Silver spring was the only area I could afford straight out of college.

Columbia heights or Adams Morgan are also more affordable, but much more sketchy than Silver Spring.

H street is very affordable and, IMO, still pretty dangerous.

I never thought of U street as affordable, but I do think that its about as safe as Columbia Heights / Adams Morgan.

Anonymous wrote:Lots of young people now live in Arlington as per my young professional relatives.

This. TONS of 20 somethings living there. Plenty of apartments, metro, restaurants, shopping, etc.

Glover Park. B/c it isn't metro accessible (but decent bus lines), rent isn't as expensive as in other parts of DC. Lots of young people, lots of bars.

Dupont/Logan circle are insanely expensive for renting. If his parents aren't helping out, I strongly suggest Cap Hill/Eastern Market/Nova for more reasonable prices. Also have a few friends who live near H st, but that is sketchier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:U st

OP here, would you recommend this area for living though? Going out, it's great, but isn't it loud and sometimes sketchy?

I would. I don't know your grad's budget, but there are some buildings near 12th and U that 2 or 3 can rent apts (or condos) in for about $1,000 - $1,2000 each.
Or you can rent at closer to 16th and U for a little less. Or down New Hampshire right off of U. Or in a shared rowhouse just south of U between 7th and 18th.

5 years ago I lived in these places or had friends in these places and LOVED IT as a young single person. My fiance and I loved it when we lived there together, too. I know families who lives in row houses on 11th and U and 12th and T (or thereabouts). It's loud, but get a block off of U or get a few floors off of the ground and it's freaking fantastic for a young person.

...and FWIW, I had two obnoxious conservative friends refer to it in 2007 as "the frontier" and genuinely seem afraid to visit. They were IDIOTS and thought of Foxhall as "city life."

Depending on his personality, I'd suggest:

Glover Park - preppy, lots of 20-somethings
Dupont -many young professionals, lots to do with quiet side-streets
U Street -- but I prefer the area of U Street closer to Dupont side -- ie: 15th & U - very trendy area
Logan Circle - again I like area of Logan towards Dupont -- 15th & P-ish, between the Whole Foods and 16th Street
Georgetown

My post-college age son lives in Glover Park and loves it. Mix of 20 somethings, families and seniors. Safe, walk to bars, grocery stores, Georgetown,lots of greenery. No metro but bus to Dupont Circle is efficient and fast.

Petworth is metro accessible and cheaper and safer than COlumbia Hieghts. I own houses in both and have lived in both. I am pleasantly surprised by the quiet and neighborhoody feel of Petworth. More bars are coming to this area so more young people....

Lots of young people now live in Arlington as per my young professional relatives.

Anonymous wrote:U st

OP here, would you recommend this area for living though? Going out, it's great, but isn't it loud and sometimes sketchy?

what do you all think of Dupont and Logan Circle areas? Are those good recommendations? I am not a fan of Petworth or H street for living.... don't know much about Shaw.

U st

Woodner on 16th near Columbia Heights / Mt. Pleasant. I think studios are $1,025 now, all utilities included.

Google it, but don't pay attention to the reviews. I lived there for a couple years and never had problems with the other residents or bed bugs or roaches. I would have happily lived there much longer, but then got married, had kids, etc.

Shaw
Woodley Park
Adams Morgan (the more residential areas)
H Street, NE
Brookland
AU Park/Tenleytown
Petworth
Navy Yard/Ballpark

There are so many to choose from!

Hi all, my friend's cousin's son is in town looking for a place to live in DC. I think he has potential roommates he knows from college, so he is looking at houses, town homes and apartments. What is a good area of young college grads to live. I think he is looking for a place where there are nice bars, restaurants within walking distance, a metro within walking distance and yet is not totally loud and boisterous. I suggested Logan Circle or Dupont but it's been years since I lived in the city and I am not sure of the "up and coming" areas anymore or how things have changed. I am not 40 and living in the 'burbs with kids.... hahaaha...

I think he wants a place that is decently safe (can walk around at night). He is not sure if he will have a car yet. He is sociable guy yet I think he probably wants a fairly quiet place to go home to. Can you recommend an area that is fairly calm, nice, yet easily accessible to more "energized" areas with bars and restaurants?

Thanks in advance!