Loving it in the DC area! (rental, hotels, neighborhoods)

[mariesworld]

This may come as a shock or surprise to some of you out there.
My family and I absolutely love living in the DC area. We are located in a suburb of DC and are close to a Metro. Life is good, we no longer need to use our car as much and have everything in close proximity.
We found a rental in a great neighborhood with lots of kids our own child's age. For those of you nail biting about moving to DC...don't. Do your research, use your common sense and take the plunge. Find a good suburb and do it. We've lived all around the West and East. The people out here are busy, focused, intelligent folks. People are super-duper friendly and there are so many things to do all the time - the majority of it FREE.
Most importantly - I must stress - do your research, lots of it. Don't rely on one opinion; don't just rely on this website either.

[leighland]

Which 'burb are you in?

[spealex]

Really excited to hear the positive remarks, could you follow it up with the area you live in. My wife and I currently searching.

[mariesworld]

Hello, we're in Northern VA - Alexandria. Great Area! Good schools, - Fairfax County.

[Bluefly]

Doesn't have to be a suburb. Plenty of really nice neighborhoods in the city that fit that same description and quality of life.

[vanyali]

City schools = blech.

[ourmovingproject]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Doesn't have to be a suburb. Plenty of really nice neighborhoods in the city that fit that same description and quality of life.

My wife and I (no kids) are thinking about relocating from San Francisco and we'd like to move somewhere with a yard for a dog, but be close to the city via the Metro so we don't have to rely on a car all the time (we've really gotten used to public transport in SF). Any neighborhoods you'd recommend? (we'll intially rent).

Thanks in advance.

[CaseyMac]

To the folks moving from the Bay Area, just focus all of your energy on Arlington. You can't beat the close proximity to DC without having the ineffective city government politics that DC has. Metro, sidewalk cafes, working roads and an effective County Board make Arlington a great place to be!

[Johnny B. Fury]

I too am newer to DC and really like it here.

[mariesworld]

You can't beat the Old Town area of Alexandria - beautiful and it makes you feel like you're in a small town: Alexandria, Virginia: Hotels, Restaurants, Things to Do, Virginia Vacation Information
Love it, love it, love it!! Fun place to take the kids and dog out for a stroll. Very dog friendly, the shop owners tend to keep little bowls of water and treats for pups. It was amazing to me, normally you see fancy little boutiques afraid of letting kids or animals in or near them. This was the complete opposite. I am totally in love with this area...Metro close by...can't beat it!!