I need some information on living in the following areas:

• Logan Circle
  
• Capital Hill
  
• Eastern Market
  
• The area behind the convention center
  
• The Waterfront
  
• The area east of Sheridan Circle
  

I've been to DC, many times but need to get real information on those neighborhooods.  I don't want to live in VA or MD so please no suggestions about cities in those states.

 

Thanks

Don't have a whole lot of time right now, but out of those spots, I would with out a doubt go with Logan Circle. The turn around going on there is astounding.  You can still find your grit pretty easily, but you've also got a great art house movie theater, a Whole Foods, several really cool restaurants, neat galleries, etc.  Also, you're walking distance (hell all of DC is 'walking distance') from Dupont and Adams Morgan, as well as U St, downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarter, and the Mall. 

 

Capital Hill is also excellent, but a bit isolated.  Definitely can't walk to as many cool places from there as you could from Logan Circle (though access to the smithsonians is pretty good from there...). A few decent restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, but nothing as substantial as Logan.

 

Don't know too much about the neighborhood around Eastern Market...

 

I would NOT go in the area behind the convention center.  The housing stock isn't all that hot there, and it is pretty bad in some spots.  A lot of the calssic DC row houses back there were torn down for ugly apartment buildings and projects.  Restaurants and entertainment is not that good there, though a trip down 7th will have you into Chinatown pretty easilly.

 

Do you mean SE Waterfront of Georgetown Waterfront?

 

hope that could help a little.

Don't have a whole lot of time right now, but out of those spots, I would with out a doubt go with Logan Circle. The turn around going on there is astounding.  You can still find your grit pretty easily, but you've also got a great art house movie theater, a Whole Foods, several really cool restaurants, neat galleries, etc.  Also, you're walking distance (hell all of DC is 'walking distance') from Dupont and Adams Morgan, as well as U St, downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarter, and the Mall. 

 

Capital Hill is also excellent, but a bit isolated.  Definitely can't walk to as many cool places from there as you could from Logan Circle (though access to the smithsonians is pretty good from there...). A few decent restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, but nothing as substantial as Logan.

 

Don't know too much about the neighborhood around Eastern Market...

 

I would NOT go in the area behind the convention center.  The housing stock isn't all that hot there, and it is pretty bad in some spots.  A lot of the classic DC row houses back there were torn down for ugly apartment buildings and projects.  Restaurants and entertainment is not that good there, though a trip down 7th will have you into Chinatown pretty easilly.

 

Do you mean SE Waterfront of Georgetown Waterfront?

 

hope that could help a little.

 

No SE DC, I don't want live anywhere near G-Town or the Westend and I'm trying to avoid living in Dupont or Adams Morgan.

 

The homes around the convention center look pretty nice.  I like old homes.  I need something that I can put my stamp on like I did in Harlem.

Why the move mts?

Why the move mts?

I'm not at liberty to say at the moment.  There is a very, very, very small chance I would move but I'm trying to gather information so I'm prepared.

I thought Capital Hill was awesome when I went to D.C. The business district was near a subway stop so I don't think I would care if it's isolated.

 

What kind of information are you looking for? If there's something that can be looke up online - I'm not doing anything for the next few hours - and I like looking up neighborhoods anyway.

I thought Capital Hill was awesome when I went to D.C. The business district was near a subway stop so I don't think I would care if it's isolated.

 

What kind of information are you looking for? If there's something that can be looke up online - I'm not doing anything for the next few hours - and I like looking up neighborhoods anyway.

 

Just getting general information.  One person has already suggested "silver spring" and of course I rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth!

I live in Columbia Heights and enjoy it alot.  It is very diverse, new restaurants, the metro,target, and it is very safe.  You are right in the middle of everything.  Dont ask me why but it also gives me of a shaker spirit as well, again dont ask me why.

You know, I was going to suggest Columbia Heights or maybe even Ledroit (sp?) Park over near Howard as other potential neighborhoods that might be good to consider.

I live in Columbia Heights and enjoy it alot.  It is very diverse, new restaurants, the metro,target, and it is very safe.  You are right in the middle of everything.  Dont ask me why but it also gives me of a shaker spirit as well, again dont ask me why.

 

You had me right up until you said, "shaker".  I want shaker square not shaker heights!  lol

MTS I think you would like Logan or Capital Hill best.  They are both very architecturally significant.  I think Capital Hill is the most “neighborhoody” feeling since its more established and there are more people that have put down roots there and actually know and talk to their neighbors and say hello (something not common in DC) 

Logan is more, newly gentried… and where many of the Dupont gays moved to when they cashed out there. 

 

Eastern Market is Capital Hill, but a good area of it.  The area is fun, but the market itself is a dump (WSM puts it to shame, and makes you miss Cleveland (btw, good luck finding Eastern European (stuff you easily find in Cleveland) food here))

The area behind the convention center is basically Logan but where it becomes less safe, unless you mean the area along Mass where all the new condo buildings are (which you wouldn’t like).

 

Sheridan Circle (which I know your familiar with) will be the safest area on your list (due to the security forces and secret service present in the neighborhood), but also the priciest (because of the area) and elaborate housing stock. 

 

There traditionally has been a safety line.  When I moved here, I was told to stay west of 16th  Street, so I basically live at 16th, the border of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Hts.  The line has moved considerably and much of Columbia Hts. is now desirable with lots of new stuff and some nice housing stock, but I wouldn’t say "its very safe" (I don’t think you could say that about anywhere in DC (although there isn’t currently a crime emergency, but there has been a rash of beatings and armed robberies from Columbia Hts to Adams Morgan)  There is more activity than there used to be, so it doesnt feel as dangerous.  There's also still quite a bit of Latin gang activity in Columbia Hts.

So I think its touch and go east of 12th or so, and be careful around Shaw it also depends on the block there and can be quite rough. 

PM me if you need more or will be in town.   

     

 

I know people that live over by eastern market and your right it is a mess.  Even the flea market was bad, but I like the housing stock.  You kids know I don't like "new", I'm a pre-war kinda boy.

 

I purposely wanted to stay away from Dupont.  I'm gay and I love the kids, but I just don't want to live among them. 

 

Logan Circle behind the conv. cent. seemed to have nice housing stock, but the last thing I need is another big house. I've seen a few abonded/run down homes that have always peaked my interest, so I'll check those.  I noticed that once you get closer to Shaw Univ, it gets a bit different.  One of my employees lives a few block from Whole Foods on P, I think S Street and like once you cross S, it changes.

 

Safety, I'm not worried about that.  It's the chocolate city, those are my people.  I walk through the projects in NYC almost daily.  And remember I'm PR, I can spot a Latin King or Columbian gang sign a mile away.  lol

 

The other issues is resale.  I have to think about that.

Yet people here seem to think the Eastern Market is the greatest place...... :?

 

If your not worried about safety and moreso resale value than you probably cant go wrong with being further east near Shaw, the convention center or the outskirts of Capital Hill.

 

Since Washington is recession proof, and the city adds so many jobs each year, the waves of gentrification will only continue and property values *continue to Hyperinflate. 

*(there has been a huge leveling off/re-adjustment in property values this past year, which was only inevitable due to huge and unrealistic increases over the past 10 years)   

Yet people here seem to think the Eastern Market is the greatest place...... :?

 

If your not worried about safety and moreso resale value than you probably cant go wrong with being further east near Shaw, the convention center or the outskirts of Capital Hill.

 

Since Washington is recession proof, and the city adds so many jobs each year, the waves of gentrification will only continue and property values *continue to Hyperinflate. 

*(there has been a huge leveling off/re-adjustment in property values this past year, which was only inevitable due to huge and unrealistic increases over the past 10 years)   

 

EM is a joke!  Shaw is too far, I want to walk no more than 3 blocks to the train.  I'm trying to stay on the Orange or Blue lines, but I don't mind walking a bit as I'm sure a lot of what i'll be doing will be outside the office.

 

Well property values are adjusting themselves all over, someone on my block in Harlem initially had their Brownstone listed at 3.1 million, now its down to 2.45 million.  So it's a good thing. DC isn't exactly recession proof as when the administratin changes, jobs aren't always the same.  Contractors are always affected first and that groups and Lobbyist have grown.  DC itself is still losing population to the surrounding areas.  So a bargain might be had.

 

I want a fixer-upper, although, I'm now starting to think about a condo.

It would be hard for me to believe that DC is still losing population, (maybe in the worst of areas, since that segment has been pushed into PG county), but there has been a huge increase in the white (a huge influx into DC), well paid segment of the population in DC the past 10 years, which has really led to the widespread gentrification and significantly pushed up property values.

 

Compared to other parts of the country DC is pretty recession proof.  There has been quite a bit of diversification in the economy here, and in a typical year there is an increase of 60,000 jobs here.  A new administration typically means a bunch of shifting around (thus the transient nature), and this time around Im sure it will allow for some housing bargains (if you want to call it that in a hyperinflated market)

I personally wouldnt mind if DC stopped growing since they seem to suffer every kind of growing pain that for me affects the quality of life here. 

 

Keep in mind the Green line though.  That touches on Shaw and the convention center areas.         

http://www.examiner.com/a-1482602~D_C__population_continues_to_grow__census_data_show.html 

D.C. population continues to grow, census data show

Michael Neibauer, The Examiner

2008-07-11

 

D.C.’s population in 2007 edged up by another 2,500 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday, continuing a growth trend that followed a five-decade-long collapse.

 

The city’s population as of July 1, 2007, was 582,049, the Census Bureau reported, up from 579,621 in 2006 and 577,467 in 2005. The District is the nation’s 27th-largest urban jurisdiction.

 

The number of residents in the nation’s capital steadily declined after the 1950 Census, when the population peaked at more than 800,000. The drop-off continued for the next 50 years, as D.C. fell from the ranks of the nation’s largest cities.

 

But the trend turned around toward the end of former Mayor Anthony Williams’ tenure, which he said was an endorsement of his aggressive housing and economic development policies.

 

William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution, said the trend for D.C. and elsewhere is that young people who move into cities are unable or reluctant to move to the suburbs due to the slumping economy and rise in gas prices. How long that will last, he said, is difficult to predict.

 

“In a place like D.C. there is always in-migration to the city from other parts of the country, and young people attracted to city life,” Frey said in an e-mail. “Until recently there was a similar flow to the suburbs for more affordable housing, better schools or personal preference. The latter flow has become more costly so those earlier young in-migrants are now staying longer in the city.”

 

The Washington metropolitan area has exploded from 4.7 million people in 2000 to 5.3 million in 2007.

 

Paul DesJardin, director of community planning and services with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, said D.C.’s population rise is a “recognition that the entire region is an attractive place to live and work,” and specifically of the District’s policies of neighborhood reinvestment and revitalization.

 

“We are a magnet for workers across a broad spectrum of skills, for families, for singles and even international migration,” DesJardin said

 

 

I have a friend who lives in Friendship Heights...maybe thats a little too far for you, but she likes the tranquility of the neighborhood compared to closer to the mall.  I believe there is a red line train that goes through there.

I have a friend who lives in Friendship Heights...maybe thats a little too far for you, but she likes the tranquility of the neighborhood compared to closer to the mall.  I believe there is a red line train that goes through there.

 

Thanks, but I don't want to live up there.  The zoo is as far as I would live and I dont really like that area.

So what are you leaning towards?

So what are you leaning towards?

 

I dont know.

I need to have in close proximity

• grocery store
  
• drug store
  
• dry cleaners
  
• gym
  
• movie theater
  
• Restuarants - although DC isn't a good restaurant city IMHO
  
• Catholic and Baptist church close by.  (I flip flop)
  
• A good coffee shop - damn near impossible in DC
  

MTS, why are you not considering the U St. area? It seems like it would fit your criteria fairly well, but I still vote Logan Circle.

MTS, why are you not considering the U St. area? It seems like it would fit your criteria fairly well, but I still vote Logan Circle.

 

I am.  U street was around before Hough, Harlem, etc.  I'm just getting input from various sources, so I can hit the pavement running, if need be.

"Restaurants - although DC isn't a good restaurant city IMHO"

 

Yeah restaurants blow here, although they are finally coming around and options are increasing.  I think finally out-of-town restaurateurs must have realized what a gold mine DC could be (with all of its income) and how lacking it is (lack of options, missed trends and general low standards) 

 

With the condo building rush and mass gentrification over the last 3 years it really opened the door and brought in new things that they hadn't seen here. 

Things such as loungy places, martini bars and (just recently) a boom of wine bars.  I finally just started seeing the comfort food concept about 4 yrs ago, and went to a new place this past Saturday night, that seemed to be doing a booming business that serves Belgium beer and "chicken and waffles".  A girl next to me was saying what an amazing concept it was.... and I could only laugh and say "youve got to be kidding me"  try about 12 - 15 yrs ago in Cleveland.   

 

Oh and you will find tons of Ethiopian restaurants here (DC has the largest populustion of Ethiopians in the US)

Ill pass.

 

Anyway, people that know Im from Cleveland here, usually make me bring back a whole list of things from Cleveland that you cant find here. 

"Restaurants - although DC isn't a good restaurant city IMHO"

 

Yeah restaurants blow here, although they are finally coming around and options are increasing.  I think finally out-of-town restaurateurs must have realized what a gold mine DC could be (with all of its income) and how lacking it is (lack of options, missed trends and general low standards) 

 

With the condo building rush and mass gentrification over the last 3 years it really opened the door and brought in new things that they hadn't seen here. 

Things such as loungy places, martini bars and (just recently) a boom of wine bars.  I finally just started seeing the comfort food concept about 4 yrs ago, and went to a new place this past Saturday night, that seemed to be doing a booming business that serves Belgium beer and "chicken and waffles".  A girl next to me was saying what an amazing concept it was.... and I could only laugh and say "youve got to be kidding me"  try about 12 - 15 yrs ago in Cleveland.   

 

Oh and you will find tons of Ethiopian restaurants here (DC has the largest populustion of Ethiopians in the US)

Ill pass.

 

Anyway, people that know Im from Cleveland here, usually make me bring back a whole list of things from Cleveland that you cant find here. 

 

Yeah the Ethiopian population is huge.

 

And some of those lounges like Halo are sprouting up all over, but its over saturation.

Everyone, many thanks for your help.  Found two places I like, but I've decided not to purse the issue. 

 

It doesn't work for me or my lifestyle.