family friendly liberal neighborhood? (Washington: condo, homes, neighborhoods)

[gracek]

I'm looking for an affordable neighborhood in the NOVA area that is very liberal, family-friendly, diverse and walkable. Suggestions?

[JimGriffith]

1. What is "affordable," roughly speaking?
2. Diverse in what way?

[gracek]

Affordable = homes in the 400,000 or less range (2 bedrooms at least).

Diverse = racially, socio-economically, and in terms of sexual orientation, and disability friendly.

[PenguinSix]

Are schools an issue yet? Would you consider a 2br condo (might be a more interesting area if that is the case).

[JimGriffith]

I do not believe such a neighborhood exists in this area.

The one criterion being the hangup is "walkable."

Most neighborhoods with homes in the 300s are suburbs that tend to be relatively far out.

On the other hand, there are Washington neighborhoods that are more affordable and would be called "walkable" in the sense that they are dense and have sidewalks and transportation, but they aren't diverse and there ain't a hell of a lot to walk to.

I might recommend Annandale right around braddock road and little river turnpike.

[gracek]

This seems to be my problem. I fear I am looking for the impossible. Condo is not desirable and schools are an issue (we are considering leaving DC for NOVA because of schools). I have heard positive things about the Del Ray neighborhood but it can be pricey I think......

[JimGriffith]

Del Ray is great, but yeah 400k makes it tough. if you're the handy type you may be able to find a real fixer-upper that's livable while you work on it. but i think even on the lower end there the homes cost 500 and up.

[claremarie]

Under $400K isn't going to get you a SFH in a safe family neighborhood with good schools unless you are willing to go way outside the beltway, which will eliminate your walkability criterion (and perhaps also your disability-friendly one, if by that you mean easy access to shopping etc. by a non-driver with mobility issues).
Most walkable neighborhoods are either (relatively) expensive enclaves of young professionals, or sketchy communities "in transition."

[kevinm]

How can you have "family friendly" and "sexual orientation diversity" in the same neighborhood?? They are opposing lifestyles.

[Legs1357]

Originally Posted by kevinm

How can you have "family friendly" and "sexual orientation diversity" in the same neighborhood?? They are opposing lifestyles.

not particularly...
there are plenty of gay and lesbian couples with children.