2021 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Washington, D.C.

McLean Gardens

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Nearby Resident: By far, one of the most beautiful and safest neighborhoods in all of DC. In an extremely wealthy area, surrounded by ambassadors and Congresspeople, McLean Gardens is an ideal place to live for anyone at any age...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 1,481 Population

Cathedral Heights

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.83 out of 5  29 reviews

Former Resident: Love this neighborhood. It is super safe and has a good amount of things to do. The best part about it is obviously the cathedral. I have spent many evenings on the front lawn - watching the sunset, having picnics, etc. This neighborhood is good for college students because American, Georgetown, and GW are all not too far from here. I go to UDC and it is also just a short bike ride away...Read 29 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 12,271 Population

North Cleveland Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Niche User: As a woman I feel safe walking up to my apartment from the metro at any time of day/evening. There are sometimes reports of burglaries in my apartment complex but otherwise it seems safe.Read 5 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 6,271 Population

Glover Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.44 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: A fantastic close-in suburb of Washington, DC. (Though technically in the city itself). Easy commutes into the city on Wisconsin Ave (bike, car or bus). Great local elementary school, super friendly neighbors, and surrounded on 3 sides by parks and forests. Decent shops and restaurants, with a Trader Joes in the neighborhood, a Safeway next door, and a Whole Foods coming soon. ...Downside, too many families - the schools are overcrowded.Read 9 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 13,710 Population

Wesley Heights

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Wesley Heights is a premier neighborhood in Northwest DC. Filled with beautiful homes and tree lined streets, Wesley Heights is also one of the safest, and wealthiest, neighborhoods in DC.Read 1 Review

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 3,710 Population

Mount Pleasant

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.56 out of 5  16 reviews

Niche User: MtPleasant is just such a unique place in DC! It combines classic, refined and mind-soothing looks near Rock Creek park, with the energy and richness of a diverse population, with lively South American vibes. The weekend’s farmers market is among the most popular in DC, and the stores and restaurants/cafes/ice cream and pastry shops/bookstores -even the barbers- have maintained a strong identity and are beautifully unique. All this is just literally steps away from/to the “core” of DC: Dupont Circle, 14th St NW, and the downtown area. MtPleasant has also become a very safe place, up from a mixed track record in the past. I love walking through the neighborhood, especially in spring when all the front yards are blooming...Read 16 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 13,294 Population

Chinatown

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• grade C

• 6,167 Population

Burleith/Hillandale

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Safe, clean neighborhood. Close to Glober park restaurants & amenities (Town Hall, Surfside, Madfox, Whole Foods, Ace Handware, Safeway, FedEx, etc). Friendly, well-established neighbors. One would feel welcomed here...Read 1 Review

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 3,163 Population

Cleveland Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I love the feel of the neighborhood, many of the sidewalks are redbrick and there are three green spaces within half a mile to my house one being the National Cathedral. There are trails nearby that lead to Georgetown and good supermarkets nearby...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 10,531 Population

Penn Quarter

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

• grade A+

• grade C

• 3,656 Population

Foxhall Crescents

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: A great place to live but a little expensiveRead 4 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 4,636 Population

Foxhall Village

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Absolutely love Foxhall. The best kept secret in DC! Trails, parks, and walking distance to palisades and Georgetown. Easy to get downtown with whitehurst. And the friendliest people in all of DC!Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 5,363 Population

Downtown

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: There are barley any children or older teens to hangout with. Most of the people in the neighborhood are unmarred 20 to 30 year-olds with no children. Social there is almost nothing for teenagers, but is top notch for safety and security, to keep your children and teens safe. There are too many tourists, protesters, and rioters coming from all over the country disturbing the peace, but they do make us some money...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade C

• 3,678 Population

Lanier Heights

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.68 out of 5  19 reviews

Niche User: Very fun area with plenty to do, see, and eat. Always new places popping up which makes visiting the same area a fun new experience.Read 19 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B minus

• 4,588 Population

Georgetown

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.96 out of 5  23 reviews

Visitor: I personally love going to Georgetown, it is one one of my favorite places in Washington DC and some relatives live there! While it is an expensive area, it is extremely safe and there are plenty of things to do in the area...Read 23 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 17,132 Population

Foggy Bottom

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: We have been living in Foggy Bottom off and on for many years and we love it. As Foreign Service Officiers we move a lot. When in DC this is our base. Our elementary school children go to a very good SWWFS. You can finish all errands on foot. Metro and bus stops are right in front of your doorsteps. You have everything you need in Georgetown. Steps to GWU, Kennedy Center is here, Georgetown Waterfront...Read 18 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade C+

• 11,398 Population

Adams Morgan

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Adams Morgan is a great neighborhood in the center of DC. So many restaurants, shops and interesting events in walking distance.Read 14 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B

• 13,104 Population

Woodland-Normanstone

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 4,953 Population

American University Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  13 reviews

Nearby Resident: AU Park is a beautiful neighborhood in Northwest DC, home to the prestigious American University. Their campus is fantastic for jogs, picnics, and even walking your dog. However, it is an extremely expensive neighborhood but, if you can afford it, it's home to Washington's elite...Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 7,031 Population

Tenleytown

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.67 out of 5  9 reviews

Niche User: Tenleytown is a great place to live! It is close to the metro making it an easy access to downtown DC! Tenleytown has a great selection of dining and useful library! I've never had any issues with Tenleytown besides getting my bike stolen earlier this fall. Around 2:30 Tenley can become a little crowded due to its proximity to a high school. The crowds don't bother me, and they have little impact on my commute to my job or internship! What I love most about Tenley is that it has everything you need, and great study spots! Overall, Tenleytown is a great place to live and has everything you need from a grocery store, library, phone repair shop, best buy, and a Chick-Fil-A!...Read 9 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 7,919 Population

Shepherd Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: I like that it's not directly in the city, but it's easily accessible by car, bike or public transportation!Read 1 Review

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 2,900 Population

Dupont Circle

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 3.64 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: This is the first neighborhood I've lived in while in Washington DC that feels like a vibrant and unique neighborhood with its own personality. It's conveniently located just north of Downtown, minutes from Georgetown, and public transportation...Read 33 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade C+

• 23,528 Population

Hawthorne

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 3,106 Population

Woodley Park

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Woodley Park has all the amenities of an urban setting such as restaurants, CVS, market for food, but it also has the zoo and great trails in Rock Creek Park. Some streets are beautifully lined with trees that has little noise so while you are in the city, it can sometimes feel like an escape. The public schools are excellent! Oyster-Adams bilingual school is one of the best in the city and THE best bilingual public elementary and middle school. Kids also have access to Wilson High school one of the best public school options in the city...Read 7 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 6,830 Population

Mount Vernon Square

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
• Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Mt. Vernon Square is located in the downtown region of Washington near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This neighborhood is currently undergoing multiple changes that include residential, corporate, and retail. What was already a good neighborhood is becoming even more great. Been living in this area going on a decade. It's a prime location because of its convenience to the interstate (I-395, I-695, and I-295), subways stations, and central downtown district...Read 5 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade C

• 16,516 Population