Towns for Singles in DC area ?

Question

Im a 29 yr old SF thinking about moving to DC suburbs.
(Also am looking at Boston and Denver)
I dont have to be too close to the city, half an hour by mass transit would be okay.
I work from my home design studio so commuting doesn't concern me.
More interested in Maryland than Virginia.
I do want a safe, upscale town that offers good shopping nearby and is geared towards Singles.
I dont want to rent and would like to buy something spacious enough for myself. (Townhouse or small house)
What towns best fit my criteria ?
Thanks !

Answer 1

Hi there. As a former resident of DC (7 years), now living in Philadelphia, I can tell you there really aren't any suburbs geared towards singles per se. The suburbs of DC are much like the rest of the US with lots of families, strip malls, chain restaurants, etc. Most singles in the DC area actually tend to gravitate toward living in DC itself. I know the city, like a handful of others, has taken on a negative image in terms of personal safety, etc. I can assure you for the most part, it's more media inaccuracy.
The areas of the city the vast majority of the crime takes place in, you'll never go to or pass through. In the 7 years I lived there, without a car, I was never the victim of a crime...or for that matter anyone I knew. In addition, besides the DC Police Department, the area of the city I lived in (NW) was under the jurisdiction of Uniformed Protective Services (because of all of the embassies) and
the National Park Service (because of all of the NPS parks and monuments) so you always see some form of patrol.
The District of Columbia, is divided into quadrants. Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. Northwest is the area to concentrate on. Tons of singles, great restaurants and coffees shops, Whole Foods Markets, excellent public transit access and also very walkable. Some of the neighborhoods to focus on that have the style of home you're looking for are Tenleytown, Friendship Heights, Van Ness, Cleveland Park and Woodley Park/Adams Morgan. Each of these neighborhoods has a Metro stop in the neighborhood, which is walkable from most areas of these neighborhoods. I would urge you to visit Cleveland Park first, you'll love it. It's like a small town in the city (with tons of services right at the subway stop) as well as lots of trees, great architecture and multiple access points to Rock Creek Park, which is beautiful. This was where Grover Cleveland and the elite of DC had the summer homes during the late 19th century, slightly higher elevation and the woods provided cooler temps, still holds true today.
These areas are somewhat pricey, but coming from the SF housing market I'm guessing they'll be somewhat similar and not so scary for you. In addition, you'll find that going out to the 'burbs will not provide you the savings you might expect, especially when you factor in quality of life and commute time. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Before you consider moving here, I'd strongly suggest that you check out real estate prices in all 3 location's papers....in D.C. it's the Washington Post. I think that after living in SF you'd find DC cheap, but I'm not sure.

Then I'd think about renting before I buy...the market's in a downswing now so prices are about 15% less than a year ago.

I second the idea of considering living in the city...and if you can find something in Cleveland Park that you like, you're going to love the neighborhood.

Answer 3

Germantown/Gaithersburg. I have many friends that live in this area, and they love it. Used to be farm land until recently, so everything is pretty new. There's lots to do for singles, great restaurants, health clubs, theaters and parks. You're close enough to the city to enjoy all D.C. has to offer, but far enough away that the horrendous crime doesn't affect you. Only problem, Metro doesn't go that far, but the drive is only about 30 minutes.

Answer 4

For singles,a room for singles....dood.