2007-02-11 08:02:26 · 7 answers · asked by atlas shrugged and so do i 5 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
Northwest is the safest,most affluent, and priciest part of DC. You can find safe places in most of Northwest and a lot of Northeast. The worst areas for crime are across the Anacostia river in Southeast and Southwest. Prince George's county has a lot of bad areas especially near the DC line.
2007-02-11 08:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by Paul 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Never go to the Southeast part of DC!... for any reason!
Seriously though, it's a poorer neighborhood and there is a lot of crime there... there's drugs and things there, and you could be assaulted and held up.
Otherwise, I think the city is very safe. I walked around the city by myself a lot and I felt safe regardless of whether I was in a crowd or on a deserted street. I was always in before it got dark though... except I went to the Harry Potter release, so I had to leave after dark and I was slightly nervous on the Metro just because it was so late and there weren't business people or tourists like you would normally see riding the trains with you. But anyway, I did all my sightseeing alone (because my roommate prefered to sightsee her boyfriend instead of the city), and I spent my birthday going to different places around the city. So long as you're not stupid about it, you'll be safe... just know where you're going and what you're doing and you'll fit in fine and no one will bother you.
As for the safest areas... I lived in the northwest part and i think it really is the safest area. I lived in Tenley and worked in Dupont Circle and everything around there is business or residential, so it's really an upperclass safe area. Given the opportunity, I'd go back and stay in the same place again without giving it a second thought. And I still wouldn't be concerned with walking around by myself.
personal anecdote... I was there when the london underground was bombed... so that day there were extra police everywhere around the metro and guards with machine guns riding some of the trains... it was kinda freaky. but i guess they were there to protect me so i should be happy
2007-02-14 18:29:14 · answer #2 · answered by kmnmiamisax 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In DC, the worst areas are in Southeast like Anacostia, as far as crime. Northeast DC and Prince Georges County, MD aren't so great either in general.
The best areas are in Northeast DC - Friendship Heights, Cleveland Park, Van Ness, Dupont Circle (anywhere on the Red Line of the Metro between Dupont Circle and Friendship Heights). I'm not too familiar with the Virginia suburbs but Fairfax County is generally nice. Montgomery County, Maryland is really nice (check out Bethesda or Silver Spring if you're considering the suburbs).
2007-02-11 09:13:50 · answer #3 · answered by Mike R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Will you be living right in DC? With the great metro system and public transportation, you can live in some of the outer areas and still get to work with little problem. Course housing on the metro line will cost more. My daughter live in Arlington and really loves it there. Her friend lives in DC; I'll ask her which section and edit this to let you know.
She's found all her apartments/houses and roommates through craigslist . It's a good place to start, to get an idea of where you might find a place to live and the cost.
Addendum: Woodley Park, Dupont are good areas, as is Georgetown. Chinatown has lots of people so pretty safe for walking. The Northwest section of DC should be fine. The Northeast doesn't have many good, safe areas. The Southern part is hit or miss. One block might be fine, the next unsafe; so if you do a lot of walking, as most people in DC do, you can't be guaranteed your route will be entirely safe. Arlington is the best (her words, because she lives there. :) )
Good luck in DC. It's a great city; we visit her often, and will be moving there in 2 years. :)
2007-02-11 08:13:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Crime here is just like in any other big, metropolitan city. Use common sense and you'll be fine. But I wouldn't move to Southeast DC. Most parts of Northwest, especially near Georgetown are pretty nice.
2007-02-11 08:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you see a lady pushing a shopping cart near the subway at Friendship Heights, tell her hello. Her name is Samantha and she's crazy.
2007-02-11 08:10:45 · answer #6 · answered by Dave 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
crime is there all the time. just avoid the gehtto areas.
2007-02-13 04:23:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋