Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C

The District of Columbia's Most Affordable Undiscovered Neighborhood
Located in the shadow of Capitol Hill, within walking distance to downtown D.C. and the Smithsonian museums, few people are aware of the modern housing complexes and townhouses available in the up-and-coming neighborhood of the Southwest D.C. Waterfront area.

Real Estate Prices of This Affordable Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
Close to Capitol Hill where starter homes range in the $750,000-$1 million dollar range, 2-3 bedroom townhouses in this affordable neighborhood in Washington, D.C. can still be found in the $400,000-$500,000 range offering savvy real estate investors as well as single people, couples and families the opportunity for a larger house for less cost. Efficiency apartments in a hi-rise apartment with spacious windows can still be found for less than $150,000. This is surprising in Washington D.C. a city known for its high cost of living where a 1 bedroom apartment in Southwest D.C. can be yours for less than $200,000 making Southwest D.C. one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C.

Metropolitan Locale
Southwest D.C. is close to two metro stops including the Waterfront metro and Washington Navy Yard on the green line. For business people who frequently travel, Southwest, D.C. is one of the best affordable neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. for being ideally situated close to highways leading to Maryland and Virginia. Capitol Hill is the closest urban neighborhood and can be reached on foot, by metro or bus. Washington National Reagan Airport is a quick metro ride away and conveniently located within a 15-20 minute car ride.

Parking and Transportation
Covered or underground parking is available in many of the large apartment complexes. Street parking is available sharing the same residential parking zone sticker as Capitol Hill which offers advantages when you need to park your car when visiting restaurants or shopping on the Hill.
What makes Southwest D.C. one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. is the true urban experience to go green and go car-less. Some residents do not even own a car or have given up their second car to participate in a car sharing program with Zipcar. Zipcar has many cars readily available in Southwest D.C. with cars parked close to the Waterfront metro and in the Waterfront area.

Funky 1960s Modern Architecture
What makes Southwest D.C. unique and one of the most affordable neighborhoods to live in Washington D.C. is the abundance of condominiums. Some are cooperatives meaning that residents do not actually own property but own shares in a cooperative which collectively own the property their residence sits upon. In the 1960s much of the existing public housing was razed and replaced by modern housing developments. It is one of the few places in D.C. which does not feature classic historic row houses but multiple occupancy dwellings. One of the most interesting housing developments with facades built in conjunction with Reynolds Aluminum is River Park with its distinctive barrel roof townhouses featuring expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and residences flooded with sunlight.

Residents of Southwest D.C. Waterfront
Southwest is predominantly occupied by many aging residents. However, in recent years as one of the few affordable neighborhoods in Washington D.C. there has been an influx of residents in their thirties and forties anxious to redevelop aging housing stock.

Schools
Home to Southeastern University, two elementary schools, a junior high school and several day care facilities, Southwest D.C. is not best known for its education facilities. Families considering moving into the area may consider commuting to private schools outside of the neighborhood or investigating the charter schools available on Capitol Hill and Eastern Market.

Local Businesses and Shopping
As an up and coming area, there is not a Starbucks on every corner in Southwest D.C. however a new Starbucks has opened near the Washington Navy Yard. The Waterside Mall is currently being redeveloped, home to Safeway and C.V.S. Fresh vegetables and seafood can be found at the seafood market at the Waterfront. As of yet, there is not a large shopping promenade or area, but development is on the way.

Restaurants
Most of the restaurants are concentrated on the actual Waterfront area. You can have steamed crabs, soft shell crab sandwich or deep fried catfish sandwiches dockside from the watermen selling directly from their stores on floating boats. The seafood market is bustling and active during lunch and evenings. More formal restaurant dining and nightclubs line the Waterfront. New restaurants are also being developed close to the new baseball stadium.

Baseball Stadium & Waterfront
Play ball. Southwest D.C. is home to the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium boasting a picturesquel views of the Washington Monument. What better way to spend a summer evening than catching a game at the ball park. Evening strolls are pleasant along the waterfront with many day cruise ships and leisure boats docked.

What Makes Southwest D.C. Waterfront One of the Most Affordable Neighborhoods to Live in Washington D.C.
Because it is still relatively undiscovered, real estate prices are at least one third less than Capitol Hill and other areas of D.C. often offering larger residences for the same cost. There is lots of development underway with the promise of the Waterfront being redeveloped with restaurants and shops planned to invigorate Southwest D.C. Waterfront, one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.