Trinidad, Takoma, Cleveland Park, Capitol Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a really random list of neighborhoods. You need to think about what you can afford to pay, transportation to your work, what kind of neighborhood you like, and what kind of amenities you need. In general, the young, hip, and broke are living in Columbia Heights/Petworth, and Bloomingdale/Shaw/Eckington. If you're willing to live in very small studio, you still find deals for around $1100 - $1400 in some of the centrally located bigger buildings in Dupont (eg, those owned by Bernstein Management). If you're willing to live with other people, you can find group houses in Mt. Pleasant and many other fun areas of the city for less than $1000.

Lots of families in both of these areas, although Bloomingdale and Eckington are much smaller neighborhoods than CH or Petworth. I live in Eckington with a baby, and have met tons of young families in Bloomingdale. The south end is closer to the metro. The west side of Eckington (closer to North Capitol) is pretty good. It gets a little sketchier on the other side, by 4th St. There is good bus transit if you work downtown or near Union Station. It's very convenient to U St and Chinatown if you want to go out. There is a small but growing restaurant/commercial strip at 1st St/Rhode Island Ave/TSt NW.

[Anonymous]

OP, you can try Glover Park. There are lots of small 2 bed and 1 bed plus den apartments. It is very family friendly and the elementary school is newly renovated and beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not live in Trinidad with a small child. I have a property there, and while we kept it as a rental, we fleed to VA once my son was born. You do not want your school-age kid to see these examples.

I want to give you a tip on a building in Dupont that used to be very affordable, if basic. The neighborhood is the tops and since you are going for charters anyway, schools should not be a factor. State House Apartments, 2122 Mass Ave, NW. Phone # is 202-293-2122 (I think). They don't market themselves at all because they are full anyway due to low prices. You have to go in and bug the manager. This is how I did it. They were always a couple of hundred dollars under market for such a prime location.

I know this building - it is decent and in a great location. Parking would be awful tho.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

What about the neighborhood right by Gallaudet?

I've seen a few listings for Orleans Place, which is a block away (across FL Ave NE).

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2948209223.html

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

PP, isn't that Trinidad, which is already on OP's list?

[Anonymous]

Or this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2948184263.html
It looks like this listing is in Eckington?

[Anonymous]

15:37, are you talking to me? (15:35)
I wasn't sure if that listing qualified as Trinidad or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not live in Trinidad with a small child. I have a property there, and while we kept it as a rental, we fleed to VA once my son was born. You do not want your school-age kid to see these examples.

I want to give you a tip on a building in Dupont that used to be very affordable, if basic. The neighborhood is the tops and since you are going for charters anyway, schools should not be a factor. State House Apartments, 2122 Mass Ave, NW. Phone # is 202-293-2122 (I think). They don't market themselves at all because they are full anyway due to low prices. You have to go in and bug the manager. This is how I did it. They were always a couple of hundred dollars under market for such a prime location.

I know this building - it is decent and in a great location. Parking would be awful tho.

Parking is fine if you have DC zone 2 tags, which you should be able to do with the lease, and don't mind walking for 2 blocks. I always parked in the little side streets north of Florida - by embassies of random pocket countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/2948184263.html
It looks like this listing is in Eckington?

It is and Eckington is worth considering, but Lincoln road is pretty sketchy. Not the best part of the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I GOT A PS3 SPOT!

I got a spot for DC at CAPCS Amos 2 campus, which is relocating to Riggs Rd (right by the Takoma metro stop).

It looks like this apt complex has vacancies: http://aventineforttotten.com/

And aftercare at CAPCS is cheaper, so I can go up on rent by about $200/mo (so $1600 with the car, $1800 if I sell it). I'd still prefer to pay less so things are so tight.

Aaaaaaaah. I'm dancing at my desk right now. We're still waiting on some lotteries, but we can move for sure now!

[Anonymous]

1) Cleveland Park - great choice
2) Takoma Park (so-so, maybe cheaper)
3) Capitol Heights (if you have a police escort - ok, bring on the hater posts now. . . .)
4) Trinidad - off the map - WTF is that?

OP - rule of thumb - try to rent in Northwest DC and generally you should be OK, although generally, the further west (e.g., higher street numbers) the better the location - GENERALLY. If you want to consider the suburbs and you are single, then Rockville, and also downtown Silver Spring (walking distance to the subway) are okay options. Same with Alexandria and Arlington, although these might be more $$$

[Anonymous]

Yay, OP! There's a 2-BR for rent at 939 Longfellow for $1336 including water and heat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cleveland Park is great. Great restaurants and retail. Leafy neighborhood, but with an urban vibe. Beautiful, classic older homes and a few apartment buildings. Great schools, easy metro, safe. Close to downtown. Good mix of families with kids, older established residents, single folks. But rents and home costs are quite high, so it's hard to see how Cleveland Park fits into the rest of your list.

<snort>

Wait - that wasn't a joke?

Never mind.

Wow - you have such a complex. You are the type that makes HR people cringe and stop talking when you walk by. FYI, it's 2012. and DC.

[Anonymous]

Congrats, OP! I think you mean the Fort Totten Metro - Takoma isn't walkable, and a fair driving distance, from there.

Check out these apartments: http://aventineforttotten.com/
I think you may want to keep your car, because though it looks close to the metro it's still an awkward walk. Plus, no shopping nearby. But those apartments are new and look nice. I'm happy for you!

Be sure to join neighborhood list-serves. There's also a library right there!

[Anonymous]

12:59 . . . yes, you're right. Ft Totten Metro!

I'm going to go up there this afternoon to pick up the registration packet and check the area out. There are several apts in the area for rent right now!