What DC Neighborhood Would You Buy Into?

• February 12th 2014

by UrbanTurf Staff

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Today in UrbanTurf Reader Asks, a reader who recently started her home search asks an eternal question with ever-changing answers: If you were looking to purchase in the DC area, what neighborhood would you buy in?

After several months, I recently started hunting for a home to purchase in the DC area. I have been renting a below market-rate apartment for several years and have been able to save a good deal of money during that period. So, I was recently pre-approved for purchases up to $800,000, but am looking in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. I live in Shaw and debate between going west and paying more to live closer to 14th Street (or in a neighborhood like Woodley or Cleveland Park) or heading north or east to the many neighborhoods that have blossomed in the city over the past decade. Price will dictate what type of property (condo, house, etc.) I will be able to buy in a given area, so I am more interested in hearing what neighborhoods UrbanTurf readers like these days from a real estate perspective and why. Thanks!

Post your neighborhood suggestions in the comments section. It will be interesting to see what neighborhood recommendations come out compared to when a reader asked this question in 2010. Here are some of the ideas from back then:

"H Street is a good area to invest if you can still afford it. That area is rapidly changing for the better quickly. Some parts are more expensive (Cap Hill) than others (Trinidad/Rosedale), so there are a variety of price ranges available, any of which would be a good investment."

Shaw is the most central neighborhood that still has affordable options relative to the surrounding neighborhoods. It is anchored by a metro, walking distance to the golden triangle, about equidistant from the White House and Capitol Hill. O Street Market and the CC Marriott are going up right now, and a lot of young homeowners have moved in and are renovating their houses. I bought a 4 bed/3 bath for $197/sqft on a quiet street last year. Six blocks west and you can’t find anything for under $400/sqft.

Mount Pleasant. A historic quiet neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a great sense of community. Access to metro, buses and within walking distance to the shops of Columbia Heights. Hurry, I see homes in Mt. Pleasant selling within days of being listed.

If you would like to submit a question for UrbanTurf Reader Asks, send an email to editor2014@urbanturf.com.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/what_dc_area_neighborhood_would_you_buy_into/8118.