While Old Town Alexandria might be the cutest location to spend an evening as a couple, it’s probably not the first place you’d look as a young professional looking for a residence in Washington, DC. Here are nine other neighborhoods—from budget-friendly ‘burbs to sophisticated streets—that are some of the best Washington DC neighborhoods for young professionals.
The H Street neighborhood is steeped in capitol history with notable locations for both commercial and residential interests. The area housed DC’s first Sears store, and it still boasts bountiful options for shopping and dining. Nearby Union Station lets young professionals migrate into other areas of the city or surrounding suburbs for work purposes, and a growing nightlife waits for those who return home each evening. The H Street Playhouse and other theaters offer upscale entertainment and you can always adjourn to a bar or eatery such as the Argonaut or Showbar Presents the Palace of Wonders following a grueling workday. Cost of living for the area isn't the lowest in the city--it's actually about 8 percent above Washington, DC's overall average. With a median age of around 34 and plenty of singles and young families, 20- and 30-something professionals will feel at home in this hip area.
A bit lighter on the wallet than the H Street Corridor, Columbia Heights offers purchase options from efficiency flats to homes with three or more bedrooms. Grocery, dining, and retail needs are mostly met within walking distance, and easy access to metro transport means you don’t need to have your own vehicle to be successful in this area. Some other perks of Columbia Heights include dining costs that are lower than city averages and plenty of nonprofit organizations for young professionals with volunteer service in mind. Cost of living in the neighborhood is 2 percent higher than DC's average. The median age in the area is around 30, and about half of the residents in the area have children.
Like the H Street Corridor, Capitol Hill residences are often priced above the average young professional’s salary. Those that don’t mind splitting costs with another—or who are blessed with above-average wages—can find sophisticated and convenient living between the Capitol Building and Potomac Avenue. Many young professionals looking to make a home in DC purchase in this area and rent bedroom space to another to help cover costs, since the cost of living is a bit above the average for the city and well above average for the nation. Living in the heart of DC provides constant access to monuments and museums, but you can also take advantage of eateries that regularly serve the nation’s leaders. Capitol Hill is a good area for young professionals making their way up politically aligned ladders.
One of the few neighborhoods in DC—or any city for that matter—with a Walking Score of 98, Dupont Circle offers everything you need for stylish, comfortable living within walking distance. If work or play options are outside of the neighborhood, you can catch a ride with numerous forms of public transportation. Young professionals will pay for the convenience of living amid top-notch shopping and dining establishments, though--the cost of living is 10 percent higher than DC's average and 50 percent higher than the national figure. Convenience makes up for costs in a number of ways, as Dupont Circle scores a A or higher from Area Vibes on housing, amenities, education, and employment.
The Navy Yard and Waterfront properties offer more affordable options than locations such as Dupont Circle, although some building designs in the area present a dated atmosphere due to 70s construction and renovations to 18th century buildings. With construction and renovation a common theme in the area, this is definitely an up-and-coming neighborhood, but young professionals can take advantage of that fact to get in on the metaphorical ground floor. The median age for residents in this area is between 31 and 32 years, and the majority of individuals are single with no children.
Washington, DC’s Chinatown district hasn’t historically been home to young professionals looking for a foothold in the city. Riots in the late 60s and rising crime rates drove people into suburbs and other areas of the city for decades. Renovations of buildings on and near 7th street in Chinatown began to transform the area, and the nearby location of the Verizon Center added to population growth and helped establish a nightlife that draws young people. The area now boasts affordable housing options as well as shopping, dining, and entertainment for its residents, who average about 30 years of age and an average household income of $88,496.
Known as a center of the music scene in DC, the U Street area houses the Bohemian Caverns, Howard Theatre, and Lincoln Theatre. Graffiti is considered by many in the area to be a public art form and professionals with creative proclivities can seek solace among galleries and street performances after spending hours in an office or at a computer. Real estate options are often more affordable in the U Street area than in other locations in the city, and recent projects have pushed public transportation options further into the area. The majority of individuals in the area are aged 25 to 34 and over 60 percent have never been married.
A West End address is desirable among DC professionals, which means space doesn’t come cheap in the area. Young professionals can cash in on other savings, such as those afforded by walkability and plenty of access to public transportation, if they want to afford housing in a luxury high-rise or nearby residence. Many buildings in the area were created from previous construction—including a collection of residences that were formerly the Columbia Hospital for Women. The West End is another of DC’s walk-friendly neighborhoods, which means you can take advantage of conveniently located eateries, shopping centers, and grocery stores—including a Trader Joe’s.
South of Dupont Circle, you’ll find the historic neighborhood of Foggy Bottom. Known for a storied history that played out in part along the alleys created by the neighborhood’s architecture, Foggy Bottom is a cultural center that includes easy access to the Kennedy Center. Young professionals living in the area can take advantage of numerous free concerts on the Millennium Stage, and fine dining establishments are peppered throughout the neighborhood amid landmarks and historic sites. Cost of living is about 4 percent above the city's average, but crime rates are much lower in Foggy Bottom, which boasts a median age of about 29, making it one of the younger neighborhoods in DC> Washington, DC, offers many charms for young professionals. Whether you grew up amid the landmarks or are new to the area, the city also offers enough diversity that you’re certain to find a neighborhood that makes you happy. The nine neighborhoods above provide an idea of the landscape and options available in the nation’s capital.
