A reader writes in:
Inked,
I’ve been renting [just south of H Street, on the Hill] for the past 2 years, and I think I’m finally ready to buy something. I’ve always had the idea that I will need to move away from this area to afford a place. But I’ve been looking and I found a place in my price range on 18th and Benning Rd NE. So in your opinion, do you think this area is going turn around? Right now it is still pretty rough, but I’m thinking once the [streetcar] is up and running the whole area might turn around (??)...
Also, do you know any areas around here that you can see turning around soon, that has pretty low housing prices (low as in 175,000 to 215,000)?
I've already sent him my advice, but I'm curious what others think.
47 comments:
When I started looking about 2 years ago. The top of my range was 180. I wanted a house and not a condo so I had to get creative. I looked at about 40 places over 3 or 4 months (and I'll give my agent credit because she worked pretty hard for a relatively low commission)
What I found was a bunch of crap houses and a few gems that needed a little fixing-up) I bought a house in Trinidad for around 150 and spent 30k in renovations the first year. Overall I'm very happy with the decision.
The areas I found the most promise in this range:
Trinidad
Rosedale
Brightwood
Brookland
Eckington - back then but overpriced now
Carver Langston
Langdon Park area
Anacostia
To answer their question I think that area will turn around slowly over the next 10 years, but it is impossible to predict. I would suggest they spend some time there morning noon and night and decide if it is the right neighborhood for them.
there was a commenter on here once that spoke about her decision to purchase a house in that area (around 18th and benning). she was single and she said she loved the area, and felt safe. that area will definitely turn around (you can't stop progress). it's just a matter of when.
I also just made the decision to buy and will be moving into the carver langsotn area. (Actually right down the street from the row houses I think you are looking at, done by the same developer). As far as in investment goes, I feel it's a very smart move. The Flats at the Atlas are being built which will bring a lot of new residents and change to the carver/langston area. And all the progress on H street will be heading east. It is hard to ignore that the H street area is being targeted by a lot of people (commercial and residential) who want to invest in an area that is cheaper now but has a promising future for return on investment.
I think Rosedale has some terrific two bedrooms in the low 200s. Yes, you will need to fix it up, and yes, it can be a tremendous PITA... but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The poster who said he/she spent about 30K in renovations the first year mirrors my experience... we bought a fixer-upper and had to put about that much in to get it into good condition (new kitchen, new first floor hardwood, new plumbing throughout). If you don't have some funds to deal with initial renovations it could be tough to make an old house below 200k work.
Find a great real estate agent and look at a lot of houses.
I first, second, third and fourth all of these comments. Great advice.
My wife and I were looking for a good while earlier this year in same area as the Original Post and we had the same budget. Every house in that price range needed work and every house but one (seller counter offered at above listing price and above or budget) had multiple offers on the table.
We ended up happily in Trinidad at a place that needed little to no work but at a higher price. We would have loved to get a fixer upper but we were always out bid by cash offers. I would say to act fast but not in haste. 18th and Benning will be a good place to buy.
You may want to check out Brookland or even Hyattsville Art District (this is bit of a stretch but they have some cheap houses in that area and 15mins to H ST)
Here's a perfect fixer-upper. Avoid buying North of Florida Ave if you can.
http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1207-I-St-NE-20002/home/9909766
Once a responsible and respectable middle class person moves into these blighted neighborhoods they begin to turn around. We need more pioneers.
a friend of mine is looking currently in Hyattsville and has found a lot of good choices on freestanding homes for under $240k. Close to metro, in a burgeoning arts district, and a very short drive to downtown DC
Rayful - why do you say to avoid north of Florida? Just wondering...
Also, I live near Florida and have seen a house (around the 1240s of the block) go on sale multiple times and have even seen potentials buyers coming out, but no one has ever bought the place. Anyone know what's wrong with it? Its the house between the day care center and section 8 housing near where Jimmy' Tires was.
There is a lot of great advice here regarding fixer uppers.
I'm getting close to the 10 year anniversary of when I bought my house in Shaw for an amt in the low $100K range. $125K was my limit. My house wasn't an obvious fixer upper, it was a badly renovated house and after 6 years I put in $100K well after I got more than that in equity.
The wonderful thing about fixing up a house (despite the PITA factor) is that you truly customize it to you, your wants and the way you live YOUR life.
So fool around with Redfin (Hey there is a $195K house in the TC http://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/1202-Kirby-St-NW-20001/home/9887672 ) save up those pennies for a big deposit.
Oh and one note cash will usually win because because banks slow things down.
I was the third post. Fixer uppers are great, but coming up with that initial cash was my only issue. If you can do it, it's great because you get a chance to make the house your own. The row houses on 18th and benning, if these are the ones mentioned, are brand new on the inside. Everything but the walls is new, plumbing and electric and they fall uner 200k. So deals like that are still out there, where a lot of remodeling or a complete remodel has been done and is being sold in your price range. Take you time, contact developers and companies to ask if they are working on any projects that haven't been listed yet. Good luck.
@ Mari-- word. Our place wasn't an obvious 'fixer-upper' either.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is-- we were hoping to not do major renovations but once one thing came apart the 90 year old house became like an unraveling wool sweater. Not to say they are all like this, but many in the low range will be. We were okay because we budgeted for the worst, and our place is great now, and it is distinctively ours. But I shudder to think what would have happened if we hadn't budgeted liberally.
As far as the investment potential of any property in DC, I'd recommend buying only if you desire the ownership lifestyle. No matter what any agent tells you, there is absolutely NO return guaranteed in this market, and there's a very good chance that many properties are still sitting on a bubble.
As a general approach, though, I think it is wise to buy into a low mortgage and fix things with cash reserves. A low monthly payment can give you a lot of freedom and peace of mind.
I'm under contract on one of the row houses in that area, and I'm really excited about moving in over there - I feel like the neighborhood has a lot of promise (streetcar, unoccupied retail space on Benning, flats at Atlas, etc.).
I also had some reservations before I put my offer in - I am a gay white male, and was a little worried about whether I would be welcomed/accepted in the area. I went over there every day for about a week and a half, walking around at different times of the day and night, with friends and alone, saying hello to people as I passed by, etc. To be honest, I didn't feel as secure as I do where I rent now, but I never felt UNsafe, and certainly didn't notice any outward resentment/etc. from people I talked to or passed by. Most of the people I talked to were quite friendly.
I would highly recommend doing the same to see how you feel in the neighborhood.
I've noticed a lot of the renovated row houses over there are starting to sell - and more are going under renovation as well, so I think this is a good sign for the neighborhood's future.
Good luck!
I bought at 3rd and L NE 10 years ago and everyone in my family thought I was insane. Fast forward 10 years...I just did a re-fi and my rowhouse is appraised at $500k (I paid $180K), so the key is to be in it for the long haul. I couldn't ever had imagined the transformations that have taken place in the last 10 years...but, there is no doubt that any real estate near or around the H St corridor would be a good investment.
Go for it!
When we bought out home on I St NE in 2000, this was not exactly the most desirable area around. Open air drug market right across the street. In fact the guy used to setup a lawn chair on the sidewalk and his buyers would stop, make their purchase and go away. There were raids at two houses directly across from us and on this block were at least 15 vacant homes. When we found our place, we had looked at some areas NW and for whatever reason liked our area alot. We bought and within a few years the drug lord was no more and more and more people began to buy into the area and homes were being renovated frequently.
What I am trying to say is you never know what may happen. We liked it and still do..there are times when creeps come around, but then poof, they are gone. If you like the house, and the neighbors seem fine..then buy.
vla11 is spot on. The best thing is to walk around the neighborhood at different times of day and night, greet the neighbors and see if it's a place you feel comfortable living.
I bought my house in Trinidad last December, and my friends told me that they would never visit me. 'Sorry - you live in the ghetto. We hope you understand.'
The property was dirty, but the electric was upgraded, the plumbing was solid, etc. Everyone swears I'm renovating, but really I'm just painting walls.
In short, if you like it, buy it! If you regret it, sell it! But don't be discouraged by the neighborhood.
I got that too... little to no visits from friends and family. They refuse to set foot in Trinidad. And when they do come, I can see visible relief on their faces when they return to their car and it is unharmed.
" but once one thing came apart the 90 year old house became like an unraveling wool sweater."
This can happen with more expensive houses too. We had to replace the HVAC, most appliances, security gate locks, all kinds of things we weren't planning on replacing in the first year we were in our 100 year old house.
If you have the cash and expertise of home rennovating getting a fixer upper is the way to go. Otherwise I would suggest getting a house that's already been gutted and redone. Avoid getting a house that's been "bandaided" you'll regret it in a few years.
I bought my house on L and 17th a few years ago and I have no regrets. The houses are a bit small on this block but they have deep back yards. Our back yard has space for 4 cars and a huge patio for entertaining.
The neighborhood looks kind of rough, as most do in this area but the people are friendly or they mind their own business.
What I love most about the area is it's very close to h street, atlas flats, the trolly and the diner. On nice mornings I often walk to union station (30 minute walk)
There are a few houses (I know of at least one on my block) for sale ranging from $165 - $265k. These houses are perfect for first time home buyers looking to buy in an up and coming area who can't afford the $500k houses south of H street
If not for all of the new developments and the trolly coming I would say no way. The H street, bladensburg rd, benign road area will continue to undergo revitalizations in the next few years. As soon as home prices stabilize which I think is right now or very soon I'm betting there will be a lot of urban pioneers willing to buy in the surrounding area.
I bought about 1 yr. ago near Mt. Olivet Rd and Bladensburg Rd. I find Trinidad varies from block to block (like most of DC). I'm on a block with primarily renters, most neighbors are nice, but there's alot of loitering. There have been a few 'altercations' as well. Landlords simply collect rent and do little maintenance. Alas, I am holding out for H St./trolley/revitalization to improve the area.
The house was a total remodel and turnkey ready, so I had to make some trade-offs with the neighborhood. It's near my son's school and most points downtown too as well as close to RI Ave. metro and NY Ave. metro. I can walk to H ST and the Diner. Everything I had looked at was a dump that would need serious renovation just to be livable. My range was 175-205K in 2009. After property tax abatement, I pay much less than I would for an average 2-bdrm apt. in DC.
Advice: visit at all times of the day/night; prioritize your must-haves; and budget for the inevitable maintainance/repairs.
TK
I know this is a blog about H Street, but don't overlook Hillcrest and parts of Anacostia (and other adjacent neighborhoods).
There are some beautiful houses east of the river.
Yes, there is crime. But if you do your research you can find very nice blocks, usually with older residents that really look out for each other.
And the housing stock? Very nice, sometimes with stunning views of the city.
But regardless of where you look, do your research. Investigate the area, and that block and the adjacent ones specifically. DC really is block by block in transitional neighborhoods.
It may be politically incorrect to say so, but check to see how close you are to major public housing complexes, and if your block is used as a throughfare to or from that complex. Like it or not that's a pretty good indication you will have crime problems that will likely keep going despite the neighborhood as a whole getting better.
If at all possible try to meet your neighbors on both sides. A good neighbor can be terrific. A bad neighbor can make your life hell.
I bought a house on the southern edge of Trinidad just over 5 years ago. I've always been ok with the neighborhood even during the crime emergency summer until very recently. I've had multiple experiences with belligerent drunks on the streets, new gangs of teenagers opening planning store hold ups in front of my house and several other unsavory incidents that I have not previously witnessed in this neighborhood (And yes I called 911 and never saw a cop car or got a response.) I think Trinidad and the surrounding areas is on the way back down. I'm going to get out of here as fast as I possibly can sell my house this spring. I'm incredibly disappointed in these recent developments.
Just because you have some bad people hanging around your street doesn't mean Trinidad or the surrounding area as a whole should be avoided. Like everyone says it depends on which block you live on
Matthew,
I'm kind of assuming that you live on the eastern end (perhaps on/near a block of Holbrook with many 4 unit buildings). Am I wrong?
And I would need to disagree. Overall things appear to me to be on the upswing. Crime is down (even if you have some sketchy neighbors). The trolley is coming, and many businesses are opening on H Street. If you are truly intent on selling I know many people who would be eager to buy your house at a decent price.
Wow, thanks for all of the great comments. When I emailed Inked I wasn't expecting all this. There's a lot of good advice here.
Someone is having a little fun with us. I'm talking to you, "Rayful Edmond."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayful_Edmond
I bought a fixer upper near H and 20th a few months back, after much debate. So far I am very happy with my choice.
we just bought a home in the area about 2 years ago. also not labeled a "fixer-upper" but definitely, like the wool sweater analogy provided earlier - the projects unravel quickly with these old homes, when you think its just a coat of fresh paint - you'll soon realize its more.
ive had tons of conversations around this topic - to buy here or not and i think my main conclusion is it depends on a) where you are in your life and b) where you want to be in your life in the next 5 years.
if you want to be in DC for some time and live to enjoy the blossoming neighborhood POST construction that is happening around here, you need a 5+ year horizon. i think most of the bloggers and ppl following these posts, are probably in that group bc they are committed to the change happening in H street and genuinely ENTHUSED!
however, if you are not looking for "up and coming" and rather looking for "here and now" then you may want to look elsewhere because this neighborhood is changing but its still no dupont circle. someone once posted on here "we all like to believe we are a sneeze away from living in a neighborhood with whole foods and starbucks around our corner"...i had to giggle because its quite true - in a general sweeping sense - but quite quite true...bc we may think that every major project is coming our way - but it takes time.
so bottom line - its your situation. if you are happy with looking towards the future and seeing progress and being invested in the change you want to see - than come on down. if you really want that right now - than look elsewhere.
just my 2 cents, for what its worth.
I purchased a row house just south of the Arboretum two years ago this January, in the same neighborhood as anonymous at 17th & L. I looked on and off for about a year and a half all over the city. I qualified for HPAP funding (http://www.gwul.org/programs/housing/hpap), which meant that in addition to my own requirements I had to find a home that would pass the strict---and sometimes bewildering---inspection process that the city requires for HPAP loans.
For middle class city living, this neighborhood is hard to beat. Many residents have owned and lived in their homes for decades, and by and large people here are friendly, caring, and responsible. As a self-employed single person with an unpredictable schedule, I sometimes find it a challenge to keep my yard on par with many of the other homes on the block. For what I paid for this home, which was (and still is) in terrific shape after 40 years of care and investment by the family that owned it before me, I believe I got a very solid deal.
Like many people have already commented, my advice to anyone looking to buy a home in the city is to take as much time as you can and see as many properties as possible. When I started looking, I committed to seeing every property that my agent could find under my $225K price limit. My irregular work schedule helped a lot with this commitment. From Barry Farms to Deanwood to Rosedale to Michigan Park, I went wherever she suggested. It was a terrific education in the layout of the city, and interesting to see just how large---and how balkanized---DC is.
Personally I think development near my home, judging by the high level of the city's investment in infrastructure and the rate at which new businesses and projects are popping up (despite the recession) is going to increase. Which, if I'm lucky, might mean a net gain in the investment I made in this house. However, it is impossible to predict how long that will take (streetcar, anyone?) and just what, if any, effect that will have on the six or eight blocks that make up my neighborhood. As the real estate collapse so clearly showed, there are absolutely no guarantees in home values. Catch phrases like 'turn around' and 'up and coming' are best left to real estate agents. As several other commenters have noted, spending time on the ground in and around whatever neighborhood you are interested in is a better way by far to attempt to conjure how you are going to feel about your investment two, five, or ten years from now.
I purchased a row house just south of the Arboretum two years ago this January, in the same neighborhood as anonymous at 17th & L. I looked on and off for about a year and a half all over the city. I qualified for HPAP funding http://www.gwul.org/programs/housing/hpap which meant that in addition to my own requirements I had to find a home that would pass the strict---and sometimes bewildering---inspection process that the city requires for HPAP loans.
For middle class city living, this neighborhood is hard to beat. Many residents have owned and lived in their homes for decades, and by and large people here are friendly, caring, and responsible. As a self-employed single person with an unpredictable schedule, I sometimes find it a challenge to keep my yard on par with many of the other homes on the block. For what I paid for this home, which was (and still is) in terrific shape after 40 years of care and investment by the family that owned it before me, I believe I got a very solid deal.
Like many people have already commented, my advice to anyone looking to buy a home in the city is to take as much time as you can and see as many properties as possible. When I started looking, I committed to seeing every property that my agent could find under my $225K price limit. My irregular work schedule helped a lot with this commitment. From Barry Farms to Deanwood to Rosedale to Michigan Park, I went wherever she suggested. It was a terrific education in the layout of the city, and interesting to see just how large---and how balkanized---DC is.
Personally I think development near my home, judging by the high level of the city's investment in infrastructure and the rate at which new businesses and projects are popping up (despite the recession) is going to increase. Which, if I'm lucky, might mean a net gain in the investment I made in this house. However, it is impossible to predict how long that will take (streetcar, anyone?) and just what, if any, effect that will have on the six or eight blocks that make up my neighborhood. As the real estate collapse so clearly showed, there are absolutely no guarantees in home values. Catch phrases like 'turn around' and 'up and coming' are best left to real estate agents. As several other commenters have noted, spending time on the ground in and around whatever neighborhood you are interested in is a better way by far to attempt to conjure how you are going to feel about your investment two, five, or ten years from now.
I purchased a row house just south of the Arboretum two years ago this January, in the same neighborhood as anonymous at 17th & L. I looked on and off for about a year and a half all over the city. I qualified for HPAP funding which meant that in addition to my own requirements I had to find a home that would pass the strict---and sometimes bewildering---inspection process that the city requires for HPAP loans.
For middle class city living, this neighborhood is hard to beat. Many residents have owned and lived in their homes for decades, and by and large people here are friendly, caring, and responsible. As a self-employed single person with an unpredictable schedule, I sometimes find it a challenge to keep my yard on par with many of the other homes on the block. For what I paid for this home, which was (and still is) in terrific shape after 40 years of care and investment by the family that owned it before me, I believe I got a very solid deal.
Like many people have already commented, my advice to anyone looking to buy a home in the city is to take as much time as you can and see as many properties as possible. When I started looking, I committed to seeing every property that my agent could find under my $225K price limit. My irregular work schedule helped a lot with this commitment. From Barry Farms to Deanwood to Rosedale to Michigan Park, I went wherever she suggested. It was a terrific education in the layout of the city, and interesting to see just how large---and how balkanized---DC is.
Personally I think development near my home, judging by the high level of the city's investment in infrastructure and the rate at which new businesses and projects are popping up (despite the recession) is going to increase. Which, if I'm lucky, might mean a net gain in the investment I made in this house. However, it is impossible to predict how long that will take (streetcar, anyone?) and just what, if any, effect that will have on the six or eight blocks that make up my neighborhood. As the real estate collapse so clearly showed, there are absolutely no guarantees in home values. Catch phrases like 'turn around' and 'up and coming' are best left to real estate agents. As several other commenters have noted, spending time on the ground in and around whatever neighborhood you are interested in is a better way by far to attempt to conjure how you are going to feel about your investment two, five, or ten years from now.
3 years ago, bought a house on Kramer St in Rosedale - just below the starburst intersection. Street is great - especially pretty with the Gingko trees in full fall color right now. Rosedale will turn around before past 18th and Benning...
I would say that Trinidad and Rosedale will "turn around" before the area west of 17th and North of Benning...I just feel that area is a bit off the beaten path, but I could be wrong. We have lived in Rosedale for 7 years now and there has been a lot of change. There are really good deals to be had, the trick is to get your finances in order be patient then be ready to act quickly. We got in our most recent purchase this year, a 3 bedroom / 2.5 bath for 240K and it has been totally remodeled with the works (new kitchen, hardwood, marble...). I do realize this is a good deal, which is why we jumped when we did but I think there are more gems. You can definitely get a nice condo for 175-215 price range, you may have to go a bit higher for a row house.
Good luck!
oops I meant EAST of 17th and north of Benning (what is that area called?)
Carver/Langston
Why hasn't anyone mentioned 203K loans? That's how I ended up in my Rosedale 2 bdrm rowhouse last year. I paid less than $100, had to spend about $65,000 to completely gut it (which only took three months), and ended up with a $150,000 mortgage and a small but lovely house that was basically brand new. The process takes a lot of patience and tending, but if you don't have a lot of money saved, it's definitely one way to go about buying a place that needs work. My mortgage is less than the Eastern Market one-bedroom I used to live in rents for now.
Inked, what was your advice?
I think there are lots of good options around here. Proximity to H Street is a huge plus for real estate invement and there are lots of good areas and all areas are getting better by the month.
My only advice is regardless of where you buy, if you are buying a rowhouse, you should meet your neighbors before you move in. Living next door to terrible neighbor sucks, even if the rest of the block is great. Living on a mediocre block is made much better if you have great neighbors. Otherwise, I would invest in a fixxer upper. You can always improve the interior of your home as you have more available resources, but you can't change the location. Plus, improvements you make aren't likely to hurt your property taxes as they can't be increased by more than 10% per year.
I actually did a 203k to buy a house a fixer upper in Rosedale. I really like my block and see a lot of potential but I'm not going to hold my breath and expect it to look like U St in 5 years nor do I really want it to. My 203k experience was painful since when you go over 35k in renovations you usually have to take a slightly higher interest rate and I picked a very very very slow contractor. However, I looked for a house for over a year and I don't think I would have been able to get into the low 200k price range without going this route.
A buddy and I bought a complete remodel on the 1200 block of Morse about 2 months ago (after renting at 12th and I for 2+ years). Our appraisal came in well below list price, which was fair to start with (I think a lot of appraisers are still very tentative and there aren't a lot of comps to support full renovations there). The lack of comps got us a good deal and I imagine there will still be good deals to be had on full renovations (as well as fixer-uppers) in trinidad for some time to come.
We bought an rowhouse under its listing price at 178K in Trinidad-- it is not a fixer-upper nor a foreclosed house, but it has some drawbacks e.g. a tiny backyard, but I love it.
As for Trinidad, there are some blocks that has a community or rather a block full of apartment complex so where to buy really depends on which block, but my block is very intimate (not one of those west-east long-winding block that connects West Virginia to Bladensburg) and the neighbors are great so far.
It depends on what type of house you want-- two bedrooms, five bedrooms, huge backyard versus tiny backyard, no porch or a nice porch.
Right now, my husband and I just wanted a house instead of living in an apartment where there are noisy upstairs tenants and limited decorations to the apartment (we are pretty handy with tools, so we did want to go further to customize our home to our preferences-- apartments are not exactly the best venue for us).
We are totally fine with loiters and all that-- we have been living at the intersection of H and 8th street where all buses stop (90, 92, X2) and it does attract many loiters and drunk people so we are very accustomed to those sights.
The nicest thing about Trinidad is that you do have a friendly community. This morning as I walked to work, I waved "good morning" to numerous people in Trinidad-- I never did that on H Street because people were focused on fighting for bank parking, running to catch the bus, or trying to buy liquor at 8am.
So for me, Trinidad is definitely different-- more quiet, more friendly, and respectable neighbors. And I hope people will buy houses in Trinidad with an intention of becoming lifetime residents themselves, rather than flipping houses. (You can flip apartments into condos, but just leave the houses to the people who cherish Trinidad as a community).
here here gnarlydorkette!! when i bought my house in trinidad a few years ago people asked me if I bought because of the promise of the tolley car and a U St like H St. Nope, I bought in Trinidad because the house had features I wanted (a big yard, alley access, good sun light) and because when I first came to look at the house I had two different neighbors come up and start talking to me. I want to know my neighbors. I want to talk with them over the fence about how horrible the tomatoes did this year. I want to run into them at Home Depot and joke about how there is always something to fix. I want to meet with them at Joe Cole to build winter shelters for the alley cats. I wanted to move into a community and I found that in Trinidad.
So I guess to answer the original poster- if you are looking for something to "turn" look elsewhere. There are no guarantees that a neighborhood will change. Besides, from where I sit, Trinidad (and the surrounding neighborhoods) have a really great community, so why would we want it to "turn" into anything else?
Dawn! What area do you live in?! I want to live there!
I'm looking for a place to buy, H street or Anacostia geographically are perfect for my boyfriend and I. I work in dupont he works in Maryland. I thought about Anacostia but H street has been on my radar for quite some time. I am looking at a few condos this weekend.. I have gone back and forth on if I want to buy a condo or house. My only option to buy a house would be to redo it. I can't really afford a house any other way.
Does anyone know about the 1600 block of Rosedale??? There are a few small 2 bdrms for sale over there for around 100 but I looked over there a year ago on Gales Street and couldn't get a good feel for the neighborhood. My limit tops is probably around 225k for a house.
@ Fermina
We've lived on the 1600 block of Rosedale for about 5 months. It is a great block and only getting better-- the neighbors have all been extremely friendly and helpful, and I've been shocked at how quiet it is, especially being just around the corner from all the nightlife on H Street. We often walk to Lincoln Park or Eastern Market on the weekends, and laugh about how we 'snuck' into Capitol Hill by buying in Rosedale.
The experience has been very similar to Dawn's. I've even had neighbors ask if I need anything at Home Depot or Frager's when they are making a run. I don't mean to say it's perfect, but there's a real sense of community and feeling that things are on an upward curve.
We have a similar situation where I work downtown and my fiancee works in PG County. It's worked out great so far.
Hi all - I have a contract on one of those row houses on 18th St NE between 750 and 760, I hope to close this month. I agree with just about everything that has been said. I am a middle class late twenties professional. One thing that helped boost my confidence about that particualar block was talking to some of the neighbors who have lived there for a while. They were all very friendly and welcoming. They said their are a few known drug spots. Speaking with the neighbors showed me that there is a real sense of community. My plan is to live there and rent the other two rooms out which I should be able to almost/completly cover my mortgage with the rent, and then when I'm ready to get married either have my girl move in and get rid of the renters if the area has turned around enough or move somewhere else and keep the place as a rental property. Obviously I would love to see the area be a continuation of the H street coridor and stay there for a while.
P.S. I didn't mean that the drug spots were a good thing. I just meant it's obvious where they are and not difficult to stay away from them. I reread my post and it sounded like an amenity, lol.
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