If you like city living (and I do, personally), the CH area is hard to beat right now.

I live in Columbia Heights now, just off 14th Street, about 4 blocks north of the metro. I moved to the neighborhood in 2011, but have lived in the DC area since 2007.

In 2007, my impression was that Columbia Heights was dangerous, that there was a ton of crime, etc. Certainly at that time, it was a lot less developed than it is now. There are certainly people hanging around at all times, sometimes up to no good. I'd be lying if I said that I had not seen drug deals going down and seen intoxicated people (of all ages, genders and races). I know a couple people who have had their cars broken into, and there is currently a porch-package thief going around on 13th Street.

That said, I live in a secure building with an underground parking garage. I am walking distance to the metro, on multiple bus lines and also am walking distance from my child's school (not Tubman - she's OOB at another EotP DCPS that gets bagged on a lot here). She takes ballet in the neighborhood and we spend a lot of time at the various playgrounds that are around. There are a ton of great restaurants and the grocery shopping options on 14th Street generally speaking are pretty great these days (Giant on Park Rd, Target, Trader Joe's at U Street, Yes! on 14th and Whole Foods on P).

I understand what the PPs talking about the CH crime are getting at, but I also feel that the area has changed overall a lot more than those PPs are giving it credit for. Crime still happens, but crime happens in other parts of the city as well. I do not feel unsafe walking around in Columbia Heights, but I also don't walk around by myself at 3am because that just isn't a good idea generally speaking. I wouldn't do it in Cleveland Park either.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what construction is scheduled. As for safety, I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 15 years and never had a problem (knock on wood). I run at night often and feel fine. That said, I do recognize that I live in a city. Our house has an alarm, we don't leave anything in sight in our cars and I don't walk down alleys late at night.

+1. Been here for 13 years both pre and post kids. LOVE IT!!!

Lived both in Shaw proper and Columbia Heights. I live further North now, but I would buy back into CH in a second if I could. I don't know if I would want THAT specific house though.

As far as the safety of the neighborhood, it is all relative. Aside from my first two weeks in Shaw 25 years ago (when I personally witnessed 2 people shot), I never had a fear for my safety. I grew up in an urban area and I had the appropriate level of street smarts. Sure, there was crime in the neighborhood (this was more than 10 years ago), but nothing that gave me pause. Plus, you have to realize that the neighborhoods are MUCH better now. A lot of development is happening and that brings better police protection IMO.

Truth be told, I have been the victims of more crime (stolen car, car break-ins, stolen patio furniture) in my current upper 16th street neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue with Columbia Heights is the amount of entrenched crime. Lots of Section 8 housing for my tastes.

And there it is. I amazed at how long this thread lasted without such a comment from someone who doesn't live in Columbia Heights.

Not PP, but I agree. I don't live in Columbia Heights now, but I used to.

I wouldn't be very worried (at all) about safety unless you are just very used to suburban living and feel unsafe with lots of diverse people around.

I would be worried about return on investment. How much is that market going to keep going up? And about how you'll feel living in such a narrow space. That front room with the door coming right into your only living space will be hard to make cozy and to use for hosting more than a few guests. Is there another living area?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what construction is scheduled. As for safety, I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 15 years and never had a problem (knock on wood). I run at night often and feel fine. That said, I do recognize that I live in a city. Our house has an alarm, we don't leave anything in sight in our cars and I don't walk down alleys late at night.

You personally may never had a problem, but the neighborhood itself isn't that safe. Let's be honest here.

Spot on. There's this contingent of folks -- I sometimes wonder if they have children -- in the District that seem to be in denial of the conditions in which they live. I observed this living in Shaw in early 2000 and observe it today in Trinidad. Columbia Heights is no exception, and the news reporting, crime blotters, and daily reporting supports this.

Anyhow, I know all too well this subject will inevitably digress into the usual arguments with the usual suspects...

Look, "safety" in any neighborhood is a both a personal and relative term. Everyone makes a decision as to whether a neighborhood is safe based on a number of things. But everyone doesn't necessarily use the same inputs. We all have our own experiences and judge a neighborhood's safety through our own lens. Columbia Heights may not feel safe for you. Fine. Don't live here. I don't judge you for it. But please do me and other who do live here and like it the same courtesy. I'm happy here (with my children) and don't for one second forget that I am living in an urban area where crime is sometimes nearby. I'm fine with it because there are so many other positives that outweigh that. You make your choices based on what's important and comfortable for you, and I'll do the same for my family.

lived on a side street between 13th and 14th streets close to columbia heights metro for a few years. came home to yellow police lines on my street several times. please don't delude yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what construction is scheduled. As for safety, I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 15 years and never had a problem (knock on wood). I run at night often and feel fine. That said, I do recognize that I live in a city. Our house has an alarm, we don't leave anything in sight in our cars and I don't walk down alleys late at night.

You personally may never had a problem, but the neighborhood itself isn't that safe. Let's be honest here.

Spot on. There's this contingent of folks -- I sometimes wonder if they have children -- in the District that seem to be in denial of the conditions in which they live. I observed this living in Shaw in early 2000 and observe it today in Trinidad. Columbia Heights is no exception, and the news reporting, crime blotters, and daily reporting supports this.

Anyhow, I know all too well this subject will inevitably digress into the usual arguments with the usual suspects...

Anonymous wrote:

Where did that warning come from?

MPD listserv.

NP here. We live in Arlington and a few weeks ago went to Columbia Heights on a Saturday night.

It looks like a nice neighborhood, rapidly gentrifying.

But we saw some VERY shady people on the street also. And that's not a euphemism for someone whose skin color is different than mine. There were cars with 4 to 5 young male would-be gangsters, driving around slowly, and pretty large crowds of rowdy kids.

I would not feel safe there, in particular as a female, at night.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what construction is scheduled. As for safety, I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 15 years and never had a problem (knock on wood). I run at night often and feel fine. That said, I do recognize that I live in a city. Our house has an alarm, we don't leave anything in sight in our cars and I don't walk down alleys late at night.

You personally may never had a problem, but the neighborhood itself isn't that safe. Let's be honest here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue with Columbia Heights is the amount of entrenched crime. Lots of Section 8 housing for my tastes.

And there it is. I amazed at how long this thread lasted without such a comment from someone who doesn't live in Columbia Heights.

I lived at Harvard and Sherman for 10 years, long before the newcomers arrived.

But try this one on for size, seeing as you are so animate in your defense. This is from 04/18:
“Shooting_2141 hrs_2800 block 14th St. NW_1 adult male victim DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911?

I'm sure it's getting better there, right?

Where did that warning come from?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My issue with Columbia Heights is the amount of entrenched crime. Lots of Section 8 housing for my tastes.

And there it is. I amazed at how long this thread lasted without such a comment from someone who doesn't live in Columbia Heights.

I lived at Harvard and Sherman for 10 years, long before the newcomers arrived.

But try this one on for size, seeing as you are so animate in your defense. This is from 04/18:
“Shooting_2141 hrs_2800 block 14th St. NW_1 adult male victim DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911?

I'm sure it's getting better there, right?

That is kind of an odd block because of that random lot- not sure if there are any development a plans for the lot. But soon there will be a Landmark movie theater a couple blocks away and already it is a great neighborhood. Also no one has mentioned yet that you'd be just a couple blocks from a great neighborhood pool (Banneker pool). I live a few blocks away and love it- have never had any safety issues but anywhere in the city you do have to be aware/ use common sense.