Capitol Hill vs. Old Town (renting, neighborhoods, live)

[sarah81]

I am in the process of moving to DC for a new job.
I am torn between renting a room in Old Town Alexandria or Capitol Hill.

Old Town appears to be a little livelier and has more to offer. But, I like Capitol Hill's location.

In an ideal world, I would place King Street right in the heart of Capitol Hill.

I am just curious if anybody has any experience with either of the neighborhoods?

[HurricaneDC]

Where are you gonna work? Capitol Hill is also closer to other fun neighborhoods, so it's faster to get to them.

[sarah81]

I am going to be working around Foggy Bottom. It would be quicker from Capitol Hill, but King Street would still be tolerable. The distance from everything else on the weekend is what gives me more hesitancy about Old Town.

[smakawhat]

Old Town is an area that is more lively on weekends during the afternoon. It's more sort of family oriented, people walking along the river, playing in the green spaces, some shopping, walking the dog that sort of thing. It's also usually a much older crowd (older just newly married couples with young kids).

During the evening there are some places to go but there are few of them and it's pretty dead late at night to be honest. Plus the bars and places to grab a drink are kind of all the same... the restaurants could also be a little better but there are good places to eat their also (could use more variety).

I can't comment on the nightlife around Capitol Hill much, but it is the city and also you'll be closer to other areas you can go to with ease which have more of a pulse.

So it's a matter to you of what you think you'd enjoy more.