I'm a New Englander and have lived happily in Mt Pleasant, Cleveland Park, and Woodley Park.

Anonymous wrote:Frederick and Annapolis are more like Mass towns.

Yes, both are great towns. Baltimore, though it has its problems, has way more character, and more of an identity, than DC. Thankfully, B-more , like DC, seems to be finally trending the right direction with violent crime- though it’s still prevalent.

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in nova (Fairfax) and 30 years ago there were pockets of uniqueness like fun hole in the wall restaurants etc. Now it is just an expanse of close together homes and fake town centers. It is soulless.

I’m a native and think most of DC and the suburbs are soulless. People I work with love The Wharf. I think it’s lame. Went to the overhyped Mexican restaurant, that the Post food critic raved about, and it was pretty mediocre. Prices weren’t mediocre- $35 for enchiladas, $20 for a terrible margarita, which was mostly ice and finished in three sips. National Harbor is also pretty unremarkable. Gentrification has pushed DC natives out and brought in a slew of overpriced apartments, all which feature a slew of generic chain eateries and coffee shops on their ground floors.

Boston transplant here — the only comparable areas are Georgetown (up Wisconsin Ave and in the neighborhood) and Old Town. That’s it basically. The rest of the suggestions are stretching the comparison.

Frederick and Annapolis are more like Mass towns.

I agree with posters saying just move to DC already. Also recommend some day trips.
Hampden Baltimore
The Fan Richmond
Berkeley Springs WV
St Michaels MD
Rittenhouse Sq Philly
Ghent Norfolk VA

Anonymous wrote:City of Falls Church, Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray

Wtf no!!!!

DC DC, or a suburb of DC?
There are plenty of "neighborhoods" within DC that are what makes DC what it is. Why search for New England in DC? If I were in New England, certainly wouldn't be looking for a DC there. Bye!

Anonymous wrote:City of Falls Church, Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray

All three of those are horrible. City of falls church is probably the worst. I hate going there, with OT just about as bad.

Occoquan, VA

Clifford, VA

Vienna, VA

Herndon, VA

Annapolis MD


All these for a day visit.

DC is not a world class city. It never will be. It is what it is.

Anonymous wrote:Suburbs with more character/local business:

Del Ray
Hyattsville (and Mt. Rainier which actually crosses over into DC)
Takoma Park
Cheverly
Subcommunities in Silver Spring (Kensington, Forest Glen, Woodside)

DC neighborhoods that are less corporate and have more character:

Eastern Market
Mt. Pleasant
Petworth
Chevy Chase DC
H Street
Brookland

If she wants more local character and a less corporate vibe she needs to stop going places that are frequented almost exclusively by UMC and wealthy transplants who to there to avoid local character.

This is a decent list! I would add Georgetown as an area with at last some character (not M St but a little further up Wisconsin) and nice architecture.

Anonymous wrote:OP, most people don't think Concord or Lexington as reference for anything. Get over yourself!

Well, except maybe amazing schools, charming towns, and meaningful history blended with small-town whimsy. I guess besides that, no.

Your friend sounds like me when I moved to Charlotte, NC (from the Midwest, not New England). I looked and looked for *anything* original, but none was to be found. Some places really just have “no there” there.

Anonymous wrote:City of Falls Church, Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray

What? I live in Falls Church. It's as bland as bland can be.