Would you move?

[Nika]

You're not looking too hard if you think prices in crystal city for a 2br are going to run $3,300. We just had a friend move to bethesda(which is more upscale than crystal city.) They found a really nice 3 bedroom for less than $2700.

My god you can go to the heart of Arlington, VA (2 or 3 stops on the metro from crystal city) which is exploding at the moment in real estate and find a 2br for $2500.

I was looking at a luxury building (with terrace, rooftop pool, club room, gym) and direct access to the underground. And within walking distance of DH's work. We live in a luxury building now, so I don't want it to be worse than our place.
Savings are not that significant if you move away, after you consider that you have to spend money (and time) on the commute.

[rennigade]

Savings are not that significant if you move away, after you consider that you have to spend money (and time) on the commute.

Wut? Have you ever used the metro before? Sounds like new job will be in crystal city. From rosslyn which is 4 stops its around $2 one way. From franconia to crystal city which is 5 stops...its $3.40 one way. So worst case scenario it would cost around $150 for the month..round trip. Not to mention I would go out on a limb and say his work may pay for that. Most do...but some do not.

Now im not a smart man...but if you can find rent for $1000 less and have to pay $150 for transportation...I believe that comes to an $850 savings. Over 6 months thats over $5000.

Time factor..from franconia which is further equates to 20 minutes on the metro...one way.

I dont know too many people who would say that $800ish a month savings is not that significant.

[Nika]

Wut? Have you ever used the metro before? Sounds like new job will be in crystal city. From rosslyn which is 4 stops its around $2 one way. From franconia to crystal city which is 5 stops...its $3.40 one way. So worst case scenario it would cost around $150 for the month..round trip. Not to mention I would go out on a limb and say his work may pay for that. Most do...but some do not.

Now im not a smart man...but if you can find rent for $1000 less and have to pay $150 for transportation...I believe that comes to an $850 savings. Over 6 months thats over $5000.

Time factor..from franconia which is further equates to 20 minutes on the metro...one way.

I dont know too many people who would say that $800ish a month savings is not that significant.

Work will pay for nothing. Officially, he is not relocating, he would be considered "on travel" for 179 days. So he would get 75% of daily hotel and meal allowance, and that is it (he does not have to spend it on hotel and is free to choose his own accommodations).

What blocks to you suggest I look at, with the following criteria:
1) less than 20-25 minute commute
2) good elementary school
3) luxury building with amenities (or townhouse with a yard to bbq)
3) being able to come out and walk around stores/cafes or a park (not overrun by the homeless).

[rennigade]

Work will pay for nothing. Officially, he is not relocating, he would be considered "on travel" for 179 days. So he would get 75% of daily hotel and meal allowance, and that is it (he does not have to spend it on hotel and is free to choose his own accommodations).

What blocks to you suggest I look at, with the following criteria:
1) less than 20-25 minute commute
2) good elementary school
3) luxury building with amenities (or townhouse with a yard to bbq)
3) being able to come out and walk around stores/cafes or a park (not overrun by the homeless).

Rosslyn is the place to be right now, lot of rich people and safe. We used to live in Rosslyn 4 years ago and so much has changed there...for the better. Tons of new restaurants, shops, grocery stores, housing, etc etc. The benefit of rosslyn is if you do a google search of washington dc metro...just find an image of the metro lines...its right on the orange/blue lines (left hand side of map.) Blue goes out to crystal city, pentagon, airport.

Lots of outdoor places to eat, cafes/restaurants. There are a lot of playgrounds. Easy proximity to Iwo Jima (its a monument..google it.) Down there is a lot of green space...also right next to the arlington cemetery. If you want to take your kids for a walk/stroller its a great place. We used to always walk around there...very peaceful, well maintained, very safe. Not to mention theres some neat stuff to see/nice views of the city from the higher points in the cemetery itself. Changing of the guard at tomb of the unknown never gets old...I think it happens ever half hour.

Also...from rossyln you can walk to roosevelt island...or head over the bridge and go into georgetown. Georgetown is georgetown...tons of shops/restaurants...but lots of people and narrow sidewalks.

As far as schools...I dont have kids so its hard for me to comment. The quality of people attending those schools has to be better than most. The housing around the rosslyn/courthouse/clarendon is so high it does a good job in filtering out "those" kinds of people you'd rather not have to deal with.

If you're looking for any kind of entertainment crystal city is not the place to be. There is a mall in pentagon city which is close...but the mall sucks. With your budget and staying home with the kids and wanting to find something to do...rosslyn would suit you well.

Homeless people...they are few and far between. They mostly hang out around the metro...which seems to be the case in most of the city.

[Nika]

Thanks Rennigate, I will look at Rosslyn more. Though from 5 minute search I just did, the types of buildings I'm attracted to do not appear to be any cheaper at all.

But if you think this is a more pleasant family neighborhood to walk out of the apartment, shopping, cafes, and just for walking around, it is something to consider. I assume it is an area where I can get by without a car?

Did not look into schools yet, from my experience in NYC, in the rapidly gentrified neighborhoods that became really trendy and expensive, schools remain bad for a very long time and are not gentrifying well at all.

[rennigade]

Yeah I also did a quick search...I saw arlington heights for example and a 2br 2bathroom was high $2's all the way up to $4's...so it seems I may be out of date with how much stuff costs there now.

No car needed...theres a safeway, trader joes and whole foods...also a target express thats across the street from safeway.

Really anywhere from rosslyn, courhouse metro or clarendon are hot spots at the moment. The only issue is at clarendon and courthouse your husband would have to switch metro lines when he gets to rosslyn. Not a huge deal but will add an additional 5-7 minutes onto commute.

[Butterscotch]

I went to college at Georgetown and live right outside the city now. IMPO DC doesn't compare to NYC in terms of convenience. I can't think of anywhere outside the city where you can live without a car. If you want good schools, parks, rich people, try McLean, but you will need a car there for sure.
You should come down and see the areas before committing to anything. Do those luxury places allow short terms leases?
Not a rich area, but historic, beautiful and walkable can be found in Old Town Alexandria, where I live now. But probably not the "luxury" you are looking for.
I hear they are filming a "Real Housewives of Potomac". Maybe that part of Maryland? Again, you would need a car in Potomac

[Nika]

I went to college at Georgetown and live right outside the city now. IMPO DC doesn't compare to NYC in terms of convenience. I can't think of anywhere outside the city where you can live without a car. If you want good schools, parks, rich people, try McLean, but you will need a car there for sure.
You should come down and see the areas before committing to anything. Do those luxury places allow short terms leases?
Not a rich area, but historic, beautiful and walkable can be found in Old Town Alexandria, where I live now. But probably not the "luxury" you are looking for.
I hear they are filming a "Real Housewives of Potomac". Maybe that part of Maryland? Again, you would need a car in Potomac

I really do not want to buy a second car for just 5-6 months. That sounds crazy to me. So I would rather not consider areas where I'd be stuck without a car. I really want easy commute for DH too. So either on the correct subway line very close, or walking distance. No transfers.

I am somewhat familiar with some of DC's neighborhoods -- I've stayed in Mclean (hate the area and the traffic is really bad), the center (like the Willard), Metrocenter, Keybridge(parking is an issue, and not very family like), Georgetown (OK, but I don't think it is as special as other people seem to think it is). Don't really know Crystal city or old town Alexandria. Old town Alexandria looks ok from pictures, but what is the vibe? What do you mean by "not as rich"? Access to quality groceries? good cafes/pastry places? safe/comfortable to walk around with an infant and toddler? Safe to walk around by myself after dark?

[FelicitaHarper]

Well I might consider moving, I don't see any harm in it!

[Like2Plan]

Congrats on your new baby!

Two things that would discourage me from moving.

1. The moves for your eldest in school. Kids are pretty adaptable and in the long run it will probably work out okay, but your child is going to have to learn the rules/systems twice plus relearn when he goes back in 6 months which is kind of a bummer for him.

2. The transportation system upon which you are relying may not be as reliable as you are used to in NYC.
Here is an article that goes into further detail:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/us/washington-metro-40-and-creaking-stares-at-a-midlife-crisis.html?_r=0

Honestly, I am feeling pretty salty about the Metro. I don't use it very often, but almost every time I do there are delays. It may be because I primarily use it during off peak times. But, I can't tell you what a bummer it is to come home from a long trip and wait and wait and wait for a train to take me home from the airport--delays due to single tracking due to work on the line. Last month, they shut all the lines down for 29 hours. Every line. This was due to a fire in one of the stations the day before. They found some cables in tunnels had frayed and caused arcing which caused the fire--so they shut the system down for emergency inspections and repairs. Meanwhile everyone had to find their own transportation to work. DS and I went to look at the cherry blossoms last month--we were delayed in both directions for different reasons. DH and I were going to take the Metro to the airport in Feb-- our line was shut down. The station manager didn't know how long it would take to resolve. Since we had a flight to catch, and we ended up driving.
The other thing I dislike about riding the Metro is the cars are so dirty and they don't smell so good. I was just in Seattle last week and I rode on their Sounder link from the new station in the U District to the airport. What a difference. I remember when our Washington DC Metro system was relatively new and it was a lot different. They need to spend money on the infrastructure. And, even if they do that that are talking about shutting down entire lines while they do repair. There could be a lot of pain in the future if you have to rely on this for your transportation.

[Like2Plan]

(I guess there are 3 things.) Just to add: I am agreeing with Snafu's point about: Will DC feel less sophisticated/enjoyable than NYC? I have lived in Northern VA for 30 years and I do enjoy living here, but it is by no means NYC. (I am still in awe of the fresh delicious gourmet doughnuts you get to enjoy every morning on your way to work ).
I assume that you would be coming here not because you expect the same as NYC, but you are looking for a change of pace and a chance to experience some of things that DC has to offer.