Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with washington and neighborhood

cool towns around DC?

spacefire — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:34:25 -0800

I'm looking for a cool town near DC. It has to have a good nightlife. It should be walkable that is, I shouldn't have to drive to/from bars or restaurants. I want to see people walking the streets, I want to be able to shop without getting in my car if I wanted to.
I'm a single guy in my 30s and I want to have access to a bustling dating scene without having to drive for hours just to meet someone for drinks.
It has to have some form of public transportation connecting it DC, and less than an hour away in any direction.
It has to be safe.
Moreover, parking and lodging shouldn't be very expensive. I intend to keep a car as well.
Does such great place exist?

MeFites who know DC: Please talk to me about Bloomingdale.

juliplease — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:33:54 -0800

MeFites who know DC: Please talk to me about Bloomingdale. I am considering a move to the Bloomingdale neighborhood in DC. You know, the little one east of LeDroit Park, west of Eckington, and just north of Shaw...?

I'm a 29 year old woman. I love the apartments I've seen, and they fit my budget.

Short version: What can you tell me about the overall safety of, and scene in, Bloomingdale? Personal experience preferred. I'm actively reading the blogs linked here.

Specific questions:
I have some concerns about safety in that area, moreso than other places I've lived (Cole Valley in San Francisco, Mt. Pleasant and North Dupont in DC, if that helps for comparison). I consider myself pretty city-savvy, and I know there are generally no guarantees of safety anywhere, but I'm not sure what to expect. I've walked around that part of Rhode Island Ave a bit after dark and felt "on alert but safe." I saw women jogging just about as often as I saw some shady characters, but that was a weeknight. Do I need to plan on taking a cab back from U St if I'm out late on the weekends, even though it's only a 10-minute walk? Should I be making sure that there are bars on my windows and doors (which I have grown very used to in my current and previous places)?

I also have some concerns about making the change from living within a stone's throw of lots of bars and restaurants to the few but seemingly decent-quality options in Bloomingdale. I'm not a raging party person anymore and I'm not seeking any kind of singles scene, but I like going out for dinner and drinks a few times a week. Will I be traveling to my old tried-and-true haunts (20-30 minutes walking) more often than not, or do folks in the neighborhood really hang out at the neighborhood places?

Anything else I should consider?

New residents of Seattle. Please help us choose a neighborhood to buy a house.

valannc — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:35:59 -0800

Seattle region filter: We are new residents of Seattle, from New Jersey, enjoying our exploration of this wonderful city. We are house-hunting and have narrowed down our choice of neighborhoods. Any opinions or advice? Criteria:
- Commute is less than 30 minutes to South Lake Union.
- Quiet streets and beautiful light. We really like the light in the areas close to Puget Sound.
- Re-sale value. We have no kids, but we prefer good schools and desirable areas -- for resale value.
- Walkable friendly community.

Neighborhoods, in order of preference:
1. Richmond Beach. Wonderful quiet neighborhood seems like a retreat from the city. But not a bad commute. However, there is the Point Wells development looming. It could change the whole character of the community.
2. North Beach. I like the relaxed feel of the neighborhood.
3. Blue Ridge. I think it's a bit too spruce and upscale for us. But there are some beautiful houses.
4. Sunset Hill. What a lovely community! But the lots and houses tend to be small. Houses are selling quickly in Sunset Hill, despite the "buyer's market."
5. Magnolia. Shorter commute to South Lake Union, but homes are more costly, and the area is kind of isolated from the rest of Seattle.

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage to living in Shoreline vs the city of Seattle?

Seattle, West Edge neighborhood. Need suggestions on where to buy stuff, services, parks, etc.

valannc — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:44:57 -0800

[Seattle filter] We just moved to the West Edge neighborhood in Seattle, near Pike Street Market. Need suggestions on where to buy stuff, services, parks, etc. We've been in Seattle for two days and we love it. 1. Need place to stock up on groceries, cleaning supplies, paper products. Neighborhood prices are way too high. Where can we drive to get lower prices on these things? Not Costco. We don't have space for a pallet of toilet tissue. Looking for a big supermarket with good prices. I'm OK with driving a distance, if the selection and prices are good.

2. Cheapest place for gasoline (brand name only)

3. Parks. My poor old dog is missing the green grass of the suburbs. Is there a nice quiet grassy park nearby -- with easy parking? (No dog parks. My dog doesn't like other dogs.)

4. Pike Market! Fabulous! What are the best stalls for produce, fish, meat? Best quality and prices?

5. Is there an excellent chiropractor in the neighborhood?

6. Yoga classes? I see lots of choices. Any recommendations?

DCFilter

bad grammar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:48:06 -0800

Where can I find information about the history of Chinatown in Washington, D.C.? Called the smallest Chinatown in a major metropolitan U.S. city, the area, once grubby and unsafe, is rapidly being "gentrified" and replaced with mall stores and chain restaurants. I want to find out more about the original ethnic neighborhood before it disappears.