job in NoMa area- is it safe?

[Anonymous]

I was recently offered a job in the NoMa area of Washington DC and have been reading a lot of things saying the area is dangerous. Oddly enough when I went to the Washington Post the first local news article was about a person being shot in that area after being robbed. I guess I'm wondering how bad the area really is as I will have about a 10 minute walk from my job to the train station?

[Anonymous]

If you work normal business hours, you'll be fine. The Noma BID also provides an escort service to the metro if you feel unsafe.

[Anonymous]

No, not safe at all.

[Anonymous]

Where exactly in NoMA, and what times wil you be working. I am around there all the time in the day and feel very safe.

[Anonymous]

Currently work in NOMA. Don't like the area as it is a wasteland and it feels like crime is spiking tremendously over the last few weeks. Aggressive panhandling and now this great uptick in violent crime, some daytime. That said, if you go with the crowds at lunchtime, rush hour, etc. you should be ok. That is the key to be with people and not be around after hours. Nervous as to how this spike in crime will play out.

[Anonymous]

Yup, the area is sketchy but if you use your wits you should be good. I also recently accepted a job in that area and know that walking to Metro after dark and leaving too late will probably be limited if I want to avoid becoming a victim. If you have to work late or go in early then use Uber or drive. Hopefully in the next couple of the years things will settle down but for now I wouldn't place myself in a situation that could turn on you quickly.

[Anonymous]

I work there. I work regular hours so can't speak to the evening or nighttime atmosphere, but during the day it's totally fine. Lots of regular feds and other office workers. I've never felt unsafe.

[Anonymous]

I've worked there since before it was called NoMa. It was much, much worse 5 years ago than it is now. The recent spike in crime is troubling but not surprising. Just be smart and very aware of your surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you work normal business hours, you'll be fine. The Noma BID also provides an escort service to the metro if you feel unsafe.

+1

[Anonymous]

I've worked there for a few years, and I never, ever commute after dark. I don't like the area at all, but I don't really feel unsafe either - there are usually plenty of people walking along the main roads, especially if you're commuting from Union Station. The NoMa metro stop is a bit sketchier.

[Anonymous]

We live not too far from NoMa, and we have never felt unsafe in NoMa. The area is changing rapidly with new office and residential buildings, and the pace of change is only going to speed up. REI is building a flagship store at 2nd and M and huge project on the next block is slated to begin next year.

The incidents that have taken place in NoMa tend to be at night. While parts of NoMa can be "sketchy" it's highly unlikely that you'll be the victim of a crime if you use basic commonsense.

[Anonymous]

As others have said, depends on your hours and where you are working. A ten minute walk from the NoMA station can put you in some sketchier areas. That said, I've worked in the area since 2007. It has improved significantly since then. I actually prefer it to the Union Station area, where I also spend some time for work, and find much sketchier.

[Anonymous]

I have a negative opinion of employers who relocate to these cheaper, sketchier areas to save money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a negative opinion of employers who relocate to these cheaper, sketchier areas to save money.

Do you feel that way if the employer is the government?

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the PPs above that works in the area. When I left the office last evening I noticed two police cars on First st which is a main drag through noma. Notwithstanding the police presence I read on reddit that there was a stabbing at approximately 7:30 pm - still daylight - around the corner at 300 florida avenue. Beautiful.