Ivy City
Ranked 67th best neighborhood in Washington
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Great for
- Internet Access
- Public Transport
- Cost of Living
- Eating Out
- Shopping Options
Not great for
- Neighborly Spirit
- Lack of Traffic
- Clean & Green
- Gym & Fitness
- Safe & Sound
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Students
- Retirees
- LGBT+
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Reviews
Ivy City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Could use more ivy"
I've written a couple reviews here that mentioned how with some of these neighborhoods, you can tell it's going to be a nice neighborhood just by its name. Sadly, that does NOT apply here. In fact, if anything this neighborhood could stand to have a little more ivy to cover its outright sketchiness.
Ivy City has one thing to its credit unlike neighborhoods that resemble it- the neighborhoods in Anacostia for example- which is that it is much closer to the rest of the city than to Maryland. Which, if that is the best aspect an area has going for it, is probably good enough grounds from staying away from that place.
Ivy City has one thing to its credit unlike neighborhoods that resemble it- the neighborhoods in Anacostia for example- which is that it is much closer to the rest of the city than to Maryland. Which, if that is the best aspect an area has going for it, is probably good enough grounds from staying away from that place.
Cons
- still much left to do
- Crime
Recommended for
- Professionals
Ivy City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Oh no"
Ivy City is a neighborhood located in the northeast section of the city that is home to over 1,000 residents. Gallaudet University is also located here as well. In 2010 the average home sold in Ivy City was $125,000, but only 13% of the homes here are owner occupied. The neighborhood is generally defined by by the area within Florida Avenue N.E., New York Avenue N.E. and West Virginia Avenue N.E..
This neighborhood has no other schools located other than Gallaudet University. There are a limited number of restaurants and shopping opportunities available to the residents. Green space is limited to Breantwood Park. The New York Avenue Metro Station is nearby.
This neighborhood faces a number of significant challenges, including local job opportunities. There are a number of commercial and industrial facilities along New York Avenue N.E., which appear to be vacant. Crime statists indicate that crimes against people and property occur regularly, particularly in the adjacent neighborhoods. There was a homicide along West Virginia Avenue N.E. recently. There appear to be some improvements to real estate underway in some parts of the neighborhood, with what appears to be a new home for sale. Hopefully this trend will continue and jobs will come to the neighborhood.
This neighborhood has no other schools located other than Gallaudet University. There are a limited number of restaurants and shopping opportunities available to the residents. Green space is limited to Breantwood Park. The New York Avenue Metro Station is nearby.
This neighborhood faces a number of significant challenges, including local job opportunities. There are a number of commercial and industrial facilities along New York Avenue N.E., which appear to be vacant. Crime statists indicate that crimes against people and property occur regularly, particularly in the adjacent neighborhoods. There was a homicide along West Virginia Avenue N.E. recently. There appear to be some improvements to real estate underway in some parts of the neighborhood, with what appears to be a new home for sale. Hopefully this trend will continue and jobs will come to the neighborhood.
Cons
- Crime
- still much left to do
Ivy City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Public Transport
"urban blight!"
For a long time Ivy City has been one of the most dangerous and poorest neighborhoods, arguably one of the worst north of the Anacostia. Situated near the Arboretum and abutting Gallaudet University, the national school for the Deaf, it is full of blight and crime. Apparently, it was hit especially hard during the Crack cocaine boom in the 1980’s and never recovered. It was so bad that not even Gallaudet students really liked to live there. However, this seems to be changing: because land in DC has become so expensive, many middle class people are moving into the area. They have taken advantage of cheap mortgages and are rapidly revitalizing the area.
Ivy City nonetheless has much low income housing remaining, as developers see the advantage of preserving some. Because it is so close to Gallaudet, there are businesses which cater to students. Be aware however that because the students are deaf, you will have to be careful as they can’t hear you coming. Having students in the area will probably keep property values down a bit. Anyhow, if buying run down properties and revitalizing them is your cup of tea, it might be worth looking at Ivy City. Just don’t expect it to be particularly safe at this time, or to send your kids to the DC schools.
Ivy City nonetheless has much low income housing remaining, as developers see the advantage of preserving some. Because it is so close to Gallaudet, there are businesses which cater to students. Be aware however that because the students are deaf, you will have to be careful as they can’t hear you coming. Having students in the area will probably keep property values down a bit. Anyhow, if buying run down properties and revitalizing them is your cup of tea, it might be worth looking at Ivy City. Just don’t expect it to be particularly safe at this time, or to send your kids to the DC schools.
Pros
- on the rise
- recent improvements
Cons
- students
- still much left to do
Recommended for
- Singles
- Retirees
- Students
Ivy City
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"The Best of Homes, the Worst of Homes"
Ivy City is something of a schizophrenic neighborhood. On the one hand, it is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the District and is surrounded on three sides by other very impoverished areas. On the other hand, it has experienced an influx of higher income residents who have come into the neighborhood and built nicer, better quality, single family homes. So, while the good will hopefully triumph over the bad, the jury is still out.
Part of Ivy City’s problem is that is has several large industrial complexes within it boundaries, the largest of which is Amtrak’s coach yard. For years this center provided jobs for those living nearby, more than making up for its noise and ugliness. However, with the decline in the railroad industry, there are fewer jobs, but just as many problems. This drove over thirty percent of its population into the suburbs during the 1990s.
So, in spite of the new money and enthusiasm coming into the community, Ivy City still has a long way to go. Hopefully the next decade will be one in which the more new homes will spring up to replace the poorly repaired and collapsing houses already there.
Part of Ivy City’s problem is that is has several large industrial complexes within it boundaries, the largest of which is Amtrak’s coach yard. For years this center provided jobs for those living nearby, more than making up for its noise and ugliness. However, with the decline in the railroad industry, there are fewer jobs, but just as many problems. This drove over thirty percent of its population into the suburbs during the 1990s.
So, in spite of the new money and enthusiasm coming into the community, Ivy City still has a long way to go. Hopefully the next decade will be one in which the more new homes will spring up to replace the poorly repaired and collapsing houses already there.
Pros
- recent improvements
Cons
- still much left to do
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- LGBT+
- Students
