- Historic, powerful Washington, D.C. has over 130 distinct neighborhoods spread out over its four quadrants
- Each D.C. neighborhood has its own vibe, culture, personality and maybe even its own place in history
- From Foggy Bottom to U Street to Anacostia, these are the 20 best neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. for 2022
Many Washington, D.C. neighborhoods carry iconic names known throughout the world both for prestige and infamy. Georgetown. Foggy Bottom. Capitol Hill. Observatory, Dupont and Logan Circles. Each has a place not only in the history and culture of D.C. but of America itself. And each has distinct characteristics which may make them your perfect next home.
Washington's 131 neighborhoods are each divvied up into one of D.C.'s four directional quadrants. A neighborhood is Northeast, Northwest, Southeast or Southwest based on its location compared to the U.S. Capitol Building. So, if you're thinking of moving to the District or to a new 'hood within it, you'll need to define which is best for you. Are you a student or a retiree? A young businessperson, lobbyist, non-profiteer or Congressional staffer? Do you need room for a family? Is D.C. a stopover city or are you here for the long haul?
From NW to SE, which are the best neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.? Which are best for you and your budget? Grab a pupusa, fill up on mumbo sauce, hop on the Metro and take a walk down the Mall with the list below. We looked at every D.C. neighborhood for quality apartment living and residential architecture, proximity to amazing eats and plentiful parks, as well as the cost of living and other factors. And this was the result, the ultimate 20 top best neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
1. Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle is the district around the eponymous traffic circle and fountain. A popular residential neighborhood near downtown, Dupont Circle features midrise apartment buildings and blocks of Queen Anne and Romanesque rowhomes. But to enjoy one of the most in-demand neighborhoods, be prepared to pay. It's among the priciest rents in all of D.C.
Home of Embassy Row, Dupont Circle features over 170 foreign missions, mostly along Massachusetts Avenue NW. During the day, Dupont Circle has a diversity of emissaries from around the world. But the historic neighborhood comes alive in the evening with a bevy of dining and nightlife destinations. And during the day, enjoy eateries, coffee shops, bookstores and brewpubs. There are a number of cultural museums, including the Phillips Collection, National Geographic Museum and the Brookings Institution.
The neighborhood has a diverse population, a mix of international diplomats and well-educated think-tankers and bureaucrats. While a few families call Dupont Circle home, the best neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is mostly single professionals and young couples.
2. Navy Yard
Along the Anacostia River in Southwest D.C., the Washington Navy Yard is one of The District's swankiest neighborhoods. It's also one of its newest. The redevelopment of Navy Yard didn't start in earnest until its most famous landmark — Nationals Park, home of the Washington baseball team — opened in 2008, signaling a rebirth of the former industrial neighborhood.
The ballpark is the center of an up-and-coming pre- and post-game entertainment and dining district. Streets are clean and clear as headquarters of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It's also the site of the actual navy yard waterfront site, headquarters of Naval District Washington and the Navy Museum.
Alongside stadium area redevelopment, there are plenty more new and upcoming things for the Navy Yard. The grand plan calls for an eventual 15 million additional square feet of office space, 800,000 square feet of new retail and 9,000 more rental and housing units. This comes in addition to 1,200 hotel rooms, four new parks and a revitalization of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.
3. Georgetown
Once upon a time, Georgetown was an independent city, predating the creation of the District of Columbia by four decades. That allowed the Potomac-adjacent region to grow and thrive with its own culture and style. But today, the neighborhood is best known for its titular university and bustling shopping and nightlife.
As a college neighborhood, Georgetown has a wide selection of cheap beer bars and bookstores. But it's also an upscale district, offering selections of chic restaurants, hip breweries and fashionable retail. And it's where you'll find several of D.C.'s luxury hotels, including a Ritz-Carlton and a Four Seasons.
The district can vary between pricey and affordable depending on location. Northern Georgetown features a number of historic single-family homes and detached housing. Closer to the river, you'll find more luxury apartments and condo towers, particularly along the canal. It's one of the top neighborhoods for young professional politicians and lobbyists.
4. Connecticut Ave/K Street
On the western side of downtown D.C. is the neighborhood that takes its name from the area around the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW. Tucked in between the White House and Dupont Circle, Connecticut Ave/K Street is a popular locale for lawmakers, high-level staffers and, particularly, lobbyists. It's the premiere downtown-adjacent residential neighborhood with plenty of food and retail along its primary thoroughfares.
The Connecticut Ave/K Street neighborhood radiates out from historic Farragut Square. The district borders George Washington University to the west. It sits in a transitional area from the government districts south of Lafayette Square and the popular residences of Dupont. It features several hotels including the Mayflower Hotel and Capital Hilton, as well as the National Geographic Museum.
5. Adams Morgan
North of Dupont Circle, D.C.'s go-to neighborhood for nightlife, bar hopping and entertainment is Adams Morgan. The district is Washington's O.G. bar and club scene. It's widely popular, from college students to after-workers to craft beer aficionados.
Adams Morgan offers over 90 bars, pubs, restaurants and cafés, most concentrated among two blocks of 18th Street NW and one block of Columbia Road. But Adams Morgan is more than just a good time. The highly-walkable neighborhood features diverse schools, fresh farmers' markets and a slew of galleries and public art displays.
Surrounding these landmarks and watering holes is one of D.C.'s most interesting residential neighborhoods. Down each street is a selection of Victorian rowhouses, co-ops, condos, midrise apartment buildings and second-floor apartments, many right above bars and eateries. It's also just steps from the National Zoo and several Rock Creek Park trailheads.
6. Foggy Bottom
Most Americans have been familiar with the D.C. neighborhood of Foggy Bottom since middle school social studies. Yes, this D.C. region is infamously the site of the Watergate Hotel break-in. The three-building complex is one of Washington's most infamous addresses, but also an in-demand hotel/condo/apartment location. It lies between downtown and the National Mall along the Potomac.
But while Watergate gave Foggy Bottom its notoriety, there's much more here. The campus of George Washington University covers the northeastern section of the neighborhood. To the west of the White House are several federal departments dotting Foggy Bottom. Among these is the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Department of State and the GSA. And along the riverfront is the magnificent Kennedy Center complex across the freeway.
This government neighborhood has limited but affordable housing and rental properties. Most rentals are in the form of apartment towers and medium-rises. Aimed at tourists and bureaucrats alike, there are also a ton of dining and after-work options from casual chains to upscale eateries. Lobbyists and students alike fill the pubs and clubs each evening.
7. Capitol Hill
Yes, indeed the U.S. Capitol Building is the most well-known spot in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It sits towards the neighborhood's west end. And that corner of the region also features the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. But down the district's hills and rises is Washington's largest historic residential district, and one of its oldest.
For the seat of absolute power in the western world, Capitol Hill is a largely residential neighborhood. The blocks stretch from the halls of Congress down towards the Navy Yard. Along the way, you'll find blocks of townhomes and rowhouses, urban mansions and Queen Annes. With 35,000 people inside its 2 square mile border, Capitol Hill is one of D.C.'s most densely-populated neighborhoods.
Along diagonal Pennsylvania Avenue is Capitol Hill's commercial corridor. A number of shops and businesses cater to the legislators and staff that populate much of the neighborhood. Aside the thoroughfare is a plethora of bars and coffee shops, restaurants and vintage retail. On 7th Street NE is Eastern Market, one of North America's oldest and most popular farmers' markets. And right down the block is one of D.C.'s four Trader Joe's.
8. Southwest Waterfront
The neighborhood of Southwest Waterfront has risen in recent years from a quiet marina district to a bustling nightlife hub. It's also become a hot residential neighborhood. As the name suggests, it lies in Southwest D.C. along Washington Channel at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac.
In fact, Southwest Waterfront has experienced two different revitalization eras over the last 20 years. First, demand for open space and loft apartments led to a boom in rental and condo properties in the neighborhood. Then, as new blood flowed in came an overhaul of the Waterfront Station and riverside development. This included new restaurants and bars overlooking the water and retail and imports along Wharf Street. Several music venues. including Arena Stage, Union Stage and the iconic The Anthem are found on the channel front.
Along the water are glitzy midrises with residences, offices and hotels, as well as marinas and yacht clubs. But away from the Channel is a more residential neighborhood. For all its nightlife, it's known as a laid-back, calm district that's surprisingly affordable. Popular with educated young couples and young professionals, Southwest Waterfront is renter-friendly. More than 60 percent of residents rent their homes and only half have children.
9. Bellevue
Way down near the southernmost point of the District is the Southeastern neighborhood of Bellevue. Until recently, Bellevue was a neglected district with high crime and poverty rates. But redevelopment over the last few years has changed Bellevue's fate. It's allowed the neighborhood to become a more desirable region for the scores of government workers employed at D.C.'s south-of-Anacostia federal facilities. It also benefits from a short drive to Capitol Hill and its close proximity to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
And to which, Bellevue is small, quiet and nearly entirely residential. Having grown thanks to public housing, there are a number of both new and legacy apartment complexes. This is in addition to blocks of single-family homes with front and backyards, desirable in Washington, many for rent.
Overall, Bellevue is one of D.C.'s most affordable rental neighborhoods. Close access to Anacostia Freeway gives residents an easy commute to downtown D.C., Alexandria, VA and National Harbor, MD.
10. Chevy Chase (D.C.)
Yes, it can get confusing. There is a D.C. neighborhood called Chevy Chase. While it sits just across the state line from Chevy Chase, MD, they're very separate entities. And neither has anything to do with the actor, whose real name is Cornelius Crane Chase.
Chevy Chase, the DC neighborhood, lies in extreme Northwest DC between the Maryland border and Rock Creek Park. With its proximity to the desirable Maryland neighborhoods yet close to downtown Washington, rent prices remain high. The primarily affluent neighborhood is mostly residential, including a number of pricey and stylish apartment complexes.
Most commercial properties lie along its Connecticut Avenue NW spine. The corridor features several midrise apartment buildings, chain coffee shops, supermarkets and service stores.
11. Penn Quarter
Downtown D.C.'s Penn Quarter is a dining and apartment building district that also features a number of popular Washington attractions. That includes sites like the National Portrait Gallery, U.S. Navy Memorial, the Hoover Building, Ford's Theater and National Building Museum. It's also the location of Capital One Arena, home to the Wizards and Capitals.
Penn Quarter sits just north of the National Mall between the Capitol and Washington Monument. But despite being right in the heart of the action, it's a pleasantly quiet neighborhood with a laidback vibe. Several buildings, including the Navy Memorial, FBI Headquarters, Portrait Gallery and the arena, sit mid-block, turning thoroughfare streets into dead ends. This pattern leads to minimal through traffic outside of the 6th Street artery. Without continual cross-city and tourist circulation, Penn Quarter feels isolated from the bustle of downtown D.C.
The neighborhood offers a number of restaurant and nightlife attractions. Teaism, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, Farmbird and Lincoln's Waffle Shop are among a bevy of popular eateries. There are also exciting live theater options including Woolly Mammoth Theatre and Shakespeare houses Sidney Harman Hall and Klein Theatre.
While Penn Quarter offers many rentals over restaurants and theaters, apartment buildings dominate the neighborhood. Among these are The Clara Barton, The Lafayette, The Landsburgh and The Lexington at Market Square.
12. Columbia Heights
D.C. is well-known for its diversity, with one of the largest Black populations in the U.S. But unlike many gentrifying regions in the District, the neighborhood of Columbia Heights retains one of the most diverse populaces anywhere in the city. In fact, white, Black, Latino and Asian-Americans each represent at least 10 percent of Columbia Heights' population. “It's a perfect little microcosm of DC," describes one eminent local business owner.
But its' not just the citizenry that's diverse in Columbia Heights. It's also home to a wide range of businesses, entertainment and gathering spots. The neighborhood features a wide array of ethnic cuisine restaurants, friendly bakeries, dimly-lit bars and national retailers. Many of these line the Heights' 14th Street NW spine. And center to it all is the DC USA mall, the largest retail complex in Washington.
13. Takoma
Bordering the Maryland city Takoma Park, the northeast D.C. railroad neighborhood of Takoma enjoys the trappings of both. Takoma, the D.C. part, is a diverse middle-class district. It features a quaint suburban-style main street along Carroll Avenue and blocks of century-old housing and apartment complexes. But just across the Eastern Avenue border are Takoma Park and Silver Spring. That allows easy access to the Montgomery County, MD, cities' shopping, parks, entertainment and dining.
Takoma is enduringly attached to Takoma Park, geographically and culturally. The border communities were one entity. And surrounding the Takoma Metro Station, both essentially share a downtown. Both Takomas are also well-established progressive strongholds. The adjacent Maryland town has even extended the local vote to 16-year olds since 2013.
14. Anacostia
My Anacostia don't want none unless you got convenient commutes and affordable rental housing, hun. And that's just what you'll get in the southeast D.C. neighborhood of Anacostia. While many mistakenly label all of D.C. south of the Anacostia River as “Anacostia," that's not the case. The true Anacostia neighborhood sits conveniently across the river from the Navy Yard, alongside the Anacostia Freeway and Anacostia Park.
The historic Anacostia neighborhood is best known of the regions of southeast D.C. For the most part, it's nearly all residential on its northwest half. Most buildings and housing date back more than a century. Much of it features single-family, small-scale frame homes surrounded by rentals and small apartment communities. It's a mix of families and younger couples, with the district numbering 93 percent Black residents. The southeastern half of Anacostia has the wooded Fort Stanton Park and its Recreation Center.
There are two very distinct attractions at the heart of Anacostia. It's the location of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the final home of the iconic Black social reformer. The D.C. quarter features his Cedar Hill estate. And it's also home to the Big Chair sculpture on Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE. The 20-foot high bar seat is the largest chair in North America.
15. U Street Corridor
Georgetown and Adams Morgan might top many D.C. nightlife lists. But there's no experience, no cooler spot in Washington, than the U Street Corridor. Also known as Cardozo/Shaw, U Street, in Northwest D.C., was once the heart of Black culture in America. It was teeming with jazz clubs and soul food spots surrounding a theater row known as Black Broadway.
Today's U Street is still a vital Black neighborhood as well as a relevant cultural and live performance mecca. The corridor features a number of both live music and stage theaters. Among these are the historic Lincoln Theatre and Howard Theatre, 9:30 Club, DC9, Black Cat and Harlot DC.
Before and after a show, U Street is one of D.C.'s best dining districts. And at the center of it all is iconic Ben's Chili Bowl. The iconic chili and half-smoke joint has been serving U Street since 1958, catering to locals, tourists and celebrities alike. It has been a favorite stop of President Obama, Bono, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Martin Luther King, Jr., among others. U Street features many restaurants serving unique cuisines from around the world. Most notable is the block of 9th Street NW south of U Street known as “Little Ethiopia."
16. NoMa
D.C.'s NoMa neighborhood is an abbreviated portmanteau for the neighborhood sitting North of Massachusetts Avenue. Ostensibly, it's the district radiating northeast from Union Station and along its many Amtrak rails. NoMa is an upscale live-work-play neighborhood for young singles, government workers, lobbyists and commuters with second apartments.
NoMa is often viewed as one of D.C.'s fastest-growing up-and-coming neighborhoods, having recently experienced a construction boom. NoMa is D.C.'s answer to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Canton, Baltimore or Fishtown, Philadelphia, a neighborhood transformed from old industrial lots into trendy living and shopping. Currently, NoMa's population sits around 12,000, with over half of those apartment dwellers. That's a figure that's doubled in the last five years.
And to serve those residents, the neighborhood offers over half a million square feet of occupied retail space. This includes a facility anchored by a 52,000-square-foot REI store, located on the footprint of the old Washington Bullets' Uline Arena. It also sits adjacent to D.C.'s earthy Union Market district and Gallaudet University.
17. Logan Circle/Shaw
Along with Dupont Circle, Logan Circle is one of downtown D.C.'s two most significant roundabouts and neighborhood hubs. Radiating out from the Logan Circle traffic round, it's partnered with the south-of-U-Street region of Shaw in a highly-desirable, mostly residential neighborhood.
Across the western end of the neighborhood, Logan Circle is a booming downtown-adjacent residential district. It's home to a number of legislators, lobbyists and think-tankers, along with young business professionals and a swath of hipsters. Serving these residents is the Whole Foods closest to downtown.
Shaw is a popular retail shopping and dining district. Several nightlife spots and hotels line 7th and 9th Streets NW, spiking out from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. A revitalized 14th Street offers art galleries, theaters, wine bars and restaurants a block off the traffic circle.
18. Brookland
Looking for an affordable outer neighborhood that's still convenient to attractions, parks, dining and entertainment? Look no further than the Catholic-influenced northeast D.C. neighborhood of Brookland. It's a primarily residential district in central northeast Washington, north of the National Arboretum. Twelfth Street NE serves as its commercial district.
Sitting in the shadow of Catholic University and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — the largest Catholic church building in North America — Brookland is also known as “Little Rome." While the university and the shrine are not within its borders, it does feature several Catholic schools, services, convents, shrines and institutes as part of the CUA community. These include the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America complex and the Archdiocese for the Military Services headquarters.
19. H Street
Washington D.C.'s Near Northeast neighborhood is an expansive district downtown. It consists of two primary subdivisions, NoMa (see above) to the west and the H Street Corridor at its eastern point. H Street is a diverse and thriving district that has experienced sweeping revitalization over the last two decades.
Historically known as Swampoodle, the construction of Union Station a century ago sliced Near Northeast in two. NoMa and H Street grew independently and uniquely. And in that time, H Street has transformed from an early commercial district to a neglected ward and now back to a vibrant, “politico" hipster haven. The corridor, centered between 3rd and 15th Streets NE ranked as one of the 10 most hipster neighborhoods in the nation.
Artsy H Street is one of D.C.'s top nightlife, shopping and dining out destinations. The corridor features both vintage and big-box retail, trendy restaurants, quirky bars, dance clubs and historic Atlas Theater. It's also home to the annual 11-block-long H Street Festival. The fall fest is the largest neighborhood festival in D.C., averaging around 150,000 attendees.
20. Glover Park
Do the Vice President and First Gentleman know they live in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in D.C.? Just north of Georgetown, the quaint urban park neighborhood of Glover Park cascades west down from One Observatory Circle.
The leafy Glover Park neighborhood has quaint rowhomes and midrise apartment buildings. The mostly residential district is penned in by Observatory Circle to Glover Archbold Park on its sides and Whitehaven Park and the National Cathedral on its ends. It offers a small commercial corridor along Wisconsin Avenue NW which includes coffee shops, ethnic cuisine restaurants, a Trader Joe's and Guy Mason athletic park.
Glover Park offers some of the highest-rated grade schools in D.C. and has a low crime rate. And many residents enjoy plots in the neighborhood's two victory gardens. It is also site of the Russian Embassy and its infamous underground tunnels.
Find the best Washington, D.C. neighborhood for you
D.C. is a lot of things to a lot of different kinds of people. And whether it's a stop on your journey, an international destination or your lifelong home, there's a place just right for you in one of the best neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
The 20 neighborhoods above are just a slice of what's available in The District. So, which neighborhood is right for you, and your budget? Before you move or reconsider your own 'hood, check out all the apartments for rent in Washington, D.C. right now. Looking for a more permanent move? Take a look through all of D.C.'s real estate listings, as well.
