Moving to D.C. (Washington: sublets, apartment complexes, rentals)

[Veridian]

Greetings, all.

I will likely be moving soon to D.C. from Minneapolis and this seems like a good place to get some advice. This post will be somewhat long, but I'll try to keep it as short as possible.

I have lived in Minneapolis my entire adult life, and really love it. I'm afraid I'll greatly miss it, but between the winters and just needing something new in my life, I'm ready to move on.

I know that I will be giving up a lot of things to move to D.C. For example, I know that D.C. will be much more expensive. However, I lived a year in Paris, so I'm used to small, expensive living spaces.

Here's what I'm looking for:

- As long as I'm moving to a larger city, I would like to live what I consider a more "European" lifestyle. I'm happiest when I live near a quality grocery or farmer's market, as well as living near small businesses that I can walk to. I like areas that do not empty out in the evenings, where there is a fair amount of pedestrian traffic, sidewalk cafes, etc. That being said, I'm a fanatic for quiet. Small sidestreets just off busy thoroughfares are ideal. Living near a metro station is nearly a must- a metro station where two or more lines intersect would be a marvellous bonus.

-Minneapolis is green and clean and relatively safe. I'd like to find something similar in D.C. My expectation is that my partner and I will be renting a 1-bedroom apartment. I further guess that we each will be making somewhere in the vicinity of 60K a year. My partner will likely be transferring from within Marriott International where he works, whereas there are many different possibilities for me. I may end up staying in Technical Support.

-Vicinity to cultural institutions would be a great bonus.

-One of my fears about moving to the east coast is what I dub "coastal snobbery". I'm very much hoping that to meet down-to-earth, decent people who aren't hung up on degrees, professions, how much money you make, how fashionable you are, etc. I'm sharp, have a bachelor's degree, not a poor dresser (but far, far from being a fashionista), don't have an accent (so I'm told by many people in both California and New York/New Jersey who tell me on the phone that they can't believe I'm from Minnesota).

-I'd like to get a job nannying either Obama's kids, or the kids of Christianne Amanpour and James Rubin (and then hanging out afterwards for fancy wine dinners and talking foreign policy until late in the night). Ideally, they'll pay me obscene amounts of money for doing so.


I guess I could live without that last bullet point. Any help or opinions on the others?

[PenguinSix]

Hmmm...will your combined income be $60 or $60k each? Posters here can go around the world on whether $60k is doable in DC so I'm not going to really enter that fray. (My view is that for two people in DC proper, $60k is good but not exactly great. $120k would be fine).

My first inclination was Dupont Circle, or the area just west of the circle near Rock Creek / Georgetown's East Village. But those areas are pretty expensive, and I then thought of the next stops on that subway line Woodley Park and Cleveland Park. You might want to look at both of them. I'd also consider Eastern Market. You might like the neighborhoodly charm of that area next to the Capitol with a good farmers market nearby and some nightlife. Glover Park is nice (but no metro).

Grocery stores are a slightly different matter. There are a few small convenience stores here and there, and a growing number of larger groceries around, but finding a large one in the city in an area with a bit of green is going to be a bit tough. Maybe some of the others can recommend a few places that are close to some 'walkable' groceries. (many people here use PeaPod--the grocery delivery service)

As for attitude, well you'll just have to deal. Washington is filled with many professionals and people who are very important (and about 50x the number of important people who think they are very important people). You can find down to earth folks, but like any person moving to a new city you are going to meet all kinds of folks before you find your niche. Some people freak when the first 5 people they meet are not the kind they like, others realize if you meet 5 out of the first 50 that you actually like you're doing pretty good.

ed: what about kids? Someday? Not in the near term, etc? Makes a difference in whether or not to live in DC proper for some folks

[Veridian]

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

Hmmm...will your combined income be $60 or $60k each? Posters here can go around the world on whether $60k is doable in DC so I'm not going to really enter that fray. (My view is that for two people in DC proper, $60k is good but not exactly great. $120k would be fine).

$60K each, so $120K combined.

My first inclination was Dupont Circle, or the area just west of the circle near Rock Creek / Georgetown's East Village. But those areas are pretty expensive, and I then thought of the next stops on that subway line Woodley Park and Cleveland Park. You might want to look at both of them. I'd also consider Eastern Market.

I've noticed people talking about Eastern Market, but I'm having a heck of a time finding it on a map. Can you tell me what neighborhoods it is near or what metro stops are there?

You might like the neighborhoodly charm of that area next to the Capitol with a good farmers market nearby and some nightlife.

That does sound nice- thank you for the suggestion.

Grocery stores are a slightly different matter. There are a few small convenience stores here and there, and a growing number of larger groceries around, but finding a large one in the city in an area with a bit of green is going to be a bit tough. Maybe some of the others can recommend a few places that are close to some 'walkable' groceries. (many people here use PeaPod--the grocery delivery service)

Great idea - I suspect I will be using PeaPod as well.

As for attitude, well you'll just have to deal. Washington is filled with many professionals and people who are very important (and about 50x the number of important people who think they are very important people). You can find down to earth folks, but like any person moving to a new city you are going to meet all kinds of folks before you find your niche. Some people freak when the first 5 people they meet are not the kind they like, others realize if you meet 5 out of the first 50 that you actually like you're doing pretty good.

Yes, I'm pretty prepared for the fact that I'll meet lots and lots of people, many of whom might not be the nicest. Fortunately, I'm a pretty centered person and it's really quite hard to get to me (after doing tech support for lawyers in Chicago, Boston, New York, etc., I can take quite a hit and remain unflappable). I have faith that no matter where I go, I'll meet "my people", eventually.

ed: what about kids? Someday? Not in the near term, etc? Makes a difference in whether or not to live in DC proper for some folks

Kids? Good god no. I doubt I'd be good for them.

Thanks much for the reply.

[Pfish]

Eastern Market means Capitol Hill - a lovely family-friendly area, but not the European village in the city you may be looking for. $120K combined you'll be fine. I agree with a PP that DuPont would serve you well. Also have a look at Logan Circle, U Street, and Adams Morgan.

Moving here with kids can be a little scary because you don't know the schools, but trust me if you live here and have them you'll know exactly what you're doing and where all the good DCPS and Charter schools are. Check out this story about DC's newest charter school Washington Yu Ying (Mandarin Immersion):

http://www.dcedublog.com/2008/11/yu-...broadcast.html

[PenguinSix]

Eastern Market is located next to the Metro stop...'Eastern Market' ;-) (sorry, just being a bit cheeky). It's on the Blue / Orange line one stop after the Capitol South (US Capitol).

If you have google maps call up '700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington DC.' I think the zip code there is 20003 (you can look on realtor.com to get an idea of home prices there and what they look like). Technically the Market is at 7th and North Carolina Avenue SE. Also near there (8th and Penn) is what is known as Barracks Row, a new strip of restaurants and bars surrounding the US Marine Corps '8th and I' barracks (home to the Ceremonial Units and the US Marine Band which gives lots of free concerts in the Summer at the base).

Capitol Hill is the general neighborhood, but that stretches from the US Capitol on the West to RFK Stadium on the East, and from I-295 on the South to H Street on the North (more or less). In reality their are many different neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Union Station (Amtrak), Eastern Market, Lincoln Park, etc but most folks say 'the Hill'. Closer to the Capitol the longer the area has been gentrified. Basically most things between the Capitol and Lincoln Park have been cleaned up.

Most of the housing stock is comprised of brownstones--brick townhouses shoulder to shoulder. 2 to 3 bedroom places with a basement that is often rented out as a separate unit.

As you can probably guess, being so close to the Capitol quite a few Congressman, Senators and their staffs live on the Hill. The last estimate I saw was that nearly 40% of the Congress lived within walking distance of the Capitol. Certainly quite a few staffers there. I've seen a few 'bar fights' break out over health care policy, social security benefits, free trade agreements, etc.

Whatever you do, my advice (and many others) is 'RENT FIRST' for say 3 months and then consider a longer term lease (after you know the area) or buying a house. You can find plenty of leases on the Hill on craigslist or in Roll Call (Roll Call) or The Hill (TheHill.com) which are political newspapers up there.

It is a fun place, but I would recommend checking out the other areas as well. You might want to go to some salary calculators and work out how much you have left over each month after federal, FICA and DC income taxes are priced. With 120k you should be able to afford a 1br or 2br in most areas of the city pretty easily.

[cityGuy1]

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

Whatever you do, my advice (and many others) is 'RENT FIRST' for say 3 months and then consider a longer term lease (after you know the area) or buying a house.

Hello,
Almost all apartment complexes are offering only 12 months lease.

[PenguinSix]

Originally Posted by cityGuy1

Hello,
Almost all apartment complexes are offering only 12 months lease.

Big complexes will likely have a very set strict set of rules, like 12 months or whatever, but you can find short term rentals pretty easily on Craigslist (they have a category for sublets or temporary accommodation) or you can do a search on the term 'corporate apartment' which are often rented on a month to month basis.