Cardozo Shaw

People like think I am crazy, but I think this is a great neighborhood with a great future. Located is the northwest section of the city, this neighborhood is home to approximately 12,038 residents. The boundaries of Cardoza Shaw are Florida Avenue N.W, 15th Street N.W. and S Street N.W.. The average price for a home sold here in 2010 was $517,687, with 27% of the homes being owner occupied attached and detached single family homes. One of the big factors in the great outlook for neighborhood has been the re-development of the U Street corridor, which is in the center of the neighborhood.

There are nine public and private schools here including the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and Shaw Middle School. Residents will find public transportation to be excellent with the U Street and Shaw Metro stations as well as numerous Metro Bus stations. There are lots of great restaurants here including the famous Ben's Chili Bowl. Shopping opportunities are here as well. The neighborhood has 11 places of worship. Dedicated green space is limited, but residents will enjoy the Harrison Playground. Many students live in the area as well due to the nearby Howard University, which has several buildings within the neighborhood.

Crime statistics indicate that crimes against people and property are common. I think that the crime statistics will continue to improve over time as the redevelopment of the U Street N.W. corridor continues. As always check the most recent statistics and make an informed decision as to the crime risk in any neighborhood. In the meantime, I continue to be bullish on Cardozo Shaw.

Cardozo Shaw is quite diverse, and depending on your point of view that can be a good or bad thing. Because it is backed up to Howard University there are plenty of students, and due to bordering neighborhoods it isn't particularly safe. African immigrants have moved in recently, and apparently so have the homosexuals. If you enjoy gay bars or ethnic cuisine, Cardozo Shaw is a worthwhile place to be. One result of the immigrant presence is that there are fewer people who speak good english, and plenty of children for the local school. Naturally, the high percentage of gays reduces this percentage of children somewhat. Another good thing is that African immigrants and gays aren't known for gang culture or violence, which should help. Houses and apartments are well kept, and there is plenty of diversity. Children love to play in the neighborhood after school, and they can do so safely. There are also plenty of stores and small restaurants in the neighborhood, so getting the things you need locally is not too much of a challenge. Like most places in DC however, there is a drive required to purchase less basic items. If you like diversity and don't mind a slightly higher crime rate, this is a decent neighborhood to look into.

Marvin. Ben's. Black Cat. A thousand other awesome places. Seriously, you can think of any possible activity and it is in this neighborhood. Want to to sit in a cave and get blasted by jazz? Look no further than Bohemian Caverns. Feeling like going to a gay bar that is still understated? Nellie's all the way. Is it 4 am and you'd saw off your arm for a Big Mac? Why there is a McDonald's right on the corner!

There is no stretch of street in the city more packed with theater, fashion, art, or high-end bars. Or personality.

Case in point: the Hilton brothers (of Marvin and Gibson fame) recently opened a new seafood restaurant, Blackbyrd Warehouse, right on the corner of 14th and U. Unlike their previous ventures, Blackbyrd did not have a press release, or even an opening night release party. The Hiltons wanted the restaurant to soak in the local flavor of the U Street neighborhood and define itself from that. No other area of DC can boast that.

The Cardozo/Shaw neighborhood started out on a positive note following the Civil War. Originally founded by freed slaves, it grew to be a center of African American culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some refer to the area as sort of a “pre-Harlem” because it was a cradle for jazz and other arts influence by African Americans. The well known writer Langston Hughes penned some of his greatest writing from one of the many Victorian style rowhouses in Shaw. And, had you lived at the write time, you might have been able to hear the legendary Duke Ellington warming up for a concert near an open window on a warm summer evening.
This neighborhood was also a center of African American educational opportunities. Early students at Howard University lived here and met together on twilight evenings to discuss what they were learning and how they hoped to use it to better their own lives and those of others
Tragically, this time of prosperity came to an abrupt end in 1968 when riots damaged and destroyed many of the areas homes and businesses. The neighborhood has been very slow to recover, although a recent influx of Ethiopian immigrants is bringing new life to the area's business community.