Trinidad-Is it really the next hot place to buy in DC

[Anonymous]

About 10 years ago, I would not have considered this area of DC. I heard things have changed. Tell me about Trinidad.

[Anonymous]

Based on my limited experience (some friends live there, I looked at a house there but didn't take it) I'd say that the parts right near H Street and south of H street have changed the most. The further you get from H, the more likely you are to have drug deals and other crime happening on your block. Several of my friends who lived around there have been mugged, which can happen anywhere, but . . .

Before moving there I would try to find out as much as possible about the block you are considering and spend some time walking around that immediate area. Also, it depends on what kind of person you are -- can you shut your doors/windows and ignore any unpleasantness that might be going on outside?

[Anonymous]

It's hot if you like living in a neighborhood much like "The Wire."

[Anonymous]

5 yrs ago it was not a great neighborhood but the prices were cheap. Now it's not a great neighborhood and it's expensive. You are behind the curve.

[Anonymous]

Its coming up but too many original owners , so it may take a while.

[Anonymous]

The PP is, unfortunately, correct. I own a condo about 8 blocks north of H Street. The most attractive housing stock is south of H Street, and while it has appreciated enough to no longer be a bargain, the area did not improve to the point of being family-friendly. I did not ever feel personally endangered there during my five years, and it's close to downtown and convenient enough for a single person or couple pre-kids. Once I had my son, I could not get out of there soon enough, because in my opinion, it still has too much dirt and undesirable behavior all around, and I didn't want my son to see this and think it was normal. Night life on H Street is very active and things are improving. So if you are a single person with not very much money and tolerance for unpleasantness, it's not a bad deal. But I would not recommend it for families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP is, unfortunately, correct. I own a condo about 8 blocks north of H Street. The most attractive housing stock is south of H Street, and while it has appreciated enough to no longer be a bargain, the area did not improve to the point of being family-friendly. I did not ever feel personally endangered there during my five years, and it's close to downtown and convenient enough for a single person or couple pre-kids. Once I had my son, I could not get out of there soon enough, because in my opinion, it still has too much dirt and undesirable behavior all around, and I didn't want my son to see this and think it was normal. Night life on H Street is very active and things are improving. So if you are a single person with not very much money and tolerance for unpleasantness, it's not a bad deal. But I would not recommend it for families.

Not a former or current resident, but we looked there and had the same assessment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP is, unfortunately, correct. I own a condo about 8 blocks north of H Street. The most attractive housing stock is south of H Street, and while it has appreciated enough to no longer be a bargain, the area did not improve to the point of being family-friendly. I did not ever feel personally endangered there during my five years, and it's close to downtown and convenient enough for a single person or couple pre-kids. Once I had my son, I could not get out of there soon enough, because in my opinion, it still has too much dirt and undesirable behavior all around, and I didn't want my son to see this and think it was normal. Night life on H Street is very active and things are improving. So if you are a single person with not very much money and tolerance for unpleasantness, it's not a bad deal. But I would not recommend it for families.

Not a former or current resident, but we looked there and had the same assessment.

Ditto. We bought in PQ instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP is, unfortunately, correct. I own a condo about 8 blocks north of H Street. The most attractive housing stock is south of H Street, and while it has appreciated enough to no longer be a bargain, the area did not improve to the point of being family-friendly. I did not ever feel personally endangered there during my five years, and it's close to downtown and convenient enough for a single person or couple pre-kids. Once I had my son, I could not get out of there soon enough, because in my opinion, it still has too much dirt and undesirable behavior all around, and I didn't want my son to see this and think it was normal. Night life on H Street is very active and things are improving. So if you are a single person with not very much money and tolerance for unpleasantness, it's not a bad deal. But I would not recommend it for families.

Not a former or current resident, but we looked there and had the same assessment.

Ditto. We bought in PQ instead.

PQ? Penn Quarter? People who have cash to buy in Penn Quarter would not be looking in Trinidad.

[Anonymous]

I think it's probably a good investment if you're willing to hold onto it for a while and aren't sinking your whole savings into it. It's just too far from the metro (or even the supposed H st trolley line) to quickly appreciate, in my opinion. Unlike Petworth or Columbia Heights, which are close to metros. It's also unlike Shaw, Eckington, Bloomingdale, etc., in that it is not neighboring a gentrified neighborhood, so it's less clear that gentrification will spread there quickly.

But who knows, real estate is crazy ...

[Anonymous]

I'm a social worker in DC, and I live in a "gentrifying" neighborhood, so I'm not squeamish. But there is NO WAY I would live in Trinidad.

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone ... The purportedly more desirable area "south of H st" is not actually in Trinidad.

[Anonymous]

Trinidad is no longer a good investment, although it was 3 years ago. Decide if you want to live in a nice place or if you want a good investment - they rarely go together.

[Anonymous]

Didn't a rowhouse in Trinidad sell for a million dollars a couple months ago? It was all over the local real estate blogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't a rowhouse in Trinidad sell for a million dollars a couple months ago? It was all over the local real estate blogs.

Not in Trinidad. I think you're thinking of a house in Swampoodle.