Living in Capitol Hill - Pros and Cons

[Anonymous]

DH really wants to live in Capitol Hill. Our budget allows us for a 2 bed/1-2 bath rowhouse. I am a bit reluctant as for that price point I think we can get slightly bigger space elsewhere in the city.


What do you like/dislike about living in that area?

[Anonymous]

It's very walkable, Capitol Hill is just a really, really pleasant place to go for a walk and people watch, and there are plenty of nice parks. It's also walkable/bikeable to downtown (distance-wise, safety-wise because we lack the ability or will to do anything about unsafe drivers, it is not bikeable safety-wise).

I dislike dealing with crime and DC nonsense about dealing with crime. I also dislike living near some run down properties that create nuisances, but this varies block by block. I made a bad block choice.

[Anonymous]

Walkability is one of the biggest pros for us. I also like that pre COVID, there are always things to do.

Dislike, some the crime. But that's D.C. for you.

[Anonymous]

A lot of families here with young children if that's important to you.

[Anonymous]

We moved to Cap Hill this summer and are in love with it. It's so walkable, everyone is so friendly, people take care of their houses, so many parks, everywhere is just beautiful!

We came from another DC neighborhood that we were reluctant to leave-- and we haven't missed it at all! If you have kids, this is the best neighborhood in DC.

[Anonymous]

Like others are saying we love the area. It's so walkable and feels like an actual neighborhood in a city.

We have no yard. I mean technically our rowhouse has a yard, but it's more of a square . I always wanted a decent yard for our dogs but hey what can you do.

[Anonymous]

Our rowhouse is really really small. 1000 sq ft. We can't afford anything bigger but really wanted to be in the area. Just need to save/make more money easy enough LOL

[Anonymous]

We rent a rowhome in Capitol Hill, and have been shopping for a place to buy, both here and in other areas.

What I like about CH:
- Being able to walk to Eastern Market, H Street, a couple of nice local parks, and the National Mall.
- I can walk to work in less time than most people spend commuting by car or train. Walking to work also keeps me healthier.
- It has a quiet and tree-lined feel compared to a lot of neighborhoods in DC.
- I'm a fan of old, historical homes, which Capitol Hill has (even if it seems like far too many of them have been gutted and flipped).
- At least in the part of Capitol Hill where we are, street parking hasn't been hard to find.

What's not so great:
- Sharing walls with the neighbors.
- It's expensive.
- Space is at a premium. You can definitely get more space elsewhere.
- It's quiet for the city, but it's still the city. Sirens, traffic, the occasional neighborhood dispute that brings the police out—these things will happen.
- Outdoor space (i.e., courtyards, mini-yards, whatever you want to call them) is at a premium. Not every house has a garage, or even dedicated parking space.
- It's harder to find the features we're looking for. Want a basement, a garage, and a porch, all in the same rowhome? Good luck.

The expense is the big barrier for me. I'd love to buy here, but to get the space we need is probably outside our price range, alas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rent a rowhome in Capitol Hill, and have been shopping for a place to buy, both here and in other areas.

What I like about CH:
- Being able to walk to Eastern Market, H Street, a couple of nice local parks, and the National Mall.
- I can walk to work in less time than most people spend commuting by car or train. Walking to work also keeps me healthier.
- It has a quiet and tree-lined feel compared to a lot of neighborhoods in DC.
- I'm a fan of old, historical homes, which Capitol Hill has (even if it seems like far too many of them have been gutted and flipped).
- At least in the part of Capitol Hill where we are, street parking hasn't been hard to find.

What's not so great:
- Sharing walls with the neighbors.
- It's expensive.
- Space is at a premium. You can definitely get more space elsewhere.
- It's quiet for the city, but it's still the city. Sirens, traffic, the occasional neighborhood dispute that brings the police out—these things will happen.
- Outdoor space (i.e., courtyards, mini-yards, whatever you want to call them) is at a premium. Not every house has a garage, or even dedicated parking space.
- It's harder to find the features we're looking for. Want a basement, a garage, and a porch, all in the same rowhome? Good luck.

The expense is the big barrier for me. I'd love to buy here, but to get the space we need is probably outside our price range, alas.

+1 great summary!

[Anonymous]

If you want to stretch your dollar and get many of the same pros of Capitol Hill, look a bit north of H Street but still close in.

I moved to Capitol Hill in NE 15 years ago and people thought I was crazy. I think north of H has a lot of potential - just look at all the development near Union Market...

I do love Capitol Hill though, so not trying to talk you out of it!

[Anonymous]

I love Capital Hill. It's not only walkable, but it's also easy to get so many other places. We walk down to the mall, the museums Chinatown (pre-Covid). Also, in addition to the Metro, there is a lot of bus accessibility to other parts of the city from Cap Hill. I've really come to enjoy the bus since moving here.

If you are looking for more for your money but like the neighborhood, you could look at Hill East, Trinidad, or parts of SE. Your money goes a little farther there and it's likely to be a good investment. I know Trinidad, in particular, has lots of wide Wardmans with basements and deep lots. A little easier to live in that some of the super narrow Cap Hill rowhouses.

We actually live in a condo conversion on the Hill and I love it, but I know many people are dead set on having their own house. Though our place is bigger than most of the rowhouses we looked at, actually!

[Anonymous]

Love it. The main issue is schools and commute. We're in a corner of the Hill with a good elementary school and easy walk to the metro (around 15 minutes) and I can also walk to my office in about 45 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH really wants to live in Capitol Hill. Our budget allows us for a 2 bed/1-2 bath rowhouse. I am a bit reluctant as for that price point I think we can get slightly bigger space elsewhere in the city.


What do you like/dislike about living in that area?

If you plan to have any kids at all, your 2-bedroom place will be too small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH really wants to live in Capitol Hill. Our budget allows us for a 2 bed/1-2 bath rowhouse. I am a bit reluctant as for that price point I think we can get slightly bigger space elsewhere in the city.


What do you like/dislike about living in that area?

If you plan to have any kids at all, your 2-bedroom place will be too small.

Ridiculous! We have happily raised two children from infancy to college in a small 3 bedroom on the Hill. Bonus is that NO ONE is allowed to move back home!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH really wants to live in Capitol Hill. Our budget allows us for a 2 bed/1-2 bath rowhouse. I am a bit reluctant as for that price point I think we can get slightly bigger space elsewhere in the city.


What do you like/dislike about living in that area?

If you plan to have any kids at all, your 2-bedroom place will be too small.

your privilege is showing.