Would you recommend moving to Navy Yard area? (Washington: apartments, condo)
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I read a few posts and generally got the feeling SE isn't a great place to move. I'm seriously tired of commuting an hour and a half into the city (one way) and decided I want to move closer. I don't want to spend more than 1600-1800 max and found some places closer to the navy yard. The plus for me is my commute would become 10-15 one way mins. One place in particular, the Onyx, sounds intriguing. Although I've lived in the suburbs all my life, growing up I was told to stay away from SE. I realize they are revitalizing the area and the fact that it may be quiet is a plus. My main concern is safety, however since I don't know that area well, how far the grocery stores are, would I be ok to walk outside after dark if I worked late? Will a taxi take me home to that area? I don't know if cab drivers write off everything that isn't considered "Capital Hill." Any advice would be appreciated.
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Navy Yard is okay. That is considered upper Southeast by many. You should be fine with basic city sense. There are no grocery stores that I know of in that area though. However, you are one metro stop from Safeway in Southwest Waterfront
You really can't judge an entire quadrant of a city. Even NW with its profusion of great neighborhoods isn't uniformly safe and wonderful. Yes, Navy Yard might have a SE address, but it's not east of the Anacostia River. My parents have had a SE address for over 20 years, and at no time has their neighborhood ever been particularly seedy or unsafe.
The Onyx Apartments are basically part of the new development that's gone up at the ballpark. Since the economic slowdown kicked in almost immediately after construction finished for a lot of the new buildings, it's unclear what the neighborhood will become and how soon amenities will come to residents. So far, most development has been residential with some new office space having gone in. The location is, however, just on the other side of the SE/SW Freeway from Barracks Row and Eastern Market where there are plenty of shops, restaurants, etc. If I were a single gal walking alone, I'd have no problem taking a walk up there during the day. I haven't strayed far from the ballpark at night, so I can't really speak to what that's like. I imagine, though, if you walk east along L and north on 8th that you'll pass by plenty of Marines at most times of day. The fairly regular pedestrian traffic must help with safety.
In terms of groceries, there is a Safeway about five blocks away near the Waterfront SEU Metro. A slightly further trek away is Harris Teeter on the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue near the Potomac Avenue Metro. There's also a Yes! Organic Market on the 700 block of Pennsylvania. For DC that's a pretty good amount of choice within a relatively short distance.
I don't think you'd have any issue getting a cab. The apartment is also only 1-1/2 blocks from the Navy Yard Metro and about a half block from a Circulator bus stop.
I do, however, see two potential drawbacks to the Onyx. Anywhere in that immediate area you have to be prepared to deal with ballpark traffic and noise for half the year. The other drawback is that the units are similar in price and size to some one bedroom apartments in more popular neighborhoods like the Avalon at Gallery Place or Washington House in Adams Morgan; you might get a better value somewhere else.
It's quiet, and mostly just residential and office buildings, but safety-wise is fine. I have issues ordering a cab to pick up at my place (SW Waterfront, just across South Capitol), but if you find a taxi stand nearby then it's not an issue (go to a hotel). As far as getting a cab to take me home, it's never been an issue.
There's a new Safeway and CVS at the Waterfront station that are both pretty nice, and I always see people walking over from the Navy Yard area. Supposedly they're going to build a new Harris Teeter or something in the Navy Yard, but who knows how long that'll take.
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Would you recommend moving to Navy Yard area?
