Moving to DC - where to live?

[Anonymous]

"Downtown" usually refers to Metro Center/K St./McPherson/Farragut because the other neighborhoods mentioned have their own monikers. While Penn Quarter and Shaw and Logan Circle and Dupont are definitely more downtown than upper NW, they are usually referred to by name and not just "downtown." "Downtown" usually means more offices than residential.

Under no circumstances do people refer to all of DC as "downtown!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want to live downtown and near the preschool, you should look around Penn Quarter -- but it's not really child friendly. Dupont is more child friendly. There aren't a lot of condos and apartments right at Federal Triangle or Farragut North. Many of the neighborhoods mentioned by other posters (Woodly Park, Cleveland Park, Ballston) are not downtown. Downtown would include Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter, Chinatown and a little wider out Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Foggy Bottom and Georgetown.

I agree generally, although Logan more so than Dupont. Those who think the whole city is included are crazy. And insane if you include Arlington and Silver Spring.

Arlington is definitely not part of downtown. But for someone from abroad the difference between what we call "downtown" and NW or Arlington is very small. The distances are what matter: both are within 5 kilometers from the White House.

[Anonymous]

Dupont Circle and Logan Circle are wonderful areas for families! Many expats in the area.
We haven't had a car for years and don't miss it. Easy to get a Zipcar the twice a year or so that we need it.
Lots of families with kids who live a walking life. Nice parks. People like Kalorama too. From Dupont you could walk to work.
Georgetown is great too, though it doesn't have a metro rail stop. But you can take the circulator (a city bus) to work.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Capitol Hill.

One place for listings:
http://yarmouthmanagement.com/today.html

[Anonymous]

If you want to live in Logan circle you can try the Dc jcc preschool. Great preschool at 16th and Q so very walkable from Logan or DuPont. There's also School for Friends on the west side of DuPont. I prefer Logan bc there are better grocery stores. A whole foods on 14th and P, a new Giant at 7th and P and a trader joes opening soon at 14th and T.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you analyze the public schools. If you are not familiar with the DC area the quality of schools is very different from MD/VA and DC.

[Anonymous]

Another recommendation for Dupont Circle or Logan Circle. We lived there for 7 years without a car, with a baby and a toddler and loved it. We basically did everything we needed to do within a 6 block radius - groceries, restaurants, drugstore, cleaners, parks, yoga, gym, etc. etc.. You're within 10 - 20 minute walk of all the metro stations you've mentioned (maybe 30 to Foggy Bottom).

[Anonymous]

YOu definitely want to be be close to metro. So I would rule out Gtown. Yes someone mentioned taking the bus but the bus is supposed to require you to fold up your stroller first before boarding which is a total pain in the ass. I would suggest penn quarter, cleveland park. Three bedroom apartments are not very common. The only new ones being built now are "luxury" and well over 4k (such as the ones at City Center). I would also suggest Navy Yard metro area. Riverfront access, gorgeous parks, two new grocery stores about to open. Great for kids. Lots of free events every weekend in the park.

[Anonymous]

DC doesn't have a downtown like Manhattan or a city center like most European cities. The center of DC is around the White House and the Mall. But, this is all government and lobbying centered. There is no organic commercial growth in DC and precious little residential mixed in. For obvious reasons, the most European parts of DC are Georgetown or Old Town, Alexandria. Alexandria is very reminiscent of Chelsea. There is nothing like Mayfair, Notting Hill, Soho, Canary Wharf, or the City. Nothing.

Tube here is generally less crowded than London, but more infrequent.

As other pp's have noted, just let a flat and get your bearings.

[Anonymous]

If you are not going to have a car, definitely check out grocery store locations. Our stores, from most to least expensive are Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, Safeway and Giant are about the same level, and then Trader Joes.

[Anonymous]

OP, does your child have a spot at SEED? (We toured it--it's a great school! Ultimately went somewhere else because I didn't want 5 days/week).

You most definitely can live in DC without a car. We've been here twelve years without a car, have a 4 yo. Metro and buses are stroller-friendly as long as you avoid rush hour and have a quick-fold/lightweight stroller.

You might consider: row houses in Foggy Bottom, larger apartments (although 3brm apartments are rare), Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park. I don't know the east side of the city so well though.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for your responses. Can someone please elaborate what the boundaries of Capitol Hill are? We've come across some that claim to be "Capitol Hill" but seem too far east /south / north.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC doesn't have a downtown like Manhattan or a city center like most European cities. The center of DC is around the White House and the Mall. But, this is all government and lobbying centered. There is no organic commercial growth in DC and precious little residential mixed in. For obvious reasons, the most European parts of DC are Georgetown or Old Town, Alexandria. Alexandria is very reminiscent of Chelsea. There is nothing like Mayfair, Notting Hill, Soho, Canary Wharf, or the City. Nothing.

Tube here is generally less crowded than London, but more infrequent.

As other pp's have noted, just let a flat and get your bearings.

There is actually now a bunch of commercial growth in this area, and lots more people, including people with kids, are moving in. Come and join us, its awesome!

[Anonymous]

Dupont Circle. Walk to Farragut West. Send DC to Ross ES if she turns 5 before September. Otherwise next year. Don't need a car. Might need to go a bit over 4k for a nice 3 br is the only thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- I would suggest maybe pulling out of the preschool and focus on a neighborhood first. Sounds like you want a neighborhood feel with parks and to meet other parents. Having a preschool in your neighborhood is key to that.

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