Fort Totten

Close to the metro, quiet, green, family friendly. This is one of the few places left in DC that actually has affordable homes walking distance to the metro - red, yellow and green lines. The only drawback is that there really isn't much within walking distance with the exception of the Yes Organic Market. So if you are looking for an affordable home, a yard, and a place to raise kids or dogs, and the convenience of the easy metro access - this is a great place. However, if you are looking for nightlife, bars, clubs and shopping - I don't recommend this area. Yeah, crime happens, but it's mostly petty crime and certainly less of it than in most parts of DC. I have lived in this area for the past 8 years and no complaints yet. Neighbors are friendly and helpful too which is a huge plus for me. Plus this neighborhood is walking distance from the Turkey Thicket rec center where there is a beautiful, large indoor pool, basketball court etc etc.

If it's been a late night and you are one of those with a tendency to fall asleep on the metro (as some of my friends are), chances are, if you live on the Yellow Line, you may have accidentally woken up at this metro stop. But if you were new to the neighborhood and brave enough to venture out of the metro and explore, chances are you could find some fun in this part of town. It is safe, affordable, and family friendly. My only real issue with it is that I don't personally consider this to be in DC, and I can list a few people who would agree with me. But that hang-up aside, it is certainly a nice place to cal home.

Fort Totten is a neighborhood of approximately 2,440 residents in the northeast section of the city near Catholic University. In 2010, the average price for a home was $322,160, with 26% of the homes being owner occupied. There is a mixture of single family and attached row homes found in the neighborhood that also includes many of the athletic facilities of Catholic University as well as Rock Creek and Soldiers Home Cemetery.

There are a number of schools within the neighborhood including Archbishop Carroll High School, the Community Academy PCS - Rand and William E. Duar Junior PCS - NW Elementary Campus. Shopping as well as restaurants are limited in the neighborhood, so many will want to visit other areas for these activities. The Keene Recreation Center offers residents recreational activities. The athletic facilities of Catholic University will offer many a chance to watch college sports on the weekend. Green space is a big draw to this area as Fort Totten Park is within the neighborhood as well. There are only 2 places of worship within the community. The Fort Totten Metro Station is nearby as well as several Metro Bus stops. There is a fire station within the neighborhood, which some could find noisy.

Crimes statistics indicate that crimes against people occur in this neighborhood as well as crimes against property. As usual you should take a look at recent crime statistics to make an informed decision as to the risk in any neighborhood.

The Fort Totten neighborhood in northeast Washington is one of the safer areas in that part of town. While there have been number robberies in recent weeks, there have been reports of violent crime. Therefore, one might describe it as the best among the worst.
Serve by the Fort Totten metro station, this area is easy to get into and out of. While there is not a lot of industry in the neighborhood itself, the easy public transportation makes it attractive to citizens looking for relatively inexpensive housing within a short commute to jobs in the District.
Like several other communities, Fort Totten grew up around the ground of what was once a small army fort built during the Civil War to repel potential Confederate invaders. After the war, the fort was dismantled and the ground lay fallow for decades until the 20th century, when the DC government purchased the area and began developing it, along with a number of other disused forts, into a series of parks and recreation areas. Today Fort Totten park features green spaces with walking and jogging paths and several play areas for children. It provides a nice place for residents to go to unwind at the end of the day, or the week.