1. Georgetown

  • One of DC’s oldest neighborhoods, founded in 1751
  • Known for cobblestone streets and Federal-style architecture
  • Home to Georgetown University
  • High-end shopping and dining on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue
  • Waterfront park along the Potomac River
  • Median household income around $140,000
  • Highly desirable but expensive area

2. Capitol Hill

  • Heart of American politics, home to U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court
  • Historic Eastern Market public market
  • Barracks Row offers restaurants and boutiques
  • Close to National Mall and Smithsonian museums
  • Median home value approximately $850,000
  • Mix of historic rowhouses and modern condominiums

3. Dupont Circle

  • Cosmopolitan atmosphere with art galleries and international embassies
  • Home to The Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art
  • Sunday farmers market in the central circle
  • Highly walkable (Walk Score 98) with its own Metro station
  • Popular among young professionals

4. Adams Morgan

  • Known for cultural diversity and vibrant nightlife
  • 18th Street lined with eclectic bars, restaurants, and shops
  • Diverse international cuisine
  • Annual Adams Morgan Day festival
  • Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $2,000

5. Navy Yard

  • Rapidly developing area with significant recent growth
  • Home to Nationals Park (Washington Nationals baseball team)
  • The Yards Park offers waterfront recreation
  • Growing dining and entertainment scene
  • 127% population increase between 2010 and 2020

6. U Street Corridor

  • Rich in African American history
  • Historic Lincoln Theatre and Howard Theatre
  • Home to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a DC institution
  • Hosts cultural events like DC Jazz Festival
  • Popular for nightlife and dining

7. Columbia Heights

  • Diverse, vibrant neighborhood
  • Mix of historic rowhouses and new developments
  • Home to DC USA shopping complex
  • Meridian Hill Park nearby
  • Popular among young professionals and families

8. Shaw

  • Historic African American neighborhood
  • Trendy restaurants and bars
  • Howard Theatre and 9:30 Club for live music
  • Mix of new condos and restored rowhouses
  • Close to downtown

9. Logan Circle

  • Centered around a traffic circle with a statue of John Logan
  • Victorian-era rowhouses
  • 14th Street corridor known for dining and shopping
  • Popular among young professionals
  • Walkable with easy access to downtown

10. NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue)

  • Rapidly developing neighborhood
  • New residential and office buildings
  • Union Market food hall nearby
  • Red Line Metro access
  • Popular among young professionals and creatives

11. H Street NE

  • Also known as the Atlas District
  • Vibrant nightlife and dining scene
  • H Street Festival in the fall
  • DC Streetcar runs along H Street
  • Mix of new developments and historic buildings

12. Brookland

  • Known as “Little Rome” due to many Catholic institutions
  • Home to Catholic University of America
  • Arts district with studios and galleries
  • Monroe Street Market development
  • More suburban feel with single-family homes

13. Petworth

  • Residential neighborhood with a small-town feel
  • Row houses and single-family homes
  • Growing restaurant scene on Upshur Street
  • Close to Rock Creek Park
  • Popular among young families

14. Woodley Park

  • Residential area near Rock Creek Park
  • Home to National Zoo
  • Mix of apartments and larger homes
  • Connecticut Avenue commercial strip
  • Popular among families and professionals

15. Cleveland Park

  • Quiet, residential neighborhood
  • Mix of apartments and single-family homes
  • Commercial strip on Connecticut Avenue
  • Close to Rock Creek Park
  • Popular among families and professionals

16. Foggy Bottom

  • Home to George Washington University
  • Close to downtown and Georgetown
  • Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts nearby
  • Mix of historic rowhouses and modern buildings
  • Popular among students and young professionals

17. Southwest Waterfront

  • Undergoing major redevelopment
  • The Wharf development with restaurants and entertainment
  • Waterfront views of the Potomac River
  • Mix of new luxury apartments and older housing
  • Easy access to National Mall

18. Glover Park

  • Residential neighborhood north of Georgetown
  • Close to Georgetown University
  • Wisconsin Avenue commercial strip
  • Popular among families and young professionals
  • More affordable than nearby Georgetown

19. Takoma

  • On the border with Maryland
  • Known for its progressive politics and small-town feel
  • Historic district with Victorian homes
  • Farmers market and independent businesses
  • Popular among families and environmentally conscious residents

20. Mount Pleasant

  • Diverse, historic neighborhood
  • Close to Rock Creek Park
  • Main Street with local businesses
  • Mix of rowhouses and apartments
  • Popular among families and young professionals

When considering these neighborhoods, potential buyers and renters should factor in their budget, desired amenities, commute times, and lifestyle preferences. Each neighborhood offers a unique living experience within the broader context of Washington DC’s rich history and vibrant urban environment.

Citations:
[1] https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods
[2] https://bungalow.com/articles/=best-neighborhoods-in-washington-dc
[3] https://www.pods.com/blog/dc-neighborhoods
[4] https://wdcep.com/neighborhoods/
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/10m21lq/what_is_your_favorite_neighborhoodarea/