2022 Best Places to Live in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Former Resident: After living in midtown Manhattan for ten years, we lived in the Belvedere Condominium for five years on Oak Street. If you are making $175K + this is a decent place to live, but not a lot to do at night, but you can Uber to Georgetown or Old Town. There are only a few good restaurants within walking distance but being near the Metro, Safeway, and Target is great. There was a mugging on Oak and I saw a car vandalized - both of which happen in NYC, so rather surprised that the safety rating is so high. The Belvedere is not anything like a Manhattan doorman building (staff is arrogant & rude) but it covered all the amenities we needed: David’s small store/dry cleaners in the building, parking, pool/gym. If you want to get home quickly after work/near DCA this is your location. Getting a job here is extremely difficult for professional women over 45, so it was time for us to go when I hit my expiration date. Neighbors are nice, but expect artificially inflated egos for no reason at all.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 11,927

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: Probably the best area within the Rosslyn to Ballston city corridor if you are a professional in your 30s (you might feel "old" at Courthouse). You will see some seniors as well, and more kids in this area - a nice mix. Extremily safe, and yes, there are what appears to be maybe 2-3 homeless people on any given day near each meteo, but I don't recall seeing anyone sleeping on the streets, and I've seen far more inroxicated 20 somethings in Clarendon on a Saturday night than I have any other population. It's a fun spirited area, and VA Square is just down the road, but Ballston has like 3 or 4 Starbucks so I'm good. The Ballston Quarter also turned out nice, but I've only gone to the theatre and Macy's, have not yet visited all the attractions.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 13,929

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: It's a very quick trip to Ballston or Washington DC which is convenient for commuting. Many restaurants and stores are walking distance.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 9,877

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 4,966

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 1,572

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Niche User: Ever since I moved here, I have stopped worrying about dangerous activities ensuing in the environment. The crime rate here is low an unfrequent. I moved from West Virginia, where drug activities are substantially higher. In Virginia, the police have a stronger authority and are generally more respected for doing their jobs properly. It is overall peaceful and more active, as the first thing I noticed was the amount of people jogging and playing outdoors. The citizens are friendly, and potential crime threats are minimum.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 20,776

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  6 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 4,409

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Lived here for 17 years and love it! All the convenience of city living with the ability to own a home with large trees & back yard. Walk, bike, scoot, or drive to parks, restaurants, Metro, work, or even Costco, the mall, or the airport. Neighbors generally friendly & down to earth. Schools, churches, civic orgs all great. Downsides: housing is getting expensive, but there are still opportunities; nightlife options limited, but growing; area is super popular & home to new Amazon HQ2, so must be willing to accommodate change & growth.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 11,249

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  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

• Population 4,317

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Penrose is a wonderful, family-friendly, neighborhood with a number of restaurants and shops along Columbia Pike, and parks throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood's location makes it easy to get in to D.C., on to Metro, the Pentagon, Pentagon City/Crystal City to the south and Clarendon/Courthouse/Rosslyn to the north. Most homes and condos are on the smaller size throughout the neighborhood, but this helps to contribute to the overall friendliness of the community because more children and adults go outside of their homes and backyards in to public parks and spaces for recreation.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 5,009

• Neighborhood in Alexandria, VA

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Niche User: Moving from a conservative small town in Ohio to a metropoltian area was intense, however, it was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I feel that I am blessed to experience new opportunities, equality, and people, I other would not get the chance to encounter. I have the conveinence of a metro right out my door. I can walk to work! I wouldn't change my living situation for anything. I have never been happier!... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• grade B

• Population 4,868

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• grade C

• Population 2,697

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 3.18 out of 5  17 reviews

Niche User: Arlington County is a very safe place and environment to live at... Read 17 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 6,425

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  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

• Population 9,919

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 2.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Navy Yard is a thriving walkable community. It gives you easy access to the metro and community activities. If you like sports, this is the place to live.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• Population 1,390

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A

• grade C+

• Population 2,559

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Lived in University Center for 10 years and love it! Our neighborhood sits within the George Washington University Science and Technology campus and is walking distance to the restaurants and shops of One Loudoun. We are just off route 7 for an easy commute to DC and schools are good. Neighbors are friendly and have settled here from all of the country/world.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 3,878

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• Population 1,029

• Neighborhood in Alexandria, VA

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  Rating 3.7 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I love the beautiful parks and trails in the area. I can walk to most of the stores I need to shop at. The landscaping in my area is also exceptionally well done. Being so close to DC means there is always something to do as well, at least until we experienced the pandemic. However friendly neighbors and others that are willing to help has made 2020 better indeed!... Read 30 reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• Population 30,033

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  10 reviews

Former Resident: This area is near almost everything! 10-15 minute drive to the Nationals Stadium as well as the National Harbor. Great shops and restaurants near by.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• grade C

• Population 5,952

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 3 out of 5  7 reviews

Niche User: You can get to the monuments easily, the zone is secure and the houses are so pretty and colorful, and they have history, since they're old, but there are also modern buildings. There is good transportation and a metro station close. It's a place you might want to go on your visit to D.C.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• grade C minus

• Population 2,796

• Suburb in Maryland

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  Rating 3.68 out of 5  50 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in the Silver Spring, MD, area for > 20 years. I've been in the White Oak area for the last year or so. But, I used to come to this area to buy food, go to Safeway, go down to TGIF more than 10 years ago. So, I'm quite familiar with the area. Almost every item you need can be found here. There is a Giant, Office Depot, Planet Fitness, Community Radiology, Chase Bank, 7-11, Popeye's, Beauty shop, Walgreens, and many other shopping opportunities. If I didn't have a car, I can just walk (within 5-mins) to get what I need. Also, there are about 6 buses (Metro & Ride Montgomery) for passengers to go to Fort Totten, Langley Park, Silver Spring, Bethesda, and other metro stations. These buses come every 15 minutes so you are able to commute to any job within the DC metropolitan area. The Wheaton Library is within walking distance from the White Oak Shopping Center. A US Post Office is on New Hampshire. It's a nice, clean and prosperous community in MD.... Read 50 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 15,655

• Suburb in Virginia

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  Rating 3.13 out of 5  24 reviews

Niche User: I like this area a lot. There are 2 little parks nearby for kids, a gym to work out in, a tennis court, and a pool! If I could live over again, however, I would not live here at first because the school that I went to in SC gave me more opportunities. I would still live here after graduating from hi school.... Read 24 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 16,769

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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  Rating 3.17 out of 5  23 reviews

Niche User: I have lived in Arlington my whole life and I think it's great. There are some areas that are struggling with crime and poverty but they have improved over the years. The county is extremely diverse and the schools are some of the best in the state. I think it will continue to develop rapidly as it has since I was a kid.... Read 23 reviews

• grade B

• grade A

• Population 6,860

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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  Rating 2.92 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about the fort totten area is that it is a very family-like area. It's for people wanting to start a family. The part where I live is pretty diverse and is full of nice people. I would gang the surrounding parts to where I live. All around there are hoods who engage themselves in violent activities sometimes and I would want that to stop so that we can all come together as a community and promote reform in our city.... Read 12 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• Population 4,372