Good areas for single, young professionals to live? (apartment complexes, rental market)

[RLCMA]

I'm heading to DC in about 2 weeks for work and I have the option of moving there. I've never been to DC and I'm wondering what areas are the best for single, young professionals to live in? Can anybody give me some insight? I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.

[LIS123]

You should check through old threads for additional information.

Some of the more popular neighborhoods include Arlington, VA and various sections of the NW quadrant of DC proper. Consider: DuPont Circle, Penn Quarter/Chinatown and Foggy Bottom. As long as you're close to the Metro, you have access to much of the area.

As for being single, being in one neighborhood versus the other won't really make a big difference. Just try to meet people and, if you find someone you're interested in, make a move!

You may want to be more specific in what you're seeking if you want a more specific answer.

[RLCMA]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess to be more specific I would like a nice, trendy area to live in. I live in the Boston area right now and something comparable to the Back Bay or South End of Boston would be preferred.

[LIS123]

I'm not familiar with Boston. Arlington tends to be popular with the younger crowd. It has quite of a few of its own social options (for dining, nightlife, etc.) Some people like hanging out more in Arlington than DC itself. Fairfax, VA is a bit further and more family oriented though there is a young crowd there as well. I don't know as much about the Maryland side of DC. It does come across as more family oriented and less for young, single folks than Arlington but there are younger people there as well. Montgomery county is a more affluent area, while PG can be a bit dicey.

Within DC itself, the neighborhoods I mentioned before are popular. As for neighborhoods outside the NW quadrant: Capitol Hill and Eastern Market seem to be gaining popularity. I don't know too much about them, though. SE is expected to grow as the area around Nats stadium is built up, but I'd probably wait before moving there (though many of the buildings are very nice).

[RLCMA]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at Arlington as well. How far is it from DC? Is there more to do in Arlington?

[RLCMA]

Any idea of good apartment buildings in Dupont Circle that have a good amount of single, young professionals? That seems to be a great place.

[enigmatic526]

I'm from Boston too man, and am moving down to DC sometime in mid-Jan. I just got back from a 3-4 day stint there to check out the place and there's a lot of great areas that I was interested in. Dupont of DC is like the South End of Boston -- a pretty big gay population, but very trendy. If you're looking for the Back Bay area, the one that came closest to that was Penn Quarter for me. Georgetown was filled with young people...but that led more to the Fenway area of Boston. Gallery Place/Chinatown seemed very much like the end of Back Bay and into Beacon Hill (near Arlington St and the Lowe's at the Park). There's also more secluded areas that are similar to Brookline...Cleveland Park/Van Ness/Tenlytown/Friendship Heights.

The friends that live there suggested I live near the red line west of Judiciary as those neighborhoods have been there for a while and low on crime.

My favorites after my quick 4 day stint were Van Ness/Dupont/Chinatown.

Good luck...

[RLCMA]

Thanks Enigmatic. Dupont and Penn Quarter sound cool. I'll have to check these places out. I plan on being there next week and I'm looking forward to it.

[RLCMA]

I drove around DC today and I like Dupont Circle and Georgetown the most. Does anyone know of nice apartment complexes in either one? I'm more drawn to Georgetown but I can't find many apartments in the area and I'm sure it's full of them. I could use some insight from people who know the area. Thank you.

[JimGriffith]

what's your budget? Those are probably two of the three most expensive rental markets in the city.