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Really? Interesting. I didn't grow up here so to me U street is the epitome of cool. U street is my one day when I have some money neighborhood. It's funny how for you it's hard to imagine U street being a cool and safe spot, for me it's hard to imagine anything but.
Although I have heard about the 68 riots. How once upon a time U street was the Harlem of DC home to folks like Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington. At the end of the day it is funny how neighborhoods can continuously evolve.
Yes, very interesting and very true. It was the closest thing to the South Bronx back then- lots of torched and abandoned buildings, hookers, junkies, etc.
I also spent most of the 80s and 90s in New York, so I did not witness the gentrification of the area as it was happening. One day I came home for a visit and a friend took me there. I was amazed to say the least.
Being a middle aged old man now, I really do not get down there much. But I like what I have seen.
The subway construction almost finished what the riots didn't. It took a long time and businesses on the street really suffered. I lived on T street between 17 & 18th back in the 80s. That was as fringy then as Columbia Heights is today.
The subway construction almost finished what the riots didn't. It took a long time and businesses on the street really suffered. I lived on T street between 17 & 18th back in the 80s. That was as fringy then as Columbia Heights is today.
What I would give for a rowhome on that block today...
The subway construction almost finished what the riots didn't. It took a long time and businesses on the street really suffered. I lived on T street between 17 & 18th back in the 80s. That was as fringy then as Columbia Heights is today.
What I would give for a rowhome on that block today...
Weird, isn't it? And it's not just DC. I remember driving through the Northern Liberties neighborhood in Philadelphia as a kid and seeing nothing but abandoned factories, empty homes, trash, and grafitti. Granted, it's still a gritty area, but now there's a bunch of bars, restaurants, clubs, and it's a popular place for artists and younger people to live. My parents even told me that a square there hosts Eagles tailgating parties now, too. Ten years ago you'd never want to go there, nor have any reason to. It's amazing how some areas can change in a fairly quick amount of time.
Weird, isn't it? And it's not just DC. I remember driving through the Northern Liberties neighborhood in Philadelphia as a kid and seeing nothing but abandoned factories, empty homes, trash, and grafitti. Granted, it's still a gritty area, but now there's a bunch of bars, restaurants, clubs, and it's a popular place for artists and younger people to live. My parents even told me that a square there hosts Eagles tailgating parties now, too. Ten years ago you'd never want to go there, nor have any reason to. It's amazing how some areas can change in a fairly quick amount of time.
I was just back in Northern Liberties weekend before last. It has really come a long way. I didn't believe it when I heard that NL and Fishtown were turning around, but they really do have a great scene up there.
I was spending almost 3 hours of my life a day commuting into Philly for a few years before moving down to DC. I knew right away that I wanted to be right downtown in my new city. I'm sure areas have all sorts of reasons for turning around, but affordability within striking distance of the CBD creates a pretty high index for desirability.
Boy, you really don't understand the DC market at all, do you? In your mind, we're all government workers making government wages. Several of the wealthiest counties in the nation--including the top three wealthiest--are all in the DC region. And upper NW DC would be among them as well, if it were considered seperately.
There's a substantial amount of money in this region, and it isn't coming from salaried government employees. If you'd done your homework as you say, you would know that.
High income counties do not equate to being wealthy, and yes nearly 1 out of every 5 employees in certain regions work for the government which in turn supports other jobs, of course the wealth that does exist comes from contractors, lobbyists and the well connected predominately.
Yes, very interesting and very true. It was the closest thing to the South Bronx back then- lots of torched and abandoned buildings, hookers, junkies, etc.
Yes, it is very interesting and I still watch my back (out of habit) when I'm there. I remember when I was a poor college student in the mid-80's, I rented an apartment off of 16th. I went to bed hungry one night because I fell asleep and it was dark when I woke. I had nothing in my fridge, the thought of going out was out of the question and of course nobody was delivering!
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I remember when I was a poor college student in the mid-80's, I rented an apartment off of 16th. I went to bed hungry one night because I fell asleep and it was dark when I woke. I had nothing in my fridge, the thought of going out was out of the question and of course nobody was delivering! 
