How bad is the Crime? (Washington: apartment, safest area, living in)

[aheadofthecurve]

I just read the other post about feeling unsafe on the hill. That was right after I read a Washington Post article on violent robberies. Are these robberies etc really as prevelant as they appear? I lived in NYC too, and it was never a big deal being out at night or on the train. If I move to DC, I will probably never leave the office before 7:30, only then to go on the metro around farruagut (sp?) square. Is this a dangerous place? It is surprising to me that areas such as georgetown apparently have as much violence as reported. Has anyone on this forum been robbed? at gunpoint? Any and all opinions are much appreciated.

[breakingfree]

The Farragut area (part of the Golden Triangle) is pretty decent. Mostly businesses, firms, stores like Filene's and the Gap, and restaurants. The area is full of business types commuting about. At Farragut Square itself, some homeless men sit around, but they're pretty harmless in my opinion. The ones over there have never bothered me.

The Farragut Square area is one of the safest areas of DC I've been through.

I've been noticing a few threads of people new to the area from NYC who are fearful of DC. Heck, as much as I love NYC, I'd be more afraid of there than here!

[juniperbleu]

Farragut's fine. Things happen everywhere, it's the reality of a city (and even outside cities as well). If you're aware of your surroundings and just know how to handle yourself should something happen (i.e. if you're mugged, don't argue with the guy), you'll be fine. Also, it seems that a lot of the serious crime is isolated, so as long as you don't get into a drug feud or something that generally wouldn't apply.

I've never had a problem, neither have my friends (some of whom live in the "edgier" areas). As far as the "I'm from NY & I'm scared"........that just baffles me.

[saganista]

Crime is simply not a factor that any attention needs to be paid to. Is there any crime? Of course...that is the case everywhere. Are the chances of being involved in a crime in the areas you mentioned (Farragut Square and Capitol Hill) about as low as you can go? Yes, they are. You can walk the dog, jog, ride a bike, or push a baby stroller around in these areas at almost any hour and simply blend right in with all the other people out there doing those very things...

[SectumSempra]

Farragut Square is smack in the middle of downtown and 2 blocks from the White House. Secret Service stay in that area all the time. Probably one of the safest areas in DC, esp during the day.

And yes, believe it or not, a good amount of NYC people are scared of DC. I'm moving to NYC in the next yr and was asking aroudn about the really bad parts. Everyone told me that I've survived living in SE DC (which i didnt live in but spent a great deal of time in) then I should have no problem in the worst areas of NYC (South Bronx, East New York, Brownsville, etc)

[vanyali]

I know someone who was mugged repeatedly on McComb Ave (I think) but it's because they rented an apartment at a building with big overgrown bushes by the sidewalk that muggers liked to hide behind. Don't walk by obstructions like that and you'll be safer.

I was mugged at gunpoint at a suburban metro station. I was under a bus shelter reading a book waiting for a ride, instead of watching my surroundings. Don't do that either.

I know someone else who was mugged at knife point in Old Town. Mugger gave up when my friend put up a fight though, so maybe the Old Town muggers are just wussy?

I also know someone who was shot mowing his lawn in a nice section of NW. Not much he could have done to avoid that. That's just dumb luck.

These things happened several years ago, but I don't know that things have gotten that much safer in the interim.

[TheseGoTo11]

DC is on pace right now to have its first year of fewer than 150 homicides since the 60s.

Last year there was 1 in the entire swath of the city west of the park and downtown.
West of the Anacostia, worst spots are SW around 2nd and 3rd, North Capitol - just north of where it's gentrifying by NY Ave, Columbia Heights, and Trinidad. Either way, Georgetown, downtown, and Dupont are as safe as the Upper West Side and midtown Manhattan.