The 9 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Washington DC

Washington DC is one of the most iconic and famous cities not only in the country but in the world.

Known as one of the world centers for politics, and culture, it’s home to over 74 museums–like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of American History–and 177 foreign embassies. In it you’ll also find the White House and US Capitol, and world renowned higher education institutions–like Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Howard University.

Besides the rich historical and cultural value of the city, it also has a booming job market thanks to a few Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered in DC. Plus, the new developments in the startup scene and think tanks are paving the way for a lot of young talent.

If you're considering moving to this capital city and federal district, you'll need to know which area has the right vibe, views, and museums to fit your budget.

To help you find the perfect neighborhood–one with the right historical significance, delicious restaurants, and breathtaking views for you–we've put together a comprehensive list of 9 top neighborhoods to consider. Even better, we've built a ranking system for each one to make this decision feel like a walk through the US Botanic Garden:

• Atmosphere: nightlife & entertainment, shopping & restaurants, and beauty & parks

• Amenities: schools, public transit, and points of interest

• Experience: safety, affordability, and walkability

The result is a prioritized list of the best places to move to in Washington, DC.

Why should you listen to us? We might not have as much history or breathtaking buildings as Washington, but we sure have plenty of experience with our top-ranked rentals across the US.

Perfect for those looking for a mix of the creative side and the historically rich culture of Washington DC.

Columbia Heights it's a historic neighborhood. Columbia Heights University, now known as George Washington's University, was first established in this neighborhood in 1821. This university was one of George Washington's life-long dreams. This neighborhood was also almost destroyed during the riots in 1960–thankfully, it has seen an impressive recovery.

It has been an essential neighborhood in history, and it's now becoming one of the best neighborhoods to live in in Washington DC.

It has a diverse community, filled with people from all over the world, but with a solid Hispanic culture. There is a diverse culture to experience and a bustling economy.

Columbia Heights is a peaceful and relaxed neighborhood. Despite being situated so close to Howard University–evenings tend to be quiet without much craziness. It gets a three out of five in Nightlife and Entertainment because if you're looking for a party neighborhood, you might have to look elsewhere.

The neighborhood gets a perfect score in Walkability because everything you need is in a 30-minutes walking radius. So, get your favorite pair of sneakers out and enjoy a walk through this idyllic neighborhood. Worry not if walking is not your thing, there are plenty of bike-sharing points too.

The solid Hispanic population of the area means some incredible restaurants–like La Casita with mouth-watering Mexican food–and attractions like the GALA Hispanic Theater and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

Columbia Heights needs to be at the top of your list if you're looking for an ethnically, economically, and architecturally diverse neighborhood, rich in history.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Columbia Heights scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for those that don't mind being away from downtown DC but want to live in a beautiful area.

Takoma Park is located in Maryland and is a suburb that's part of the Washington metropolitan area.

Takoma Park achieves a perfect score in Beauty and Parks and in Schools. These scores are well-deserved, and if you're planning on having kids soon, Takoma Park is the place to be.

The city council of Takoma Park is an excellent example of how great the community is. They are hard-working and pride themselves on helping the community thrive—making sure every resident is included in the many activities organized throughout the year.

For those looking for a little bit of nature and greenery in their lives, you’ve got Belle Ziegler Park, Takoma Piney-Branch Park, and Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park. The last one being a charming place to have a little adventure during the week, or the weekend, and even a swim in the summer months.

If you don't mind being 6 miles away from the city center and 1.5 miles away from Rock Creek Park and all its facilities–tennis, golf, hiking–you'll love everything that Takoma Park offers.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Takoma Park scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young, single professionals looking for a strong community and a neighborhood that offers everything you need.

Petworth is one of DCs largest neighborhoods, and it's one of the most community-driven neighborhoods. It's mostly known for the famous President Lincoln's Cottage, the president's home, and an important entertainment center during the Civil War. However, Petworth has much more to offer.

The community in Petworth is known for its events. They hold a summer event you won’t want to miss, Celebrate Petworth. Here, you get to experience copious amounts of delicious food, dance the day away with fabulous live music, get impressed by some fantastic art, and learn everything there is to know about healthy living.

There are also plenty of unique pop-up restaurants, independently owned shops, the Petworth Recreation Center, and more neighborhood gatherings to become part of the community–maybe you won't even need Bumble to find your better half in this neighborhood.

Petworth also offers everything you need from grocery markets and shopping centers like Yes! Organic Market and Safeway, French bistros like Chez Billy, and trendy hangout spots like Qualia Coffee House.

If you can't find what you're looking for, the Petworth Metro station is in your zone and gives you good access to other areas of the city.

This is a great atmosphere for single, young professionals to get to know new people. However, you'll meet them through cool artsy events instead of at a disco–to find them through vibrant nightlife, you might have to consider other neighborhoods.

If you care about your community, love to have a variety of things to do, and crave a relaxed vibe, Petworth is what you're looking for.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Petworth scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸 💸 💸 💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉 🎉 🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals looking to live in a culturally diverse area with some of the best-known nightlife and dining scenes of DC.

Adams Morgan is a charming neighborhood located north of downtown and Dupont Circle. It's mainly known as a young area with the best nightlife and brunch scene in Washington DC, but it has plenty more beyond Mimosas.

One of the best things about Adams Morgans is the architecture. There are alot of historical townhouses with varied styles and colors and brand new apartment complexes and houses. Whatever you're looking for in a home, you'll find it here.

The 18th Street corridor is the central hub of this neighborhood. You'll find it dotted with lively bars, international restaurants–you'll love the late-night pizza and falafel spots you'll find here–quaint little cafés, and among one of all these places you'll find your new favorite.

This neighborhood is described as being lively, spirited, diverse, laid-back, and ethnic. It's the perfect place for any young professional to really chill out and experience everything that the wonderful city of Washington has to offer.

There are two main options in terms of transportation: you either use your bike–was getting toned legs in your resolutions list?–or you use your car. Sadly, there aren't metro stations in this part of town–the closest ones are in Columbia Heights and Dupont Circle. This is why this neighborhood gets a three out of five in Public Transit.

Adams Morgan has something for everyone. Are you a creative soul? Head down to the DC Arts Center, a gallery supporting emerging city artists. Are you more of a gym rat? Solidcore is a full-body workout that will leave you feeling every inch of your body. There are also plenty of yoga studios and other gyms if Solidcore sounds like a bit of a lift.

If you’re ever thinking about having a family, Adams Morgan is a great place to consider thanks to the school it offers–they get a four out of five in our books.

Come to Adams Morgan and discover how this neighborhood is one of the best places in Washington DC. Definitely, one to consider for any young professional or student wanting to spice up their lives!

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Adams Morgan scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young professionals and students looking for great nightlife and a charming area to call home.

Top Three, let's go! Shaw, with its U Street Corridor, LeDroit Park, and Mt. Vernon Square, are all neighborhoods that are close to each other and offer a similar vibe.

Shaw is a hip, trendy, and edgy neighborhood. In it, you'll go from a live rock music event to the African-American Civil War Memorial. History and entertainment melt into one area to give you a perfect experience and taste of Washington DC.

U Street is colored with fantastic street art and murals representing important people–hello, Barack and Michelle Obama–and significant events. It was once truly the heart of Black culture in America, and it's one of the main hubs not only in Shaw but in the whole city. You'll find every restaurant, bar, or shop you can think of.

Le Droit Park is the perfect neighborhood for Howard University students since it lies here. It's a beautiful area with lots of small parks perfect for a run, a picnic, a ball game, or walking your dogs, and it has the McMillan Reservoir. The Reservoir is ideal for a jog or a walk. Sadly, you can't go swimming in it—trust us.

Mount Vernon is one of the city's historic squares. This neighborhood masterfully blends DC's past and present together. It's at the center of all the hustle and bustle of the city, which means it’s the perfect place for business and a hot location for entertainment.

Overall, all these neighborhoods create a zone that mixes and blends everything that makes Washington a historic and modern city with a vibrant economy and booming student life.

Consider these neighborhoods if you're looking for unparalleled music and nightlife sprinkled with some of Washington's past.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Shaw & U Street Corridor & LeDroit Park & Mt. Vernon Square scored:

• Affordability: 💸 💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for nature lovers that want the big city life with quaint town vibes.

Georgetown is probably the most picturesque area in Washington DC. The view over the Potomac River, the Francis Scott Memorial Bridge, and the old-timey architecture make this area picture-perfect.

Georgetown truly has it all, historical character, buzzing lifestyle, luxurious homes, colorful streets, and a community that welcomes you with its arms wide open.

However, there's one thing missing here: a metro station–this gives this neighborhood a two out of five in Public Transit. Thankfully, a free university shuttle connects Georgetown University with the Dupont Circle and the Rosslyn metro station.

This neighborhood gets a well-deserved perfect score in Shopping and Restaurants because it's home to some of the city's top shops and most delicious restaurants. Tourists and locals gather here to experience some of the best things that the city has.

If you're not a foodie already, you'll turn into one pretty soon. So get your phone ready to snap some pictures of the most beautiful–and tasty–dishes on the menu.

In Georgetown's M Street, you'll find some crowd-pleasing brands as well as some independently owned small shops and eateries. There are also some of the city's finest art galleries nestled in between.

If shopping till you drop is not your thing, head over to all the stunning historic 18th and 19th-century sights this neighborhood offers, like the homes of JFK and Julia Child.

Want more? The Georgetown Waterfront Park is the perfect place for a kayaking date where your Instagram stories will look as if you've been to a riverside British town–breathtaking views, that's for sure! You can also go jogging or cycling to open your appetite for some more delicious food.

Worry not. The waterfront is not only for moving and exercising. It also makes a charming backdrop for a drink or a live music show. The Berliner is an unmissable café to have some coffee and indulge in some pastries while overlooking the river. Or visit Fiola Mare, a top fine dining experience by the Georgetown waterfront.

Enjoy living in a picturesque area, with everything that a big city like Washington can offer with a small town's walkability. Georgetown should definitely be on your list to consider.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Georgetown scored:

• Affordability: 💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for young and single professionals looking to live in one of the best areas in Washington DC.

We've finally reached our top three! Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. These two neighborhoods are just north of downtown Washington, which means one thing–you're close to the action, but you have room to play.

These two neighborhoods are a must-visit for a tourist and a must-move for a resident. You'll find 14th Street in Logan Circle and Connecticut Avenue in Dupont Circle. These are the main hubs where you'll find the trendiest restaurants, liveliest gay bars, hippest furniture stores, most charming boutiques, and the happiest happy hours in town.

Dupont and Logan Circle get a perfect score in all the entertainment categories and in Walkability, meaning you can walk to all of them, without breaking a sweat!

In Dupont Circle, you'll find impromptu yoga, pick-up games of chess, and dog-walking locals at the intersection that gives this neighborhood its name. In this neighborhood, you'll also find a Michelin-starred dining experience at Sushi Taro or the delicious farm-to-table experience at The Pembroke.

Join the locals on a Sunday sunny morning and visit the year-round Dupont Circle farmers' market, one of the city's favorite farmers markets, where you'll find everything you need to get at all of your five a day.

Logan Circle is more about romantic walks, live music, and weekend brunch places like El Centro DF, which offers bottomless Mexican food and drinks. Or the Bar Bilar, an Ernest Hemingway-themed American restaurant known for its hangover-cure sandwiches.

These two neighborhoods also hold some of the best schools in Washington, which makes an ideal area if you’re thinking about growing the nest one day.

These two neighborhoods are an outstanding example of everything that Washington offers and are one of the best spots for young professionals–you'll never be bored here, that's for sure!

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Dupont Circle & Logan Circle scored:

• Affordability: 💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for seafood lovers and the artsy folk looking for a neighborhood with the best of the land and the sea.

The Southwest Waterfront and the Wharf are one of our very top places to live in Washington DC–actually it’s our top second place. It's located just south of downtown and enjoys a waterfront view and lifestyle for days. This place is perfect for those that enjoy the arts, the water, and seafood.

The Wharf is a recent development in Washington. Finished in 2017, it gives Washington a true riverfront identity. There are water taxis available, a huge music venue called the Anthem, luxurious boutiques, over twenty famous restaurants, and just an overall vibe that makes this a true city hub.

Besides The Wharf, you also have some other activities and places to experience like the one-of-a-kind Culture House DC. A former Baptist church, it’s now repurposed and brightly painted to hold music events and shows. There are also $5 jazz and blues concerts every Friday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Or, if you’re fancy and your hipster spirit is calling, visit the Capitol Skyline Hotel's outdoor pool and dive into the unique vibes it has to offer.

You'll also find the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in this neighborhood, where you can catch a classic or a brand new play.

Golf fans will rejoice to know that across the Washington Channel, there’s an artificial island called East Potomac Park, which offers public golf courses, a swimming pool, and multiple sports fields.

For seafood lovers, head over to the iconic Municipal Fish Market, which is the nation's longest continually operating open-air fish market, and where you're sure to find everything seafood-related you've ever dreamed of.

The Southwest and the Wharf offer a strategic location for those living there. Its residents will enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River, gain easy access to the rest of the city and the National Mall with its historic memorial parks and promenade.

People looking for the best blend of riverfront lifestyle with a vibrant culture, Southwest Waterfront, and the Wharf are the place to be.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Southwest Waterfront & Wharf scored:

• Affordability: 💸💸💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Perfect for history buffs and those that really want to live in the epicenter of everything that Washington DC offers.

Welcome to the first place in our ranking. Welcome to Capitol Hill and its H Street Corridor. This is where laws get passed, new LinkedIn profile pictures get taken, and the pace of life is a little faster. If you're not a history buff, you'll get turned into one by all the historic buildings and monuments at your doorstep.

Capitol Hill is one of the most iconic landmarks in the US. After all, it's the Nation's Capitol. The streets of this neighborhood are home to treasured monuments and historical buildings and sites that will make you want to run to the library and re-sit those history classes you daydreamed away in school.

You’ve got the Library of Congress, a charming and mesmerizing place, it contains some enormous published works. It can be your go-to place of solace when the week is getting to you. Near the Library, you'll see the impressive 1897 Thomas Jefferson building, with its architectural style and gilt murals—a reminder of the beautiful Italian Renaissance style.

There are many other historical and political places for you to visit. However, once you’re a local, you'll stop visiting them. However, you’ll be walking around them. This is possible thanks to the perfect score in Walkability that this neighborhood gets.

Capitol Hill also has various metro stops ready to take you wherever you need to go. Plus, it has great access to all freeways.

If you're looking for some nature–besides the multiple parks and historic greenery that you'll find here–there’s the US Botanic Garden right at the base of Cap Hill. Here, you'll find a peaceful escape for yourself, or with that special someone.

As the center of one of the country's most important cities, you'll never have problems finding restaurants and shops you like. You'll most-likely find yourself at Eastern Market. The Market is an 1873 brick building that houses grocers, bakers, and pasta-makers every day except for Mondays–and on the weekends, there’s a bazaar with produce, crafts, and antiques.

Come to Cap Hill for its history, but stay thanks to its unique vibe and character. A beautiful neighborhood that puts you right at the center of everything.

Rankings: Weighted rankings were determined by scoring neighborhoods on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories, with 5 being the best.

Here's how Capitol Hill & H Street Corridor scored:

• Affordability: 💸💸💸

• Beauty & Parks: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

• Nightlife & Entertainment: 🎉🎉🎉🎉

• Points of Interest: 📍📍📍📍📍

• Public Transit: 🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

• Safety: ✅✅✅✅

• Schools: 🍎🍎🍎🍎

• Shopping & Restaurants: 🛍🛍🛍🛍🛍

• Walkability: 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

Time to dive into our numbers for Washington, DC.

Let's check the lower numbers first. Public Transit (3.1), Affordability (3.1), and Schools (3.9) scored average numbers below four out of five. Although there is a metro system, not all neighborhoods have stations inside them, and the bus service is not as good as you would expect. However, the high walkability (4.6) makes it less of a problem here.

As the country's capital city and the federal district, it's only logical that the city wouldn't score very high in terms of affordability. Thanks to everything you'll be getting once you move to this city, paying a slightly higher price is entirely worth it.

Now, let's look at the higher scores.

Walkability, Beauty and Parks, and Shopping and Restaurants all scored an average higher than 4.5/5. Moving to Washington really means walking a lot, breathtaking views, and stores and restaurants for days.

Washington, DC. averaged a 39.4/50 for our best neighborhoods to live in the USA ranking.

If you want to live in a beautiful city where modern-day America perfectly blends with the most history-rich sights, this is the place for you. You'll feel like you're in the middle of a history book, but with loads of Starbucks around.

Visit this iconic city because it's a must-visit in the country, but stay thanks to everything it offers, from memorial parks to riverfront fun and top-rated higher education.