Housing budget is $3k per month for two bed. Would drive occasionally but metro otherwise.

OP - what is your housing budget? That may determine your decision for you. Eastern market, all things considered, will be more expensive than the other 2 locations. But if you are willing to sacrifice on how new your kitchen is, you may find a better deal in eastern market.

I live in eastern market now and absolutely love it.

Are you commuting to Farragut Square or NoMa? I would pick differently.

I would focus on commute specifics.

Anonymous wrote:Union Market is now seamlessly integrated into the rowhouse neighborhoods to the south and the neighborhoods around the NoMa metro station. A second Metro entrance will open soon. It’s not isolated as other posters here imply. It’s a dynamic, fun neighborhood with great food options and indie retail. The adjacent, historic Gallaudet campus really beautiful.

30 years ago it was industrial and isolated but not today. The same could be said for Navy Yard.

I agree— Union market has really developed beautifully. OP could split the difference and live between eastern market and Union market. That’s a great neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:Crowd maturity (youngest to oldest) - I would say its navy yard (youngest), union market, then eastern market.

Safety "feeling" (least to most safe) - navy yard, union market, eastern market

If you want a typical cookie cutter luxury apartment building with lots of amenities, both union market and navy yard will have a lot. Eastern market feels more residential with very charming rowhouses and condos.

I’m biased towards Eastern Market because I live there. It’s very beautiful and walkable. I did have a younger colleague tell me that it’s an “old” neighborhood (as in, the people), and she’s not wrong. To me, Georgetown is an “old” neighborhood; it had its heyday before I was an adult. I think younger folks prefer Union Market or Navy Yard. But all three are easily accessible to each other.

If you are a young couple who is planning to have a family very soon, I’d choose Eastern Market, as it’s very conducive to family life. If children are a few years off, I’d choose one of the other neighborhoods.

I have a feeling OP picked these neighborhoods because there are metro lines there.

OP - if you have a car, you absolutely need to get a parking spot for union market and navy yard. Navy yard in particular has had lots of car break ins, even in the secure parking garages. You could probably street market for eastern market, but with all the street sweeping and competition for spots, it'll be annoying but doable. Very block dependent though.

Depends on what type of housing you want and where will be commuting to. I lived in Navy Yard for 10+ years so I think it's a great area to be and very convenient. However, the housing is almost all apartments/condos and it's not the prettiest area of DC. If you were looking for a rowhouse in a neighborhood with nice mature trees, Eastern Market is better. And yes, Eastern Market definitely has many families and Navy Yard is a lot of younger people (though we had a family while there!).

All three neighborhoods are a bit spotty with safety, so just be aware. I never had any serious issues while living in Navy Yard but you do hear about crime pretty regularly.

Union Market is now seamlessly integrated into the rowhouse neighborhoods to the south and the neighborhoods around the NoMa metro station. A second Metro entrance will open soon. It’s not isolated as other posters here imply. It’s a dynamic, fun neighborhood with great food options and indie retail. The adjacent, historic Gallaudet campus really beautiful.

30 years ago it was industrial and isolated but not today. The same could be said for Navy Yard.

Crowd maturity (youngest to oldest) - I would say its navy yard (youngest), union market, then eastern market.

Safety "feeling" (least to most safe) - navy yard, union market, eastern market

If you want a typical cookie cutter luxury apartment building with lots of amenities, both union market and navy yard will have a lot. Eastern market feels more residential with very charming rowhouses and condos.

Anonymous wrote:Where are your offices? Driving, public transport, or foot/cycling?

If you're actually in the heart of downtown, Dupont Circle area is easier and safer.

What is the heart of downtown? DC offices tend to be rather sprawly. There are some near Navy Yard but there are also offices much closer to West End, FB area. If you are close to one, likely staying in another neighborhood isn't ideal. There is a lot of housing around every office area. Areas OP listed make me believe they figured out this is closer to their offices or they just were told these areas are "trendy" and vibrant, which is really a very subjective opinion.

In terms of safety, I don't think I'd choose Union Mkt as this seems also more removed. I always thought NW DC is the safest, so I think Dupont is a good suggestion as well as West End/FB if their offices are more towards midtown, so they could walk, bike, etc. I love Georgetown, Dupont, WE/FB triangle in terms of it being vibrant, having some nice old architecture, access to park and waterfront trails and safety. But DC is pretty small, can't go wrong with many other places. I would never rent until visiting and checking out multiple areas.

Where are your offices? Driving, public transport, or foot/cycling?

If you're actually in the heart of downtown, Dupont Circle area is easier and safer.

What kind of place do you want to live in? Any of those neighborhoods would be fine. If you want big “lux” apartment buildings, then Navy Yard is fine. Lots of younger people there, like 22-30. I think it’s a bit ugly but there is a lot to do there.

Union Market is a lot of fun. Also big apartment buildings but surrounded by more typical dc residential neighborhoods. Eastern Market is a beautiful neighborhood and my favorite of the three but it’s a quieter vibe. It can lean older, more like 30s-40s, with lots of families.

Which neighborhood works better for a young couple commuting to downtown with safety, convenience and area vibe?