Early 50's couple moving to DC looking for a neighborhood to fit into (apartment, rent)
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My husband and I are moving to DC. We have lived suburban Boston for 25 years and are ready to try city life but want a neighborhood that has enough people our age, not just college kids or young families. A mix of people is fine.
My husband will be working in Northern Virginia (Tysons). I will need to find work so being near a metro will be important unless we find a place with 2 parking spaces.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many of the "hot" neighborhoods in DC do tend to be dominated by 20-somethings. At the ripe old age of 43, many is the time I've been the oldest person in the bar/restaurant/club, etc. Some of the neighborhoods with a little more even demographic mix include Capitol Hill (esp. Eastern Market), Dupont Circle, and most of the neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park (Cleveland Park, Georgetown, Chevy Chase, Tenleytown). Not surprisingly these are some of the more expensive areas of DC also.
You might like Cleveland Park. It kind of has a small town feel, there is a mix of people but it is mostly families and the elderly. As jm67 said though, it's more expensive because these are big (relatively speaking) single-family homes in a safe, developed part of DC. There's a Metro station.
Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Forest Hills, Chevy Chase, Crestwood, Colonial Villiage, Shepherd Park, Takoma Park, and 16th Street Heights are all great DC neighborhoods with a healthy mix of older residents. They also have some great architecture. The commute will be an issue, but at least it will be a reverse commute. BTW Metrorail doesn't yet go to Tysons.
Are you looking to own a home or rent an apartment? That is key. A home in Bethesda or in the desirable parts of (northwest) D.C. is quite expensive. You must have a high household income or net worth to afford it.
We have the means to afford something very nice but no exclusive. We will be renting for a year to get a feel for the area first. Thanks you all for your comments.
Marlene, you may also want to post your query in the "Northern Virginia" forum, since your husband will work in Tysons Corner and there are Metrorail lines in Virginia which you could ride if you yourself get a job in D.C. proper. What is your budget? Bethesda is very expensive - but it does have a range of housing types. According to one study, Bethesda is also is the most highly-educated community of the entire USA. I want to warn you that the Potomac River bridges are major traffic bottlenecks.
Anyone know what the commute would be like (realistically!!) from Chevy Chase to Tysons?
Thanks
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