Not sure where to look in DC area (Washington: violent crime, hotels)
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The postal district of Silver Spring covers a much larger area than "downtown" SS, much of it not very Metro accessible. The question to ask your relative is: How close to any Metro are they?
Not sure, but I know they go into DC about once every two or three years, so I would think not very accessible. If there were close, they probably would go there more. Staying with her aunt turns out to be a no go. Aunt is allergic to dogs.
If you navigate to the "live" section of this site, you'll find 20 new apartment buildings with vacancies that are in easy walking distance of 4th and Penn N.E.
If I worked in Union Market I would look at Ivy City (Hecht Warehouse) or apartments down the street near Florida Ave unless she doesn't mind commuting from further out.
The two dogs are a lifestyle factor so I'd say that she should think about their needs in her decision-making. She will need a pet-friendly unit and areas to walk them. Libraries are plentiful and she will have a lot of similar personality types in the city, although there are as many people who are the opposite. I do think that riding the metro a little bit longer and starting out in that area around Cleveland Park - Van Ness as was suggested makes a lot of sense. It's a bit quieter but she can get to lively areas around the city. Maybe she will learn the bus system which would add some areas. If she does have a car, it can be helpful at times but isn't necessary either.
The area around the ballpark and DC Wharf & Waterfront is fun but the liveliness might not interest her if she is not into baseball, concerts and going out to bars/restaurants. She might be more into cafes, sometimes sedate restaurants and cinemas in NW. All of it is pretty close together so she could still explore more of the city. Columbia Heights was hip before the pandemic but has changed a little in places; she might still want to look around near there or Takoma Park. On the other hand, Alexandria is very dog-friendly. Especially if she has a car or bikes to the metro, the area around the north side of Old Town Alexandria might be a good fit. The bike path is really good for exercising dogs, there's a lot of history, restaurants and amenities but it has a quiet side. That'd be a bit of a commute but not too tricky to where she is going.
If it were me, I’d get a short term rental near work if possible. When in doubt, live near your work until you get your bearings. March will come quick if working remotely ends at that time. Use weekends/free time to explore different neighborhoods and areas.
I would not bring the car at first. I would wait and see if it was needed, or at least, secure a good parking situation first of possible. Look into ride sharing. She can always bring the car later or even sell it if it is not needed.
DC isn’t anything like Detroit. So that’s really apples to oranges. If it were me I would embrace the differences and use the opportunity to do something entirely different. I do understand what you mean about knowing people in the burbs that rarely get into the city. That is very person specific and their lifestyle. Some will do that and others will be in the city multiple times per week.
Slowly over time she should be able to pick out a few neighborhoods and areas that best fit her interests, needs, wants, desires.
But obviously if you're more the type to do a lot of cooking and do a big weekly shop for ingredients then having a car is helpful, if you have to go to a lot of medical appointments that could be all over then again having a car is helpful, if you enjoy the outdoors and want to go do stuff like kayaking, cycling, hiking etc. outside the city then again a car is very helpful.
The last time I checked (which was several years ago), there were still several hiking clubs that each operated chartered bus trips, or carpools, to mountain trail locations, and other parks, twice every weekend, with downtown Farragut Square as the usual meeting place. Their schedules were on their websites.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert on that part of the metro, but I recently drove through it and it looked pretty mixed bag. Some newly developed parts, some parts that definitely have seen better days.
As a general comment, the parts of MD that border SE D.C. are generally considered the least desirable corner of the metro area outside D.C. in part because SE D.C. is considered the poorest and most troubled part of the city. Whether that's fair or not, I'll let people say who're more familiar with it, but that's the 'conventional wisdom'.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert on that part of the metro, but I recently drove through it and it looked pretty mixed bag. Some newly developed parts, some parts that definitely have seen better days.
As a general comment, the parts of MD that border SE D.C. are generally considered the least desirable corner of the metro area outside D.C. in part because SE D.C. is considered the poorest and most troubled part of the city. Whether that's fair or not, I'll let people say who're more familiar with it, but that's the 'conventional wisdom'.
I agree and would say no one would really choose Oxon Hill as an option from outside the area, especially with the original parameters provided.
The two dogs are a lifestyle factor so I'd say that she should think about their needs in her decision-making. She will need a pet-friendly unit and areas to walk them. Libraries are plentiful and she will have a lot of similar personality types in the city, although there are as many people who are the opposite. I do think that riding the metro a little bit longer and starting out in that area around Cleveland Park - Van Ness as was suggested makes a lot of sense. It's a bit quieter but she can get to lively areas around the city. Maybe she will learn the bus system which would add some areas. If she does have a car, it can be helpful at times but isn't necessary either.
The area around the ballpark and DC Wharf & Waterfront is fun but the liveliness might not interest her if she is not into baseball, concerts and going out to bars/restaurants. She might be more into cafes, sometimes sedate restaurants and cinemas in NW. All of it is pretty close together so she could still explore more of the city. Columbia Heights was hip before the pandemic but has changed a little in places; she might still want to look around near there or Takoma Park. On the other hand, Alexandria is very dog-friendly. Especially if she has a car or bikes to the metro, the area around the north side of Old Town Alexandria might be a good fit. The bike path is really good for exercising dogs, there's a lot of history, restaurants and amenities but it has a quiet side. That'd be a bit of a commute but not too tricky to where she is going.
^^ This
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