Thinking about moving your family to Washington, DC? The District of Columbia is a fantastic place to raise kids! With high-quality schools, low crime rates, excellent housing options, and plenty of family-friendly things to do, these are the five best DC neighborhoods for families!
| Neighborhood | Capitol Hill | Chevy Chase | Georgetown | Glover Park | The Palisades |
| Median Home Price | $1,072,379 | $1,691,818 | $1,949,853 | $1,017,798 | $2,131,426 |
| Median Rent Price | $2,441 | $2,420 | $3,089 | $2,867 | $2,765 |
| Median Household Income | $151,677 | $212,465 | $220,697 | $174,173 | $245,499 |
| Safer Than % of City | 24% | 82% | 59% | 94% | 85% |
| High School Graduation Rate | 94% | 97% | 99% | 97% | 97% |
To see how Washington, DC’s cost of living compares to your current city, try our free cost of living calculator.
Capitol Hill
- Home Price: $1,072,379 median purchase price; $2,441 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
If your family is looking to settle down in a historic Victorian, Federal, or Craftsman house, Capitol Hill is one of the best places to buy a home in DC. While Capitol Hill is often considered a neighborhood for singles and young professionals, it has a lot to offer for active families wanting a walkable DC neighborhood with convenient access to bike lanes and public transit. Residents enjoy easy access to fresh produce and local art at the Eastern Market, open space at Lincoln Park, and numerous restaurants and shops along Barracks Row. Capitol Hill is at the center of DC culture, as it’s right next to the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall—”America’s Front Yard”—as well as the Library of Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. This area also has leading schools like Capitol Hill Day School and Capitol Hill Cluster School, as well as higher education opportunities at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center and Hillsdale College Washington, DC Campus.
Things to Do in Capitol Hill
See tropical plants, desert displays, and the seasonal children’s garden at the United States Botanic Garden, located just west of Capitol Hill. Explore hands-on, family-friendly exhibits and follow the kids trail at The Folger Shakespeare Library. Picnic, relax with a book, and explore the outdoors at Capitol Hill parks like Providence Park, Garfield Park, and Marion Park. View exhibits, or take your kids to a Paint ‘N Play or Story Time event at the National Gallery of Art. Try Belgian-inspired food like the Croque Madame Waffle, La Quiche ‘The 3 Piggies’, and Belgian French Toast at Belga Cafe. Eat New York-style pizzas like the Simple Cheese Pie, Bacon Me Crazy, or The Butcher’s Block Pie at We, The Pizza. For a quick bite, grab Philly-inspired soft pretzel items like the Pretzel Dog, Pretzel Bomb, and Breakfast Sliders at The Pretzel Bakery. Or try the Lamb Bolognese, Arrabiata, or Eggplant Milanese and let your child order off the kids menu at La Collina.
Chevy Chase
- Home Price: $1,691,818 median purchase price; $2,420 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
Chevy Chase offers open spaces, the local Chevy Chase Library, and a close-knit community feel—but these are just a few of the reasons why it’s among the best DC neighborhoods for families! The presence of good DC schools like Lafayette Elementary School, St. John’s College High School, and Alice Deal Middle School make the neighborhood attractive for families living in Chevy Chase. Equally as appealing is the neighborhood’s proximity to great DC job opportunities, including research jobs at Carnegie Science Earth & Planets Laboratory and medical careers at Chevy Chase Pediatrics. As for Chevy Chase real estate, local residents have their pick of Colonial and Federal-style houses, as well as a variety of condos and apartments.
Things to Do in Chevy Chase
Experience a slice of American history with a self-guided tour at Fort Reno Park. Let your four-legged family members run free at the dog park, or practice your serve on the tennis court at Chevy Chase Recreation Center. View wildlife and seasonal plants, or participate in family programs like Family Walks in the Woods at the 40-acre Woodend Nature Sanctuary. Try your hand in a ping pong competition, or catch live music while enjoying pizza at Comet Ping Pong. Sample the “Pittsburgh Style” Cheesesteak, Blackened Shrimp Pappardelle, or Gourmet Grilled Cheese of The Day at Blue 44. Get an order of Saganaki Flambe as an appetizer before you dig into delicious Greek entrees like Dolmades and YiaYia’s Moussakas at Parthenon Greek Restaurant. Share a Brick-Oven Pepperoni or Detroit-style Red Wing pizza, or build your own pizza at Little Beast Cafe & Bistro. Or make a reservation for date night and indulge in Salmon Tartare, Champagne + Mushroom Risotto, and Tiramisu + Creme Anglaise for dessert at Opal.
Georgetown
- Home Price: $1,949,853 median purchase price; $3,089 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
Family-friendly Georgetown is well-known for its historic charm, thanks to its beautiful cobblestone streets, Federal-style homes, and quaint shops and restaurants all bordered by the Potomac River. High-quality schools are one of the major draws of this DC neighborhood, as it’s close to Hyde-Addison Elementary School, Hardy Middle School, and The School Without Walls High School—the top high school in the district. Of course, Georgetown is also home to the famous Georgetown University, which offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, over 50 areas of graduate study, and job opportunities in higher education. If your family is looking to live in a historical area with rich culture, Georgetown is the place to be!
Things to Do in Georgetown
Bike, jog, or stroll down the scenic C&O Canal Towpath. Lace up your ice skates and take laps around the Washington Harbour Ice Rink in the wintertime. Rent a kayak from Key Bridge Boathouse or enjoy waterfront views of the Potomac with your family at the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Relax in the lush garden and see fascinating archaeological and historical exhibits at the museum at Dumbarton Oaks. Taste amazing traditional French plates like Coq au Vin, Trout Amandine, and Country Pate at Brasserie Liberte. Order Tortelloni Di Michele, Rigatoni con Salsicce, Sausage Cannelloni, and other homemade pasta dishes from Filomena Ristorante. Try Greek offerings like Tabouleh, Beef Shawarma Wrap, or Lamb Gyro Bowl at George’s. Savor delectable New American entrees like 1/2 Maine Lobster, Michael’s Tuna Tartare, or Phyllo-Crusted Sole when you go out for a date night at Bourbon Steak. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with treats like Chocolate Ganache, Red Velvet, or Milk Chocolate Birthday cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake.
Glover Park
- Home Price: $1,017,798 median purchase price; $2,867 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
Living in Glover Park is great for families who enjoy parks, playgrounds, walking trails, community gardens, and quaint, row-style houses in both historical and modern styles. Located just north of Georgetown, Glover Park is quiet, residential, and has a strong community feel while also offering numerous casual dining options along Wisconsin Avenue. This neighborhood also has career opportunities at the US Naval Observatory and various local businesses, as well as volunteer opportunities at Glover Park Village. Many families send their kids to Stoddert Elementary School, a great public school in DC. Locals also praise Glover Park for its free Pre-K program, which heightens the neighborhood’s appeal to younger families.
Things to Do in Glover Park
Enjoy family nature walks, birdwatching, and shaded trails at Glover-Archbold Park. Travel a short distance outside the neighborhood to marvel at sculptures, see African and Asian art, or attend yoga in the sculpture garden at the Kreeger Museum. Use the indoor amenities like the computer lab and gym, or play on the athletic courts at Stoddert Recreation Center. Let your kids go wild on the playground, take your furry friend to the dog park, or shoot hoops at the Guy Mason Playground & Recreation Center. Pick up brunch in DC with crepe options like Nutella, Blueberry, or Cheese & Ham paired with an Americano at Point Chaud Cafe & Crepes. Try a Veggie Bean Burger or Wagyu Burger with Ube Soft Serve for dessert at Joia Burger. Taste the best wings in DC with Seasoned Fries, Baked Mac & Cheese, or Ty’s Cobb Salad at Wingo’s. Or feast on Chinese cuisine like Shrimp N’ Chive Dumplings, Pork N’ Napa Dumplings, or Chicken & Cilantro Dumplings at Dumplings and Beyond.
The Palisades
- Home Price: $2,131,426 median purchase price; $2,765 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
Situated between the Potomac River and the DC-Maryland border is another great neighborhood for families, The Palisades. About six miles from Downtown Washington, DC, living in The Palisades gives families a suburban feel with easy access to the action. It offers abundant green space, a strong sense of community, and single-family homes in Colonial, Federal, and ranch styles—meaning there’s plenty of room for families to spread out and grow! Residents enjoy easy access to fresh produce year-round thanks to the Palisades Farmers Market, operated by the Palisades Community Association. The Palisades also has close proximity to great schools like the award-winning Francis Scott Key Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School, and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School.
Things to Do in The Palisades
Hit some tennis balls, shoot baskets, and let your children play on the splash pads at Palisades Recreation Center & Playground. Visit the historic site and gorgeous green space at Battery Kemble Park. Rent a bicycle and go for a ride on the local trails, or take a guided canoe tour of the Potomac from Fletcher’s Cove Boathouse. Take the family out for a moderate hike around the 2.3-mile-long Palisades Trolley Trail. Spice things up with a dinner of Veg Pakora, Chat Papari, or Samosa Chat at Salt & Pepper Grill. Grab authentic Afghan dishes like Sabzi Turnovers, Spicy Beef Dumplings, or Kids Chicken Breast Kabobs for the little ones at Bistro Aracosia. Sip on French Onion Soup, snack on a Cheese Board, or dine on Moules Mariniere and Escargots at Et Voila! Or share a plate of sushi rolls like the White Tuna, Big Bambu, and Macarthur Roll at Bambu Asian Cuisine.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
