More on Del Ray:

http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/del_ray_virginias_small_town_near_the_big_city/2903

Anonymous wrote:maybe Brookland?

I second the area near Union Market--plus, it's close to Two Rivers if you win the charter school lottery.

also, Petworth has a kitchen incubator where you can probably find legit artisanal jerky-making hipsters (or bakers, canners, etc.): http://eatsplace.com/page/4/

That's a big if for plunking yourself down in an area where the streets are frequently lined with trash.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A different city. Seriously, you won't find that here.

I agree. DC is the opposite of hip in every way.

Nicely put and so true.

maybe Brookland?

I second the area near Union Market--plus, it's close to Two Rivers if you win the charter school lottery.

also, Petworth has a kitchen incubator where you can probably find legit artisanal jerky-making hipsters (or bakers, canners, etc.): http://eatsplace.com/page/4/

another vote for Takoma Park, MD or Takoma, DC

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Topic for a spin off perhaps, but where do you get good Chinese food in dc. I have been to two or three places in china town. All terrible.

You don't. You go to Rockville. Seriously, you drive, in a car, to Rockville.

All the best places are in low-rent, 1971 strip malls facing away from 355 / Rockville Pike. ie, they don't have street presence or an address in the new "Urban Towne Village Shoppes at Colton Crossings" redevelopment fake walkable village centers. Or centres, I should say.

Two letters: A & J's. YUM.

What do you value more, quaint hpisteryness or proximity to lots of walkable restaurants?

If you value quaint hipsteryness more look at Takoma DC or stones-throw to the metro Takoma Park, MD.

If you value walkability to lots of restaurants, look at Adam's Morgan.

Anonymous wrote:A different city. Seriously, you won't find that here.

+1 Your list of wants is too high and unattainable; prioritize them and then maybe we can help.

Anonymous wrote:Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria.

We even have a bike co-op.

http://velocitycoop.org/

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park is nice but more of what I see as east coasters perspective of what the west coast is like.

You think Takoma Park needs to be explained as how East Coasters imagine the West Coast? I don't see how that enters into the TP gestalt. I don't think most people in DC think about the West Coast that much, and the interested parts are well north of LA.

OP, are you looking for crunchiness or trendiness? I realize there's overlap, but the neighborhoods that are suitable for epidsodes of When Granolans Breed aren't going to be as hip as the lands of the young and the single. Add to that DC's general staid-ness, and you really need to pick which matters more: farmer's markets or cutting-edge bands. I'm guessing the former because of your mention of parking spaces (for your Prius? Your Subaru?), but maybe I'm misreading your post.

Anonymous wrote:Topic for a spin off perhaps, but where do you get good Chinese food in dc. I have been to two or three places in china town. All terrible.

Not in DC proper, I'm afraid. You'll have to hit the burbs for this.

Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria.

Somewhere in northwest in the area extending from u street up to petworth.

Not takoma park. The houses are pretty, but there is only one farmers market, one coop, and one yoga studio. Not really urban density at all.

Not h st. That place is just a few bars set down between sad thrift stores (not cool thrift stores).

Maybe consider Capitol Hill if schools are of concern . Not hip at all but great for kids and decent urban amenities. Could rent a sweet row house for $3500. Check out Yarmouth realty for rentals.

Anonymous wrote:Topic for a spin off perhaps, but where do you get good Chinese food in dc. I have been to two or three places in china town. All terrible.

You don't. You go to Rockville. Seriously, you drive, in a car, to Rockville.

All the best places are in low-rent, 1971 strip malls facing away from 355 / Rockville Pike. ie, they don't have street presence or an address in the new "Urban Towne Village Shoppes at Colton Crossings" redevelopment fake walkable village centers. Or centres, I should say.

Get good Chinese food in Rockville or Fairfax.