Area around 13th St/Spring Rd (Columbia Heights)? (condos, crime) - Washington, DC (DC) - City-Data Forum

wjt1321 · 05-13-2009, 08:19 AM

I've looked around here on the forums and I've noticed differing opinions on Columbia Heights, but it seems to come down to "It depends on exactly where in CH."
I'm moving up to DC in a short while and I'm looking at a place (just for a few months) located at 13th St NW & Spring Rd NW. I was curious if anyone knew anything about that particular area?
How safe is it? Should I be worried walking 0.3 miles when I get home from work in the evening? Should I worry about my place getting broken into?

ANY help is appreciated (I can't get to DC until RIGHT before I start work, so I can't visit beforehand, unfortunately)

jm67 · 05-13-2009, 08:54 AM

Of course everything depends on your comfort level, experience with city living, etc. 13th and Spring is at the northern edge of Columbia Heights. It seems pretty quiet and safe - most of the nasty stuff in Columbia Heights occurs at the southern edge, around Girard and Euclid. The area isn't as "trendy" as the area right around the Tivoli (where the new expensive condos are located), instead is more working class, with a large Hispanic population. Red Derby is a great neighborhood bar located down the street at 14th and Spring, and you are within walking distance to Red Rocks Pizza and Wonderland on 11th Street. Hope that helps.

ffknight918 · 05-13-2009, 01:59 PM

Girard and Euclid are the bad parts? How bad? Just curious because I moved to Euclid and 9th a few weeks ago.

jm67 · 05-13-2009, 03:57 PM

I was thinking more of 14th St, from Clifton to Harvard as "problem" areas. There's a fair amount of public housing around there, and they've had a spate of recent shootings. Does 9th and Euclid seem peaceful? That's near Sherman right?

ffknight918 · 05-13-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm67

I was thinking more of 14th St, from Clifton to Harvard as "problem" areas. There's a fair amount of public housing around there, and they've had a spate of recent shootings. Does 9th and Euclid seem peaceful? That's near Sherman right?

Yep, near Sherman. I've only been here about 3 weeks, but I do like it so far. There's a decent amount of foot traffic on Georgia because Howard U is right there. I'm across the street from Banneker High School, but its actually not as bad as it seems. It's a top 50 high school in the nation so there aren't any kids causing problems. Then I have a decent view of baseball and softball games from my porch.

So yes, I'd say I like it so far. I haven't noticed any crime on my street yet, but it's still early.

HomerBrink · 05-19-2009, 12:41 PM

I'd avoid it.

14thandYou · 05-20-2009, 08:39 AM

Both the northern and southern portions of Columbia Heights are experiencing problems. In the last week alone there have been multiple stabbings and shootings, as well as numerous reports of drug and prostitution activity, in the area around 14th and Meridian/Perry Place, which is not terribly far from 13th and Spring.

This is the standard boilerplate I like to use when discussing Columbia Heights: it's much better than it used to be, but the new shopping centers and upscale condo buildings present an image of the neighborhood being safer than it actually is. Columbia Heights is very much a transitional neighborhood, meaning that you get that awkward mix of upscale eateries and condos mixed in with brothels, drug dealing and general thuggery.

Do your homework before making any plans to move to the neighborhood. Walk around at all hours--and not just along the busy commercial stretch of 14th street, but along the residential streets as well. There's a lot to like about Columbia Heights, but it's not Dupont, and it's not for everyone.