Eckington, Capitol Hill (senate side)?

[asp1221]

Hi All- I have found your comments helpful. My sister and I are thinking of moving into a Row House on T street and North Capital NW (Right on Capital Street and near Rhode Island). I guess I am bordering NW and NE. I am a 24 year old white female and my sister is 27. I work in Dupont and have only lived in Alexandria. I love this house(but it needs work) however I am not sure about the area. I am most concerned of walking to the grocery store at night. Or taking the bus home late. Would this be safe? How is crime? What is the enthic majority in this area? Are there young people? I hear retail is not the that great? I am not sure where the closest grocery store would be? How would be the commute from Dupont either driving or taking the bus? Is up coming mean in the next year it will be great or in sooner than that? I dont want to pay double to live in Dupont for a two bedroom but safety and area is my main concern. Any details would be useful.

Thank YOU!

[Mr. Party]

Hi asp1221--

Please tell us what 'ethnic majority' you and your white sister would find acceptable, so we can tell you whether or not this neighborhood meets your racist requirements. Thanks.

Regards, Mr. Party

[jm67]

I live near there... The neighborhood is Bloomingdale (or maybe Eckington - people get oddly pissy about neighborhood names in DC). It's not too bad, although there is some street crime and minor drug dealing. My only qualm would be living right on N Capitol (as opposed to T Street) because of traffic and the fact that the North Capitol business strip is still pretty rough. Useful places in the neighborhood are Big Bear Coffee (1st & R NW), Timor Bodega (organic produce, beer, wine - 2nd & Rhode Island NW), and Windows market/cafe (good wine/beer selection, surprising diversity of canned and dry goods - 1st & Rhode Island NW). There's also a Yoga studio, and Bloomingdale Liquors, which is not too bad (despite the bullet-proof glass). Jam Dong carryout on N. Capitol and Seaton has good Jamaican food.

The neighborhood is mixed, probably 75% African America, 25% other. Lot's of young professionals as well as older homeowners. Also, unfortunately, a few houses on every block we'd wish would leave. Most of the "gang"-like crime is centered on a few hotspots (like 1st & Lincoln NE, or 3rd and W NW), but it seems like street mugging by teens is a constant problem, especially late at night. I personally don't walk alone after dark, although many choose to do so.

Transportation to Dupont is pretty easy... metro Green line at Shaw (7th and T NW), or take the bus down Rhode Island. My preferred option is biking (it's a ten minute ride using the bike lane along R St. NW).