Washington, D.C., Neighborhoods

Republicans and Democrats agree on at least this one thing: Washington DC is growing by leaps and bounds. The population of metropolitan DC has surpassed three million yet unemployment is declining. Consequently, DC offers one of the stronger real estate markets in the country in both the commercial and residential sectors. All DC neighborhoods combine both sectors, yet each neighborhood has its own flair and character. Here are a few of the more prominent areas of town:

 

·        Downtown/Capital Hill: The Hill, as Capital Hill is popularly known, is home to scores of office buildings, both government and private. In addition, there are a few residential blocks, including some with Victorian-style architecture. Real estate is expensive here, but it puts you right in the heart of the action.

·        Dupont Circle: Just north of downtown, Dupont Circle is known as the vibrant section of town, complete with ethnic restaurants and offbeat shops. The area is especially popular with young professionals, and there are large sections of apartments here.

·        Adams Morgan: As far as real estate goes, Adams Morgan is similar to Dupont Circle; young professionals flock to the abundant residential rentals.

·        Georgetown: West of downtown, Georgetown sits on the banks of the Potomac. Young professionals usually can’t afford to live in Georgetown, however, as the two hundred year old and architecturally beautiful row houses and cobblestone streets make real estate in this neighborhood very pricey.

·        Anacostia: Anacostia, in east DC, is a historically black community. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is here, and there is a sizable residential population.

 

There are several other key areas of town, from Chinatown to Columbia Heights, but these five neighborhoods are particularly well known among residents. Of course, many of the city’s residents live in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs, but that is a topic for another article.