Did you know that approximately 714,000 people live in Washington, DC? Along with the people living in DC proper, additional hundreds of thousands commute to the city for work each day.
If you’re moving to the DC area and want to skip the commute, you’ll have to do some digging to find the perfect spot within the city limits. However, all of the neighborhoods in DC have different personalities, so the search process can feel overwhelming.
Luckily, you can narrow it down to a handful if you know what qualities you’d like in a neighborhood. So, which DC neighborhood options stand out among the rest?
We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn about five of the best neighborhoods in DC.
1. Capitol Hill
No list of DC neighborhoods is complete without mentioning Capitol Hill. While the neighborhood may seem overrated to locals, it’s an exhilarating environment for transplants.
The neighborhood is smack-dab in the heart of the country’s political scene, boasting iconic edifices like the Library of Congress and the Capitol Building itself.
Along with being the epicenter for all federal government work, Capitol Hill is also overflowing with charm. Despite being a bipartisan neighborhood, residents are very community-oriented and honored to uphold the neighborhood’s identity. You’ll find yourself enchanted by the preservation of culture, whether it’s in the vendor-filled Eastern Market or DC’s oldest movie theater, The Miracle Theatre.
2. Foggy Bottom
If you’ve always dreamed of waking up to a thin veil of mist outside your window, Foggy Bottom is the neighborhood for you. The neighborhood is one of the oldest in DC, getting its name from the fog that rises off the Potomac River in the morning.
Foggy Bottom is home to George Washington University, so you’ll see plenty of students milling about during the school year. However, plenty of grads and young professionals also feel right at home in the neighborhood.
If you’re looking for elegant condos in DC, Foggy Bottom is worth checking out. You’ll find that many of them are flushed with natural light and balconies, offering views of the Washington Monument and the surrounding urban landscape.
Foggy Bottom is also incredibly walkable and has a metro station, making access to the rest of DC effortless. This neighborhood offers plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, with low crime rates and a vibrant nightlife.
3. Glover Park
Not everyone wants to live in downtown DC, but it can be challenging to find quieter corners of the city. But if you’re looking for a neighborhood with a more suburban vibe? Glover Park is the answer.
While Glover Park is technically within the city of DC, it offers the slower pace and quietness of the suburbs, all while retaining the rich amenities of an urban area. The public schools are also well-regarded. This combo makes it a hotspot for families with young children.
Not only are the K-12 schools high-quality, but young adults will also be in close proximity to Georgetown. For locals who don’t want to stray far from home for college, this makes it the perfect place to settle down.
Glover Park doesn’t have many public transportation options, so you’ll likely need a car to get into the central city. However, there are plenty of local restaurants, shops, and grocery stores within walking distance of many of the homes.
4. Navy Yard
Living in DC is a dream come true for history buffs, but there are plenty of more modern additions cropping up. Navy Yard is currently one of the most popular of these more contemporary neighborhoods.
Of course, it has a history behind it too. It got its name from the Washington Navy Yard, which was built in 1799 on the Anacostia River.
Nowadays though, you’ll find more than the Washington Navy Yard—an abundance of shops, parks, and restaurants line the streets. Baseball fans will appreciate Nationals Park, home of the MLB team known as the Washington Nationals.
Out of all the neighborhoods in DC, Navy Yard is one of the best choices for young professionals. It’s a lively neighborhood, making it easy to find and join in on community activities, like trivia or karaoke nights. New apartment and condo buildings are popping up all over the Navy Yard these days, so now’s the time to check them out before they’re filled.
5. Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights features incredible architecture, delicious eateries, and bikeable (albeit hilly) areas all throughout the neighborhood. Columbia Heights has a strong Latin history and presence, which shines through in neighborhood institutions, such as the GALA Hispanic Theatre and the Mexican Cultural Institute.
The neighborhood’s architecture is awe-inspiring. Simply take a stroll through Meridian Hill Park, a two-level European-style park featuring terrazzo walls, statues, and fountains.
Columbia Heights is also a great choice if your DC home budget is more moderate. There are affordable condos, apartments, and houses in the neighborhood, depending on your needs.
Find the Best Neighborhoods in DC
DC offers diverse neighborhoods at every turn. With the info above, you can decide which neighborhoods in DC are best for you!
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