Housing - next to work, or next to "life"?

[Nika]

Searching for an apartment in DC for our 6 month adventure. Traveling to look at places for the next few days.

We have an option to rent either within walking distance to DH's work, or in a prime neighborhood with plenty of cafes, good restaurants, excellent transportation options and other attractions.

In NYC we don't have those options (if we chose to do that, we would not be able to save a cent for retirement or college or own anything) But for a 6 month stretch, with extra money from assignment, we can do it and break even, even though we will be paying for apartments in 2 cities.

What would you choose as a temporary stay at home mom with a first grader and infant?

1. Have DH's commute be so good he can come home for lunch but be in not so family friendly area mostly full of office buildings. DH takes care of kids any time he is home, so this is a major benefit.

2. Have a 1/2hr+ commute for DH but be in a very walkable neighborhood with everything there and enjoyable place to come out every day. I could go for a daily walk with a stroller, sit in nice cafes, have many good restaurants easy to go to (walking out of the house and going a block or two any time baby is fed and fell asleep is much easier than loading a baby in a car and looking for parking in DC, which, due to zones is more of a PITA than NYC.)

[creditcardfree]

Honestly that is a tough one. I would lean to the area with more activity. I just know that in a new town without friends one appreciates the time with spouse, so that could definitely be an advantage particularly with the infant (they change so fast, so could be a blessing for your husband to have more time at that age).

[rennigade]

Werent you supposed to move to DC a year ago? I remember you starting another thread asking about places in the area.

I believe you said you do not work? If thats the case its up to your husband then. He will be the one that should make this decision.

[scfr]

It sounds like you have 2 very nice options. While it doesn't sound like an easy choice, it sounds like either one will be a"win" so congratulations.

You didn't mention schools for your 1st grader. Does one area have better than the other?

Is it possible that the "next to work" area has good recreational activities that you aren't yet aware of? For example, does it have a library or a Y with infant activities? Are there rooftop or other urban gardens or cafes? Could you find a place with a patio where you could create a little at-home garden/cafe?

How does your husband feel about the possibility of a commute? 1/2-hour isn't bad, and some people like having a little time to make a mental shift between home & work. And for some it's time to listen to audiobooks or the radio or read the paper or some other enjoyable activity.

Good luck either way.

[GoodSteward]

Werent you supposed to move to DC a year ago? I remember you starting another thread asking about places in the area.

I believe you said you do not work? If thats the case its up to your husband then. He will be the one that should make this decision.

I disagree. It should be a joint decision. My wife stays home with our kids, so I know the stress of having to stay locked up all day with nobody and nowhere to go dealing with kids constantly. That will cause marriage issues from a stressed out wife. I would know

Honestly that is a tough one. I would lean to the area with more activity. I just know that in a new town without friends one appreciates the time with spouse, so that could definitely be an advantage particularly with the infant (they change so fast, so could be a blessing for your husband to have more time at that age).

I was thinking the same thing. Tough call.

One way to look at it, all those cafes and stores will be more $$, so it will save $$ probably being closer to his work. lol

[Eagle]

If it were me, I'd try to live as close as possible to work. Coming home for lunches and having a 5-10 minute or less commute is invaluable to me.

[GoodSteward]

If it were me, I'd try to live as close as possible to work. Coming home for lunches and having a 5-10 minute or less commute is invaluable to me.

How far is the walk and how long is the lunch break?

I'm only about 12 min from work, but by the time I drive home and have to leave in time to drive back I only get around 30 minutes to get food and eat. It isn't as valuable of time with the family as you would think. Feels rushed the whole time. Just some food for thought.

[Jluke]

tough call...

I would also factor in his normal working hours. What time he goes to work and what time he gets home. Does he work more than 8 hrs a day?

Half hour+ added on to both ends of his day doesn't seem like much but could be the difference of getting home at 5:15pm vs 6pm, for example. And having to wake up a little bit earlier to start the commute and stress of traffic (?).

Disclaimer: my commute is almost 1.5 hrs each way; I've dealt with this for almost 17 years now.
Disclaimer2: there's already been a thread about this topic so no need to start a new one about commute times

[disneysteve]

It's a bit of tough call because it's a short-term situation.

That said, I'm familiar with D.C. and how awful driving and parking is there (and how good public transit is).

Based on that, I'd pick the "next to life" option and let him commute as long as he's okay with that. If we were in that situation, that's what I'd go for for sure. I'd love the convenience of being able to access everything on foot when I'm not at work and I know my wife would greatly prefer it since she's the one home all day.

[bigdaddybus]

I believe you said you do not work? If thats the case its up to your husband then. He will be the one that should make this decision.

LOL, wow welcome to 1950

[sv2007]

When renting, look for being close to work. You'll save a lot of commute time; and, since you are renting anyway, you can move when you change jobs or whatever. You aren't tied down to your house.

[james.hendrickson]

I used to live in DC - let me know which neighborhoods you are thinking about via PM and we can discuss.

The district is one of those wonderful places where you can both be close to work AND close to fun neighborhoods.

[Eagle]

How far is the walk and how long is the lunch break?

I'm only about 12 min from work, but by the time I drive home and have to leave in time to drive back I only get around 30 minutes to get food and eat. It isn't as valuable of time with the family as you would think. Feels rushed the whole time. Just some food for thought.

For clarification I don't go home every day. Once a week or every two weeks.

The time I save from living close is more time I spend with the wife and kids

[breathemusic]

I live in DC as well. If his work area is still convenient to a metro station or at least a bus that will get to metro, then opt to stay in an area with more interesting things to do. ESPECIALLY if you're a SAHM and have young kids. I'd try to go for a neighborhood near a park or something like that. If you really want to go for something that meets both needs, try to find a fun area for you that is also along the same metro line that he would need to take for work, so that he doesn't have to transfer lines, as that can make a big difference!

[Nika]

Update - We drove to DC for a 5 day trip with our 5 week old baby and went apartment hunting. Found great one by day 3. I'm excited.

A luxury new building in Pentagon City. Between 2 parks, few minute walk from the Pentagon Fashion Center mall, very close to subway, supermarket, fancy nitro coffee place, etc... 20 minute walk or 7 minute bike ride from DH's work.

The building is stunning and modern, and our high floor apartment has never been lived in. Nice spanning view, luxury finishes...
That area really got build up recently, with high end buildings popping up where there was nothing before.