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Hi everyone! I live in NH currently, but I'm looking to relocate to the DC metro area next year after I get my teaching license. Not knowing where I will be teaching allows me to look in several locations, which is exciting and daunting! I also have a small internet business, which allows me a bit of extra income. If I work in the metro area, my approximate starting salary would allow my to spend up to 1300, but preferably more in the 1000-1200 price range.
I am a very artsy, free-spirited person and would love to live in a hip area with a lot of culture (which usually means expensive!). My brother lives in Arlington, and I love the Court House area, but I'd like to know what else is out there for someone like me. Of course, I'd like to live in a safe neighborhood, too!
So, here's my question... What neighborhoods would you recommend in DC, in the immediate region (Like Arlington or Bethesda?) and a bit further out? I understand that I might get some more "bang for my buck" out further. What neighborhoods would recommend in VA or MD within an hour of DC?
The artsiest and more culturally diverse neighborhoods in the area are certainly within DC proper, but outside DC I'd say you should check out Takoma Park. It's a free-spirited, hippy-ish type place that might be what you're looking for. There are probably other options, but can't think of them off the top of my head, and Takoma Park comes to mind immediately for you. Bethesda and Arlington are really nice places to live (I live in the former), but haven't really picked up on any burgeoning art scene in these places and a lot of it is culturally stale.
Courthouse is far from what you seek - very stale. Takoma Park is better, but probably won't work either. It may have been funky back in the day but today it's pretty low-key and mature in a suburban sort of way - it's also not very central. H Street NE, U Street / 14th Street NW, and Adams Morgan are the usual suspects. Only H Street, which only began emerging as a nightlife /arts district in the past 5 or so years, might be somewhat affordable, but you can get a nice studio for the price you're looking in any of them. Might also check out the Shaw / Mt. Vernon area, which has an emerging art gallery / performance space scene - but that will not be as safe. Except for H Street, which is over by Capitol Hill, they're all relatively close to each other.
Wow, awesome. I've never thought of those neighborhoods, but I will be sure to check them out! Thanks a bunch. I've seen Takoma recommended elsewhere, but also later described as being "over" as far as the hipster/art scene goes. Is that true?
I know that Courthouse is much more yuppy, but I love the farmers market and the area is very nice. Not very "me", but it is a nice place to live.
You could look at Mount Rainier, Brentwood, or Hyattsville -- these are all city/towns in the Gateway Arts District of Prince George's County. There are a few new apartment buildings on or near Route 1 that are targeted towards artists, with studio space, etc. The nice thing about this area is its proximity to DC. Though it is a bit of a "scrappy" area still, it is incredibly affordable.
Nope. It's roughly between 10th and 13th area NE. Lots of bars and theatres but not really on the regional radar yet. Probably is the closest to what this individual seeks.
I don't know if H Street NE is going to have that many places under $1200 though, unless you venture into the Trinidad neighborhood. The cheapest I've seen was $1300 so I suppose a $100 less is possible. So its a possibility but I'm skeptical.
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