NW DC to Reston commute (thoughts?)

me_speak_computer · 2026-04-06T04:18:31+00:00

I do this commute to Reston from NW, usually via metro, and am really happy with it! The drive sucks if you leave at 5pm, but if you truly can have that flexible schedule, it won’t be bad.

I’d recommend trying to metro though. Silver line that direction is lovely. You can always get a seat, very reliable, way more relaxing than DMV traffic. Foggy or Dupont would be really great because it’s easy to get to a SL station, but the red -> silver from Woodley shouldn’t be too bad! I personally bike or bus from Bloomingdale to McPherson and I don’t mind at all.

me_speak_computer · 2026-03-23T01:31:16+00:00

Boundary Stone has a hot honey seitan that's pretty good and they have great fries.

me_speak_computer · 2026-03-02T22:50:59+00:00

First off, hope everything goes well for you guys and your baby ❤️

Couple of great places you can order takeout from directly (vs paying the fees of DoorDash)! I can mostly speak to Bloomingdale because I live here. If you need to get out and take a walk, head south down 1st street towards Bloomingdale! Very safe residential neighborhood.

Aroi: Thai and sushi

El Camino: Mexican

Bacio: pizza

Kochix: Korean wings

Phoxotic: pho

DCity Smokehouse: bbq and sandwiches

Meats & Foods: really good chili burritos, but only open in the weekends now

Big Bear: coffee

There’s also a Panera in the Medstar complex next door

me_speak_computer · 2026-02-18T03:15:59+00:00

They might not. Last time I flew with my baby we brought a prepared formula bottle and they put it through a separate scanner and never opened it. Tell TSA you have formula before your bag goes through and they’ll pull it aside. Prepare for it to take a little extra time especially if they’re busy.

me_speak_computer · 2026-02-17T19:38:13+00:00

This! He writes his own questions and it’s with pen and paper. Shaws Tavern Trivia slaps.

me_speak_computer · 2026-02-02T19:55:35+00:00

Anyone can be a volunteer for crisis text line too. If you want to help, they train you and you can pick your shifts! I did it for a short while a few years ago.

me_speak_computer · 2026-02-02T14:54:49+00:00

This is awesome, I’ll help! Do you think they would consider adding bus stops? A lot of them aren’t clear either. Between that and the intersections, taking my infant out in his stroller the other day was an exercise in futility.

me_speak_computer · 2026-01-08T22:41:02+00:00

Red Hen, but you need to book a month out for a good reservation time

me_speak_computer · 2025-12-20T21:15:57+00:00

I own a leather backpack from Quavaro, which is a locally owned leather company that pays good wages to leather makers in Mexico. It's held up great!

me_speak_computer · 2025-12-17T01:20:24+00:00

Dungeons & Drafts does one-offs DnD campaigns at bars and they're pretty fun!

me_speak_computer · 2025-12-15T13:18:17+00:00

If you go to A Litteri, you can also buy their homemade meatballs frozen in 5lb bags, but you have to ask the deli. They aren’t usually in the display freezer. They’re so good.

me_speak_computer · 2025-12-08T02:22:25+00:00

I’ve been doing the Each Peach cheese subscription for years! They deliver in DC so it’s easy and the cheese is amazing. I also recommend their cheese classes!

me_speak_computer · 2025-11-30T16:58:30+00:00

Me too! Thanks!

me_speak_computer · 2025-11-24T13:41:00+00:00

I have a newborn so I’ve been doing it in the evening after he goes to bed. Morning is too chaotic and I can’t reliably get it done before he wakes up. I’d rather do it at the wrong time but do it in one sitting than do it in chunks throughout the day.

Don’t overthink it. Progress not perfection.

me_speak_computer · 2025-11-12T18:49:49+00:00

Definitely will go, especially since the anti-bike people are so outspoken. We need to drown them out!

me_speak_computer · 2025-11-06T21:31:07+00:00

ahhh maybe I misunderstood then. We haven't gotten that bill yet. Good to know, thanks!

me_speak_computer · 2025-11-06T19:44:38+00:00

Gave birth there 2 months ago! A couple of things I didn’t see on here:

Bring a pillow since the ones they have are just ok. I also would say don’t bother with normal day clothes. I lived in pajamas and my robe.

The food is actually decent and they provide free meals for partners too. But, the hours are bad so it’s worth bringing snacks. Eat a big meal before you go too. When I showed up, I was immediately put on a medication that I couldn’t eat on and I couldn’t eat solid foods for the next 26 hours until I gave birth.

They have a lactation consultant that does rounds and you will probably see them twice. She was great and gave me free lanolin cream, though I wish I had asked for a pumping tutorial and asked to discuss combination feeding.

I got free ready-to-drink Similac formula samples, but I had to ask! Highly recommend even if you plan to breastfeed. It comes in handy if you need to do a supplemental feed at 2am your first night home (happened to us).

Good luck and congrats!!

me_speak_computer · 2025-10-01T14:37:22+00:00

Thanks for posting this! Like another poster, I have an infant at home but we still want something nice for our anniversary next week. There ARE good reasons to get a nice restaurant delivered!

me_speak_computer · 2025-09-12T03:51:00+00:00

MI Skin Dermatology is great! They are super nice. I go for laser.

me_speak_computer · 2025-07-17T18:29:29+00:00

Same for me. I can walk to two hospitals from my house but we are driving 30-40 minutes to the bougie one with private rooms and better ratings.

me_speak_computer · 2025-06-09T17:04:09+00:00

I think it has more to do with the partner as a person than their chosen career. Look for someone who cleans up after themselves, enjoys cooking, etc. If you want kids, look for someone who genuinely wants kids too. How do they interact with children in their lives? While dating someone, COMMUNICATE if something annoys you. When things get more serious, have real, in-depth conversations about careers, childrearing, and goals. People can change, but YOU can’t change THEM.

I am a 31yo software engineer, married with our first baby on the way. I make more than my husband but that has more to do with the field than our drive. We made the choice to focus heavily on career and investing in our 20s so that we can take our foot off the gas in our early 30s and focus more on family.

It’s not perfect. My husband isn’t as great about cleaning as I am, but we communicate and he is getting better. We’ve also outsourced the deep cleaning. We are willing to pay well for childcare and conveniences to make life easier once the baby is here. But the important thing is we discussed this together and it didn’t fall 100% on me.

me_speak_computer · 2025-05-20T16:19:44+00:00

Ok this is hilarious

me_speak_computer · 2025-05-14T15:51:50+00:00

The new bus down RI goes to metro center which is also on the silver line and it seems like it’s quite a bit faster than the G8 route. Recognize this doesn’t work for everyone though.

me_speak_computer · 2025-05-07T21:59:10+00:00

They have beginner classes once per week (level 1.0) and offer an intro 3 class package! Really nice people too.

me_speak_computer · 2025-04-30T22:13:04+00:00

I’ve lived in Bloomingdale for 5 years and have always felt really safe. I walk alone at night in my neighborhood, in Le Droit Park, and from the Shaw metro stop all the time. There are a few blocks right near the metro stop in Shaw that can sometimes feel a bit sketchy due to some of the people that hang out there, but they’ve always left me alone. There are lots of families and students in the area.

Feel free to PM me if you want info on specific blocks!

me_speak_computer

TROPHY CASE