I ve been living in the Maryland suburbs for 8 years now, and I think the time has come for me to move into DC. A friend and I are planning to rent an apartment together, and we are willing to pay up to $2000/month including utilities for a two-bedroom (small is fine). Crucially, I really want to be able to ditch my car once we move. Can you make any suggestions for good areas to live in the city without a car? I do go into DC fairly often, so I know the lay of the land, but it s hard to know how things will really be just by visiting. A short walk to a metro station is, of course, vital, but I would also like to have good amenities very close by--restaurants, shops, maybe a park or library. I would really, really like to be able to do my grocery shopping on foot, and I want to feel safe walking home from the metro after dark (20-something female).Do you know any neighborhoods that meet these criteria, or is it a pipe dream? Anything important I haven t thought of? General tips for living in DC without a car?Thanks for your help.
I have lived in DC with no car, and now I live in Old Town Alexandria with no car. It s seriously easy!Everything is expensive, but you could probably do either Dupont Circle area or Cleveland Park in your budget if you look hard. Or Tenleytown/Chevy Chase area. There s even Trader Joes up in Chevy Chase. I lived inbtween Dupont and Foggy Bottom and that was ideal. From there it s easy to get to the Red/Orange/Blue lines. Also it s not a bad walk to Georgetown or even down to the Mall.I d stay away from Georgetown. Not only is it expensive, but it s not easily metro accessible. But it is accessible by bus, and the DC Cirulator is pretty awesome. So if you find something in your budget, don t rule it out.http://www.dccirculator.com/DCCirculator��Actually, pretty much anywhere in DC is fine if you are willing to learn bus scheules. I take an express bus to work because I ve found it to be faster than the Metro!There are also a lot of stuff in the Chinatown area, and a new awesone Safeway, but as you probably know it get kinda sketchy at night. Downtown DC as well as the L Enfant area are DEAD at night so stay away.And I guess since you re a bit familiar with the area, I probably don t have to tell you definitely want a NW in your address.Make sure you are within walking distance of a market. It sucks carrying groceries on the bus or metro. My other tip would be that most supermarkets will deliver. Every few months I stock up by having all my heavy items delivered: soda, water, canned items. And then I shop weekly with a huge canvas bag. There will pretty much always be a CVS close to any apartment building, but you need to also make sure there is an accessible dry cleaner.Honestly, it is PAIN to live in DC and have a car. You won t miss it! I don t!
$2000 each or $2000 total?$2000 total won t get you a 2 bedroom in any of the desirable NW neighborhoods (Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Cleveland Park, etc.) although the new View 14 building at 14th and Florida NW is temporarily renting 2 BRs for $2400.Maybe around American University which is less metro accessible but is bus accessible or in the Navy Yard neighborhood around the new Nationals ballpark.
Not sure how it fits the budget, but the area around Metro Center is quite livable without a car. My brother does just that. He s got restaurants, shops and Metro close by within just a short walk.
I live in the Adams Morgan area, about a 15-minute walk from the Columbia Heights Metro station. I m also right on a very well-traveled bus line, and I use that more often than not. As long as you are a short walk from accessing transit, that s good. Neither my boyfriend nor I owns a car, and we do fine from our respective homes. And I carry my groceries home on the bus all the time. It s not fun on a weeknight, but you do what you gotta do.As for walking home after dark, walking home at 7pm in, say, December is different from walking home after 11pm any time of year. You and your friend should check out prospective areas at night and see how you feel because only you know whether you will feel comfortable walking through an area at night. Check out www.apartmentratings.com to see if the building you are considering is listed and see what the reviewers say.And yeah, ditch your car. There s Zipcar, Flexcar, and car rental agencies for when you go to places that aren t transit accessible or you need to move large items.
Georgetown area, or the neighborhoods near American University (also known as Embassy Row). These areas WILL come at a price, but since they cater to college students and foreign workers, there are many amenities that you won t find elsewhere - anything from some of the original coffee shops to access to the museums and other perks of living. When my sister attended AU, she never felt spooked since a lot of the embassy homes had security that pretty much watched over anything and everything.Just figure out what you would not need as far as keeping and maintaining a car (insurance, parking, etc), and the extra cost might be worthwhile.