Evening star., 1955-05-11
THE METROPOLITAN VIEWPOINT
Typical Family Finds
Suburb Life Pleasant,
ButItHos Its Problems

apartment in Arlington. They
liked the well-kept grounds. the
relative cool in summer and the
quiet. They had adequate shop
ping, movie and recreation fa-
cilities.
When the children came the
Johnsons needed more room-a
little land around detached
house. a trafic-free neighbor-
hood. proximity to schools and
the bus line. They bought a
small rambler in a Fairfax
County development, 13 miles
from his office.
With three children and in
their 30s, the JohnsonS decided
this year their rambler was too
small. Besides, they were weary
of the Standardization that
comes with development" life.
And Mr.. johnson could now
afford something better.
They considered the idea OF
returning to the District but re-
jected it. Their decision, they
said. was affected in part by
racial integration, uncertainty
about tax trends in view of the
Districts financial plight, and
the conviction that it is nicer
for children to grow up in a
substantial suburban neighbour
hood.
Crowded Schools
They considered moving else
where in Virginia. They rejected
that because of overcroWded
schools in the lower grades and
fear that Virginia's pay-as-you-
go fiscal policy might leave
highways inadequate for the
mushrooming population. They
felt too many low-cost develop
ments in Fairfax would be fol-
lowed by such demand for
government services as to create
a chaotic tax situation.
Most of their friends now lived
in Maryland and the Johnsons
were Impressed by the reputation
OF schools there. They also ap-
proved the new Maryland high
way program. They found taxes
would be high but regarded them
as on a firm base.
Maryland zoning is we'll ad-
vanced," said Mr.. johnson. "This
is important because Maryland
residential areas, being older gen.
orally, have developed in an or
derly manner.
Some people see charm in the
Virginia situation, with very ex-
pensive homes bordering cheap
and old dwellings. Perhaps this
is good esthetically, but the lack
of zoning and subdivision con-
trolls is a threat to property
values. I'm glad the Virginia
officials are aware of the prob
lem now. They are beginning to
do something about it,"
Mr.. and Mrs. johnson wanted
an older house in Maryland, one
with big rooms, high ceilings,
Railways, an attic and basement.
1t would be a place for the chill
dren to play in foul weather.
Quite a Change
They discovered that such
houses, in good condition, cost
more than they could afford. So
thee compromised on one only
elgs1t years old. 1t is in good con-
dition but smaller than hoped.
Still they have more space than
they did and the quiet residen-
tial neighborhood is no monot-
onous Development"
A lot of people like the Frank
lyns and the Johnsons move from
the District and from one suburb
to another. But lot of others
stay put and a good many new
residents come to the city every
year.
Georgetown, which reversed
the trend of old neighborhoods
by sprucing UP instead of rot
ting, attracts large numbers in
the upper financial brackets. Re-
modelled houses near the Capitol
have lured established Washing
ton families from distant points
to the center of the city. Why?
Charm of community, pictur-
esque views of landmarks and
convenience to work.
Some young suburban families
neding more room have solved
their problem by purchasing old
homes in town. near the District
line. Mr.. and Mrs. Stevens, for
example, moved recently from a
Maryland community to North
west Washington.
Liked Integration
Unlike the Johnsons, the
Stevens had no objection to
lntegrated schools. They felt
their children would benefit
from getting to know people of
various races from many lands.
The 40-year-old house they took
meets every family requirement.
and the children go to school
with several colored pupils and
foreign-born youngsters whose
parents are connected with the
embassies here.
Almost as fast as a married
couple vacates a city apartment.
someone else moves in. Some
are bachelors, some are career
girls and some older couples no
longer needing large homes.
Others are families which prefer
apartment life.
The constant turnover is one
OF the Things linking the inter-
ests and problems of the l.8
million persons now living in
Metropolitan Washington. Some
OF the other links will be dis
cussed in subsequent articles in
this series on THE Metropolitan
Viewpoint"
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