Thinking about moving to the nation’s capital? Besides being at the seat of power, the city is home to an expansive collection of diverse Washington, D.C., neighborhoods and surrounding D.C. suburbs that offer compelling choices for singles, young professionals, and families alike. But what are the best neighborhoods in D.C.? That largely depends on your personal taste. If you’re moving long-distance, be prepared to expand your search to include all of the best neighborhoods in the D.C. metro area (aka the DMV), from Maryland to Northern Virginia suburbs, in addition to the D.C. neighborhoods. Don’t worry — you won’t be going too far. In the DMV, you often end up crossing state lines without even knowing.
D.C. Neighborhoods and Suburbs – FAQs
Q: What suburbs are close to D.C.? A: Given that the DMV area encompasses parts of Maryland and Virginia, some of the D.C. suburbs closest to the capital city are Silver Spring, MD; Bethesda, MD; and Arlington, VA. Q: Where is the best place to live near Washington, D.C.? A: Niche ranks North Bethesda, Maryland, as the best D.C. suburb to live overall. Though if you’re looking for the best suburbs of D.C. to raise a family, take a look at South Kensington, MD, Broadlands, VA, and Bethesda, MD. Q: What are the Washington, D.C. neighborhoods? A: There are several dozen D.C. neighborhoods that make up the four quadrants — too many to list here. Among the best neighborhoods around D.C., though, are Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, Capitol Hill, Glover Park, and Logan Circle. Q: What is the nicest part of D.C.? A: Situated in the northwestern quadrant of Washington, D.C., Mount Pleasant is a family-friendly and walkable area that is ranked as the #1 best D.C. neighborhood to live in by Niche.
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Click to view an enlarged version of the map. (Source: Wikipedia Commons)
The Logan Circle neighborhood is popular among hipsters and young professionals of the LGBTQ+ community. Residents have easy access to downtown, though they likely have to contend with traffic more often than not. (Source: @visitwashingtondc via Instagram)
Map of D.C. Suburbs in Maryland
(Source: Google Maps)
Washington, D.C. Suburbs: Maryland Neighborhoods
1. Silver Spring, MD
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,925
- Average home value: $518,000
- Great for: Public schools, families, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity
- Nearest metro station: Silver Spring features three stations on the Red Line
Looking for the best neighborhoods near D.C.? In the southeast corner of Montgomery County, Silver Spring sits atop the point of D.C.’s geographic diamond. A favorite of both locals and visitors, downtown Silver Spring includes a large outdoor shopping plaza featuring several upscale national stores, surrounded by an inviting neighborhood designed for strolling, with a variety of family-owned ethnic restaurants and interesting shops. Major draws include the American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre, the Ellsworth Place enclosed mall, and the 2,000-capacity Fillmore Silver Spring music venue. Plenty of apartment and condominium buildings are tucked within this compact community, while more traditional suburban homes spread out from the center. As a result, Silver Spring offers a wider range of affordable to expensive options than many other D.C. neighborhoods, making it among the best places to live in Maryland for young adults.
Downtown Bethesda features pedestrian streets and many outdoor dining opportunities. (Source: @BethesdaUP via Facebook)
3. Rockville, MD
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,225
- Average home value: $604,500
- Great for: Public schools, families, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity
- Nearest metro station: Rockville offers two Red Line stations
Farther out from D.C. than Bethesda and Silver Spring, the city of Rockville has a more suburban feel than its neighbors. But while its downtown may not match those communities in convenience and charm, Rockville is a major business and technology center itself. Many software and biotech companies offer quality jobs for those who want to live and work in the same community. With a little distance, renters and homebuyers will find a dollar goes further in Rockville, too, making it one of the best suburbs of D.C. to raise a family. Families have more room to grow, with larger homes and lots, but there’s also a good mix of condominiums and apartment complexes, especially in the area of Rockville Town Square, a major mall with more than 20 dining options.
Map of Arlington County, Virginia
(Source: Google Maps)
Washington, D.C., Suburbs: Northern Virginia Neighborhoods
1. Arlington, VA
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,525
- Average home value: $759,300
- Great for: Public schools, families, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity, commuting
- Nearest metro station: There are 11 Metro stops in Arlington along the Blue, Orange, Silver, and Yellow Lines
Formerly the southwest portion of the District of Columbia, Arlington is actually an unincorporated city that makes up all of Arlington County. Home to the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport, Arlington offers a lot of convenience, starting with the Rosslyn area located just across the Potomac River off Francis Scott Key Bridge from Georgetown. From there, Arlington spans out into nearly 60 distinct neighborhoods. Arlington neighborhoods range from idyllic but pricey Old Glebe in the northwest corner to the more affordable but up-and-coming Shirlington in the southeast corner. There’s also a broad mix of housing types, ranging from Rosslyn’s high-rise condominiums and apartment buildings to colonial-style single-family homes and townhouses in neighborhoods like Ashton Heights and Columbia Pike. And while a majority of Arlington residents commute to work, vibrant downtown areas in the Clarendon, Rosslyn, Virginia Square, and Ballston districts offer plenty to keep folks in town after work hours. A great way to explore Arlington’s green spaces is by biking or walking the county’s nearly 49 miles of paved trails and visiting one of the 163 parks, nature centers, or community centers.
Map of Fairfax County, Virginia
(Source: Google Maps)
2. Fairfax, VA
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,250
- Average home value: $702,500
- Great for: Families, jobs, outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity
- Nearest metro station: Vienna-Fairfax-George Mason on the Orange Line is the only station in Fairfax City
When you hear about Fairfax, Virginia, it’s easy to get confused between the city of Fairfax and Fairfax County. While the city of Fairfax is also the Fairfax County seat, the enclave is a separate entity dating back to 1805. Close enough to D.C. to feel integral to the DMV area but distant enough to exude a deep suburban vibe, Fairfax is ranked among the best suburbs in Virginia for young professionals by Niche. But it’s not all work in Fairfax, with popular events like the Chocolate Lovers Festival, Spotlight on the Arts, and Fall for the Book Festival.
There’s more to Fairfax County than Fairfax. Moving beyond Fairfax city proper, Fairfax County encompasses a large portion of Northern Virginia, with a population of more than 1.1 million residents. A study in contrasts, Fairfax is home to the storied history of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, as well as Tysons Corner Center, a massive, modern shopping and office complex. In between are comfortable communities that invite families with a mix of suburban neighborhoods with top-rated schools and urban-style retail cores, including:
- Annandale
- Chantilly
- Falls Church
- McLean
- Reston
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Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia (Source: @VisitFairfaxVA via Facebook)
How Much Does It Cost To Move Long-Distance to D.C.?
Long-distance moving costs depend on distance, the amount of stuff you’re moving, market conditions in the city you’re leaving, and even the direction of your move. In general, it will cost you less to move northward from the south because there’s a lower demand for moving in that direction. The cost to move cross-country with a rental truck averages around $2,500, but that depends on the truck’s size and your precise location — and that doesn’t include fuel costs. The same move averages around $4,500 for a portable moving container. And for a full-service move? A moderately furnished 2- to 3-bedroom household relocating from the West Coast to the East Coast (or the reverse) will average about $5,000. (These costs represent the average between the low and high range for each option. The average cost of PODS moving cross-country also varies.)
Relocating to D.C. From Boston, Raleigh, or Points Beyond?
As you’re exploring places to live, it’s not too soon to start planning your move. Here are some average moving costs to give you a general idea of what to expect. Be sure to get detailed quotes for your specific move, and check out our D.C. Moving Guide to learn more about your moving options, including pros and cons. Then manage the details with these tips on moving out of state.
Moving From Raleigh, NC, to D.C.
(Source: Google Maps)
Moving From Raleigh, NC, to Washington, D.C. (278 miles)
Your costs will vary, depending on how much stuff you have to move and the season, but here are some useful reference points. Relocating a modestly furnished 2- to 3-bedroom household from Raleigh, NC to D.C. will cost about $330 to $675 for a rental truck, $1,500 to $4,400 for a traditional mover, or $1,000 to $1,399 using a PODS moving container, which also includes one month of storage.
Moving From Boston to D.C.
(Source: Google Maps)
Moving From Boston, MA, to Washington, D.C. (440 miles)
Relocating a modestly furnished 2- to 3-bedroom home from Boston to D.C. will cost about $425 to $850 for a rental truck, $1,925 to $5,100 for traditional movers, or $1,850 to $2,549 using a PODS moving container, which also includes one month of storage.
When it comes to moving, there’s no one right way to do it. The important thing is to know your options, choose the type of service that meets the needs of your specific move, and select a reliable company that delivers great service. Then, once you get settled in your new home, start exploring all the amazing experiences that our nation’s capital city has to offer.
Michael Hochman is currently working as a lifestyle and travel writer for Apartment Guide and rent.com. Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.
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