Places to Live: Washington, D.C.

The center of the United States is not even a state. Rather, it’s an administrative district, made city by the politicos, cultural mavens and other residents that call it home. It’s a widespread area of disparate peoples, cultures, locations and neighborhoods, with the only connection between them residence in the only area of its kind.

What better place than Washington D.C. to represent the center of a country of unique and diverse individuals?

The actual District of Columbia, nestled between Maryland, Virginia, and the Potomac River feeding into the Atlantic Ocean, is home to over 500,000 residents. A highly diverse lot, the city is made of nearly 60 percent African-American citizens plus a wide variety of other cultures and ethnicities.

Living in Washington D.C. is a matter of living in the city proper, or in the series of nearby communities spread throughout two states. The real estate picture is comprised of high-priced homes in neighborhoods like Georgetown, made famous by prestigious universities and political stars, and more reasonable homes in other neighborhoods. The average home price in the city is approximately $275,000. Many people opt to live in feeder suburbs and communities throughout Maryland and Virginia, commuting to DC for work, or merely bonding themselves to the city for their regional identity.

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The combined population between the city and dozens of communities nearby? Over 5.4 million residents.

The joys of living in Washington DC are many, with entertainment, culture, sports and other opportunities designed to satisfy the myriad of residents and tourists that visit daily.

The center of political existence for the country is situated here, and residents and tourists alike can visit the homes of democracy at the Capitol, the White House, and the National Mall. On this broad and grassy expanse of lawn running several city blocks are situated some of the most affecting and meaningful monuments in our country, including the Washington Monument, the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt Memorials, and Memorials to the last century’s wars: World War II, Vietnam, and Korea.

The Smithsonian Institute is the end-all-be-all of museums, with 15 different structures dedicated to history, air and space exploration, art, and more. A recent and lauded addition to the Mall, near the Smithsonian Institutes, is the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
For more living history lessons and understanding, the Arlington National Cemetery is a moving tribute to those who died in battle, as well as famous figures such as John F. Kennedy and the Space Shuttle Challenger pilots. Daily ceremonies take place honoring the war dead and our history. Finally, day trips to Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, are also a must for culture and history enthusiasts.

What about options besides stately edifices? First, there’s a vibrant sports scene. Washington DC hosts the Wizards in basketball, the Capitals for hockey, and the Redskins in football, with rabid fans throughout the city and nearby states. In addition, shopping, bars and restaurants, and stargazing can all be found in the city’s neighborhoods. Each of the city’s neighborhoods boast unique offerings, such as the night time scene in Adams Morgan, “Little Rome’s” Catholic institutions in Brookland, Broadway shows in Downtown, performing arts in Foggy Bottom, dramatic architecture in Lafayette Square, and sailing, fishing, sightseeing, and seafood eating at the Waterfront.

Traversing the city and its environs of Maryland and Virginia neighborhoods is painful for drivers, but easy for riders of the Metrorail and Metrobus. The public transportation is highly relied upon and often praised for its cleanliness and efficiency.

Learn more about Washington DC living and visiting at the following sites:

Washington Post City Guide: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/visitorsguide.htm
DC.gov
Washington.org

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