New to D.C. Please help!! (violent crime, how much, buying a house)

[livindc2012]

Hi, I am going to be in D.C. at the end of December begining of Jan to start a new job. I am in my mid 30s and would like to live about a 30min walk to Union Station. I have looked at appartments that are a little on the high price, small space side. I am thinking about buying a house in NE In the kingman park, carver/langston, trinadad or ekington area. Homes are priced in the 150s-300s. I am sure the lower the price the smaller the house and tougher the hood. Any advice on what sections,streets would be un adviseble to live on? I have spent a lot of time online and a few days in the city the past few weeks doing recon, but any and all help would be awsome. Thank you!!

[chicagotodc]

Trinidad was definitely not a place you'd voluntarily hang out in a few years back. There was a period of time where police had road blocks up and such. This was maybe 2 or 3 years ago, supposedly its improved... I dont know how much.... Eckington is probably not as bad, but I believe has a pretty good # of public housing stuff (including more coming? - maybe someone can confirm or correct me on that) which might make it a relatively uncertain investment bet. I don't know jack about Kingman Park, but given its proximity to anacostia, I'd imagine its the least desirable of the three. If I had to pick, I would think (but dont know for sure) Eckington means dealing with theft, but Kingman Park is going to mean violent crime. Maybe someone else has better advice or can helpfully yell at me about how stupid/wrong/dated my perceptions are.