CarrieB

In this neighborhood, even the buildings seem to know how to see and be seen. Splendid architecture, busy streets, and with the Westin hotel front and center, something is always happening here. Tourists tend to trump actual residents here. The close proximity to George Washington University and Foggy Bottom make this place run rampant with parents/families of college students. Combined with the already crowded streets of Georgetown, this place can be teeming with people if you don't time it right. And as a result, the housing is almost astronomical.

If you're willing to put forth the expenses, this is a great area to visit, and a greater place to stay if you want to be close to the city for a lavish weekend trip to the District. But if you're looking for something more modest, you might want to delve a little further into the northwest region of the city.

Dreamy sigh. This is another in a series of beautiful Disney movie neighborhoods. If you just happen to stumble upon it while wandering about one day, thank your walking shoes and consider yourself privileged. You have walked into a quiet real estate paradise. And if you can afford it here, well, you probably were being chauffeured in a limousine and not lowering yourself to walking around in sneakers.

Wesley Heights is the ultimate housing dream. These houses should be put in museums, and the streets are so safe you could walk around barefoot at 2:00 in the morning (not that you should do that, but still). This is definitely among the best DC has to offer, and if you are among the elite who live here, well.... can we be friends? I can make a pretty good cucumber sandwiches for your snooty parties!

On the up and up. This is a phrase that is tossed around so frequently (in this town in particular), that sometimes an area's bristling hard work can get lost in the shuffle of so many before it that go farther than it, or fail. University Heights is a neighborhood that has made some incredible strides, thanks in part to its neighboring Brookland, but whose hiccups are still rather surprising, also not unlike Brookland. Traffic is to be expected anywhere in the city, but the sporadic waves of crime, while also not uncommon to the city, are still a cause for concern in a neighborhood with a lot of promise such as this one.

Here you will find an even combination of affordable housing, and also local business. And with Catholic University so close, the neighborhood is aptly named, and a great spot for students seeking a reasonable (and close) place to stay. But it is always best to leave your place in a state of caution and minimize time spent alone outside at night. You simply can never be too careful.

Upper Chevy Chase is one of the lovelier areas of the District, even though it may mislead some into thinking it is actually in Maryland. That it is also affordable makes it a practical must for a variety of different demographics. The houses here are beautiful, perfect for families, and also for people with enough money to retire and settle in to a gorgeous part of town. However, it is worth noting that the neighborhood is entirely residential, with little in the way of amenities except for a CVS, and the occasional diner or local shop (and the occasional eccentricity... not far from here is an actual fishmonger. Yes. A fishmonger. Where else can you say that?)

There is a lot to love in Upper Chevy Chase. And little to even be annoyed by- when traffic and distance to the rest of the city are your neighborhood's only complaints, it must be doing something right.

There is little in the way of positive elements here in Trinidad. While its sense of art and culture is at least kept alive by its close proximity to the Atlas Theater District, the whole area seems stuck in an overwhelming state of exhaustion. Like several other neighborhoods in the area, there is not much in the way of anything. The school system is not the best in the city by any means. While there are not many offerings in the way of chain stores or large scale retailers, the basics are at least covered by CVS and more independently owned stores. There is also something of a selection of nightlife- several bars and clubs dot the neighborhood. All in all, things could of course always be worse in Trinidad, but the neighborhood is just another in a slew of areas with so much farther to go. All it needs for hope though, is to look back on what it was.

Great, modest place to live. A bit of confusion is stirred up because of its proximity (and closeness in name) to Takoma Park, Maryland, but this area is very much a part of DC. While perhaps not the most convenient place to live for people looking to work in the center of town, or just want to be where the action is in general, it is a perfect neighborhood for anyone with a family. Appealing, affordable housing, and the strong community vibe that is signature to the rest of the city. There are little in the way of disadvantages in Takoma, besides it being so far north it is basically in Maryland. There is even a metro station if you're looking to save gas. Definitely one of the brighter neighborhood spots in the city, keep on the top of your list.

Stanton Park is beautiful and stately enough to stand alone as its own very small town, reminiscent of a quiet shire in England, that is instead tucked away in an unbothered corner of Washington. Several of the structures here are awe-inspiring in their loveliness, but still modest. For all its amenities, it is also a very affordable part of the city. Best of all, it is walking distance from Capitol Hill, and Union Station.

Revitalization efforts have paid off in spades: the neighborhood has come leaps and bounds from where it was a couple of decades ago (what neighborhood in DC can't boast that?). The only con, besides perhaps being slightly too high for some price ranges, is that it is only convenient for those who work on the Hill. If you are looking to go farther out into the city, you will be met with slightly more difficulty.

Spring Valley is a neighborhood rich in stories, not all of them happy ones, but many of them fascinating. The neighborhood is beautiful, wealthy, and easily accessible to the rest of the rest of the city. But there is darkness lurking beneath the loveliness. Past excavations revealed unexploded ordnance buried underneath potential land for new building, and arsenic has infamously been discovered in the soil. As a result, the area has been under the intense scrutiny of the US Army to continue testing.

Sensational stories aside, Spring Valley has housed several huge names in politics, most notably Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. In many ways, this is one of the most two-sided neighborhoods in the entire city. But these crazy stories and high-profile residents have certainly given the residents something to talk about, and the result has been a strong sense of community bonding.

With the grand, sweeping imagery that a name like "Skyland!" evokes, this neighborhood fails to measure up, by a very, very long shot. Just because there is barely anything here. If the idea behind this area was to have vast, empty expanses (like the sky), then it has gone well and beyond the call of duty there.

Most depressing is how long it has taken the city to get the neighborhood to even this point. Skyland was supposed to have a sweeping, decadent shopping center with any amenity you could ask for, directed specifically at the higher class living of Fairfax Village and Hillcrest. But somehow it has fallen far, far short, and is now the blank stretch of concrete that time and the city forgot. Yes there is still hope, and hope can help move mountains, but hope is nothing without hands to do the pushing.

Because of its founder's passion for flowers and plants, every street here is named after a flower. It's fitting: this area is gorgeous, and it also has one of the stronger senses of community spirit in the city. A tightly knit group of wealthy families with shrewd eyes for any goings-on that look out of the ordinary in any way, which is furthered in local associations for activism. Suffice it to say, if you live here, you are going to feel safe.

Like anywhere else though, Shepherd Park is not without its cons. A large one being its distance from anywhere within the rest of the city. If you work in Silver Spring, you're in luck, as it is probably minutes away from your house. But if you work on Capitol Hill, for example, you're going to have a less convenient daily commute.

All in all, if you can afford this neighborhood, you will not regret living here. Beautiful housing, greenery, and assurance that your neighbors are looking out for you. What else do you need?

River Terrace leaves a lot to be desired. Don't let the parks, water, and open green space trick you (although it is pretty refreshing that Washington, DC has places like this available). Besides this, the area is rather in a state of squalor. The architecture for many of its buildings is very old, and being near the water has not exactly helped strengthen its infrastructure. Neither has the smog coming off of the Anacostia Freeway. Yes, housing is ridiculously affordable, but the reasons are painfully obvious, and rumor has it that (like everything else in the city) the rents will soon be rising. Singles, steer clear, especially if you're looking for a metro, or anything to do besides sitting in your house. Besides the park, the only other landmark here is the Denny's.

This place is so far out of the way that not even many DC natives are all that familiar with it. Retailers seem to have picked up on this and located their shops elsewhere, but that being said, the area is not by any means the worst in the district. It just isn't the best, either, and won't have any hope of being so until at least one good restaurant, shop, or attraction roots itself here.

Those with families on a budget may be drawn to its affordable housing (complete with backyards, a rarity in the city!), but may be turned off by its less-than-impressive school systems. For singles, a car is basically mandatory here. And you're also going to have to swallow your pride and learn to be okay with the fact that no one is going to know where you live, or how to get there. But on the bright side, you're closer to St Elizabeth's Hospital, which can't be said for many other DC neighborhoods.

Queens Chapel is certainly one of those neighborhoods which is on the up and up, and in a big way. The compact, brick-covered architecture, though uniform, is pleasant to look at and (most importantly) sturdy to live in. Those who do not want to incorporate a car into the mix are in luck. Three different metro lines run through the Fort Totten station, which can take you almost anywhere you need to go in the city without having to switch lines.

The neighborhood has also garnered its own sense of quiet pride through its community activism. The Lamond-Riggs library is a high point for culture and education in the area, and the recreation center furthers a strong current of togetherness throughout the area. This place is perfect for just about everyone- families, students without cars, and anyone who likes quiet, affordable housing and a sense of community spirit.

This lovely little neighborhood is Howard University's answer to Mount Pleasant. It's got everything you need for comfortable city living: local amenities, a nice sense of community spirit, and the next neighborhood over has great restaurants and metro accessibility. It goes by several different names, so depending on how you feel that day, you could be living in Pleasant Plains or Howard Town.

One of the better noted elements of Pleasant Plains is its remarkable school system; its high school is one of the best in the country. It is also a popular place for Howard student housing, so a wide range of young people frequent here. Community outreach and recreation is also strongly available (great for the amount of students around). And if the neighborhood ever feels stifling, you are a stone's throw away from Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, or the always excellent downtown region.

The Arboretum is a massive contradiction in a lot of ways. It contains elements of the most beautiful and ugly of human life. People take painstaking efforts to make the actual Arboretum thrive, but a similar effort is put into the amount of crime in the neighborhood. And somehow, a neighborhood overrun with criminal activity is also run with tourism. There may even be more tourists flowing into the neighborhood than actual people living in it.

Geographically, you could do worse. The neighborhood is at least closer to the rest of the city than, say, Anacostia. And a constant stream of tourism has allowed for several local vendors to set up shop selling food and clothes. The standard housing prices are very affordable too, but most likely not for a very good reason. All in all, this is a lovely place to visit, but you don't want to live here.

A stigma of poverty has dogged this neighborhood for quite a while, but it appears that it is very much on the up and up, even though it has been counted as the poorest area in the city. There have been several recent high-priced building development projects all throughout the neighborhood, and Congress Heights has plenty of greenery within reach. Residents have their pick of Oxon Run National Parkway, or Shepherd Parkway for a taste of nature even in a city. But many may find a deal breaker in the less than stellar reputation of the area's school system.

Congress Heights also has the pitfall of not having any discernible shopping, restaurants, or nightlife nearby. If you are looking for a Friday out, you will have to hop on the metro, which, as they'll probably tell you on the loudspeaker, could tack an additional 40 minutes to your travel time. It looks like in this case, you can't take your park with a dance hall.

There is so much evidence that the Highlands are trying to improve. More middle class housing has been established, a new center for recreation was recently started, and there are plans for the DC Public Library to open a branch in the area. But for this neighborhood in particular, these changes may be too little too late. Washington Highlands still ranks as one of the most dangerous areas in the entire city, and even new positive developments do little to overpower the sweeping emptiness that has unfortunately become the neighborhood's trademark. While it is noble that the area has taken such strides to gain a stronger sense of community, a potential homeowner could probably find a better place to live in any other part of the city.

Waterfront is an understated neighborhood that has more to it than first meets the eye. With NASA and several high profile employers nearby, residents can work and live in the same area if they so choose, and one that is relatively central to the rest of town. One of my dear friends used to live out there, and the rent was cheap, the National Mall was steps away, and when they opened a new Safeway, he nearly died of happiness.

There are several restaurants that are far enough from the middle of town not to attract too many tourists, and the neighborhood also has its own series of local events, like fireworks on the 4th of July. Now that Arena Stage has been relocated to within minutes of the Waterfront Metro, art and culture is gaining a much steadier presence. This neighborhood is going nowhere but up, and shows no signs of slowing down.

This neighborhood is so perfect even the trash cans are classy. I lived a couple neighborhoods over for a little while, and my roommate and I would wander over here when we felt like staring at the most gorgeous houses in the city. Or when we felt like making ourselves feel like peasants.

Like so many other wealthy neighborhoods in the city, Normanstone Terrace is very closely contained within itself, and if you aren't a resident, you might not feel entirely welcome, unless your salary rivals somebody who lives here. It's green, lush, and almost impossibly quiet, until the occasional car drives by. Furthering the closed-off feeling is the fact that gates abound here. Lovely, stone gates, that are meant to inspire awe and keep people at arms length, all at once.

While yes, this neighborhood is beautiful, expensive, and centrally located, it doesn't have the best feeling of community spirit. After all, why would rich people ever need to leave their houses?

You can't live in Washington, DC and not love the National Mall. Sure, you can hate some of the tourists (goodness knows I do.. the annoying ones anyway with loud kids anyway), but there is always something fun to do here, and if it doesn't suit your liking, you can bring your own fun (picnics or frisbee golf anyone?) If you time it right, you can get a spot here on a gorgeous summer day, eat and play the day away, and then watch a classic movie with a bunch of tourists as part of the area's Screen on the Green program.

When you have your fill of outside fun, there is plenty to do indoors. Learn something at a museum or go have a drink and a bite to eat somewhere. And believe it or not, there is quite a bit of very affordable housing in neighboring areas. A friend of mine lived over in Waterfront a couple years ago, for almost dirt cheap, and we were able to walk to the Mall for 4th of July fireworks in 5 minutes. We got a spot right in front as a result.

In short, this area is marvelous, and well deserving of its fame. You are guaranteed to love it, especially if you have a touristy streak.

An ex of mine lives over here, which gives me some sour feelings about it, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it. Petworth is a pretty great location, with lots of cute townhouses and a surprising number of local and chain restaurants and stores. Local favorites are Domku, with a unique European menu and the best almond cake I've ever had (also probably the only almond cake I've ever had..), and Wonderland, a great big popular dive bar.

It's metro accessible, well equipped with schools, parks, and community recreation buildings. This is a great neighborhood for young people, and especially young families. But there are of course a couple streets you don't want to turn down, or catch yourself alone on in the middle of the night. In the daylight, though, this place is a great place to live, and even charming in some parts. Definitely worth a second look, this place is on the up and up.

Nothing about this area might jump out at you if you're driving through, and it's not known for being a residential one. Mainly people only pass through here to get somewhere else, and the commerce that has sprung up around here seems to be an attempt to snag some spare tourist dollars before they spend them at the National Gallery gift shop.

That said, there are some great spots to eat or shop around here, as a result. The area is also relatively close to a number of metro stops, so if you happen to find yourself here on foot (as I have, once or twice.... I'm a bit of a walker), there is hope for you to get somewhere else quickly. Compared to the neighborhood over, with the Warner Theater, scores of museums, and the National Archives and Gallery, this one is a sparse one.

Where else are you going to hear someone say "you've *got* to see the CVS, it's so fancy"? The one in the Palisades has been worked out of an old movie theater, the MacArthur, and the marquee is still up. This gives you a bit of an insight into what the rest of the area is going to be like. That is, out of this world.

While not without its price (the housing is some of the more expensive you may find in the city), the neighborhood is still a fun one to visit, and if it is within your means, I highly recommend trying to find a place over there. It is a very self contained area, and has enough greenery and community buildings to keep country lovers and families happy for a long time to come. The small town feel reaches further with several community events, and if you make it to the 4th of July parade, you'll think you took a wrong turn and landed in Virginia. While this can be of great appeal to families or retirees, restless youngsters trying to prove themselves may want to take a look at another neighborhood before making their final decision (if they can even afford this one).

This neighborhood is barely a blip on the real estate radar, for all the wrong reasons. While some areas of town go unnoticed just because they are tucked a little farther north or south than many city dwellers would think to look, Northeast Boundary receives little attention because it has almost nothing to its name. That said, it barely even has a name. The streets seem empty and desolate, because they are- the area is currently having a problem keeping long term owners for many of its properties. It does boast a metro, which is more than many of its adjacent neighborhoods can say, and it is close to a playground and a park, which gives a slight boost to its green credibility. But a playground is not enough for many to overlook a history of crime and emptiness. It's probably best to look elsewhere.

This part of town is so far north it might as well be Maryland. You can probably look from your backyard into the next state over (and it's not Russia). Since it has gone so far overlooked, the housing is affordable but also high-quality (lovely without any pretension), and residents can take advantage of the perks of Silver Spring (AFI cinema and a ton of fun bars and restaurants, including one themed for Pirates... yarr), while still maintaining a DC residence. However, those without a car may be up the creek without a paddle- the closest metro in the area is in Maryland. The area is probably not a reasonably priced neighborhood for students or struggling twenty-somethings, but this neighborhood is great for families, or for someone looking for a quiet place to enjoy their life.

Tucked away in the northeast corner of the city, North Michigan Park is one of several hidden gems scattered throughout Washington, DC. If you look for it, you will discover a safe, quiet, unassuming neighborhood that is perfect for rearing up a new family or settling down after a career. Some Catholic University students may find the area convenient as well (affordable and a close drive to campus), although there does not appear to be a multitude of apartment buildings in the area. But if you've got a lot of friends who need housing, consider a group house, if you can find one. The area does not have many qualities that draw notice to itself, and its only con seems to be the standard for any neighborhood in the city: too much rush hour traffic. Think of it this way: if it's not getting a lot of attention, it's not getting any of the wrong kind of it either.

It seems like an impossibility in much of the rest of the city, but North Cleveland Park seems to contain everything. Some of the most high profile employers are here, as of course is the University of the District of Columbia. On top of that, the housing is lovely without being unattainable in price. It's also not far from American University, or retail and restaurant mecca Friendship Heights.

It seems like just about anybody can live here, from young adults to young families to those looking for a reasonable place to retire. Everything is right at your feet here, and if you ever get tired you can easily move about the rest of the city.

A strictly residential area, this neighborhood is lacking in several different types of amenities. If you want a grocery store, you're probably going to have to go to the next neighborhood over. Not much is here besides semi-centrally located houses and lots, and I mean lots, of traffic. If you have a car and don't mind spending most of your evening looking for parking, North Capitol Street could work for you. And let's be honest, where in DC is anyone going to tell you that parking is fantastic and traffic is a breeze all the time?

That said, it is a particular problem here, with so few people actually living here and so many driving through en route home or to the office. Besides the bustle of cars, it is a fairly quiet neighborhood. But to some, nothing ruins a nice peaceful evening than a sudden car horn out of nowhere.

There is a lot of fun to be had in this neighborhood, but anyone looking for a place to live may want to consider another place. It is chock full of fun bars and restaurants like Palace of Wonders, H Street Country Club, Church and State, and Sticky Rice, and artsy creative types abound, but so does the occasional frat boy escaping his Northern Virginia townhouse for the night.

There are many things to keep in mind if you're thinking about moving here: parking is dreadful, and the nearest metro is a mile away. There's also the occasional bout of crime. And if you are looking for peace and quiet, you've found the wrong place- there is a constant stream of people any time before 11 pm on week nights, and any time before sunrise on the weekends. Think of it as Adams Morgan, but trendier.

I know a couple people in their twenties who have found housing here, but they are usually complaining about struggling to leave and go anywhere else in the city. However, it is in the nature of the hipster to never be happy about anything, so one never knows.

There's a lot to say in favor of Naylor Gardens. They read like boxes on the checklist of a potential homeowner. It's green (could you tell by the Gardens in its name?), and the trees compliment the bricks that make up many of the housing options. It's as safe as you can expect in a city environment, and quiet, and has several options for community outreach within its recreation center. It's also close to a metro, which means basically anywhere in the city is just a hop away (or a 20 minute wait and a hop, if you're riding the metro on the weekends). The negatives are nothing unbearable, and the fact that it's a little known neighborhood keeps the rent from skyrocketing. For many, this place could be just the gem they're looking for.

If you are willing to put up with rabid baseball fans (do we really have those?), this neighborhood might be a good one for you. But if you rely on the metro to get home from work, you might want to rethink. Even the yellow line is a mess on nights the Nats are playing. Not a total deal breaker for many, but something good to keep in mind.

If you are one of these rabid baseball fans, then the neighborhood might be perfect. You can fraternize with a giant Teddy Roosevelt (for those not in the know, we have FOUR mascots, and they're all former presidents. They all race each other at the seventh inning of every game, and Teddy always loses. This is why DC is awesome). Even if you're not a baseball fan, the affordability of this neighborhood is still pretty great.

This neighborhood is similar to Shaw in that it has dual sides. On the one hand you can find great housing for cheap, but on the other you can find... um.... not so great housing (crime, poverty, etc). For just as cheap. So be wary, homeowners to be.

I'd prefer to look at the positive aspects of the neighborhood. Mount Vernon Square has some fantastic bars and restaurants. Passenger is the most well known, but just down the road, in the summer, theater people flock to Fort Fringe, a sort of after party for the Capital Fringe Festival, that has just gotten the green light to become a bar in its own right. This might be a questionable venture, if you know how much money theater people usually have.

Of course there is also the Convention Center, which constantly has a stream of people coming and going. For all of Mount Vernon Square's supposed questionability, it also has a lot that is positive.

I personally love this area. The houses are beautiful (but way too expensive for one person to live in, you're better off gathering a bunch of friends and splitting the rent... if you're not married or with children that is). This place is completely rich in local independent retailers and restaurants. Common DC knowledge is that Adams Morgan (the next neighborhood over) is one of the more ethnically diverse places in the city, but Mount Pleasant is also full of amazing different types of cuisine and culture. Fantastic pizza, Mexican food, and great boutiques for custom and vintage clothes. Think of it as Adams Morgan's adorable sister. And it's only going to get better.

I personally love this area. The houses are beautiful (but way too expensive for one person to live in, you're better off gathering a bunch of friends and splitting the rent... if you're not married or with children that is). This place is completely rich in local independent retailers and restaurants. Common DC knowledge is that Adams Morgan (the next neighborhood over) is one of the more ethnically diverse places in the city, but Mount Pleasant is also full of amazing different types of cuisine and culture. Fantastic pizza, Mexican food, and great boutiques for custom and vintage clothes. Think of it as Adams Morgan's adorable sister. And it's only going to get better.

Not much noteworthy about Michigan Park, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Countless other neighborhoods around the area would be glad to see an element of stability instead of countless crime reports. And like many other neighborhoods around the District, community spirit is at the heart of these streets. In this case its rewards seem to have paid off in the form of a safe neighborhood with affordable housing, and minimal complaints. When the worst aspect about where you live is that there is only one playground or the occasional bout of noise, it's safe to say you are in a good neighborhood. Steady appears to have won the race at Michigan Park.

Yes they do. And boy do they have money. There are probably reams and reams of pages worth of stories from this place, locked deep behind the gorgeous brick houses and austere wrought iron sculptures and playgrounds scattered throughout the area. Effectively, if you are looking for anything besides block after block of gorgeous stand-offish houses (like nightlife, shopping, or schools), look somewhere else. The elite residents of this area come here to escape from the bourgeoisie, and they like it that way. They go into the city for whatever other needs they may have, for fear it might litter the lovely utopia John McLean has created.

On a side note, no matter how many ways you write bourgeoisie, it always looks wrong.

This neighborhood follows in a long slew of places making up Anacostia. It also follows the neighborhood's visual appeal- bare bones, sort of sketchy, not entirely safe, and dirt cheap housing. One distinguishing feature of Mayfair is that it holds the childhood home of musical legend and homegrown DC icon, Marvin Gaye (oh so *that's* who that restaurant on 14th Street is named after!) Unfortunately, Gaye was not known for having the best home life growing up, which makes this another less-than-ringing endorsement for Mayfair.
On a lighter note, Langston Golf Course is nearby, for enthusiasts or professionals on their lunch break, or trying to take a day out of the office. If this is the high point of an area, potential residents should probably continue their housing search.

Oh my heavens, this is a pretty part of town. Beautiful houses peeking from tree-lined streets, wondering if you'll spot them and be struck dead by how fabulous they are. Not far from Foxhall Road (which, really, how could it not be pretty with a name like that), this area houses the National Cathedral, as well as several embassies. If you are in town for the Passport DC series (a tourist dream of going to each embassy and tasting the local delights), you will definitely want to go through here, and stop at the Belgian Embassy for free waffles, chocolate, and beer. What better way to spend a Saturday?

On a slightly more logical note, those interested in reasonable housing, and anything resembling a school system, should probably look somewhere else.

Like the title of this review suggests, this place leaves a lot to be desired in terms of original housing design. Some places look like a giant brick was dropped onto an open field. Others are too perfect and candy colored, smashed together into a row of uniformity. One wonders whether it would have been more visually appealing to just leave the field as it was.

It's also not especially centrally located. This comes in handy for families looking to escape DC's hectic streets after the 9-5 day. Not so much for college students, or up-and-comings in their early twenties. But there plenty of other neighborhoods for them farther north.

This is what many neighborhoods aspire to be like. Affordable, adorable housing that is rich in quaint rowhouse architecture. Also one of the best places in the city to procure a "backyard" area. This neighborhood caters both to families on a dime and college kids (and probably several of their roommates) who are looking to live someplace they can afford close(-ish) to the heart of the city. All the amenities are there, and it is relatively metro accessible. And if the bustle of the city is too much to handle, Maryland is in your backyard, and Manor Park has its own neighborhood park where residents retire to in order to find their zen spot.

For how green and residential it is, it is perhaps fitting that this place has "manor" and "park" in its title. Those looking for their own private apartment, on the other hand, had best look elsewhere. Complexes are nowhere here.

I have a particular soft spot for this area. My theater was housed over here for the past four years, and I grew well acquainted with much of the area. We were right across the street from the Studio Theater, which is a force of nature in itself. One thing I found myself loving about this area was how so many amazing bars, shops, and restaurants were housed so tightly on just one street. Here you have Black Cat, El Centro, Miss Pixie's Furnishings (a classic mainstay of DC independent retail culture), and Churchkey, to name only a few. Housing-wise, you can find several fantastic, affordable options, and you can also find some less than savory real estate pickings. You just have to know where to look. But frankly, this is where true DC-ites either live, or love.

Yet another example of a neighborhood that is trying despite adversity. Lincoln Heights is very close to the infamous area surrounding Benning Road, but attempts to break from the stigma of that area with a Recreation Center and other opportunities for community outreach. The effort, thus far, has only made somewhat of an impact, but the area is leaps and bounds above where it could be. Even if the inexpensive housing verges on the depressing, it is hard to go anywhere but up from here, and it must be remembered that things can always be worse.

I have a friend who used to live around here until they went off to Culinary School in New York. They lived in a little townhouse with a waterbed (you mean people actually sleep in those anymore?) that exploded unceremoniously one afternoon. The townhouse itself, however, was quite nice, and the neighborhood was very quaint. While it's close to some of the more questionable streets in the Shaw area, it's also extremely metro accessible, and sort of a historic staple to the DC landscape.

Also, side note, the horror theater I work for has dreams of using the Frazier Funeral Home to stage our shows. It's a pipe dream, yes, but you've got to love those blue shutters.

As the title says, this was my place of residency for a year, and I loved it. Absolutely loved it. My old roommate was so fond of it that when our lease ran out, he snagged a condo down the road from our old building. It's right in the middle of Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights, and even though it's super close to where thousands of frat boys are getting drunk on the weekend, it's still very quiet, and has a wonderful small town feel.

The real estate leans toward the pricey, but I actually know several 20-somethings in the area who have managed to make it work and live in a great apartment, even if their income isn't quite what they're hoping for just yet. Starbucks, Safeway, and dozens of independently run businesses. Some streets can be a little iffy at night, but I have never felt anything but safe here. Also, it's a stone's throw away from the Woodley Park Zoo. I may be biased, but I find this neighborhood perfect, and I still miss it.

If you wander a little too far past the bars and rock and roll of H Street, you could find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Langston is not known being a particularly spectacular part of town, and the neighborhood itself is not a great prelude to the golf course it boasts. If golf is what you're after, it's worth it to go through the area. But if you're a hipster who was looking for a good time on a Friday night, you might as well go back to H Street and try and find the mini golf course at their country club.

This neighborhood is a questionable one. While this is nearby a lot of lovely greenery, it is also adjacent to several less than splendid areas. Housing appears to be reasonably priced, but those choosing to live here are taking a large risk, given the crime stats are rather high here. Equally reasonable and somewhat safer territory lies just slightly west in the city, in the neighborhood surrounding Catholic University for example, or even Petworth. At least there, the metro is more easily accessible and more retail opportunities are more frequent.

Understated but strong, this neighborhood is safe and has been for years. It is affordable, full of opportunities for community outreach, and great for a family on a dime. Good for families, but not for anyone looking for the hustle and bustle of the city. Although if you have automotive transportation, you'll be able to get anywhere you need to be (provided it's not rush hour) in an hour or less.
The only strike against Lamond Riggs could be that it is so close to Maryland that some may mistake it for actually being in the state. So if you are looking for definitive DC residency, you may want to look elsewhere. But all things considered, that is a small price to pay for domestic contentment.

Primarily a residential area, with not much in terms of a local scene- not many independently run stores or chains. It has a history rich in community activism, including one case that included the community suing the EPA to keep neighboring communities from dumping sewage water into the Anacostia River. Like most of the rest of the area, Kingman Park is constantly striving to be on the up and up. While not quite as bad as some of its sister neighborhoods, the area still has a very long way to go. But at this point, it is only a couple chain stores away from being so.

You could do a lot better in DC than this neighborhood. But in terms of areas around Anacostia, you could also do a lot worse. Kenilworth is home to the first government-funded public housing project in the city, which gives it a bit of a sense of historic pride. It is a fairly green area, with the Anacostia Park nearby, and the Aquatic Gardens. The neighborhood also has its fair share of tourism in the early summer, because of the lovely water lilies and lotus flowers that bloom. The zen-like flowers give the neighborhood a sense of quiet tranquility, and with a metro nearby, even those without a car can enjoy the sights of Kenilworth.

Real estate heaven in DC. When I lived in Adams Morgan I would find a way to walk through this neighborhood on my way home from work. You will not find prettier housing in the entire District of Columbia, in my humble opinion. Sure, diplomats hide out in Disney fairyland houses tucked away in quiet enclaves around here, but if you want a beautiful place to live while still feeling like you are in the heart of the city, you need to live in Kalorama. In my opinion, even the real estate in Georgetown doesn't quite measure up, because of how disconnected from the rest of the city the neighborhood has tried to make itself. Kalorama Heights is quiet, with hints of the Euro-chic, while you never forget that you are in the city. In two words, it is urban paradise.

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.

Howard University falls in a very odd, almost two-faced part of town. Here you will find both elegant and modern (and affordable) apartment buildings, but if you go too far in one direction, you will end up in a considerably less pleasant part of town. The good news is that both of these "faces" tend to keep to themselves- the nice part stays to itself, as does the bad part.

This neighborhood is perfect for college students. This of course seems obvious, but there are several neighborhoods in town that, while a college is smack in the heart of them, do not offer reasonable housing options to students, or an easy jaunt to the rest of the city. Here, you can both afford an apartment, and be right where the action is.

Tourists to the area might think it strange that we are so fascinated with the idea of having a comically large chair in the middle of a neighborhood. I can think of two or three spots including this one that have one, and to be honest I forget which one is THE big chair. If you are over 6 feet tall, like me, you might think everything else is just "the really small chair."

Historic Anacostia is the neighborhood that DC promoters want you to associate with Anacostia. It is clean, friendly, with lots to do (although with higher real estate than the rest of the area). The area has much in common with Old Town Alexandria, in that it is charming and a tourist trap, and nothing like the rest of the surrounding area.

With everything available for neighborhood amenities, Hillsdale is certainly a nice place to call home. Charming, affordable townhouses abound here, which make this area tailor-made for families and singles on a budget. Besides the standard grocery stores and schools, Hillsdale also offers a close distance to Barry Farm, Fort Stanton Park, and the St. Elizabeth Medical Hospital. Perfect location for those working in the Navy Yard, and who are looking for a sweet home away from the noise of the big city. If you don't have a car, of course, you should probably look elsewhere.

Hillcrest is yet another of those neighborhoods that just sounds like a nice place to live based on the title alone. It is a trek to get to, and nowhere near any of the action in the downtown area, but it is heaven for those looking for affordable housing who aren't afraid to drive to get where they need to go. Various community elements are up for debate- the school system appears not to be the best in the area, but that seems to be the only hiccup in what appears to be an upper middle-class dream come true.

This neighborhood really does seem to have everything. Lovely, affordable houses, churches and schools, lots of opportunity for community outreach, and even a stadium for soccer fans. The success and community spirit of this neighborhood is certainly a shining example of what areas around it could be, but it can take a large amount of time and effort for any place to get on its feet this way. Hill East is the perfect area for families and singles on a budget. What more could anyone want?