A Sun-Times gossip columnist (so FWIW) claims the Obamas asked to move into Blair House, across from the White House, at the start of the year:
There were reportedly two reasons for the request: Obama’s children start school in early January — and the move could be interpreted as a New Year’s symbolic gesture showing the president-elect in a presidential capacity across from the White House on Jan. 2, the day after New Year’s Day.
I totally understand the school consideration. But couldn’t they rent a townhouse in a good neighborhood for the month?