What are the best neighborhoods in Washington DC?

Question

I am thinking of relocating to Washington D.C. and was wondering about the neighborhoods there.
I like city life and I know that no area is crime free but I would like to live in a somewhat safe area, close to a metro station, and that has a lot to do (shopping, museums, resturants, theatres etc.)
I am mostly concerned about safety because I can get anywhere on the metro.
I would also consider northern VA and price is not too much of an issue, I can rent or buy.

Answer 1

Okay NW (Northwest) is probably the best place to go. Take if from me I live in the ghetto of DC so I know where all the good parts are at. You could try the Adams Morgan area, Woodley Park or Georgetown. Now those areas are very pricey. But if that's a little to pricey for ya you could try the Brookland area in upper NE. Its cheaper nice and quiet but not as upscale as the other areas I mentioned. SW (Southwest) by the waterfront is being rebuilt and has some nice new property. Also try Silver Spring or Takoma Park (right on DC line) in Maryland.

If crime is an issue DC is full of crime. I would try the Suburbs of DC then the City like Montgomery Maryland or Charles County.

Answer 2

Best Neighborhoods In Washington Dc

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are the best neighborhoods in Washington DC?
I am thinking of relocating to Washington D.C. and was wondering about the neighborhoods there.
I like city life and I know that no area is crime free but I would like to live in a somewhat safe area, close to a metro station, and that has a lot to do (shopping, museums, resturants, theatres...

Answer 4

It really depends on your budget. I know you say price is not an issue but a lot of people say that before they realize how much it costs to live around here!

Northern VA is almost always more expensive than living in the city. In the District I would recommend the Brookland/CUA area as the most affordable; also check Logan Circle, Capitol Hill and Columbia Heights (getting more expensive but still reasonable for the area), and at the top of the income scale there'd be DuPont Circle, Tenley Circle, Woodley Park and Glover Park. Friendship Heights is one of the most upscale areas.

All of those areas are safe. All have metro so you can get to the museums and theatres. All have some amount of restaurants, with Columbia Heights probably having the least in walking distance.

Logan, Columbia Heights and Capitol Hill have more of that "in the city" feel while some parts of Tenley, Glover and Woodley have almost a suburban flavor.

Rents in Brookland/CUA will go around $900 and up for a 1-br and home purchases can still be found for under $400k. Columbia Heights and Logan, a 1-br will start at $1000-1100 and sales under $600k are rare (unless you are looking at condos). Tenley et al: rents from $1500, purchases easily break $1m.

If you look in Virginia I would not go past Rosslyn or Clarendon as those are the only places that still feel like city life. Anything further out on the Orange Line metro is suburban sprawl and we city dwellers will be miserable. There's tons of restaurants out that way, and shopping, but it is all chains. I can't stand Bennigans and Old Navy! At least in Rosslyn and Clarendon, you still have some flair and kitsch! But rents are higher here than in the city and purchase prices are insane so be prepared for sticker shock!

Answer 5

Basically, anywhere in Northwest DC is good. I would check out Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Cleveland Park, Friendship Heights, and closer to downtown is Metro Center (Basically, anywhere on the Red Line of the Metro that's west of Metro Center). Georgetown is a good area but not as accessible by Metro.

I'm not as familiar with Northern VA (I grew up in the Maryland suburbs) but I would also check out either downtown Bethesda or Silver Spring as well if you would consider a close-in suburb. Both of these areas have Metro stops (at opposite ends of the Red Line) and have downtown areas with theaters, restaurants, stores, etc... And they're both within a short distance of downtown DC. They're especially convenient since they're on the Metro that goes right downtown so you can get to even more shopping and restaurants and the Smithsonian.

Answer 6

One of the previous answerers said anywhere in NorthWest is good.............Negative, I have lived all over dc all my life, and he is wrong. There are beautiful places in Northwest, SouthWest, NorthEast, northeast is especially good because they are building it up very lovely, and the same goes for SouthEast, especially near south/east capitol where the eastern market flea market operates, beautiful! Quaint little shops, nice gym, good restaurants, NICE. Depending on what ur money is looking like, maybe Van Ness, and the Georgetown areas will suit u, they are very pricey though. In NorthEAst I like the Brookland, or the Washington Cathedral area is very nice as well. In Northwest U street/adams morgan is a favorite if u love culture. There is also Arlington, VA which is 5 minutes from DC,too, nice area especially the clarendon/ ballston commons/rosslyn area. hit me up if u need more info. if u go to VA ur car insurance will be less, its less crime and all, but DC is where it is at! all the culture, excitement. VA has a leg up on more shopping choices, Pentagon, tysons, potomac yards, etc that have washingtonians coming over
PS northern Va is NOT always more expensive depending on where u go, a home in georgetown, van ness DC can be millions, woodbridge, va is in northern va, about 30-45 minutes from dc and the homes are far less money so check that out too!

Answer 7

If you like city life, I would recommend the area called Anacostia. It is an ethnically directed part of town and the locals are glad to be of assistance to newcomers. The Metro has a stop called Anacostia.

Stay away from enclave areas such as those in Northwest. You do not get the real feel of Washington DC in those areas.