Found our apartment (Arlington, Fairfax, Williamsburg: condo, middle school, organic)

[ajzjmsmom]

We found our temporary quarters for the next 6 months, we are going to be at the Courtland Towers about a block from the Courthouse metro stop on the orange line. We will leave here on the 10th and get to Arlington on the 14th.

It looks like the boys will be attending Key Elem, Williamsburg Middle School and Yorktown HS. I am going to call the Arlington Schools tomorrow to make sure. Interestingly enough Key elementary is a spanish immersion school. Not to sure how I feel about that since my little one is going into the 3rd grade and hasn't had any spanish taught.

We could have either stayed where we are or over in Pentagon City but this complex offers much more than any over there. The only drawback shopping was really close in Pentagon City but further away here. It does say there is a Whole Foods a couple of blocks away and then a Safeway a mile away. I have never been in a Whole Foods so I am not to familiar with them. I do think the Whole Foods chain is where the Next Food Network show buys their food.

[pcity]

Courtland Towers is a pretty nice complex overall.

Whole Foods is more than a "couple of blocks" from Courtland Towers, though, more like half a mile. It's a high-end grocery store with a lot of pricy organic stuff.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by pcity

Courtland Towers is a pretty nice complex overall.

Whole Foods is more than a "couple of blocks" from Courtland Towers, though, more like half a mile. It's a high-end grocery store with a lot of pricy organic stuff.

I kind of thought it was like that.

Luckily for us some friends of ours stayed there and had already told us the only drawback was that grocery stores were not really walking distance.

[mlv311]

Originally Posted by ajzjmsmom

It looks like the boys will be attending Key Elem, Williamsburg Middle School and Yorktown HS. I am going to call the Arlington Schools tomorrow to make sure. Interestingly enough Key elementary is a spanish immersion school. Not to sure how I feel about that since my little one is going into the 3rd grade and hasn't had any spanish taught.

I'm totally biased because I still own a condo in that area, but I think it's a great location. The schools, libraries and parks are excellent. Plus, you have your choice of shopping, including a great Farmer's Market a block away on Saturday mornings.

As far as the school, it is my understanding that English-speaking children are not admitted to Key Elementary after K unless they have been in another Spanish immersion program or have lived in a Spanish-speaking country. If this is true, then you might have a choice as to where to send your child.

[CaseyMac]

I'm not sure if you'll have a car, but if so, Giant at Lyon Village on Lee Hwy is 5 minutes away. If you go to Lyon Village, be sure to get subs and pizza from the Italian Store...

If you are familiar (and in love with) Trader Joes, it's a 15 minute drive away in Baileys Crossroads.

Whole Foods is nice, but can be very, very pricey! Maybe you should do a sample trip to WF and Giant and compare the prices. If there is only a $10-15 difference in your weekly bill, maybe it's worth it to go to WF for the convenience.

I don't know much about Key besides the fact that those who have kids there love it. Arlington is simply great and I'm sure you'll like it here. Be sure to take advantage of the Smithsonian museums--you pay for them every April 15th!

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by ajzjmsmom

We found our temporary quarters for the next 6 months, we are going to be at the Courtland Towers about a block from the Courthouse metro stop on the orange line. We will leave here on the 10th and get to Arlington on the 14th.

It looks like the boys will be attending Key Elem, Williamsburg Middle School and Yorktown HS. I am going to call the Arlington Schools tomorrow to make sure. Interestingly enough Key elementary is a spanish immersion school. Not to sure how I feel about that since my little one is going into the 3rd grade and hasn't had any spanish taught.

We could have either stayed where we are or over in Pentagon City but this complex offers much more than any over there. The only drawback shopping was really close in Pentagon City but further away here. It does say there is a Whole Foods a couple of blocks away and then a Safeway a mile away. I have never been in a Whole Foods so I am not to familiar with them. I do think the Whole Foods chain is where the Next Food Network show buys their food.

Whole Foods, Fairfax, near Fair Lakes, is where Emeril films his new show. He did the first season there last summer and is back now recording the second season. I see him there all the time. He's a hoot, and customers get to be in the show and get to sample whatever he's cooking. The show is on the Green Network so there are many references around the store to "Emeril Green". Get it?

I LOVE Whole Foods, it is THE BEST grocery store in NOVA. It's the only thing I really miss, after moving to Western Loudoun. You are SOOOO lucky to be living that close to a Whole Foods!

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by CaseyMac

I'm not sure if you'll have a car, but if so, Giant at Lyon Village on Lee Hwy is 5 minutes away. If you go to Lyon Village, be sure to get subs and pizza from the Italian Store...

If you are familiar (and in love with) Trader Joes, it's a 15 minute drive away in Baileys Crossroads.

Whole Foods is nice, but can be very, very pricey! Maybe you should do a sample trip to WF and Giant and compare the prices. If there is only a $10-15 difference in your weekly bill, maybe it's worth it to go to WF for the convenience.

I don't know much about Key besides the fact that those who have kids there love it. Arlington is simply great and I'm sure you'll like it here. Be sure to take advantage of the Smithsonian museums--you pay for them every April 15th!

Oh yes, the Italian store has great pizza and subs!

She is definitely moving to a great location.

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by mlv311

I'm totally biased because I still own a condo in that area, but I think it's a great location. The schools, libraries and parks are excellent. Plus, you have your choice of shopping, including a great Farmer's Market a block away on Saturday mornings.

As far as the school, it is my understanding that English-speaking children are not admitted to Key Elementary after K unless they have been in another Spanish immersion program or have lived in a Spanish-speaking country. If this is true, then you might have a choice as to where to send your child.

I am not familiar with Arlington schools but have met many parents who literally camped over night to get their children in Arlington Traditional school. If you can't go to your local school, and they give you a choice, I'd recommend Arlington traditional school.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by Denton56

I am not familiar with Arlington schools but have met many parents who literally camped over night to get their children in Arlington Traditional school. If you can't go to your local school, and they give you a choice, I'd recommend Arlington traditional school.

I think from looking at the Arlington school website it looks as though that was one of our choices.

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by ajzjmsmom

I think from looking at the Arlington school website it looks as though that was one of our choices.

Lucky you! People go crazy trying to get their kids into that school. I've known two families who moved to FC because they failed at getting their kids into Arlington Traditional school. They would have remained in Arlington if their children could have attended that school. You lucked out!