The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (1 Viewer)

[Don Quixote]

Countdown to 3 weeks till I take the family to DC for a week. Staying two blocks from White House, so should be walking distance or metro to most places. Not getting a car.

Any recommendations on dinner spots? My boys are 11-8-6.

DC has some good pizza options. Nittany recently mentioned Pizzeria Paradiso (Dupont Circle and Georgetown). 14th Street has Etto and Ghibellina, which I've heard are good but haven't been myself. I've enjoyed Seventh Hill Pizza in Eastern Market/Capitol Hill area and there's also Pete's Apizza in Columbia Heights, neither are walking distance from your hotel but are Metro accessible.

I'm sure the boys would like Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. Wouldn't be a horrible walk depending on where your hotel is, but also Metro accessible.

Good Stuff Eatery for burgers and shakes? That's Georgetown and Eastern Market. I don't think it's anything great or worth going out of your way for, but boys will definitely like it assuming they like burgers and shakes. And if you go to the Georgetown one (or Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown), you can waste your time in a line for Georgetown Cupcake. Not sure what's considered the best local burger place these days.

The heaviest concentration of restaurants is probably on 7th Street near the Gallery Place Metro Station and Georgetown if you just want to walk around and see what you stumble upon. Google Maps is my friend for finding places to eat in other cities.

Georgetown isn't Metro Accessible. Not a terrible walk from Rosslyn to the west end of Georgetown or from Foggy Bottom to the east end. Or there's a DC Circulator route that will go from near your hotel to Georgetown. If you're comfortable with figuring out bus routes, it's easy enough.

I'm just assuming you're looking for options on the cheaper side. If not, there's a ton more out there. Figured I'd just throw some ideas out there, bump the thread, and maybe others would have some suggestions too.

I was going to suggest Gallery Place as a neighborhood with a few options that is likely somewhat close to where they are staying (depending on which side of the White House they are on). Hill Country BBQ, Shake Shack, and Matchbox pizza all in that neighborhood and would probably work well with three kids.

 

[nittanylion]

I'll be back when I have time to talk about Pizzeria/Birreria Paradiso (which is far from new), as well as Chez Billy Sud and the upcoming "the Sovreign" featuring Chef Peter Smith.

Are there two of these? I ate at one near DuPont Circle and it was very good.

Thanks to Tobias for the recommendation.

Yes, the other one is in Georgetown, and it's the one with the Birreria...

The one in Dupont Circle is right next door to what I consider to, at times, be the best restaurant in DC, easily in the Top 5 or 10, and has been for the past 20 years it's existed: Peter Pastan (same Chef who owns 2Amy's and Etto): OBELISK

http://www.obeliskdc.com/

I'll be back when I have time to talk about Pizzeria/Birreria Paradiso (which is far from new), as well as Chez Billy Sud and the upcoming "the Sovreign" featuring Chef Peter Smith.

Are there two of these? I ate at one near DuPont Circle and it was very good.

Thanks to Tobias for the recommendation.

Yes, the other one is in Georgetown, and it's the one with the Birreria...

The one in Dupont Circle is right next door to what I consider to, at times, be the best restaurant in DC, easily in the Top 5 or 10, and has been for the past 20 years it's existed: Peter Pastan (same Chef who owns 2Amy's and Etto): OBELISK

http://www.obeliskdc.com/

Question for Nittanylion. What do you think of Chef Tony's in Bethesda? Had dinner there Saturday night. My 10yr old wanted to see the open kitchen so we walked up to watch. Chef Tony spent about 10 minutes talking to us about his restaurant, parking in Bethesda, food, entrepreneurship and what to get for desert as he cooked. Seems like a nice guy and the food was good. Wouldn't say it was great but we liked the grilled Cesar salad, the cod and the sole.

I need to organize my thoughts before I respond in regards to Chef Tony. I don't want to be an ###.

went to Black Hog BBQ in Frederick MD. Everything I got was delicious! Had pulled pork & brisket with mac & cheese beans coleslaw

I think Black Hog is pretty decent. If you're going to drive out to rural MD looking for excellent 'cue, I'd suggest a road trip to Lanham, in PG County.

There you will find KBQ. I think DCity Smokehouse in the city is the best BBQ in the greater metro area, but KBQ gives them a run for their money.

http://www.kbqbbq.com/

 

[Lowen1]

I'll be back when I have time to talk about Pizzeria/Birreria Paradiso (which is far from new), as well as Chez Billy Sud and the upcoming "the Sovreign" featuring Chef Peter Smith.

Are there two of these? I ate at one near DuPont Circle and it was very good.

Thanks to Tobias for the recommendation.

Yes, the other one is in Georgetown, and it's the one with the Birreria...

The one in Dupont Circle is right next door to what I consider to, at times, be the best restaurant in DC, easily in the Top 5 or 10, and has been for the past 20 years it's existed: Peter Pastan (same Chef who owns 2Amy's and Etto): OBELISK

http://www.obeliskdc.com/

I'll be back when I have time to talk about Pizzeria/Birreria Paradiso (which is far from new), as well as Chez Billy Sud and the upcoming "the Sovreign" featuring Chef Peter Smith.

Are there two of these? I ate at one near DuPont Circle and it was very good.

Thanks to Tobias for the recommendation.

Yes, the other one is in Georgetown, and it's the one with the Birreria...

The one in Dupont Circle is right next door to what I consider to, at times, be the best restaurant in DC, easily in the Top 5 or 10, and has been for the past 20 years it's existed: Peter Pastan (same Chef who owns 2Amy's and Etto): OBELISK

http://www.obeliskdc.com/

Question for Nittanylion. What do you think of Chef Tony's in Bethesda? Had dinner there Saturday night. My 10yr old wanted to see the open kitchen so we walked up to watch. Chef Tony spent about 10 minutes talking to us about his restaurant, parking in Bethesda, food, entrepreneurship and what to get for desert as he cooked. Seems like a nice guy and the food was good. Wouldn't say it was great but we liked the grilled Cesar salad, the cod and the sole.

I need to organize my thoughts before I respond in regards to Chef Tony. I don't want to be an ###.

went to Black Hog BBQ in Frederick MD. Everything I got was delicious! Had pulled pork & brisket with mac & cheese beans coleslaw

I think Black Hog is pretty decent. If you're going to drive out to rural MD looking for excellent 'cue, I'd suggest a road trip to Lanham, in PG County.

There you will find KBQ. I think DCity Smokehouse in the city is the best BBQ in the greater metro area, but KBQ gives them a run for their money.

http://www.kbqbbq.com/

Be an ### if you want. You obviously know these guys and their cooking. I'm just a guy that eats out occassionally and would rather have chef cooked food than a chain. I appreciate your comments on other local restaurants and if you can steer me to better places, I'm happy. Thanks.

 

[BowieMercs]

Lanham is rural? Or is that an "instead of going rural go to Lanham".

If Lanham is rural then Bowie is 3rd world

 

[nittanylion]

Chef Tony's: Part 1

Chef Tony Marciante is a nice and decent guy. He makes an effort, which goes a long way in my book. Also, he means well, he's gracious and grateful for his guest's business, and genuinely wants them to enjoy themselves. That's a big deal, too.

I'm not a big fan of the idea of people having a 'brand', and who emphasize 'promoting their brand'. See Robert Griffin, III. I just don't get that. Plus, I think you kind of have to be superlative to legitimately have 'a brand'. I wouldn't say Tony's is. That said, I don't think Tony M. is necessarily engaged in shameless self-promotion....but by his own definition he does have a 'brand' and he promotes it, a little too much, again, like he's trying too hard to be recognized...

...he just reminds me of the guy that's maybe going a little too over-the-top to prove that he's relevant in comparison to some of the bigger fish in the pond.

I think he's trying to do too much, and if he'd just calm down and downsize...maybe try to focus on doing fewer things better, instead of trying to be everything to everybody, maybe then he'd get the credit and recognition that I think it appears to many sophisticated diners and his peers, that he craves, maybe a little too much?

Hmm...not sure I'm expressing myself as well as I want.

Let's take a look at his website:

http://www.cheftonysbethesda.com/... I mean, there's just so much going on ... too much.

Take a look at the menus...there's a lot going on there, too. Too much.

He wrote a cookbook. I guess anyone can write a book...and there sure are a lot of books out there, including many that were needlessly written, or written with the primary purpose being profit from book sales, and I'm not saying this one is either of those things, but then again, I'm not saying it couldn't be both...if you've read a lot of books by Chefs and Epicureans and Culinarians, who are considered by their peers to be among the best in the business, and you've met many of them, and then you met Tony, well, you might come away with...'he wrote a book? I wonder why?' Not for what purpose, but more in the sense of 'did that guy really need to write a book?'

...and here's the final weird thing: it might just be that if he were to get the scrutiny and attention that I think he consciously or subconsciously desires, I'm not all that sure it would be to his benefit, because, in the end, for all his ambition, what he's doing isn't anything all that special. Mediocre to good, but not excellent. The kind of place that, when you leave, you aren't necessarily disappointed, or sorry that's where you spent your dining dollars, but not a place you're eager to return to, or find a place for in a crowded rotation...and for the same price points, you CAN find better cooking. It's just not a place you'd go out of your way for, or plan a night around.

Two better Bethesda restaurants in the stratosphere Chef Tony's would like to aspire to:

Grapeseed: http://www.grapeseedbistro.com/

Black's Bar and Kitchen: http://www.blacksbarandkitchen.com/

they are both a little more sophisticated and a little pricier, but you'd walk out of either one of them feeling like your dollars were better spent, I think. I don't think Chef Tony's holds a candle to either.

I hope I'm expressing myself in an understandable way. Maybe there will be a Part 2, maybe not.

 

[njherdfan]

One of my FB friends just posted a picture of workers tearing up the DC Streetcar station in front of the Giant and 3rd and H, so it appears that everything is going swimmingly on that end!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Nittany...

Can you compare Grapeseed, Tallulah (Arlington) and Sonoma (Cap Hill)? I've been to all three multiple times, and haven't had a bad experience at any of them, but I'm curious what your take is on the three relative to each other.

Also, do you remember a restaurant called Ruperts? Somewhere near 5th and E NW? Had the best meal of my life there (1998?), but looked it up a few years ago and it was gone.

 

[nittanylion]

Nittany...

Can you compare Grapeseed, Tallulah (Arlington) and Sonoma (Cap Hill)? I've been to all three multiple times, and haven't had a bad experience at any of them, but I'm curious what your take is on the three relative to each other.

Also, do you remember a restaurant called Ruperts? Somewhere near 5th and E NW? Had the best meal of my life there (1998?), but looked it up a few years ago and it was gone.

Ruppert's. 1017 7th St. NW.

Wow, just wow...where did you pull that from???!!! I worked my Culinary School externship there for 1 calendar year, 1999!!! I may have had a hand in cooking that meal!

That was THE greatest and most impactful cooking experience of my entire career. Changed my perspective on everything food and wine related, and made me the Chef I am today. I could write for hours, and hours about Rupperts.

Wow. Just wow.

 

[(HULK)]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I think I got engaged in 1998 at Rupperts. Need to check with my wife if that was the name of the restaurant.

 

[VA703]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

don't think so but its good with wings

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I think I got engaged in 1998 at Rupperts. Need to check with my wife if that was the name of the restaurant.

Confirmed. Sounds like that was a little before nittanylion got there though.

 

[(HULK)]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

don't think so but its good with wings

It was mentioned on the Junkies this morning, caller said it was a DC thing.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

don't think so but its good with wings

It was mentioned on the Junkies this morning, caller said it was a DC thing.

Definitely a DC thing

 

[VA703]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

don't think so but its good with wings

It was mentioned on the Junkies this morning, caller said it was a DC thing.

Definitely a DC thing

had no idea

it sort of taste like the Polynesian sauce at chik fila

 

[Swing 51]

Tallulah (Arlington)

You may know this but Tallulah and Eat Bar closed last October. Supposedly a BBQ joint is moving (has moved?) in to the space.

 

[tom22406]

D.C. sports radio has been the WORST these last few days with the Skins and RGIII drama.Someone please make it stop!

Only ones I have been able to tolerate so far have been Cooley and Czabe because they actually use logical theories in what they say but the rest(I'm looking at you Junkies and Chad Dukes in particular)have been horrendous.

 

[Swing 51]

Dooks should stick to talk about wrasslin'.

 

[njherdfan]

Mambo sauce is a DC thing?

don't think so but its good with wings

It was mentioned on the Junkies this morning, caller said it was a DC thing.

Definitely a DC thing

Yep, but I learned that you shouldn't use the term at Ooohs and Aaah, the restaurant near U Street. Apparently they view it as an offensive term because they think the recipe was stolen from what was originally their proprietary recipe. I asked for mumbo sauce the first time I was there and the woman looked at me like I'd asked to murder her children.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Tallulah (Arlington)

You may know this but Tallulah and Eat Bar closed last October. Supposedly a BBQ joint is moving (has moved?) in to the space.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

D.C. sports radio has been the WORST these last few days with the Skins and RGIII drama.Someone please make it stop!

Only ones I have been able to tolerate so far have been Cooley and Czabe because they actually use logical theories in what they say but the rest(I'm looking at you Junkies and Chad Dukes in particular)have been horrendous.

Apparently Theisman was on with a faked-moon-landing level conspiracy theory?

 

[Sweet J]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

[Mr. T voice]: I PITY THE FOOL THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER DEL RAY!

 

[Sweet J]

D.C. sports radio has been the WORST these last few days with the Skins and RGIII drama.Someone please make it stop!

Only ones I have been able to tolerate so far have been Cooley and Czabe because they actually use logical theories in what they say but the rest(I'm looking at you Junkies and Chad Dukes in particular)have been horrendous.

Apparently Theisman was on with a faked-moon-landing level conspiracy theory?

Charles Pierce had an article about how Gruden was purposely trying to get RGIII concussed by playing him in the Lions preseason game. WTF was that about? Is that a thing? Really?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

[Mr. T voice]: I PITY THE FOOL THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER DEL RAY!

We're considering a couple different options. But we need four bedrooms and I'm tired of being house poor.

 

[tom22406]

D.C. sports radio has been the WORST these last few days with the Skins and RGIII drama.Someone please make it stop!

Only ones I have been able to tolerate so far have been Cooley and Czabe because they actually use logical theories in what they say but the rest(I'm looking at you Junkies and Chad Dukes in particular)have been horrendous.

Apparently Theisman was on with a faked-moon-landing level conspiracy theory?

I must have missed that.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'm tired of being house poor.

Del Ray

 

[nittanylion]

Tobias,

This is a pretty good interactive site that you can dig around on and find a whole bunch of stuff.

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/districtrank.aspx

 

[nittanylion]

Tallulah (Arlington)

You may know this but Tallulah and Eat Bar closed last October. Supposedly a BBQ joint is moving (has moved?) in to the space.

Yeah, it sucks they closed. I forget the story. Probably had something to do with landlord/lease negotiations. Always seems to be the case these days, as with property values rising, community seems to be less of a concern than who can pay rising market rents.

My buddy Nate was the Chef there prior to the one who was running things when they closed, circa 2013 ish...he's very talented and we ate well there.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Tobias,

This is a pretty good interactive site that you can dig around on and find a whole bunch of stuff.

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/districtrank.aspx

Thanks, I've poked around here and at greatschools.org a bit. They help some but what I'm really looking for is someone who can give me some detail about the county and its schools rather than just stats/ratings. We're not moving for a while so I'm mostly just trying to figure out if there's areas we should target/avoid in our preliminary search or even if we should drop the idea entirely.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm tired of being house poor.

Del Ray

Yeah, as much as I love the Del Ray area, it is not the answer for that. In Virginia, best bet for a lot of living space at an affordable price is probably out to Oakton.

 

[(HULK)]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

[Mr. T voice]: I PITY THE FOOL THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER DEL RAY!

We're considering a couple different options. But we need four bedrooms and I'm tired of being house poor.

Tough to find a good school district while not being house poor.

What is your price range? How old are the kids?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

[Mr. T voice]: I PITY THE FOOL THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER DEL RAY!

We're considering a couple different options. But we need four bedrooms and I'm tired of being house poor.

Tough to find a good school district while not being house poor.

What is your price range? How old are the kids?

We can afford up to $800K but would prefer under $700K so we can walk away with a profit after selling our rowhouse and buying elsewhere. The goal is to finally have some cash to spend on something other than our kids and my crippling addiction to the local sports teams.

Kids are all young, oldest is still two years from starting kindergarten I believe.

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

But I'm particularly focused on finding out more about the Anne Arundel schools, because that kind of money actually buys a really nice place out there. Also it turns out a couple MTA buses goes directly from park and rides out there to the front steps of my office, making the commute less of a hassle than it would be for most, so it's quickly moving from a distant possibility becoming a viable option. But if the schools are all iffy (the high schools in particular) there's no reason to keep wasting our time on it.

 

[BowieMercs]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

When I lived in MD, school budgets account for the largest portion of property taxes there. I remember a while back AA county schools ditched their Talented and Gifted programs to save money In reality that's mostly a perception issue, since most public school TAG programs are political footballs. Statistically there should be about as many "gifted" kids as there are "special needs" kids in a given population . Taxpayers scream when told that while little johnny is very clever, he's not "gifted".

Check out Howard County aka HoCo or "HardCanny" in balmerese.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

When I lived in MD, school budgets account for the largest portion of property taxes there. I remember a while back AA county schools ditched their Talented and Gifted programs to save money In reality that's mostly a perception issue, since most public school TAG programs are political footballs. Statistically there should be about as many "gifted" kids as there are "special needs" kids in a given population . Taxpayers scream when told that while little johnny is very clever, he's not "gifted".

Check out Howard County aka HoCo or "HardCanny" in balmerese.

Schools rate pretty well in HoCo but I don't think there are any reasonable commute options for me to my office, which is near the Cap South metro. I'd either have to drive to Laurel or Glenmont metro station, ride in and transfer or I'd have to take a MARC train to Union Station and then change to a bus or walk 15-20 minutes each way.

OTOH proximity to JZilla is obviously a major selling point.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

JZilla AND scorchy. Some fine gentlemen up that way.

 

[Don Quixote]

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

Fairfax County has pretty good schools from what I've heard. There's a few towns out there that might be worth checking out. Burke is another option. I think you were lookable for a walkable-type town when you asked a few months ago. They are not that.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

Fairfax County has pretty good schools from what I've heard. There's a few towns out there that might be worth checking out. Burke is another option. I think you were lookable for a walkable-type town when you asked a few months ago. They are not that.

Yup, you remember correctly. That's kind of why we've shied away from 66. But the commute is great, and something's gotta give.

 

[BowieMercs]

I took the VRE http://www.vre.org/ for years into DC. 50 minutes door to door on the way in. Never worried about parking or traffic.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

Fairfax County has pretty good schools from what I've heard. There's a few towns out there that might be worth checking out. Burke is another option. I think you were lookable for a walkable-type town when you asked a few months ago. They are not that.

Yup, you remember correctly. That's kind of why we've shied away from 66. But the commute is great, and something's gotta give.

Out here in the Eastern Part of Loudoun County things are nice too. We live in the town of Leesburg, and we love it. Schools are good, have one in 3rd, 6th and 7th grades.

There are buses that go from Leesburg to downtown DC. In the next several years, there will be Metro also (Ashburn). Lotsa FFA guys out here too.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

I kind of dropped the ball on the school thing, Tobias - sorry. I did put out feelers, but all of my friends in the area are far removed from having kids still in school. Some have grandkids attending, but couldn't tell me any more than "the schools are still good, I think". I meant to do some more digging and it kind of got away from me.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

When I lived in MD, school budgets account for the largest portion of property taxes there. I remember a while back AA county schools ditched their Talented and Gifted programs to save money In reality that's mostly a perception issue, since most public school TAG programs are political footballs. Statistically there should be about as many "gifted" kids as there are "special needs" kids in a given population . Taxpayers scream when told that while little johnny is very clever, he's not "gifted".

Check out Howard County aka HoCo or "HardCanny" in balmerese.

Schools rate pretty well in HoCo but I don't think there are any reasonable commute options for me to my office, which is near the Cap South metro. I'd either have to drive to Laurel or Glenmont metro station, ride in and transfer or I'd have to take a MARC train to Union Station and then change to a bus or walk 15-20 minutes each way.

OTOH proximity to JZilla is obviously a major selling point.

I used to live in Clarksville and River Hill HS was one of the very best in the state. It's expensive as hell to live there, though, compared to other areas in that region.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

I kind of dropped the ball on the school thing, Tobias - sorry. I did put out feelers, but all of my friends in the area are far removed from having kids still in school. Some have grandkids attending, but couldn't tell me any more than "the schools are still good, I think". I meant to do some more digging and it kind of got away from me.

Don't worry about it- you were incredibly helpful and I plan to return to you for further advice if we ever narrow things down. No reason to waste more of your time on the school stuff, I'm sure I can find someone who has school-aged kids out there.

 

[nittanylion]

Tobias, I'm not trying to start an offshoot discussion and I'm asking this with complete sincerity: how important is the political climate where you move? From most of your FFA political postings, we're fairly different cats when it comes to politics, although I'm not nearly as socially conservative as I am fiscally. I'm asking because political climate is something that's become very important to me over the years. That may be because I've lived in Montgomery County for 47 years, and over the last 2 decades it's shifted so far to the ETA: left that it's become downright uncomfortable for me to live here. I'm locked in right now for 2 reasons: My Dad set up his estate so that as long as my Mom doesn't absolutely NEED to be in an assisted living facility due to medical reasons, and I can take care of her, I'm acting as her primary caregiver. (which is why I'm not actively running a restaurant kitchen full-time, or owning my own place at this time). She's 87, and still living a decent and relatively active life, I love her with all my heart and absolutely hope she lives another 87, but she's happily in place and not moving anywhere; and secondarily, because my stepson just started middle school, and I'd like to keep him in MCPS until he graduates HS, which is 7 years hence...but if I could...I'd be out of here yesterday...

...I think you'd absolutely love it here, though, and I don't mean that as an insult in any way; it's just the way it is. You can buy very well in MoCo without breaking the bank. Better than you might think.

I live in the 20853 Zip Code. We live in a community where large single family homes are selling from anywhere from around 600K to over a million, but there's plenty to like in the 700-800K range. It's somewhat shocking on the site I sent you that MCPS are ranked 11th in the state, but that's largely due to the several pocket communities in the southern region that border Takoma Park, DC and PG, as well as the greater Gaithersburg/Germantown region that have seen a massive influx of Illegal Immigrants that the santuary policies and development and construction companies covet for the cheap labor in the past decade or so. In the wealthy areas, they are some of the best schools in the state, if not the nation.

http://www.homesnap.com/homes_for_sale/DC_Metro/Aspen_Hill,MD/20853/7705#p_2/zl_12/c_39.10737621502027,-77.09967/s_cpr-

Do a search for a community in MoCo called Flower Valley. I think you might find exactly what you're looking for, or close to it, there. Again, if it weren't for what I find to be an increasingly oppressive political climate, I might never leave.

 

[BowieMercs]

I work in Bethesda. There are about 8 houses on realtor.com in 20814 he can afford.

 

[dgreen]

Are you ok with an older home? I would think Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington areas would offer what you want in MD.

In VA, Falls Church might, but the number of single family homes under $750k is dwindling and they are all older. Similarly, Vienna has some older single family homes under $700k. I know many of those are being torn down, though, and people are building mansions on the lots. So you could quickly find yourself in an old rambler surrounded by mansions. Both Falls Church and Vienna have decent "downtown" strips (FC better than Vienna) if you can find a house close enough and both would have good access to the WOD trail.

Fairfax City has a nice, walkable (small) downtown and good schools and plenty of homes under your budget. But, the commute will take a hit. There are a lot bus routes along Braddock Road outside the beltway that go to the Pentagon where you can catch Metro. Definitely good schools out that way and cheaper housing, but no good walkable downtown. There are shopping centers, of course, that you could walk to but the areas are designed for walking. Also two VRE stations nearby in the Burke area. Inside the beltway, Annandale could be an option, but again you're sacrificing the walkable living.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Tobias, I'm not trying to start an offshoot discussion and I'm asking this with complete sincerity: how important is the political climate where you move? From most of your FFA political postings, we're fairly different cats when it comes to politics, although I'm not nearly as socially conservative as I am fiscally. I'm asking because political climate is something that's become very important to me over the years. That may be because I've lived in Montgomery County for 47 years, and over the last 2 decades it's shifted so far to the right that it's become downright uncomfortable for me to live here. I'm locked in right now for 2 reasons: My Dad set up his estate so that as long as my Mom doesn't absolutely NEED to be in an assisted living facility due to medical reasons, and I can take care of her, I'm acting as her primary caregiver. (which is why I'm not actively running a restaurant kitchen full-time, or owning my own place at this time). She's 87, and still living a decent and relatively active life, I love her with all my heart and absolutely hope she lives another 87, but she's happily in place and not moving anywhere; and secondarily, because my stepson just started middle school, and I'd like to keep him in MCPS until he graduates HS, which is 7 years hence...but if I could...I'd be out of here yesterday...

...I think you'd absolutely love it here, though, and I don't mean that as an insult in any way; it's just the way it is. You can buy very well in MoCo without breaking the bank. Better than you might think.

I live in the 20853 Zip Code. We live in a community where large single family homes are selling from anywhere from around 600K to over a million, but there's plenty to like in the 700-800K range. It's somewhat shocking on the site I sent you that MCPS are ranked 11th in the state, but that's largely due to the several pocket communities in the southern region that border Takoma Park, DC and PG, as well as the greater Gaithersburg/Germantown region that have seen a massive influx of Illegal Immigrants that the santuary policies and development and construction companies covet for the cheap labor in the past decade or so. In the wealthy areas, they are some of the best schools in the state, if not the nation.

http://www.homesnap.com/homes_for_sale/DC_Metro/Aspen_Hill,MD/20853/7705#p_2/zl_12/c_39.10737621502027,-77.09967/s_cpr-

Do a search for a community in MoCo called Flower Valley. I think you might find exactly what you're looking for, or close to it, there. Again, if it weren't for what I find to be an increasingly oppressive political climate, I might never leave.

Don't really care about politics of my community. I mostly avoid those discussions IRL. Honestly I'd be more concerned about living amongst a bunch of Orioles and Ravens fans than about living amongst a bunch of conservatives. I just get into that stuff around here because my job requires me to avoid arguments and partisanship so I gotta vent somewhere

Montgomery County is definitely in the mix for us. I grew up out there myself and went to the public schools and my folks are still there. The two problems are (1) price of course, and (2) the commute still kinda sucks despite the proximity because I'd have to ride through all of NW and change trains to get here. I figure if it's still gonna take me 45-50 minutes door to door I might as well live somewhere where I can afford more house for less money ... if I can find good schools as well.

Anyway I'll check out Flower Valley, maybe add it to our MoCo list along with Garrett Park and Kensington. Thanks!

 

[(HULK)]

Anyone here familiar with Anne Arundel County schools, or know someone who might be willing to impart some knowledge? The wife and I are looking at possibly moving out that way but we don't know anything about which school districts to target and avoid. We started out looking further south in/around Deale but after some great help from Uruk-Hai with general info on the area and some other preliminary research we're now looking further north. Unfortunately (for me, not him) Uruk-Hai is childless so I'm still trying to find someone who can tell us a little more about the schools. I've got three kids the oldest of whom will be ready for elementary school soon after we move so obviously this is a priority, although we're more concerned with locating in a high school district than with particular elementary schools.

[Mr. T voice]: I PITY THE FOOL THAT DOESN'T CONSIDER DEL RAY!

We're considering a couple different options. But we need four bedrooms and I'm tired of being house poor.

Tough to find a good school district while not being house poor.

What is your price range? How old are the kids?

We can afford up to $800K but would prefer under $700K so we can walk away with a profit after selling our rowhouse and buying elsewhere. The goal is to finally have some cash to spend on something other than our kids and my crippling addiction to the local sports teams.

Kids are all young, oldest is still two years from starting kindergarten I believe.

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

But I'm particularly focused on finding out more about the Anne Arundel schools, because that kind of money actually buys a really nice place out there. Also it turns out a couple MTA buses goes directly from park and rides out there to the front steps of my office, making the commute less of a hassle than it would be for most, so it's quickly moving from a distant possibility becoming a viable option. But if the schools are all iffy (the high schools in particular) there's no reason to keep wasting our time on it.

Check out this zipcode: 20895

It really has 3 parts, south of Knowles Ave and north, and Old Town Kensington.

South of Knowles, they'll be in a very good elementary school (but a bit crowded), and feed into a top high school in MoCo. You could leave them in public all the way. Your price range can get you an okay house, wooded backyard. Not the crazy nice ones though, they range well into the millions.

Old Town Kensington feeds the same schools. Has a bit more charm and your money will go a tad bit farther on the home.

North of Knowles feeds Rockview Elementary, which is crapped on by school digger but actually an excellent school with some of the best teacher to student ratios in the county. It gets dinged because a portion (~10-20%) of the population feeding the school (from the Wheaton area) show up d1 not knowing any English, which drags down test scores considerably. The middle school I'm still not sure about. The highschool is actually a choice of 5, which focus in many different things... you could focus on ballet or do the IB program and everything in between. Those schools tend to not rank as well on School Digger either, but if you're in the correct program for your kid, it would be fine. Anyways, your price range gets you a newly renovated home that is super nice in that section of the zip code. You may/may not end up paying for private school down the road, depending on your child's needs, but you won't for elementary school.

As for the area in general... its nice, centered around the north end of Rock Creek. Easy and quick to the Beltway. Bethesda and Pike and Rose nearby for entertainment. Anything you might need (Home Depot, Costco, etc) all within a few minutes in one direction or another.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Are you ok with an older home? I would think Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington areas would offer what you want in MD.

In VA, Falls Church might, but the number of single family homes under $750k is dwindling and they are all older. Similarly, Vienna has some older single family homes under $700k. I know many of those are being torn down, though, and people are building mansions on the lots. So you could quickly find yourself in an old rambler surrounded by mansions. Both Falls Church and Vienna have decent "downtown" strips (FC better than Vienna) if you can find a house close enough and both would have good access to the WOD trail.

Fairfax City has a nice, walkable (small) downtown and good schools and plenty of homes under your budget. But, the commute will take a hit. There are a lot bus routes along Braddock Road outside the beltway that go to the Pentagon where you can catch Metro. Definitely good schools out that way and cheaper housing, but no good walkable downtown. There are shopping centers, of course, that you could walk to but the areas are designed for walking. Also two VRE stations nearby in the Burke area. Inside the beltway, Annandale could be an option, but again you're sacrificing the walkable living.

Definitely on my list, but I have to convince the wife. I couldn't care less about an old house, if the AC and cable work and the fridge keeps the beer cold it's good enough for me, but she's always talking about curb appeal and outdated kitchens and all that HGTV stuff. Also someone got it into her head that Einstein High (the one that Takoma and parks of SS go to) is terrible and I don't know if I can convince her otherwise.

Also, you guys are the best. All this feedback is just awesome. Our move is still about 9 months away, which is why I was only asking for background on the Anne Arundel schools, but I'll walk away from the thread with a ton of helpful stuff. Really, thanks a lot

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I posted a generic request for ideas a couple months ago. I'm always happy to hear more suggestions, and I'll definitely propose adding Oakton to the current mix of options despite our feelings about the Route 66 corridor, schools look pretty good. Much appreciated, Don.

Fairfax County has pretty good schools from what I've heard. There's a few towns out there that might be worth checking out. Burke is another option. I think you were lookable for a walkable-type town when you asked a few months ago. They are not that.

I forget if I chimed in previously or not, but this is my neck of the woods. Your $$ will go a long way out here and there are two or three VRE train stations (Burke Road, Burke Town Center) that will jet you into L'enfant Plaza or Union Station. Schools are unbelievable.