OP again.
Wanted to add that I want to get into the city so that DC can get into PS and then PK next year. I'm also trying to cut down on my commute (live in VA right now).

OP - you should think about a basement apartment in Columbia Heights, at least for the next few years. On the Green line, so an easy commute for you, and you can get rid of your car and walk to Target, Giant, etc. PS3 might be a little tough without a car, though, and I think it's right at the limit of yoru budget.

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.

Well, I'm young and broke. Not so hip and I've got a 3yo, so group homes are out. I'm willing to live somewhere small (tiny), but would really like a 1bd so I can close the door after DC goes to bed at night. I work by the Nationals Stadium, have DC on waitlists for PS3 all over the city and I do own a car. I'd like to sell the car as it would free up about $275/mo, but am okay with keeping it if I can find a cheaper place to live. W/D in the building at least and a full kitchen (oven/stovetop, fridge, sink).

I'm looking for something under $1400 if I have to keep the car, under $1600 if I can sell it. I'm trying to move this summer (ideally July-Aug timeframe, but can move in June as well)

The list came from Craigslist postings. I Google-mapped the apts that were in my budget (went to the property management websites also) and saw that they tended to be concentrated in certain areas. Cleveland Park was included because one of the property websites had a building that was close by Cleveland Park Metro.

Anonymous wrote:Cleveland Park and parts of Takoma, yeah. The other two, not so much.

This. Though the prices of apt's in those neighborhoods will vary drastically, basically in line w/ the level of safety (price inverse to crime), amenities and proximity to transportation and downtown. Cleveland Park at top end, Takoma next, then Trinidad and Capitol Heights.

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Though there are pockets that are starting to be "reclaimed" (I have friends that bought there), Trinidad has some of the worst gang activity in DC. I'd stay away. Look at the police reports online. Don't have any experience with the other neighborhoods.

"reclaimed"???? don't you mean gentrified? it can't be reclaimed from people who have lived there all along.

Takoma (within walking distance of Takoma metro) is lovely. Close to the metro/bus lines, has a park every two blocks, schools are not terrible, and one of the most family friendly places in the city. We have been so happy with the quality of life, friendliness of neighbors, and general livability. Very green. Retail is good; don't expect downtown restaurants.

Cleveland Park is still fairly expensive.

Trinidad is not close to public transit and a bit shady in parts.

I know nothing about Capitol Heights.

It seems hard to believe that with a low budget-- so low that Trinidad and Capitol Heights is where you're looking-- that you'd be able to rent in Cleveland Park. That area is pretty expensive.

if you have kids no way

I agree with PP - Cleveland Park is the safest; parts of Takoma are safer than others. I wouldn't live in the other two if I could live in the first two. But OP, I gotta know, what kind of search criteria are you using if these are the areas that keep popping up? Not much of a unifying thread between them ... you may do better to tell us what you're looking for (size, location, do you have kids, if so, are schools an issue?) and your budget, and then people can suggest neighborhoods.

Though there are pockets that are starting to be "reclaimed" (I have friends that bought there), Trinidad has some of the worst gang activity in DC. I'd stay away. Look at the police reports online. Don't have any experience with the other neighborhoods.

Cleveland Park and parts of Takoma, yeah. The other two, not so much.

Can someone give me the good and bad and ugly of those neighborhoods?

I'm trying to find an apartment and my rental budget is low. These are the areas that keep popping up. Are they relatively safe?