Braddock station (Arlington, Washington: apartment, to rent, condos)

[HB2HSV]

I plan to rent an apartment within walking distance to the metro station. It seems like a good area but the government-subsidized housing across the parking lot has me worried. Does the neighborhood pose a safety concern for walking around at night? Say if you need to walk pass this area to get to your apartment at night or taking an evening walk with da wife? What about walking to King street? Is it safe?

[robbobobbo]

I have never had a problem walking through there at night but you should check the city's online crime reports to form your own assessment of risk. In my recollection, it seems the crime in Parker-Gray is typically between people who know each other, or public drunkenness or drug sales. I don't know about property crime though (car break-ins, bike thefts, etc). Walking to King should be fine. I pass through there to walk to Trader Joe's on the other side of Washington St (via either Pendleton or Oronoco).

[HB2HSV]

Thanks. I saw a similar post from 2009 about safety concern in the area. Has the safety situation improved, the same, or gotten worse since then?

[gomason]

I would say it has improved. They are slowly gentrifying that area.

[robbobobbo]

The area is diversifying in economic status with the influx of tenants and owners of the new condos and townhouses. Starbucks, Dominos Pizza, LA Boxing, and other businesses have moved in. I've heard nothing about an uptick in crime; I'd expect the area is safer than before.

[queenswake]

I have lived right near the metro since 2005. At first I had the same concerns about the neighborhood, but those fears have been alleviated. As someone else said, the crime here is between people who know each other. Not once have I been harassed. There have been shootings, but again, it's between people who know each other. And as a result of the shootings, there is always a strong police presence in the area. When something does happen, there are 20 police cars on the scene seemingly within seconds.

And as more empty buildings have been torn down, the neighborhood is getting safer. More apartment buildings means more people on the street, which keeps crime down. SO many of the new residents have dogs, so they are out walking their dogs at all hours of the day. Also, there are two restaurants and a donut shop expected to arrive in these new apartment buildings by the end of the year. That will again increase foot traffic.

I say go for it. It's an up and coming area with a quick walk to King St, the river, Del Ray, etc. One metro stop from the Metro. Quick drive to Potomac Yards for shopping. Super easy commute to DC and beyond via GW Parkway. It's a really great area that has you close to DC without so much of the hassle and congestion of North Arlington.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by queenswake

I have lived right near the metro since 2005. At first I had the same concerns about the neighborhood, but those fears have been alleviated. As someone else said, the crime here is between people who know each other. Not once have I been harassed. There have been shootings, but again, it's between people who know each other. And as a result of the shootings, there is always a strong police presence in the area. When something does happen, there are 20 police cars on the scene seemingly within seconds.

And as more empty buildings have been torn down, the neighborhood is getting safer. More apartment buildings means more people on the street, which keeps crime down. SO many of the new residents have dogs, so they are out walking their dogs at all hours of the day. Also, there are two restaurants and a donut shop expected to arrive in these new apartment buildings by the end of the year. That will again increase foot traffic.

I say go for it. It's an up and coming area with a quick walk to King St, the river, Del Ray, etc. One metro stop from the Metro. Quick drive to Potomac Yards for shopping. Super easy commute to DC and beyond via GW Parkway. It's a really great area that has you close to DC without so much of the hassle and congestion of North Arlington.

Thanks. Your comment is reassuring.