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Myself and one other are looking for some assistance with finding a place to live, and we've come to you good folks for some help. Without further ado...
1. Do I need to be by a metro rail? Would I be okay if I were on a bus line?
We do need to be close, yes. I will be driving to work on the Hill, but my roommate will be commuting to the Forest Glen metro stop on the Red line. Though he is okay with buses; if he has to bus to the Forest Glen metro stop (his work has a shuttle from there) then that's okay as well.
2. How long of a commute to work am I willing to have? Would I be okay driving? Taking the commuter rail? (where will I be working?)
I would prefer no more than a 30-40m drive to the Hill. He would prefer a commute around the same time, to the Forest Glen metro stop.
3. Would I be willing to live with a roommate or multiple roommates?
We'd prefer to keep it at the two of us for now.
4. What amenities do I absolutely need in an apartment -- pets? gym? a/c? washer/dryer?
Neither of us have pets. A gym is not necessary. A/C & good heat would be necessary... a W/D in the apartment is not (would be nice), though in the building would be alright as well.
5. What is the absolute maximum, with utilities and any fees, I can afford?
We would prefer to keep it around $1000/person, but can go up to $1200-$1250/person if necessary. We had been discussing the idea of doing a 1BR + den and converting the den into a 2nd bedroom, and that is perfectly fine with us if it can reduce costs enough that we can get the rest of what we're looking for.
6. What is my definition of safe?
I honestly don't know how to really answer this - as I'll be driving from point A to point B for work, it doesn't affect me much (though walking around for social life would be nice as I'll elaborate on later), but my roommate has been mugged at gunpoint before, and he has mentioned how he'd like to not live in SE or NE. Sooo yeah.
7. How important is nightlife? family community? schools?
The meat and potatoes of this - we really want to live in an area with people and nightlife. I am from NYC originally, and I have heard that DC has many areas that are 100% residential; this does not appeal to me whatsoever. We're both single professionals, so family/schools/etc don't apply, but the nightlife scene definitely does. Also, as bizarre as it sounds, a highrise would be absolutely fantastic to live in, again appealing to my NYC roots.
It's situated right next to Adams Morgan and the ever-lively U Street. Both of these robust nightlift sectors are within immediate walking distance from Columbia Heights. The Washington Sports Club gym is located inside DCUSA, along with Best Buy, Target, Marshalls, and Bed/Bath/Beyond. Down the street you'll find a Starbucks, Chipotle, Five Guys, IHOP, Panera Bread, and a host of diverse restaurants situated on Park.
I used to live by Forest Glen Metro, and your roomie can take the nearby Columbia Heights metro station (Green/Yellow line) to Fort Totten (Red line), and take the Glenmont-bound train up to Forest Glen. The commute itself is 15 minutes max.
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Thanks for the quick response. I forgot to mention in my original post - we had previously spoken to folks about DC and they mentioned how Columbia Heights was an "up and coming" area and that we wouldn't particularly care for it or U Street. They mentioned Dupont Circle and a couple of places in Northern Virginia, but I don't recall the exact names offhand - Clarendon perhaps?
Well, now you're talking about Virginia, which might be a question more appropriate for the members of the VA forum, but since it's all within the same area, I probably should have factored it into my recommendation.
Of course you know of the height restrictions imposed on buildings in D.C., so you won't find anything similar to what you're accustomed to in NYC regarding that. Clarendon (and I'm sure they were talking about it) has a pretty robust nightlife sector, but it's more further out from Forest Glen. You should refer to the metro rail map to see for yourself.
It's ahead of Columbia Heights in terms of its economic development, specifically because widepsread gentrification happened there a lot earlier, with the construction of the metro station back in the 80s as the catalyst for its rapid development, whereas things here started improving only within the last 10 years, so you'll see more luxury apartments, office buildings, retail chains, and nightlife selections in Clarendon than you'd see in Columbia Heights (for right now).
For me, I prefer Columbia Heights, being that I'm within walking distance of some of the bigger retail stores, and just a few blocks away from two of the more diverse and popular nightlife sectors in NW D.C. (U Street and Adams Morgan, with Dupont Circle further south). If I were to live in VA, though - I'd definitely be in the Clarendon district.
Last edited by HumbleSeaGoat; 02-22-2012 at 12:46 PM..
It's situated right next to Adams Morgan and the ever-lively U Street. Both of these robust nightlift sectors are within immediate walking distance from Columbia Heights. The Washington Sports Club gym is located inside DCUSA, along with Best Buy, Target, Marshalls, and Bed/Bath/Beyond. Down the street you'll find a Starbucks, Chipotle, Five Guys, IHOP, Panera Bread, and a host of diverse restaurants situated on Park.
I used to live by Forest Glen Metro, and your roomie can take the nearby Columbia Heights metro station (Green/Yellow line) to Fort Totten (Red line), and take the Glenmont-bound train up to Forest Glen. The commute itself is 15 minutes max.
Couldn't you have done a quick search to see that this question has been answer a thousand times before? You think you're the first young, single, burdenless people to move to DC looking for housing in a lively but safe area and not really sure you're ready for the actual city?
The list of such neighborhoods has been posted many times on here.
Cleveland Park could also be a good choice for you. It's on the Red Line and is a great neighborhood with an active commercial district of shops/restaurants/bars.
For your prerequisites, I would recommend Georgetown. I know it can be very expensive, but I've seen some places in the $1,000 range. It is such a great location and very lively (not just college kids but young people in general). Have you looked there? You can easily get to the Hill from there and the metro isn't too far so your roommates can make it to their work. Good luck!
"edit - i see they like hi rises, and like a NY atmosphere. While SS isnt exactly manhattan, neither is near SE DC, or even clarendon (and forget Brookland). Their best lifestyle bet would be the 14st/U Street area, but theyd be paying a heck of a lot more than in Silver Spring. I'd suggest columbia heights, but that still has crime issues (much more than near SE, btw)."
1. I dont know if you can find a 1bR + den for 2k a month in 14thst/Ustreet. If so, I think thats your best bet - more urban than SS, less crime than CH, and right in the middle for commuting.
If thats NOT affordable, well I dont know. I think SS has a bit less crime than CH, but Im not sure. I wouldnt exactly say CH has more of an urban vibe than SS, but its different - and of course CH is closer to other lively urban areas, than SS is.
Couldn't you have done a quick search to see that this question has been answer a thousand times before? You think you're the first young, single, burdenless people to move to DC looking for housing in a lively but safe area and not really sure you're ready for the actual city?
who also have a need to commute to Forest Glen?
Maybe the first to post here.
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