neighborhoods-please help! (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax: cliquey, low crime, transfer)

[mmmmmmmm]

My family lives in San Diego. We are looking to see if living in MD/NOVA would suit us. My husband will soon be submitting a resume in the D.C. area. Here's a bit about ourselves:
* want close metro access since husband will be working near the Navy Yard.
* want to live in a very low crime neighborhood with surrounding low crime neighborhood.
* want to live in either Montgomery County or Fairfax County.
* want to be around other unitarian-like, open-minded people who are not going to give a high religion flavor, nor look down if not as educated or rich as they are nor be cliquey/keep up the Jones kind of folks.
* want to be around people who value health, yoga...
* want a town that has stuff to offer for kids to do.

[normie]

Greenbelt, a town in Maryland, is on the green line--which also has a stop at the Navy Yard, even though it's a bit of a distance. I believe Greenbelt also fits your other needs--check with the MD forums to make sure.

If you want to be closer to the Navy Yard, Alexandria is another place to consider. It fits a lot of your description, however, your husband would have to transfer from the yellow line to the green line. Also, you didn't say how old the kids are. I'm not sure if Alexandria would be the best fit for young kids. Other people on this forum would know better than I would about that.

FYI, A lot of people have been moving here from California lately, and many of them have a hard time adjusting to the weather and also to being away from the ocean. The weather here is actually quite mild compared to the rest of the country... but not the same as in California. Be warned, August gets hot and we have mosquitoes. I'm from Redondo Beach, myself, and I love NOVA. But a lot of Californians really miss the west coast. Something to consider if you don't have to make the move out here.

[goodbird]

We love Arlington County - great neighborhoods (and each one is a little different), great schools, great park system, lots of metro stops (but you will have to change lines), lots to do (for kids and adults). Lots of yoga studios, very welcoming people... Some neighborhoods that may fit the bill are westover, madison manner... there are so many that may fit the bill. The only downside to Arlington that I know of is the cost of housing, but since you are moving from SD, you should be OK. Weather and asian mosquitos will be an adjustment...
Its funny, because I dream of moving to SD, but find it hard to think about leaving this neighborhood and these great schools...

[OrangeFish]

I suggest looking at Takoma Park, MD.

[neighborhoodfind]

Vienna, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, or Arlington. There are open minded non-religious people around (wanna get together? ), but you'll also find a fair number of religious traditionalists. Vienna has the w/od trail which attracts bikers/health conscious people. In general, people seem less healthy here than out west, which is unfortunate, but at the same time, you'll see lots of bikers runners and so forth so there is a mix of people and lifestyles.

This area is more diverse than any other area I've ever lived in, meaning there are lots of liberals AND lots of conservatives, people from all over the world, all different races, religions, lifestyles.