Moving to DC, where are good places to live? (apartments, rent)

[SocalKT213]

I am moving to DC at the beginning of next year with one of my best girfriends. Where are some good places to live in DC for two single 28 year olds? I love DC, I am familar with the area, but don't know where good places are to live. Any help would be great!

[wylekaters]

Well...

-do you need to be in DC proper? or are you considering MD and VA as well?
-what's your budget?
-what kinds of things are you looking for in your area? (quiet ~ cleveland park, "rowdy" ~ u-street)
-what area will you be working? and what kind of commute are you looking for/willing to do?
-are you and your friend going to be room mates?
-anything else you need nearby?

these are just some of the questions that we need to give you a proper opinion of possible areas to look in.

good luck with your move, and welcome to the most powerful city in the world!

[SocalKT213]

My friend and I are going to be living together, and we would prefer to be in DC. My budget is around $1000/month. I am not going to have a car, so close to the Metro. Just looking for a fun area, that has some cool mello places to hang out at. Not into the party scene anymore. Of course a shopping market closeby would be convenient. Any suggestions would be awesome! Thank you!

[DCnative1990]

$1000?
Is that just you or both of you combined?
If you can both dish out $1000 month you'll have no problem. lol.
But if your looking to find an apartment for $1000 in D.C. thats gonna be a tad bit difficult, since I'm pretty sure you want a safe area. I would suggest you look into Montgomery County, particularly Wheaton or Silver Spring. There are safe and cheaper apartments in that area and near metro stations.

[kodaka]

Just looking for a fun area, that has some cool mello places to hang out at. Not into the party scene anymore. Of course a shopping market closeby would be convenient

Dupont Circle, U-Street Corridor, Capitol Hill/Eastern Market neighborhoods. Just beyond the district, Clarendon, Ballston, Silver Spring, and Bethesda also meet this criteria.

But as DCNative1990says, $1000 for two people is not nearly enough. For that price you are looking at a place outside the beltway in surburia. If you have $1000 each, you can live pretty much anywhere I think.

[SocalKT213]

Thank you so much for the help! It would be both of us paying a $1000 each....hopefully be able to find something cheaper of course.

[Carrot2000]

I have friends who live at the Meridian, Gallery Place: Meridian :: Your Destination Address. I really don't know how much the rent is, but it's a nice building with lots of young professionals.

[m_boogie]

Honestly, the only area in the city where you could find a 2 br for $1000 is going to be in a place, I'm assuming, you're not comfortable with- SE, east of the river or NE near Minnesota Ave, Benning Rd or out by Ivy City.

Now you could find a 1 br in Brookland, Capital Hill or Brightwood. There are a lot of decent apts on 14th St north of Missouri Ave.

You're best bet might be a group house, where you both rent a room. This is very popular with new arrivals & people who want to live in trendy areas but can't afford to live alone. This is pretty common in Columbia Heights.

[jm67]

Originally Posted by m_boogie

Honestly, the only area in the city where you could find a 2 br for $1000 is going to be in a place, I'm assuming, you're not comfortable with- SE, east of the river or NE near Minnesota Ave, Benning Rd or out by Ivy City.

Ah, I interpret the OP's response to indicate that they have $2000 per month to spend - so no need for a group house or Ivy City.

For that budget you should be able to find something easily in a good neighborhood. It may not be a deluxe 2 bedroom but it should be ok. Think about Dupont, Logan Circle, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, or Eastern Market. All of those neighborhoods are nice, fairly safe, and interesting without being dominated by the party atmosphere of Adams-Morgan, U Street, or Gallery Place.