DC market now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, perhaps you ought to make a pro / con list and discuss moving with your family. No one here is going to calm your nerves about the SOTU. Our nerves are jangled, too.

But jangled or not, staying in here - or doubling down, as you put it - is a personal decision. I, for one, lived in DC through the Mayor Barry days when we were told to boil water because it had 'fecal matter' in it. I rented then, and I bought my first DC home after that announcement. Regardless of who is in the WH or what level of fecal matter is in the Potomac, I love DC and I have no plans to leave.

You clearly aren't as attached and so, fancy lawyer with options, you ought to do your own pro/con with your family and stop yucking our yum (not the fecal matter, of course, that is yuck ... but yum of this stunningly beautiful city with its resilient interesting, dynamic and strong residents - its amazing metro and exciting new arts scene on the Wharf and the renaissance of the old arts scene that will surely take place in 3 years).

Please, if you don't like it here then go! We've got more lawyers in DC then we can shake a stick at and someone who wants to be here will take your place. Good luck and hopefully happier days to you.

Nearly 100 percent of my neighbors are transplants who came here for jobs. Three people on block alone are from Brooklyn and moved her for jobs 40-50 years ago and are long retired. Not a single retired neighbor moved. Why.

Moving north is just getting colder and moving south is just getting hotter. Plus I like museums, pro sports teams, weather not too hot or cold. I also like in retirement there is so much to explore within 3 hours or DC by car and we have 3 airports.

The neighbors who do have a retirement place it is a small house or condo mainly in Delware or Florida but kept main home .My buddy retired Milton DC and from October to March there is nothing open. Also no good hospitals, no airport, no sports teams, no nothing really in Delaware at all in winter to do.

It is not like this place is great or even very good but trouble is most places are worse or too expensive.

[Anonymous]

To each their own. Go where your heart takes you, not to the least bad place in your mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, perhaps you ought to make a pro / con list and discuss moving with your family. No one here is going to calm your nerves about the SOTU. Our nerves are jangled, too.

But jangled or not, staying in here - or doubling down, as you put it - is a personal decision. I, for one, lived in DC through the Mayor Barry days when we were told to boil water because it had 'fecal matter' in it. I rented then, and I bought my first DC home after that announcement. Regardless of who is in the WH or what level of fecal matter is in the Potomac, I love DC and I have no plans to leave.

You clearly aren't as attached and so, fancy lawyer with options, you ought to do your own pro/con with your family and stop yucking our yum (not the fecal matter, of course, that is yuck ... but yum of this stunningly beautiful city with its resilient interesting, dynamic and strong residents - its amazing metro and exciting new arts scene on the Wharf and the renaissance of the old arts scene that will surely take place in 3 years).

Please, if you don't like it here then go! We've got more lawyers in DC then we can shake a stick at and someone who wants to be here will take your place. Good luck and hopefully happier days to you.

Nearly 100 percent of my neighbors are transplants who came here for jobs. Three people on block alone are from Brooklyn and moved her for jobs 40-50 years ago and are long retired. Not a single retired neighbor moved. Why.

Moving north is just getting colder and moving south is just getting hotter. Plus I like museums, pro sports teams, weather not too hot or cold. I also like in retirement there is so much to explore within 3 hours or DC by car and we have 3 airports.

The neighbors who do have a retirement place it is a small house or condo mainly in Delware or Florida but kept main home .My buddy retired Milton DC and from October to March there is nothing open. Also no good hospitals, no airport, no sports teams, no nothing really in Delaware at all in winter to do.

It is not like this place is great or even very good but trouble is most places are worse or too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Folks need to get out and travel more. Drive around this vast and beautiful country, preferably going to places where there are no five-star resorts, and find a place that speaks to you. Many wonderful places are not far from major cities or large universities and you'll have access to sports teams, good medical care, and whatever else you think you might want. (Even if something is 50 miles away, you won't be dealing with soul-crushing traffic every day, so you'll actually be able to drive 50 miles in an hour at any time of the day.) You can do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, perhaps you ought to make a pro / con list and discuss moving with your family. No one here is going to calm your nerves about the SOTU. Our nerves are jangled, too.

But jangled or not, staying in here - or doubling down, as you put it - is a personal decision. I, for one, lived in DC through the Mayor Barry days when we were told to boil water because it had 'fecal matter' in it. I rented then, and I bought my first DC home after that announcement. Regardless of who is in the WH or what level of fecal matter is in the Potomac, I love DC and I have no plans to leave.

You clearly aren't as attached and so, fancy lawyer with options, you ought to do your own pro/con with your family and stop yucking our yum (not the fecal matter, of course, that is yuck ... but yum of this stunningly beautiful city with its resilient interesting, dynamic and strong residents - its amazing metro and exciting new arts scene on the Wharf and the renaissance of the old arts scene that will surely take place in 3 years).

Please, if you don't like it here then go! We've got more lawyers in DC then we can shake a stick at and someone who wants to be here will take your place. Good luck and hopefully happier days to you.

Exactly!! Love it or leave it … but please stop whining.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should consider renting for a year before you commit. You sound like someone who suffers from buyers remorse (and makes your family miserable with your complaints and constant anxiety), so please do everyone a favor and rent. If you're looking in NW DC, there are going to be a number of options especially in the upcoming weeks ranging from $7-10K/month in neighborhoods you're targeting and in homes that are going to be similar in price point to your budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks need to get out and travel more. Drive around this vast and beautiful country, preferably going to places where there are no five-star resorts, and find a place that speaks to you. Many wonderful places are not far from major cities or large universities and you'll have access to sports teams, good medical care, and whatever else you think you might want. (Even if something is 50 miles away, you won't be dealing with soul-crushing traffic every day, so you'll actually be able to drive 50 miles in an hour at any time of the day.) You can do it.

Is this OP? How do you know those of us who love DC need this? I, for one, love DC and spend a LOT of time visiting family in the mid-west with vast open spaces and plenty of open roads. I love my visits and I especially love coming home. So thank you for telling us what to do. Really appreciate the patronizing words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you make millions per year and you're worried? Why don't you just move to a different office of your law firm if you think DC is forever changed?

Considering it! Im not worried abt being homeless… im trying not to make a stupid decision to buy an expensive house and set up shop here in a big way only to have this place descend into some weird police state capitol city under authoritarian rule. And yes I’m obviously a lawyer. Moving my whole life is also a high cost to me and my family so I’m weighing my options.

I’m obviously not surprised that I’m not finding a lot of thoughtful responses here. And I really do hope that I’m wrong. But things are not business as usual and I think DC is potentially in a worse position than blue states that can’t just lose all autonomy.

If you are a big firm lawyer making millions in DC, review your client list. There is a very good chance that you or your colleagues are part of the problem. You could help us all.

OP: This is an extremely fair point. But just like everyone else – I feel totally powerless and as a single person, realistically, I am.

My dude, this is what all the people in Germany thought too. Wake TF up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you make millions per year and you're worried? Why don't you just move to a different office of your law firm if you think DC is forever changed?

Considering it! Im not worried abt being homeless… im trying not to make a stupid decision to buy an expensive house and set up shop here in a big way only to have this place descend into some weird police state capitol city under authoritarian rule. And yes I’m obviously a lawyer. Moving my whole life is also a high cost to me and my family so I’m weighing my options.

I’m obviously not surprised that I’m not finding a lot of thoughtful responses here. And I really do hope that I’m wrong. But things are not business as usual and I think DC is potentially in a worse position than blue states that can’t just lose all autonomy.

If you are a big firm lawyer making millions in DC, review your client list. There is a very good chance that you or your colleagues are part of the problem. You could help us all.

OP: This is an extremely fair point. But just like everyone else – I feel totally powerless and as a single person, realistically, I am.

My dude, this is what all the people in Germany thought too. Wake TF up.

It’s my (OP) fault for even responding to this but 1) this is a post abt DC real estate and the stability or growth in this market given the issues so…let’s stay a bit more on topic but I must say 2) I hope you’re out there in the streets if you’re comparing me to a complicit German!

Also love how I’m clearly awake to the disaster unfolding around us but people. It calling out the death cult followers posting on this thread saying how everything is fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you make millions per year and you're worried? Why don't you just move to a different office of your law firm if you think DC is forever changed?

Considering it! Im not worried abt being homeless… im trying not to make a stupid decision to buy an expensive house and set up shop here in a big way only to have this place descend into some weird police state capitol city under authoritarian rule. And yes I’m obviously a lawyer. Moving my whole life is also a high cost to me and my family so I’m weighing my options.

I’m obviously not surprised that I’m not finding a lot of thoughtful responses here. And I really do hope that I’m wrong. But things are not business as usual and I think DC is potentially in a worse position than blue states that can’t just lose all autonomy.

If you are a big firm lawyer making millions in DC, review your client list. There is a very good chance that you or your colleagues are part of the problem. You could help us all.

OP: This is an extremely fair point. But just like everyone else – I feel totally powerless and as a single person, realistically, I am.

My dude, this is what all the people in Germany thought too. Wake TF up.

It’s my (OP) fault for even responding to this but 1) this is a post abt DC real estate and the stability or growth in this market given the issues so…let’s stay a bit more on topic but I must say 2) I hope you’re out there in the streets if you’re comparing me to a complicit German!

Also love how I’m clearly awake to the disaster unfolding around us but people. It calling out the death cult followers posting on this thread saying how everything is fine!

I mean this sincerely - I hope you are talking to a mental health professional. If not, there’s a lot of good ones who can help you manage these emotions and your stress.

[Anonymous]

Move to NoVa for most likely stability to growth in the region. The general McLean-Reston corridor is the most likely safe area to bet on.

[Anonymous]

OP, with all of the millions you make as a lawyer, you can offer to rent a high end home somewhere to see whether you like the community. You clearly aren’t happy here … so this is a good idea. And congratulations on your million dollar salary! You must be the rare high end lawyer whose billable hours include posting random trolling questions on DCUM. Your parents must be so proud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC real estate is cheap and almost same salaries as NYC and Boston.

Studio apts in older rent controled buildings are as cheap as $1550 a month, one bedroom condos as cheap as $350,000 and small single family homes close in that are fixer uppers as cheap as 600K.

By comparision those prices are all double or triple in NYC and salaries are slightly higher.

Liar liar pants on fire

there are literally as cheap as $1,300 a month Studios in DC. Studios in dumpy small buildings in Manhattan have not seen those prices in 20-25 years.


https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1801-Clydesdale-Pl-NW-Washington-DC-20009/464649_zpid/

Oh look, I just found a few dozen studios for rent in NYC for less than $1300. You shared the piece of crap rental in a section 8 building that hasn’t been updated. I raise you this.:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/Brooklyn-NY-11224/460644693_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC area prices used to be about the same as LA, Seattle, Boston, etc. but those places have appreciate so much more than us. Our prices are more like mid-tier places like Raleigh now.

Yes and no. Raleigh still has bargains and much better housing stock, so you'll get a big house for much less money, at least compared to DC proper.

It makes sense, given DOGE that DC would be a bit softer right now, but our long term fundamentals are still strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move to NoVa for most likely stability to growth in the region. The general McLean-Reston corridor is the most likely safe area to bet on.

Bizarre advice given the current decimation of the software industry. Nova is past its peak and may never see it again. You can thank Claude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How on Earth are people getting comfortable buying real estate in DC right now? I’m already a homeowner here and under different circumstances would be looking to upgrade my home but:

- the Potomac River is a biohazard and sure that won’t be the case forever but didn’t we learn something here?? this area is such a disaster - truly - it’s so mismanaged that things like this are likely to keep happening

- city may very well be under federal rule soon. Whole country going down the tubes but this area is uniquely bad. We’ve lost the Kennedy center. Smithsonians probably next. All those perks of living here will be gone by the time trump done with us

I could go on but hopefully you get it. Look…we are seeing it in prices. So yes demand is down.

I’d love to have lived here long term in another universe…how are those of you who are deciding to double down on DC justifying it to yourselves.

If you think the shit in the river or in the white house are good things, probably don’t care to hear from you.

Where are we seeing it in prices? DC area, especially close-in high demand areas are doing very well.

The worst housing markets are in FL and TX primarily:

Top 10 metros* with the largest year-over-year drop in home values
Metro Typical home value as of October 31, 2025 YoY % change in value
Austin, TX $426,454 -6.10%
Tampa, FL $356,298 -6.09%
Miami, FL $470,828 -4.79%
Orlando, FL $384,931 -4.55%
Dallas, TX $362,053 -4.02%
Jacksonville, FL $347,020 -3.40%
Phoenix, AZ $444,548 -3.36%
San Antonio, TX $276,411 -2.97%
Atlanta, GA $378,785 -2.92%
Denver, CO $566,597 -2.92%

We met with an agent yesterday in DC. We want to downsize. The agent said the softest market is $1- $1.5m because those in that price range are most concerned about the economy. The $2M + market is going like gangbusters.

OP: I guess I’ll need to ask my agent to show me some hard data because everything I see on my own looking – this is not true. I am only looking in NW DC and I see “price improvements“ constantly. I’m looking at houses in the $2.5 to 3.5 million range.


Many of the houses I’m looking at have been sitting for weeks or months. And then have to knock a couple hundred thousand off their asking price to get sold.

Again – I am looking in highly desirable close in Northwest neighborhoods

PP here: the agent also said it's still a buyer's market so if you have an ok house, it's not going to sell. For 2.5 - 3.5 people are expecting a house that's been renovated, etc.