Thinking about buying a home in Washington, DC? The nation’s capital has a booming real estate market and offers plenty of great opportunities for home buyers looking to settle down. If you’re in the market for a house, check out these five best DC neighborhoods for real estate!
Brightwood
Photo via @artyomshmatko
- 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 development—this DC neighborhood mixes both old and new. 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. In addition, commuters living in this DC neighborhood can hop on the Metrorail Red Line nearby or even bike to work via Brightwood’s convenient bike paths.
Things to Do in Brightwood
Embark on a hike, go horseback riding, or check out the majestic wildlife while visiting Rock Creek Park. Hit up the snack bar after practicing your golf game at the nine-hole Rock Creek Golf Course. Visit Fort Stevens Recreation Center and play a game of tennis or let the kids play on the playground. Get your breakfast fix at J & J Mex-Taqueria and try the Breakfast Taco, Huevos Rancheros, or Breakfast Burrito. Dig into Ethiopian fare with a Kifto Sandwich or Beef Awaze Tibs at Deset Ethiopian Restaurant. Dine on comfort food like Shrimp Alfredo or Curry Chicken at Peaches Kitchen. Satisfy your dessert cravings with Butter Pecan Cookies or a Blueberry Pound Cake at Donna Faye’s Bakery. Or check out the local nightlife while sipping on craft beers like a Juicy Julie IPA at 3 Stars Brewing Company.
Capitol Hill
Photo via @pharipedia
- Home Price: $587,596 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 21% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Capitol Hill is another top DC neighborhood for buying a home! The neighborhood offers classic rowhouses and Victorian-style homes, top-rated schools like Brent Elementary School and Capitol Hill Day School, and a bevy of shops and dining spots along the Eastern Market and Barracks Row. Plus, The Hill gives residents a front seat to modern history, as well as career opportunities with the federal government, as it hosts the US Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. Residents can take I-695 or hop on the train at Congress Heights-Union Station for commutes outside of The Hill.
Things to Do in Capitol Hill
Visit the National Air & Space Museum and check out exhibits like America By Air Reimagined or see thousands of objects on display like Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit. Get your creative juices flowing at alternative art and performance space The Fridge, where you can tour the gallery or enroll in a workshop. Attend festivals like Taste of 8th or the Fourth of July Parade at Barracks Row Main Street. Enjoy the outdoors at Garfield Park, where you can practice your skills on the basketball and bocce ball courts. Grab a seat on the patio and savor dishes like Blackened Tuna Tacos or Grilled Atlantic Salmon at Boxcar Tavern. Try the Aloha Burger, Henry’s Crab Cakes, or Fried Clams at Mr. Henry’s. Enjoy Mexican favorites like Beef & Chicken Enchiladas or Shrimp Fajitas at La Plaza Mexican Cuisine. Or order cocktails like Viva Italia or La Mula at Lola’s.
Cleveland Park
Photo via @frenchieyankee
- Home Price: $759,100 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With its charming Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, and cottage-style homes, Cleveland Park is a great place to buy a home in Washington, DC! This neighborhood is 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 St. Named after President Grover Cleveland, this DC neighborhood has civic pride and a strong sense of community, which you can experience in events like Cleveland Park Day! It’s also great for raising a family, too, with tons of kid-friendly outdoor and indoor amenities and close proximity to top schools like John Eaton Elementary School and Washington International School.
Things to Do in Cleveland Park
Take a trip to the National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, a 163-acre park that’s home to over 380 species of animals. Marvel at the 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. Start off your morning with Steak & Eggs and a Mimosa at Medium Rare. Order Buffalo Chicken Tenders, a Beyond Burger, or a Meatball Sub at Cleveland Park Bar & Grill. Feast on Thai cuisine like Pad Eggplant or Yellow Curry at Siam House. Get your Italian fix with dishes like Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli, Gnocchi Bolognese, or Beef Lasagna at Trattoria Al Volo. Or play a game of pool with friends at Atomic Billiards.
Columbia Heights
Photo via @washingtondc_homes
- Home Price: $549,242 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 26% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Columbia Heights is a large urban neighborhood in DC—and a popular choice for anyone looking to buy a home in Washington! Full of contemporary architecture, this area has a variety of housing options ranging from elegant rowhouses to modern condos. You’ll also find historic architecture, particularly along 14th St NW and 16th St NW, where several embassies and international organizations reside in 19th-century buildings. Nearby schools include the highly-rated Harriet Tubman Elementary School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, and there are plenty of public transit options for commuting professionals.
Things to Do in Columbia Heights
Go for an afternoon stroll with your furry friend at Meridian Hill Park. Spend a day shopping at popular retailers like Best Buy, Marshalls, and DSW at DC USA. Play a game of outdoor chess or burn off energy in the dance studio at Columbia Heights Community Center. Enroll in a family yoga class, admire beautiful art, or take the little ones to Open Mic Kids Night at BloomBars. Practice martial arts by taking a wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defense class at Beta Academy. Bring your appetite for brunch favorites like the Veggie Omelet, Hash Brown Bowl, or Buttermilk Pancakes at The Coupe. Fill up on Vietnamese cuisine like Chicken Pho, Crispy Egg Rolls, or Triple Tempura at Pho Viet. Grab a Coconut Shrimp Salad or Cuban Sandwich for lunch at Mr. Braxton Bar & Kitchen. Get sweet treats like a Blueberry Muffin, Rich Red Velvet Cupcake, or Wheat-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie at Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats. Or dine on the patio and enjoy drinks like the Voodoo Ranger or Begonia Sangria at Red Derby.
Logan Circle
Photo via @district_casa
- Home Price: $538,670 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of Washington, DC neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Want to settle down in a hip, urban DC neighborhood that gives you the convenience of living five minutes from Downtown DC? Check out Logan Circle! Here, home buyers can find a mix of Victorian-style homes, rowhouses, and condos nestled among the area’s historic buildings. Don’t think this area is stuck in the past, though—14th St, the neighborhood’s main business district, is full of trendy shops, restaurants, and gay bars with incredible entertainment. Along with fantastic walkability, Logan Circle also offers biking paths and public transportation options through nearby Metro Center Station, making it easy to get around the DC area!
Things to Do in Logan Circle
Take a scenic run or have a picnic at Logan Circle Park. Let your furry friend roam off-leash at Shaw Dog Park. Attend neighborhood community events like the Inaugural Logan Circle Gardening Contest. Catch plays like Tender Age or 2.5 Minute Ride at Studio Theatre. Grab a concert ticket and rock out to bands like Between the Buried & Me or Monophonics at Black Cat. Grab authentic Indian dishes like Allepey Fish Curry, Tandoori Chicken, or Mint Lamb Chops at Pappe. Dig into seafood favorites like Wood Grilled Oysters, Blackened Grilled Shrimp, or Seafood Gumbo at Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. Get your Spanish food fix with plates like Bocadillos or Grilled Octopus at Estadio. Dine on Pasta Primavera or Beef Bourguignon at Le Diplomate. Feast on a Motown Pizza, Meatballs, or Detroit Redwings at Red Light. Or go out for a night on the town at LGBTQ-friendly Trade.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
