC. However, my brother in law and family have lived in the Tacoma Park neighborhood of DC for over 25 years and have really enjoyed it. Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me about living in Baltimore. Good luck with the move!
I lived in and owned a condo/townhouse in City of Falls Church in the 90's. City of Falls Church is different from Falls Church, Fairfax County, in that it is small and has an independent city government and school district, sort of like Albany or Alameda. It is very walkable and has the reputation of being family friendly. City of Falls Church has a metro station at either end, West Falls Church and East Falls Church, which easily get commuters into the city. There is a 9-mile bike path straight into DC as well, and when I was young and energetic I rode my bike to work! I loved the Falls Church central park, Cherry Hill Park, and the public library. I would live in Falls Church again for sure. https://www.fallschurchva.gov/. The difference in the housing market is that it doesn't seem like houses go for way over asking like they do here.
I lived in DC briefly. I'd look near the Cathedral and American University area.
I lived in DC for awhile. Depends on the type of neighborhood you like. Georgetown? Or out by the Cathedral or American University area.
Hi! My husband and I both grew up in Berkeley/Oakland and lived in DC from 2013-2019. Our son was born there and started preschool there and we both rented there and then later bought a home there (thinking we’d be there long term). We moved back to the Bay Area to be closer to family when a job transfer came up but we really loved living in DC and miss it. The housing market there is highly competitive and prices are high, but its a bit better than here. There are a lot of great public school options and excellent public transportation pretty much everywhere (the Metro is far superior to BART). Beautiful nature is not far (Shenandoah National Park, the Chesapeake) and you are a short drive (by CA standards) from other great cities (Philadelphia, NYC) as well as popular beach vacation spots in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey as well as the Outer Banks in NC. There is a great restaurant scene, lots of distilleries and breweries, and a ton of youthful energy. There are many wonderful diverse neighborhoods in the district that are a good fit for Bay Area types. We LOVED our neighborhood, Mount Pleasant, for its beautiful row houses, tree-lined streets, bohemian vibe, proximity to Rock Creek Park, and central location. It has a wonderful neighborhood/parent community too. DC public schools have a lot of good options for language immersion (Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, even Hebrew) if that’s something you are looking for. I know many people who have been happy with their kids’ elementary, middle, and high school experiences in the district. If you are thinking you’d like to explore the suburbs for a bit more space and a less urban experience, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, are popular for their excellent public schools. I would also check out Silver Spring, MD, and Takoma Park, MD (super charming very Berkeley feel just over the DC border). I have friends with kids who’ve been very happy in all of those places. Depending on your husband’s job location, remote work options, and what you are looking for, you might also consider Baltimore which has a lot going for it (a bit like Oakland but cheaper and thus more welcoming to young artsy types making for a dynamic scene and also great restaurants), and is an easy train ride from DC. There are lots of other neighborhoods in DC and suburbs that are worth checking out too. Feel free to contact me directly if you’d like!