40-year old single woman -- Dupont, Eastern Market or Penn Quarter? (apartment, rental)

[Ann from Cali]

Hi, I am relocating to DC from CA for a one-year assignment doing government affairs w my company. Unclear whether I'll have a car. What do you think of Dupont v Penn Quarter v Eastern Market? I'll be working nr 6th and Penn NW, looking for short commute, access to grocery store, gym, bars/restaurants. Appreciate your thoughts! I think I would like Eastern Market, but having a hard time finding rental listings near EM metro.

[jm67]

Both Eastern Market and Dupont are great neigborhoods. I guess Dupont is a bit "ritzier", with more posh restaurants and shops, while EM is a little "homier", but EM has plenty of money sloshing around at this point as well. The commute from either by metro would be easy. Penn Quarter is obviously close to your work, but I think there's more limited shopping and the restaurants tend to be expense-account type places.

[Ann from Cali]

Thanks! Yes, I like the arts and restaurants, etc, of Dupont but it seems like Eastern Market might have more of a neighborhood feel and yet still be close. But still restaurants and bars on Barracks Row? Have spent some time around Dupont/AM but will have to visit and take a look at EM. Just having hard time finding a nice listing nr EM metro on Craigslist. Suggestions of where else to look? Penn Quarter's biggest pluses seem to be new lofts, walk to work. But maybe less sense of place there, not as good access to grocery store (around F/9th Streets).

[gzjht1]

What's your price range??

[Ann from Cali]

Thanks for the help . . . found a very cute, small, expensive apartment near the Dupont metro. Looked around last weekend. Eastern Market has a nice neighborhood feel, but the Dupont location I found has everything in walking distance and I won't be bringing a car initially. Penn Quarter was very close to my work, but the area I was in seemed to shut down in the evenings.