Washington vs New York (transplants, insurance, safe neighborhoods)

[crayonsmagiques]

Hi everybody,

I am originaly French, living in Florida, but thinking about moving somewhere else, with 4 seasons, more culture and many openings for the languages courses/creativity/communication workshops for both Europeans and Americans that I am currently creating.

We have a 2 year old little girl, and we are thinking about New York or Washington, we don't know yet. My husband and my job are "transportable", we can work from home, so moving is not an issue.

New York is highly acclaimed, has this extremely attracting reputation but life costs can be discouraging. I don't know anything about Washington, but I am very concerned about safety, that would be the most important point to consider, especially that my husband travels a lot, I am personaly looking for the little and pittoresc "village" touch that we truly like. Safety and schooling system are my priorities. I am open to all recommendations/suggestions/input.

Thank you to everyone and have a great day day

CM

[saganista]

New York and Washington are similar in many ways, but still quite different. NYC is perhaps dominated by the business/financial community, DC by the political/diplomatic community. NYC is clearly a bigger place. The pace of life is a little slower in DC. Culturally, NYC has an immigrant background. DC has plenty of people from all over the world, but their are still echoes of a Southern past here. With regard to the arts, entertainment, and recreation, both cities have tons. NYC probably has more, but DC's may be more easily accessible. The cost-of-living isn't much different between the two, though if there is an advantage, it's probably with DC. In the DC area, VA would be slightly cheaper than either MD or the District itself, mostly on account of lower tax and insurance rates.

Lots of people are looking for the same things you are looking for, therefore it will be on the expensive side. Some places to consider that would be very safe, have excellent schools, and be close to transit, shopping, and cultural amenities would include McLean, the City of Falls Church, and the Town of Vienna. These are all sort of next to each other in Fairfax County, VA. Be aware that the City of Falls Church has areas around it that are called Falls Church, but that are not within the City limits. This would make a significant difference as far as schools go. The City schools are first-rate. Those for Faux Falls Church are not to the same level, though the ones in McLean and Vienna are.

If you are looking to raise your daughter bilingually, you could always look to McLean and try to finagle your way into the Kent Gardens Elementary School. They have a French immersion program, wherein about half the courses are taught in French and the rest in English. [Note: If you create a thread in the Virginia/Northern Virginia subforum, it will be seen by <claremarie>, who is a long-time resident of that area and is familiar with the program.]

There are other such areas also...these are just some to consider...

[smakawhat]

saganista touched on a good chunk, I'd say DC also has a much European looking feel (traffic circles) as to how the city is layed out, with no big high rises compared to NYC of course. Don't know if that helps your decision.

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by saganista

New York and Washington are similar in many ways, but still quite different. NYC is perhaps dominated by the business/financial community, DC by the political/diplomatic community. NYC is clearly a bigger place. The pace of life is a little slower in DC. Culturally, NYC has an immigrant background. DC has plenty of people from all over the world, but their are still echoes of a Southern past here. With regard to the arts, entertainment, and recreation, both cities have tons. NYC probably has more, but DC's may be more easily accessible. The cost-of-living isn't much different between the two, though if there is an advantage, it's probably with DC. In the DC area, VA would be slightly cheaper than either MD or the District itself, mostly on account of lower tax and insurance rates.

Lots of people are looking for the same things you are looking for, therefore it will be on the expensive side. Some places to consider that would be very safe, have excellent schools, and be close to transit, shopping, and cultural amenities would include McLean, the City of Falls Church, and the Town of Vienna. These are all sort of next to each other in Fairfax County, VA. Be aware that the City of Falls Church has areas around it that are called Falls Church, but that are not within the City limits. This would make a significant difference as far as schools go. The City schools are first-rate. Those for Faux Falls Church are not to the same level, though the ones in McLean and Vienna are.

If you are looking to raise your daughter bilingually, you could always look to McLean and try to finagle your way into the Kent Gardens Elementary School. They have a French immersion program, wherein about half the courses are taught in French and the rest in English. [Note: If you create a thread in the Virginia/Northern Virginia subforum, it will be seen by <claremarie>, who is a long-time resident of that area and is familiar with the program.]

There are other such areas also...these are just some to consider...

Sir/Ma'am can you stop Advertising Northern Virginia as some Perfect Utopia for Transplants to move to when they come to the DC area as if Maryland doesn't Exist. Northern Virginia is no where near as cheaper than the Maryland Suburbs. Now the Traffic is much Heavier in Virginia than Maryland. Everything you stated about "Fairfax County" can very well be describe Montgomery County and Howard County in Maryland from Upscale Shopping, to Excellent Schools, High Paying Jobs, and Very Safe Neighborhoods. Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Rockville have some of the best Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Office-Retail-Residential Growth in the DC area........

[LIS123]

In general, isn't it more affordable to live on the MD side (except Bethesda, perhaps) than the VA side of DC??

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by LIS123

In general, isn't it more affordable to live on the MD side (except Bethesda, perhaps) than the VA side of DC??

Technically yes, but the Virginia locals(and alot of transplants to Northern Virginia from other parts of the South) don't want to accept the Fact that Maryland is generally cheaper to reside in than Virginia.............

[saganista]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

Sir/Ma'am can you stop Advertising Northern Virginia as some Perfect Utopia for Transplants to move to when they come to the DC area as if Maryland doesn't Exist. Northern Virginia is no where near as cheaper than the Maryland Suburbs. Now the Traffic is much Heavier in Virginia than Maryland. Everything you stated about "Fairfax County" can very well be describe Montgomery County and Howard County in Maryland from Upscale Shopping, to Excellent Schools, High Paying Jobs, and Very Safe Neighborhoods. Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Rockville have some of the best Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use Office-Retail-Residential Growth in the DC area........

The facts stand for themselves. Compare the total tax burden in MD, DC, and VA. MD is highest, and VA is lowest at virtually every income level. Compare auto insurance rates for identical vehicles registered in suburban VA and suburban MD. The difference is significant and it is in the favor of VA. It is also true that the Orange and Blue Lines from VA provide better no-change-of-trains commuting coverage into downtown DC than does the Red Line from MD. It is further true that in terms of square feet of retail space, Tysons Corner is equivalent to five (5) White Flint Malls.

Meanwhile, I did not mean to disparage either Montgomery or Howard County. The phrase There are other such areas also...these are just some to consider... was specifically meant to point out the some-of-many nature of the NoVa communities that were highlighted. Sorry if your MD hometown pride was bruised in that...

[saganista]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

Technically yes, but the Virginia locals(and alot of transplants to Northern Virginia from other parts of the South) don't want to accept the Fact that Maryland is generally cheaper to reside in than Virginia.............

Based on what? I think I forgot to mention that according to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of gas is 6-12 cents cheaper in VA than in MD. And if you are a smoker, don't even ask in which state cigarettes are $1.50 to $2.00 cheaper per pack...

[Zippy7fo]

I love VA Md regionalism......lmaoooooo. It doesn't matter reallly. Both are great states to live in...

[saganista]

I would certainly agree with the last statement. Wonderful places to live can be found throughout the DC Metro region, and a good number of them will be found in Maryland. This however does not alter any of the facts concerning the NoVa areas that were mentioned above, unsubstantiated wailings of the wounded notwithstanding...