what neighborhood? (to rent, condo, townhouse)

[staceylynn]

I may be getting a job in DC in the near future, and I am hoping for some help with choosing an area to live. I am a young female (early 20s), and would preferably like to live somewhere where there are many people around the same age as me, and where I will feel safe. I am mostly interested in either living right in DC, or else living in the immediate suburbs (some that I have been looking at include Silver Spring, Alexandria, and Arlington). Basically I just want some guidance so I can concentrate my search on areas that are young, fun, and safe.

[dullnboring]

The areas where you'll find the highest concentration of young people are the "hip" parts of DC, largely Adams-Morgan and Dupont Circle. Due to the presence of universities, there are also many young people located in Georgetown, Foggy Bottom (GWU), Tenleytown (American U.) and Shaw (Howard U.). I would recommend Adams-Morgan or Dupont Circle over any other neighborhood just in terms of the vibe the area has going for it and the concentration of things to do, as well as their somewhat centralized location within DC. However there is the cost factor as both neighborhoods are somewhat expensive, but good deals can be found if you're willing to rent a room, or have a roommate. There are cheaper cool neighborhoods in DC as well like the areas around U Street, Logan Circle, Shaw, Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights, however, these neighborhoods are all in various stages of the regentrification process and can be a little rough around the edges in parts which sounds like it's something you're trying to avoid. Capitol Hill is another possibility. It's a bit cheaper (and also more gritty and not as safe) than Dupont and Adams-Morgan and has a lot of the young non-profit employee crowd living there. Personally, I find it to be a bit of an inconvenient location within DC. Cleveland Park is another nice neighborhood you may want to check out although it's chiefly residential and probably just as expensive as Dupont Circle but not as lively.

Most twentysomethings who move here and want the DC lifestyle without actually living in DC for various reasons (crime, cost, taxes, etc.) choose to live in Arlington, particularly in the neighborhoods of Clarendon and Court House. They're a little pricy (which really is the case in any somewhat hip neighborhood full of twentysomethings across the nation) as well but not as bad as DC. In Maryland, the same crowd tends to stick to Bethesda which again, is a little pricy but cheaper than DC. Alexandria is nice and all but for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to attract as young of a crowd as Arlington. Maybe Arlington's closer proximity to DC is the reason for that.

[staceylynn]

Thank you for your help! After doing a little more research, I think I'm leaning towards the Clarendon area of Arlington. It seems like a cool place, and I like that it's a little cheaper than DC itself.

[acatinthe]

Hello:
I am a native of Arlington County. There is south and there is north Arlington. North is where Clarendon is located. Within the last 5 years Clarendon has been populated with new growth. Rebuilding commercial neighborhoods. Clarendon night life is probably what you are lookig for? In the past 2 years they have built nurmerous restaurants, (chesecake factory, tapas, harry's tab room to name a few of the new). Also north arlington has several subways; ballston, va square, clarendon, courthouse, and rosslyn. So if you don't drive and will be communiting to DC this would be perfect. Everything you need right at the top of the subway.

However, North Arlington is very expensive. A lot of 20's some people get together and get group houses in able to afford living in No. Arlington. The houses that are the orginal ones now would cost you 500,000 and up. Back in the 70's the same house would have sold for maybe 70,000. Depending on what kind of income you will be having really depends on where you live and so on. This is like living in the city but in VA.

North and South Arlington is seperated by a road called RT 50, also known as Arlington Blvd. S. Arlington is where I live and is also nice. But it dose not have half the subway stops of North, but have ART transportation to the subways or other destinations and also bus routes. I live in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 2 level townhouse and it would sell for 420., it is the property value. This home was build in the 1930, but the demand is great here, it's like a secret in S. Arlington, it's called Arlington Village.

Feel free to write me back if you have any questions?

Debra

[pkoons]

Great choice! Very happening part of town. Nice condo buildings, good places to eat, cool clubs for all types of people (Guarapo for salsa dancing, Iota for live music, Ragtime for low-key beer drinking, etc.). Even as a native Marylander, I like Arlington much more than Bethesda.

There are some questionable apt. buildings around here that realtors/apt. guides will call "Clarendon" or "court House" - right off of N. 10th St, a ways from the downtown area, are some lower-income buildings. Some are OK, be sure to check them out to keep costs low - for example, one community, Sheffield Court, actually draws a lot of young professionals and is a lot of fun. The neighboring buildings are not as nice.

The safest DC neighborhoods are all west of the park (Rock Creek), but the only one that is really hip for young people in that area is Georgetown - very expensive. East of the park, if you don't mind something a little more urban, try Adams Morgan (it's very close to the park 18th Street is very happening and it's safer than nearby Dupont Circle or Columbia Heights.

good luck!!

[Etoile_06]

Well, I am a young prof. but in my early 30's. I plan on relocating to the DC area. I am not into partying too much, but would definitely enjoy wine bars, lounges etc...I really want to live in a safe neighborhood with professionals around my age. I would like to stay far from the drunk loud people coming home at 3am. Is there anywhere else you would recommend besides the locations above?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[pkoons]

In VA, stick with Clarendon, or perhaps Old Town Alexandria - very charming, great restaurants, plus you have the King Street Metro for commuting into DC.

In Maryland, I adore Annapolis (similar to Old Town Alex. but much more fun and better sailing), and Columbia and Ellicott City are great too, but if you plan to work in DC or its immediate suburbs, you can expect a 1 hour commute.

In DC, I'd recommend a quiet side street off of the main drags (M St./Wisconsin Ave) in Georgetown or somewhere in upper NW such as Tenleytown or Cleveland Park, both of which have a higher concentration of single family homes and appear more suburban but still have walkable shops and restaurants and their own Metro stops.

Good luck!

[dullnboring]

I second all of pkoons' suggestions for you Etoile.

Clarendon and other parts of Arlington have a high concentration of young professionals, but it's not the bass-pumping, bar-heavy, drunken-shouting and stumbling home sort of area. I would say the only areas that would qualify as those would be Adams-Morgan, Dupont Circle and Georgetown as they are more high-density in terms of bars and with nearby residential areas where bar patrons live and park, so there is more drunken noise pollution in those areas, whereas those further out from the central DC core, tend to be quieter more residential areas that are more spread out. Cleveland Park is the best hood in my opinion for people who want the convenience of life in the city, and of living amongst many young professionals, but without a lot of the general urban hassles. The area has a retail commercial strip but is largely residential and peaceful, with quick Metro access to the more nightlife-heavy areas of DC.