What's up with H street? (Washington: best neighborhood, apartments, for rent)
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So, my boyfriend is moving to DC in July, and he's been talking about H street lately.
What's the gist on that area?
He'll be working as a consultant somewhere in Maryland, and I think he plans on commuting from Union Station everyday. He'll probably be working late hours and will be travelling through the neighborhood at night pretty frequently.
He's a goofy guy, sort of aloof -- not totally aware of his surroundings. When we went back to my neighborhood in Chicago, he walked to the Green Line through Washington Park (not safe) with his iphone out, lollygagging all the way. Dude thinks no harm can come to him.
Will he be ok around H street?
Some friends and I were just in DC over the weekend, and the bus drove along H street -- so that's the only impression I have of the area. I thought it was vaguely reminiscent of Logan Square back in the Chi -- gritty here and there, obviously gentrifying in parts, possibly a healthy amount of hipsters buzzing around. It seemed pretty real in terms of being an urban neighborhood - ie there's stuff to do on the main drag, a diverse range of people on the streets... maybe even a little sketch at times. Accurate?
Comparatively, I now live at 135th & Broadway in Harlem -- Manhattan is Disney World compared to my neighborhood in Chicago. Never felt unsafe. Can't say the same for D.C. -- particularly around H street, even from the bus, I got the vibe that you've always got to have your wits about you, much like in Chicago.
He lived in Boston for undergrad and now lives in an affluent 'burb in Jersey for grad school -- I feel as though his perception of city safety might be a little skewed and I don't want him walking into something he's totally unprepared for.
He's also a bit insane/unrealistic and doesn't want to pay much more than $500 for rent - so he'll obviously be looking for roommates. What's the housing stock like in that area? Are there three and four bedroom apartments that he could find to try and make it work? It looked like a lot of what I'd call two-flats and townhouses from what I saw.
So, my boyfriend is moving to DC in July, and he's been talking about H street lately.
What's the gist on that area?
He'll be working as a consultant somewhere in Maryland, and I think he plans on commuting from Union Station everyday. He'll probably be working late hours and will be travelling through the neighborhood at night pretty frequently.
He's a goofy guy, sort of aloof -- not totally aware of his surroundings. When we went back to my neighborhood in Chicago, he walked to the Green Line through Washington Park (not safe) with his iphone out, lollygagging all the way. Dude thinks no harm can come to him.
Will he be ok around H street?
Some friends and I were just in DC over the weekend, and the bus drove along H street -- so that's the only impression I have of the area. I thought it was vaguely reminiscent of Logan Square back in the Chi -- gritty here and there, obviously gentrifying in parts, possibly a healthy amount of hipsters buzzing around. It seemed pretty real in terms of being an urban neighborhood - ie there's stuff to do on the main drag, a diverse range of people on the streets... maybe even a little sketch at times. Accurate?
Comparatively, I now live at 135th & Broadway in Harlem -- Manhattan is Disney World compared to my neighborhood in Chicago. Never felt unsafe. Can't say the same for D.C. -- particularly around H street, even from the bus, I got the vibe that you've always got to have your wits about you, much like in Chicago.
He lived in Boston for undergrad and now lives in an affluent 'burb in Jersey for grad school -- I feel as though his perception of city safety might be a little skewed and I don't want him walking into something he's totally unprepared for.
While that area is generally safe, its definitely not a good idea to walk around semi oblivious with all your attention on your electronic device. Especially late at night. Especially in the 3 or so blockso of H street that are least renovated. If you are lucky that will ONLY result in being relieved of said electronic device.
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He's also a bit insane/unrealistic and doesn't want to pay much more than $500 for rent - so he'll obviously be looking for roommates. What's the housing stock like in that area? Are there three and four bedroom apartments that he could find to try and make it work? It looked like a lot of what I'd call two-flats and townhouses from what I saw.
There are roommate groups that share townhouses. I do not think $500 for a room in a share in that area is close to realistic, though. That would imply $1500 rent for a 3BR rowhouse - you'd either have to look in a much sketchier (and much less hip) part of DC, or well into the suburbs, to find that.
DC has more violent crime than Chicago on the whole. That doesn't mean that there aren't neighborhoods in Chicago that are much worse than most parts of DC. But in general, you should be more alert in DC than even in Chicago. There is no part of DC where it is a good idea to walk around unaware with your head buried in an electronic device. Of course, it's a bad idea to do that anywhere because you might trip or run into a pole, but in DC the very real risk of crime makes the stakes higher.
That said, H Street is relatively safe for DC. There are almost always people out and about there at most hours, so that reduces the chance someone will rob you. But muggings do happen there and in surrounding streets. The same can be said for the other major nightlife areas of DC, such as U Street, Adams Morgan and even Georgetown.
If you maintain basic streets smarts and don't act oblivious, the odds of being a victim are quite low.
I've lived on H for 8 years. You need to keep your wits about you, and not look like a target. Your boyfriend should consider Tenleytown or even the suburbs. I don't think that $500 will get you a room in a rowhouse. I knew a lady who was paying $800.00 per month for a room in a three bedroom rowhouse on 13th N.E. near H last year.
H Street is a good place to live with all the new bars/restaurants opening......I think the area is convenient to getting around Washington DC and not entirely difficult to get to Maryland (BW Parkway) as well. I think a Giant will be opening out this way soon along with a Wal Mart closer to North Capitol Street.
If he is commuting from Union Station towards H street he should be fine but I would always advise to pay attention to your surroundings.
I would rather take my chances in DC than Chicago. Check out the homicide numbers between Chicago and DC for 2012 and you will see what I mean. Chicago makes Kabul, Afghanistan look like Club Med.
The gang problems are far, far worse in the Windy City than DC right now. Basically, Chicago is DC circa 1990.
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Originally Posted by stateofnature
DC has more violent crime than Chicago on the whole. That doesn't mean that there aren't neighborhoods in Chicago that are much worse than most parts of DC. But in general, you should be more alert in DC than even in Chicago. There is no part of DC where it is a good idea to walk around unaware with your head buried in an electronic device. Of course, it's a bad idea to do that anywhere because you might trip or run into a pole, but in DC the very real risk of crime makes the stakes higher.
That said, H Street is relatively safe for DC. There are almost always people out and about there at most hours, so that reduces the chance someone will rob you. But muggings do happen there and in surrounding streets. The same can be said for the other major nightlife areas of DC, such as U Street, Adams Morgan and even Georgetown.
If you maintain basic streets smarts and don't act oblivious, the odds of being a victim are quite low.
I'm always amazed how many shops are opening up on H Street. I don't know anyone in DC who goes there regularly, though I do know a few people who live there and complain about the crime near Benning Road.
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