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Apartment Living in the District of Columbia (Washington DC)
Located on the banks of the Potomac River, our nation's capital is located in the District of Columbia, which is also commonly called Washington, D.C or the District. Home to our federal government, many argue if this area is a state or a city. Who wouldn't when Washington and its enormous political presence swallows the district with commuters and tourists each day of the workweek, increasing the population of half a million to over five million? The state/city/district's populace is the eighth largest in the U.S. within an area that spans only 68.3 square miles.
Don't let the size and crowds fool you. The District of Columbia is an urban setting bustling with endless sights, sounds, and apartments for the locals to call home. The District's cultural hot spots and area attractions include the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the John F. Kennedy Center, the National Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, the U.S. National Arboretum and The National Mall.
With history on every corner, six of the top ten buildings in the American Institute of Architects are standing in the District of Columbia which include the White House, the Washington National Cathedral, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the United States Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
You can't help but think stars and stripes when you live and work in the city of Washington. The main employer in the District of Columbia is of course, the government, hiring hundreds of the thousands of the people that live or commute from the surrounding areas of Virginia and Maryland. Besides the government, tourism and prominent educational institutions contribute a great deal to the job market as well.
Washington D.C. does have the reputation of having the worst traffic and congestion second to Los Angeles; however, the city is easy to navigate. The city has an excellent Metrorail and bus system to pilot the streets that are set out in a grid pattern. And because of its size, many walk or bike to work from their apartments, skirting the crowds.
Another negative is the crime rate, Washington is known for not having the safest neighborhoods but with urban gentrification, communities like Columbia Heights and Logan Circle are changing that perception and are offering a nice selection of safe apartments to choose from.
So when pricing an apartment, safety will be a key issue in your decision and will affect the price you pay. To add to this problem, the price of living in the District of Columbia is 80 percent above the national average. With 30 percent of housing dedicated to apartments, it won't be a problem to find an apartment; however, finding an apartment within your budget may be. Simple one-bedroom apartments can start at $600, but for more secure and luscious living, the price can rise into the thousands. The average one-bedroom apartment usually rents for $1000 a month. If you don't mind joining the forces that commute, you can find a less expensive apartment in the surrounding cities and suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.
