Seriously is THIS the way it is here? (condo, credit card)

[trzlucky]

Originally Posted by DvlsAdvc8

lol - you have to register pepper spray?

Get a big dog... like a German Shepherd. I lived in Baltimore a ways back and the dog keeps creepy folks at a distance, and bolstered my confidence/secure feeling.

Even my Golden Retriever keeps the riff raff away.

[EasternMkt]

I'm from NYC, too (originally from, uh, parts less popular than Manhattan). <G> DC, like NYC, has better and worse neighborhoods. The area near and north of H would definitely be classified as transitional (although is not an area known for scads of violent crime). It's also considered to be outside the boundaries of Cap Hill. That said, I really like many of the new bars and restaurants on H and find myself heading that way frequently. Napa 1015 may well be my favorite restaurant in the city these days, as the food is great and service is extremely accomodating. For bars, try The Pug, the Red & the Black, Granville Moore's, the Palace of Wonders, or the Rock & Roll Hotel (this latter is also a great place to catch some great smaller bands!) We've walked home from the area at all hours and never had a problem (although a little street sense will go a long way.)

The degree of street life depends on the neighborhood. Barracks Row near Eastern Market (on the south side of the Hill) is always bustling, as is CT near Dupont. The side streets in these neighborhoods also tend to have proportionately more pedestrian traffic. In contast, H Street NE wasn't much of a draw from the time of the riots (some interesting articles in the local press on the anniversary of MLK's assassination this month) until relatively recently. While H was once upon a time a premium shopping destination in the District, it fell upon harder times, like many urban commercial districts, during the past 30+ odd years.

You may want to check into the Frozen Tropics blog and touch base w/ your community. There are plenty of other residents in your (presumed) age bracket and they can fill you in on the bad and the good w/ greater detail. But there's really nothing here that doesn't exist in parts of NYC. Also, DC hasn't ranked in the top 5 murder cities for years now. I believe that in 2006, it was around 19 by most indicies, and the most recent numbers I've seen for 2007 puts it at 25+. Of course, stats like these shouldn't be taken too seriously, but there's no denying that murder rates have significantly fallen since their peak and tend to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods.

[EasternMkt]

Oh, and quiz night at the Argonaut is also a blast!

[breakingfree]

Originally Posted by EasternMkt

That said, I really like many of the new bars and restaurants on H and find myself heading that way frequently. Napa 1015 may well be my favorite restaurant in the city these days, as the food is great and service is extremely accomodating. For bars, try The Pug, the Red & the Black, Granville Moore's, the Palace of Wonders, or the Rock & Roll Hotel (this latter is also a great place to catch some great smaller bands!) We've walked home from the area at all hours and never had a problem (although a little street sense will go a long way.)

And I cannot wait until Sticky Rice opens! Their menu sounds good.

You may want to check into the Frozen Tropics blog and touch base w/ your community.

I second that. I posted a link to it upthread. I love hearing about what's going on on/with H Street.

[newtodc0408]

Originally Posted by EasternMkt

I'm from NYC, too (originally from, uh, parts less popular than Manhattan). <G> DC, like NYC, has better and worse neighborhoods. The area near and north of H would definitely be classified as transitional (although is not an area known for scads of violent crime). It's also considered to be outside the boundaries of Cap Hill. That said, I really like many of the new bars and restaurants on H and find myself heading that way frequently. Napa 1015 may well be my favorite restaurant in the city these days, as the food is great and service is extremely accomodating. For bars, try The Pug, the Red & the Black, Granville Moore's, the Palace of Wonders, or the Rock & Roll Hotel (this latter is also a great place to catch some great smaller bands!) We've walked home from the area at all hours and never had a problem (although a little street sense will go a long way.)

The degree of street life depends on the neighborhood. Barracks Row near Eastern Market (on the south side of the Hill) is always bustling, as is CT near Dupont. The side streets in these neighborhoods also tend to have proportionately more pedestrian traffic. In contast, H Street NE wasn't much of a draw from the time of the riots (some interesting articles in the local press on the anniversary of MLK's assassination this month) until relatively recently. While H was once upon a time a premium shopping destination in the District, it fell upon harder times, like many urban commercial districts, during the past 30+ odd years.

You may want to check into the Frozen Tropics blog and touch base w/ your community. There are plenty of other residents in your (presumed) age bracket and they can fill you in on the bad and the good w/ greater detail. But there's really nothing here that doesn't exist in parts of NYC. Also, DC hasn't ranked in the top 5 murder cities for years now. I believe that in 2006, it was around 19 by most indicies, and the most recent numbers I've seen for 2007 puts it at 25+. Of course, stats like these shouldn't be taken too seriously, but there's no denying that murder rates have significantly fallen since their peak and tend to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods.

thank you for that! yeah I was noticing people are baffled as to why someone from NYC can be afraid of D.C and again I think it is the number of people outside that jarred me. Most people are afraid of large numbers of people out.... me on the other hand being used to that I am afraid of nobody out It's a bit of shell shock
Thanks for the tips on where to go, and since I live in the hill dist I shouldnt be afraid just more cautious, everyone here is right, some pepper spray and a dog will make me feel more at ease

[Bluefly]

There are seriously MANY neighborhoods in DC that would give you the feeling of busy sidewalks you seek. Pretty much anything from Penn Quarter / Chinatown across the Georgetown and up to Cleveland Park is fine. As others have said, Capitol Hill itself is a good neighborhood.

Maybe they're too expensive. I don't know, but DC's got a lot of bustle going on all over the place. I'd always walk and walk and walk and never get bored of all the people doing what people do. I think you're just in a dead spot.

[lscalder]

I think you just miss NY and are not use to your new changes.
Whenever I visit NY, I get scared. I see things I am not use to in MD,DC area. I remember seeing people who operate their own bus system. Thats strange to me.

You will be fine. DC is different then Ny so things that we in DC are use to ,is normal to us While for you its strange. I remember living in NE DC while attending high school in MD. I use to take the train home everyday. This was 8yrs a go. I was 5"3" 110 pounds and no one have ever bothered me. I got used to living in DC. I saw the samething/people everyday. Everyone in DC are new to you so you are question everyone and everything.

[newtodc0408]

I just want to thank everyone for their posts, they helped me ALOT. I am learning to get over my fear, I know it will be one step at a time, but I will get there

[TheseGoTo11]

DC crime is very segregated, and you're on the line. I lived near Georgetown in the 90s, when the city's crime rate was much higher, and yet could still walk in around my block at 3am with no problem. I'd move to NW if you want something safer.

[TheseGoTo11]

At least we don't have all the crass yentas NY has. Those accents are too much.