New to the District

07/16/2006 Julie H. says:

where to live? what can you afford? georgetown/gwu area is packed with great little restaurants, shops, etc. (probably the closest in feeling you'll get to LA in the district) but it's ridiculously expensive place to live. adams morgan/dupont circle are closer to where the nightlife is, plus more trendy bars and restaurants. also expensive. the U street area is supposed to be the up-and-coming area of town and there's definitely no shortage of great places to eat there, but you will likely be hard pressed to find something that's not ridiculously expensive.

do i sound like a broken record? my rule of thumb is to avoid places in the SW and SE area of town (unless you're living near Capitol Hill / Eastern Market in the SE). silver spring (just outside of the city) has an amazingly high crime rate, and my friends keep trying to get me to move out to Virginia. i prefer to stay in the city, but that's another call you can make as well.

hope that wasn't too worthless. i'm still trying to figure out the food, gym, party situation myself. good luck.

07/16/2006 alexis g. says:

Hey good luck with the move.
Julie H. is pretty right-on with everything. Definitely stay away from SE, other than Capitol South and Eastern Market. I think there are some reasonably-priced places near Capitol Hill. I always see ads for places near Lincoln Park and the Union Station area. There are also so many condo buildings on Connecticut Ave., it's ridiculous. They are always offering some kind of special, like the first month free and all that. I would look closer to the Van Ness metro than the Cleveland Park, just because there is way more street parking available. That's all in NW. I used to live in Glover Park and it was dirt cheap. I paid about $500/month. You have to really look for that type of thing, though. Many of the places there are starting to go up. There's a Web site that might make it easy for you to find a studio -- www.apartmentshowcase.com.

Good food is everywhere! Georgetown and Dupont Circle have the best though, in my opinion. La Tomate and Harmony Cafe rule!!

I used to work out at Washington Sports Club, which is very nice (there are mini TVs in all of the equipment). It's kind of expensive though, ($70+/month) and you can find everything except the mini-TVs at a Golds Gym ($40+/month).

Where to party... There are so many places! It really just depends on what you're looking for. Capitol Hill has a lot of low key bars, if you're just going out for pitchers of beer. DC9 is also a really low key place, I love it bc I'm a sucker for juke boxes. If you're into live music I would say 9:30 & the Black Cat are the best. If you want to meet other young people, Georgetown is great but beware bc the bars are so crowded in the summer. Especially Third Edition or Old Glory.

07/17/2006 Jenny W. says:

Where to live? Well, it depends on what you can afford. The best areas for young people: Dupont, Adams Morgan, Georgetown.

Where to eat? U Street has some great places. Oohs and Aahs on 10th and U serves soul food and you can't get more filling. Delicious. There is great Ethiopian up near there as well. Up that way is Bohemian Caverns - half price Belgian beers on Tuesday nights. Other good locations to eat... The bar menu at Palena in Clarendon for the popular $10 burger. Heritage India in Dupont.

Where to party? There are so many good places, but I have one recommendation for where NOT to go: McFadden's in Foggy Bottom- it just sucks.

07/17/2006 Jenny W. says:

Oops sorry I meant Palena is in Cleveland Park not Clarendon.

07/21/2006 Phil T. says:

An alternative to living close to Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Tenley Town, or Cleveland and Woodley Park is across the river in VA which you could literally cabbie over or metro by two or three stops is Rosslyn and maybe Clarendon (as Jenny W has mentioned by mistake).  If you live that close in Rosslyn (did I mispelled that) you can walk over the Key Bridge right into Georgetown.  

I think Rosslyn has a Gold's Gym right near Lynn St (?) and if you are in DC you'll find a couple of Washington Sports Club (WSC) available.

08/08/2006 Jennifer "(master masticator)" S. says:

My two cents: I pretty much agree with most things written above me, but let me give my plug for Arlington. I live in Courthouse and ADORE it. I wouldn't even think of moving away from here. I bought a place about 4 years ago and I could't be happier with my choice. Everything is within walking distance, the bars are great, the restaurants are better and it has everything you need (including a great Wholefoods). Of course, DC has some fab neighborhoods also. Write if you need any specific recommendations....Good luck!

08/15/2006 lawrence h. says:

Since everyone has their personal plug for places to live/eat/party/chill ... i guess i'll add mine.

I'd have to rep the Falls Church area, just because I live there.   It's literally 15 minutes from everything, if you live somewhere close to Rt 66.

As far as good eats go, I guess that depends on what flavor you're going for.   Tons of places in and out of DC.

And as for the party scene, once again, that depends on what kinda party/club/music floats your boat.  My personal favorites in the city would have to be Nation (R.I.P) , Club Five, 18th Street Lounge, and the DC Tunnel.  

Oh, and my personal plug.   Cafe Japone (21st & P) on sunday nights for Tsunami Tsundays (bar&lounge, japanese food & drinks, multi-genre EDM weekly)

http://www.platetechto...

08/17/2006 Brian W. says:

"silver spring (just outside of the city) has an amazingly high crime rate,"

Julie I haven't seen this at all since I've moved out near Silver Spring.  I haven't gotten the danger will robinson vibes like I'd get in the city at all.

08/17/2006 Julie H. says:

Brian,
This isn't something I've experienced first-hand, merely something my friend, who is in law enforcement, was telling me when I was looking for a place to live. It surprised me, as I know there's a ton of new shops and things that are being opened up in Silver Spring (which would indicate that the area is a desirable place to live.)

I think, ultimately, that you can make a place you live in as safe or as dangerous as you want  it to be...

08/17/2006 Ryan K. says:

If you live in the Haight now, I think you'd dig living in Dupont/Kalorama, Mt. Pleasant, lower Columbia Heights or even the 14th st. corridor (between M and U or so). Those are all pretty happening. A lot of people seem to be recommending suburbs & outskirts, but I'd have to go right in NW.

I just moved here from SF myself (Noe Valley) and also didn't know a single person in DC. Living in Adams Morgan I've met a number of good people.

As far as where to party - where do you like to hang out in SF? That might better help to answer the question.

08/17/2006 alexis g. says:

Yes, I support NW over the 'burbs! You can find inexpensive housing if you look hard enough.

08/17/2006 Brian W. says:

Perhaps things have turned around in SS.   We were downtown last Friday night and noticed lots of people walking around  and cops on foot patrolling the area.  

I would definitely recommend living ing Dupont/Adams Morgan if you can find a deal.   It's pricey but well worth it.

08/17/2006 Brian W. says:

Oh and welcome to the neighborhood Ryan!

08/17/2006 Mike V. says:

Wow, this has been very very helpful.  Feel free to keep it coming.  As for places to live, I scored a spot at 11th NW and Mass. which has made getting around really easy.  (plus I figured out these "circles" you guys have...well, almost figured them out).   Hopefully this weekend I'll have the whole bar and club situation figured out.
Oh, and the DMV in Georgetown!?!?  amazing.  I've never walked into a DMV and been out the door with everything I needed in under 7 minutes.  I love this city.

08/21/2006 Pheniece J. says:

welcome! i can't imagine getting in and out of a DMV quickly!

stay away from bars around 18th and L NW. Like Rumors, Madhatter, Sign o the Whale, etc. terrible bars.

adams morgan is a must. try madams organ, the reef, chloe, and felix.

08/22/2006 alexis g. says:

Recessions is a great bar if you're in that area and want a lot of beer for cheap. I've only been to the crazy downtown DMV and the Anacostia one. Both were better than I had expected.

08/22/2006 jenn "MOMMY" h. says:

I moved here from San Francisco too!  I was a Mission girl, myself.  Congrats on finding a place.  People have put in a lot of good suggestions, but I'd like to second checking out the U St area.  It feels pretty urban.  I'm also a huge fan of Dupont and Georgetown.  

Also, don't miss the pizza at 2 Amy's!  You won't find the kind of burritos we used to have on the West, but the pizza here is orgasmic!

08/25/2006 Phil T. says:

"...Rumors, Madhatter, Sign o the Whale, etc. terrible bars..."

Depends on the perspective.  It is a bar bar or close to dive or college bar.  Lucky Bar is right next to 1223 (I am not going to write the Roman Numerals since I'll mess up on it).  However, the lounges are okay around that part of the vicinity.  18th St Lounge, Ozio (occassionally), and DragonFly (and the previously mentioned 1223).

Has anyone gone to the Science Club Lounge, yet?