Moving to DC ...

[PeteyPirate]

Rent is pretty ridiculous, and I would really like to buy a place. However, most real estate in the city and even NoVa, southern Maryland is, uh, a little out of my price range. I found a couple of condos in Southeast that were reasonable. Would I be crazy to live in that part of town? Is that where the ballpark is going up? Any advice would be welcome.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Real Estate is so insane down there that people are moving into south central Pa and doing the commute via the Metro. I guess it depends on what your salary will be.

 

[PeteyPirate]

I will be making pretty decent money, enough so that something in the 200s is realistic. Any idea about SE? I've heard bad things.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Pirates, message me for the lowdown on the area. But I tell you what, if your address has a SE in it, you better be realllllllll close to Capitol Hill. Otherwise, I know the area extremely well and can help you out.

 

[Oz]

Real Estate is so insane down there that people are moving into south central Pa and doing the commute via the Metro. I guess it depends on what your salary will be.

I know someone who commutes from York, Pa., to Baltimore every day for work. D.C. another thing, though.

 

[Cosmo]

Winchester! It's the new Fredericksburg!

Seriously, 200s? You're going to have to want an old house in Prince William or Loudoun County if you want something even remotely decent. Condos in Lorton, about 20 miles south of D.C. along I-95 are going for around $450K. Tiny little condos. Even the houses in my mom's ****ty neighborhood are going for $350K. If you want 200s, be prepared to commute a long, long way for work.

 

[Bruhman]

the new ballpark is in southeast, which is undergoing gentrification. southeast is home to anacostia, one of the city's most depressed areas in terms of socioeconomics (i.e., a ghetto).

but like many big cities that underwent "white flight," d.c. has experienced shifting deomographics as suburbanites return, weary from long daily commutes.

i haven't lived there since 2000, but certain parts of southeast are more desirable than not long ago.

 

[Perry White]

Be careful -- do your research.

 

[PeteyPirate]

How about Petworth? What kind of neighborhood is that? There are some brand new tiny condos there in the low 200s.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

That's one of the gentrifying areas, and one that's slated for some big improvements in the coming years. I think it's also near the Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant area that's going through the same sort of revitalization. Lots of different cultures and flavors around there. It could be a fun place to get in on.

 

[fmrsped]

Hey Cosmo and Headbutt: A couple years ago, I visited a friend who lived on Benning. She was doing teaching for kids in that area.

It looked like a bad area, like something out of a Chappelle standup.

Just how bad is Benning Road?

 

[Flying Headbutt]

It ain't fun. There are worse places nearby, but the only time most people choose to be in that area is to see a ballgame. Very impoverished.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

Winchester! It's the new Fredericksburg!

Too late. Northern Shenandoah Valley's gotten ridiculous as an exburb already. Maybe Caroline County? Charlestown, WV? Ashland?

 

[Perry White]

Be wary of any place on the Metro Green Line (though, like Headbutt said, some areas are definitely improving)

 

[boots]

I love DC for everything both good and bad. But i'll tell you this, if you can deal with the commute and it's nto a big deal, move as close to Baltimore as possible. The rent will be considerably cheaper and you may learn to enjoy your time in Chocolate City. (Wasn't a racist term ladies and gents. George Clinton named it a few decades ago and if it's good for George, it's damn good for boots)!

 

[qtlaw]

Spend every last nickel you've got and move to Bethesda. A beautiful city with a great downtown. Then have late night breakfast at the Tasty Diner (great spot.)

 

[Perry White]

Spend every last nickel you've got and move to Bethesda. A beautiful city with a great downtown. Then have late night breakfast at the Tasty Diner (great spot.)

Silver Spring is the new Bethesda, and has its own Tastee Diner

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Silver Spring is to Bethesda what AAA is to the big leagues, in terms of everything.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

I've always heard great things about Suitland.

 

[Perry White]

Silver Spring is to Bethesda what AAA is to the big leagues, in terms of everything.

But it has parking