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Hey, so I've recently moved from a different country here. I'm currently living in Rockville in a super nice community, but I work on the Hill. So the commute is less than pleasant on the red line, way too long.
Looking to move into the city. I personally love Dupont and Foggy bottom area, but it's just too expensive for a one bedroom apt. I'm a single women in her late 20s and will be getting home by about 7 in the evening everyday. I found this really nice apartment in Columbia Heights on 3525 13th street in a victorian house. It's affordable too. I'm just wondering about how safe that area is. I hope you guys can help! I need to make a decision by the weekend.
If I worked on the Hill, I'd live on the Hill. It's a great neighborhood, and you can't beat walking to work. I don't even work on the Hill, and I live on the Hill.
But to answer your question, there definitely is much more crime in Columbia Heights than Rockville. You need to be on the alert for something bad happening, but at the same time I know tons of people who have lived in Columbia Heights (young white professionals, not intimidating folk at all) and never had a problem.
I think if you have any modicum of urban street smarts, you'll do fine. It really depends on your own comfort level. If you feel ok when walking around the neighborhood, then it's safe enough for you.
Well, define "safe" for us so we have a measuring stick. I mean, it's not like you're likely to get shot just walking around but do robberies, burglaries, car break-ins, and yes - murders do happen in Columbia Heights. It's a neighborhood with a lot of very poor living alongside many well-to-do types and that often leads to frequent crimes of opportunity. That doesn't mean you shouldn't live there, but if you are particularly inexperienced with city living then it is not the best choice.
On the plus side, the neighborhood is getting better each year, and there is a ton of amentities like retail, restaurants to take advantage of. It is also one of the most truly diverse places I've ever seen. So I would generally recommend it to people, but if you aren't really comfortable then don't go for it. If you really want to gauge your comfort level, grab a friend and walk around the neighborhood from 7 to 9 at night. You'll get a good idea if it's the right place for you.
Well at the moment I like in King Farm, Rockville which I consider extremely safe. I have NEVER lived in a major city like DC before. I'm still somewhat street smart I'd say.
Safe for me would be somewhere I can walk during the day to about 9pm at night or just take my bicycle out or go running at about 6-7am and not worry about it.
I've been to Columbia Heights plenty of times. I was looking for a place on Columbia RD near the public housing and I did not feel safe in the least bit. I also looked at a place on 16th street which I was totally comfortable with. The latest one is on 13th street, it's a block away from Tivoli Theatre. It mostly just looks residential and walking there from the metro didnt feel particularly sketchy. I'd rate it the same as walking around H street and I do that pretty often.
So those are my standards of safe. So would 13th street be 'relatively' okay for me? Thanks!
Also the apartment with all utilities will cost me 1450, it's a one bedroom + den.
Does 1450 with utilities - electricity, internet, cable, gas, heat, water seem reasonable for the area? It's 1 bedroom, kitchen, living room, den and patio.
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