Good choice. In addition to landmarks and historic sites, cherry blossom trees and politicos, the District has plenty to offer Millennials. Start saving your pennies and read on to find out which DC neighborhood is right for you.
Adams Morgan
This Northwest DC neighborhood is centered at the intersection of Columbia Rd and 18th St NW. This eclectic multicultural community is popular with millennials for its bars, restaurants, live music venues, and independent shops. Historic brick row houses dot 18th Street, some are painted with bright colors, some with interesting murals. Home to countless bars, the 18th Street Corridor has long been considered the neighborhood’s nexus of nightlife. Sample the library of whiskeys at Jack Rose Dining Saloon, catch some live music at Madam's Organ, and get late-night eats at the DINER, open 24/7, Amsterdam Falafelshop, or one of the many pizza joints. Adams Morgan has your international cuisine covered, with everything from Vietnamese to Ethiopian. Other dining options include Roofers Union and the hip bistro, Tail Up Goat. Many locally owned shops are packed into the five-square-mile area, including vintage boutiques like Meeps, Independent bookstores like Idle Time Books, cafes like Tryst Coffee, and yoga studios. Plus, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is less than five minutes away, and admission is free!
Columbia Heights
This diverse Northwest DC ‘hood went from “nope” to “dope” with lots of housing options, major retailers, and a thriving restaurant scene. The panoramic view of downtown doesn’t hurt anything either. The “hip strip” is 11th Street Northwest, home to many bars and restaurants, including the mainstay bistro and bar, Room 11, combo bar/restaurant/coffee shop, The Coupe, El Chucho (margaritas on tap!), craft beer destination Meridian Pint (try the mac and cheese), acclaimed Filipino restaurant Bad Saint, and beer garden, The Wonderland Ballroom. Odd Provisions serves as the neighborhood’s gourmet corner market, carrying DC-made products.
Dupont Circle
This popular community, just north of Downtown DC, is centered around its famous traffic circle and fountain, a landmark that serves as a frequent locale for political rallies. The enclave draws a wide range of residents with its amenities, housing, education, and employment opportunities. Connecticut Avenue is home to unique shops, lively dining, and nightlife, with exciting eateries, cafés, bookstores, dive bars, and dance clubs. Stately buildings line Embassy Row on the historic district’s Massachusetts Ave. Located in a Georgian Revival mansion, The Phillips Collection showcases Impressionist and modern paintings. Living in the center of the action will cost you a pretty penny. Dupont Circle’s cost of living is about 10% higher than the city average due to its central location.
Foggy Bottom
Stretching north from the National Mall, Foggy Bottom is located just south of Dupont Circle, between affluent Georgetown and the White House. This historic government and cultural hub is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the District. It is incredibly popular with Millenials/young professionals for its proximity to downtown, top employers, federal offices, George Washington University, shops, bars, and restaurants. In addition to national monuments, Foggy Bottoms is home to the the infamous Watergate Complex, the U.S. Department of State, the riverside Kennedy Center (home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera), and a 2,100-acre green space called Rock Creek Park, at the southernmost end. Restaurants range from chains to fine dining, with pubs full of local University students. The cost of living here is slightly higher than the city average, but the crime rate is lower. It also boasts a myriad of public transit options.
H Street Corridor/H Street NE
This tightly-knit community, named after its main drag, has a little bit of something for everyone, from foodies to music lovers. Millennials will be drawn to the arts and cultural center’s nightlife, trendy restaurants, and indie designer shops. The one-and-a-half mile stretch packs in music venues, bars, and late-night eateries, like The Haymaker Bar and &pizza. The Atlas Performing Arts Center serves as the neighborhood’s anchor for live entertainment. Every September, H Street hosts its annual festival, featuring live music and local street food. Shop fresh produce, meats, and more at The FRESHFARM H Street NE Market on Saturday mornings. While it may cost a little more to live here, you’re paying for the convenient commute. Nearby Union Station provides connections to Amtrak, MARC, VRE Commuter Rail, and Greyhound.
Logan Circle/14th Street
Located in the Northwest quadrant of the city, this historic district is DC’s most trendy and ecletic neighborhoods. Craft beer pubs, gay bars, hip restaurants, and home-decor stores line Logan Circle’s main thoroughfare, 14th Street. Brunch on the patio at Commissary, sample from the 555 craft beers at ChurchKey, or see a play at the Studio Theatre. Artists, students, and yuppies dwell in this primarily residential neighborhood. The neighborhood’s traffic circle is surrounded with charming, well-preserved Victorian houses. A Watermelon House and Avenue Q’s "Barbie give the ‘hood a quirky, artsy vibe.
Navy Yard
Ever since the Navy resumed operations in the early 2000s, this historic waterside shipbuilding site has been constantly growing and evolving. Home of the National Museum of the US Navy and 2019 World Series winners the Washington Nationals, this nautical district is popular with 20-somethings for its sports bars and beer gardens. Along the Anacostia River The Yards Park provides green space and a riverside boardwalk that hosts concerts in the summertime, with a view of the pier. Buildings here might be a bit dated, but you’ll still pay handsomely for that apartment with a view and easy access to the rest of the city.
U Street/Shaw
For the millennial who wants to party, this music mecca is more affordable than some other areas in the city. Its graffiti-clad streets are populated by street performers and art galleries. Head to historic The Howard Theatre on Sundays for gospel brunch. The Lincoln Theatre is a historic performing arts venue next to next the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl. Public transportation isn’t great around here, but it is getting better.
