Thinking about buying a home in Washington, DC? The nation’s capital offers plenty of great career and recreational opportunities for homebuyers looking to settle down. If you’re in the market for a house, check out these five best places to buy a home in DC!
Adams Morgan
- Home Price: $529,538 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 68% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Located just 10 minutes north of downtown and Lafayette Square, Adams Morgan is a safe, affordable DC neighborhood filled with historic Art Deco homes, townhouses, and rowhouses—making it a fantastic place to buy a home in DC. A major highlight for singles and young professionals is 18th Street, which runs through the neighborhood and houses a lively collection of multicultural restaurants, bars, vintage shops, and nightlife hot spots. Adams Morgan also hosts popular community events like PorchFest, a DC festival featuring live music from local performers, and Adams Morgan Day, which showcases neighborhood artists and businesses by hosting family-friendly events for residents. This area is particularly welcoming to creatives, and the DC Arts Center lifts up artists of all kinds with exhibitions and events like WallMountables and the ADMO Art Walk. Not to mention, given the neighborhood’s excellent walkability and likeability, many of these amenities can be reached by foot—so Adams Morgan is an especially convenient area to live for those without a vehicle!
Things to Do in Adams Morgan
Bring your pup along for a peaceful stroll, shoot some hoops on the basketball court, or visit the community garden at Kalorama Park & Recreation Center. Take a quick trip north of the neighborhood to see nearly 400 different species of wildlife as you wander the exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Dive into Adams Morgan’s vibrant nightlife with nightly live blues and funk music, rooftop dancing, comfort food, and drinks at Madam’s Organ. Bring your friends to belt out your favorite tunes at Muzette Karaoke, which offers a selection of over 70,000 songs! Enjoy rotating visual art displays and music performances with specialty drinks like the Rooibos Latte, Golden Milk tea, or Masala Chai at Tryst. Attend the popular DC drag brunch experience or eat dishes like the Uni Mac & Cheese, Garlic Fried Rice, or Salmon Lover Morkikomi Platter for dinner at Perry’s Restaurant. Reserve a table for a night of fine dining and eat Smoked Black Cod and Pork Croquette, with Frangipane Tart for dessert—at upscale DC restaurant Tail Up Goat. Or try the Bison Burger, Herb Roasted Whole Chicken, or Pan Seared Scallops while enjoying whiskey on the terrace at Jack Rose Dining Saloon.
Brightwood
- Home Price: $600,254 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 41% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Ample green spaces, easy access to parks, and plenty of great amenities await you in Brightwood! Located along Georgia Avenue—which consists of a wide array of eateries, businesses, and new housing development—this DC neighborhood combines old and new to form a quiet, peaceful community with quick access to urban amenities. Brightwood has historical significance, both as the home to Fort Stevens, the site of the only Civil War battle fought in DC, and in its real estate options, which include Art Deco, Tudor, and Colonial-style homes. The community is close-knit, as evidenced by the Brightwood Community Association‘s variety of initiatives and events that connect residents. And while the area has a slower, suburban feel, commuters living in this DC neighborhood can hop on the nearby Metrorail Red Line to explore surrounding areas—or even bike to work via Brightwood’s convenient bike paths!
Things to Do in Brightwood
Embark on a hike, go horseback riding, and keep an eye out for the majestic wildlife at Rock Creek Park. Hit up the snack bar after practicing your golf game at the nine-hole Rock Creek Park Golf Course. Play a game of tennis with friends or let the kids run wild on the playground at Fort Stevens Recreation Center. Keep active at the fitness center or 17-lane competitive swimming pool, or relax in the leisure pool at the nearby Takoma Aquatic Center. Get your breakfast fix with the Breakfast Taco, Huevos Rancheros, or Breakfast Burrito at J & J Mex-Taqueria. Dig into Ethiopian fare with a Kitfo Sandwich, Fish Gulesh, or Awaze Tibs at Deset Ethiopian Restaurant. Dine on comfort food like Shrimp Alfredo, Stuffed Salmon, or Curry Chicken at Peaches Kitchen—specializing in Jamaican-American cuisine. Or satisfy your dessert cravings with Pecan Butter Cookies, Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies, or a Blueberry Pound Cake from Donna Faye’s Bakery.
Capitol Hill
- Home Price: $587,596 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Capitol Hill is another top neighborhood for buying a home in DC! Here you’ll find classic rowhouses and Victorian-style homes surrounded by top-rated schools like Brent Elementary School and Capitol Hill Day School. In addition, there’s a wide selection of shops and dining spots to explore along the historic Barracks Row and the Eastern Market—a community hub where vendors sell fresh meats, produce, and handmade goods. But the variety of things to do isn’t the only thing that makes Capitol Hill one of the best neighborhoods in DC for singles and young professionals! The Hill also gives residents a front seat to modern history, as well as career opportunities with the federal government, as it houses the US Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. Residents can take I-695, hop on the train at Congress Heights-Union Station for commutes outside of The Hill—and take advantage of the neighborhood’s friendliness to pedestrians and cyclists while running errands.
Things to Do in Capitol Hill
Check out exhibits like America by Air or view films like Deep Sky or Into America’s Wild in the theater at the National Air & Space Museum. See a captivating play like Where We Belong or Metamorphoses at the Folger Theater, a playhouse styled after an Elizabethan inn to honor William Shakespeare. Attend festivals like the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, or the Fourth of July Celebration at the nearby National Mall. Lay out in the sun or practice your skills on the basketball and sand volleyball courts at Garfield Park. Grab a seat on the patio and savor dishes like House Chili, Blackened Cod Tacos, or Atlantic Salmon at Boxcar Tavern. Try the Aloha Burger, Henry’s Crab Cakes, or Fried Clams while jamming out to live performances during Groove Thursdays or Friday Jazz at Mr. Henry’s. Enjoy Mexican favorites like Beef and Chicken Enchiladas, Seafood Chimichangas, or Shrimp Fajitas at La Plaza Mexican Cuisine. Or sip on craft cocktails like the Cucumber G&T or Velvet Hammer while playing pool or sitting on the patio at Lola’s DC.
Cleveland Park
- Home Price: $759,100 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Boasting charming Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, and cottage-style homes, Cleveland Park is a great place to buy a home in Washington, DC! Named after President Grover Cleveland, this DC neighborhood showcases civic pride and a strong sense of community, which you can experience through the active Cleveland Park Community Association or at monthly events like Tuesday Talks. Cleveland Park is also a good spot to start a career or enjoy retirement, thanks to its easy commutes from Cleveland Park Station and variety of bars and restaurants along Connecticut Ave and Wisconsin Ave. It’s also a great place to raise a family in DC, with tons of kid-friendly amenities and proximity to top schools like John Eaton Elementary School and Washington International School.
Things to Do in Cleveland Park
Enjoy a family picnic or attend community events like live concerts or the annual Easter Egg Hunt at The Rosedale Conservancy Park—which has a history spanning back to the 1700s! Marvel at more than 20,000 artifacts and the personal collection of China pieces owned by businesswoman, heiress, and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. Visit one of America’s two “wild garden” designs at Tregaron Conservancy, where you can check out the iconic lily pond and explore the stone bridges and stairways. Bring your friends to play classic bar games like pool, darts, and shuffleboard, or take on vintage arcade games like Pac Man at Atomic Billiards. Start your morning with Steak Frites, Steak & Eggs, and a Mimosa at Medium Rare Restaurant. Order Buffalo Chicken Tenders, a Beyond Burger, or a Meatball Sub at Cleveland Park Bar & Grill. Feast on Thai cuisine like Pad Eggplant, Drunken Noodles, or Yellow Curry at Siam House. Or fill up on Tex-Mex cuisine like Fajitas Al Carbon, Spinach Enchiladas, or Tamales Mexicanos at Cactus Cantina.
Columbia Heights
- Home Price: $549,242 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 29% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families
A sprawling urban neighborhood and retail hub with huge shopping centers like DC USA, Columbia Heights stands out to those looking to buy a home in DC. This area combines modern and historic architecture to provide a variety of housing styles, from brick rowhouses to sleek modern condos. You can also find an array of historic, 19th-century buildings along 14th St NW and 16th St NW that house embassies and other international organizations. This community has a thriving cultural scene, with venues like the GALA Hispanic Theater and the Mexican Cultural Institute, which highlight the influence of the vast Latino population in the neighborhood. Families will enjoy the proximity of top-rated schools like Harriet Tubman Elementary School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, while those interested in higher education can enroll at Howard University, located just outside the neighborhood’s borders. And with public transit options like the Metrorail Green Line, residents of Columbia Heights have easy access to the rest of DC’s attractions!
Things to Do in Columbia Heights
Go for an afternoon stroll with your furry friend and admire the cascading fountain at Meridian Hill Park. Play a game of outdoor chess, enjoy the spray park, or burn off energy in the dance studio at the Columbia Heights Community Center. Enroll in a family yoga class or sit back for a “Hopin’ Mic” night at BloomBars. Practice martial arts by taking a wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defense class at Beta Academy. Bring your appetite for DC brunch favorites like the Veggie Omelet, Hash Brown Bowl, or Buttermilk Pancakes from The Coupe. Grab a Jicama Salad, Braxton Burger, or Cuban Sandwich for lunch at Mr. Braxton Bar & Kitchen. Fill up on Vietnamese cuisine like Chicken Pho, Crispy Egg Rolls, or Vegetarian Fried Rice at Pho Viet. Or dine on the patio and enjoy novelty drinks like the Spicy Pickle or the Sparkling Jelly Sake at Red Derby.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
