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I am about to move to D.C. and I am very flexible in choosing what neighborhood I will live in. My question is whether a car is needed or not to live in the city. What neighborhoods within D.C. are convenient for those without cars and will someone living there have walkable access to grocery stores, gyms, etc.
About 35% of the households in DC do not have a car, so it is possible. How possible depends on where you live. The closer to mass transit and to everyday amenities you are, the easier it is. Many areas are not close to either one. The ones that are close to both tend to be a little more expensive. Sometimes a lot more expensive.
A lot of it depends on the aspect you may have less control over, which is your place of employment/school. If you happen to work or go to school in a Metro-accessible area, the answer to your Q will likely be yes, b/c you can choose to live in a Metro-accessible area. Most basic things (gyms, stores, etc.) will not require a car. My take is that you're fine without a car so long as you do not need one to get to work or school.
I live in Woodley Park, DC and do not have a car. Its no problem whatsoever here. I think Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Van Ness, Dupont Circle are all good areas to live when you dont have a car.
I think the only areas where not having a car is a problem would be some places far up in NW like near American U or somewhere closer to the NE or SE corners. Mainly, because at this point you have fewer metro stations.
Most people I know living in DC don't have a car. Both my roommate and I kept our cars, mostly because they're paid off and we had no reason to get rid of them, but we could easily survive without them.
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