Desirable and Affordable Neighborhoods in Washington D.C

Washington D.C. has a diverse population. It houses the federal government offices and offers a wide range of recreation and lifestyle. Many people who work in Washington D.C. live in the capital or in the neighboring suburbs of Maryland and Virginia. With two airports (Dulles and Reagan National) in its vicinity, Washington D.C. is an active business and commerce hub. It is home to the renowned Smithsonian museums, art galleries and famous monuments - all a big tourist attraction. But all this makes it an expensive place to live too. Here is a guide to some of the desirable and affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C.

Georgetown is a neighborhood located by the Potomac river waterfront. It is home to Georgetown University and a vibrant student population. It is surrounded by green space and has Rock Creek Park adjacent to it. Private schools in the area are highly reputed. Georgetown offers both unique shops and national retailers and plenty of waterfront eateries and restaurants with some of the best cuisines from around the world. In this area, 600 sq.ft. condos sell for around $220,000 but it is a safe area and has easy access to businesses in Washington D.C.

Columbia Heights and Dupont Circle are more affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C. They have received a massive face-lift in the last couple of years with more upscale shopping moving into the area and more condos being built. They are gay-friendly areas and have a vibrant nightlife. They also have many museums, foreign embassies and art galleries and are a tourist attraction.

Many suburbs in Maryland and Virginia are located very close to Washington D.C. and are well connected by public transport and highways to the capital. Here is a guide to some of these areas that form the most affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C. region.

Silver Spring is a part of the flourishing Montgomery county in Maryland. It offers plenty of affordable housing, plenty of green spaces, and a variety of shopping malls, entertainment and restaurants. The metro rail (WMATA) connects Silver Spring to Washington D.C. With the recent slump in the housing market, foreclosures have made homes cheaper in this area.

Bethesda is one of the most affluent suburbs of Montgomery county, Maryland. It boasts of some of the nations best schools, a lovely downtown and plenty of shopping and ethnic restaurants. It is an ideal place to raise a family and is a favorite of the upper middle-class. While buying a home is expensive in Bethesda, for renting, it is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C.

Rockville, Maryland is also one of the nice affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C. It is about 10 miles from the capital. It has many small and big businesses and plenty of shopping and restaurants. The recent real-estate slump has brought many houses in Rockville within the reach of the middle-class. Rockville also offers excellent schools for its residents.

Alexandria, Virginia is about 6 miles from the capital. It has many historic buildings, museums, art galleries and restaurants. It boasts of an active nightlife and is a tourist attraction in Northern Virginia. Again the housing slump has made this area affordable in the recent times.

Fairfax in Virginia is one of the nice affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C. It is within 15 miles from Washington D.C. and is connected by the metro serving the capital. Many people working in Washington D.C. live in Fairfax. George Mason University near Fairfax adds to the city's lively youth population. The city has both residential and business establishments. It also has a good school system. It offers plenty of shopping venues and entertainment. It is home to several museums and recreational parks.