Discover DC: The Insider's Guide to Renting in Our Nations Capital

Greetings from Washington, DC! I'm Stephen, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Washington, and I'd love to give you the inside scoop on a city that many people only think of in terms of visiting, not living in. The truth is, whether you're here for a school trip or are planning to start a career, our nation's capital truly has something to offer just about everyone.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Washington DC

Current Pricing for Rental Homes in DC

It's a city with so much character - and I'm certainly not just talking about political intrigue. History, culture, foods, hidden gems, you name it and there are countless things that most people who are only here for a night or two will never discover. If you want to know how to wander, how to eat, and how to enjoy your next experience in Washington, DC, there are a few key things you'll want to keep in mind.

Popular Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

The first thing you'll notice from an insider's perspective about Washington, DC is that the moment you venture away from "the places you visit" to "the places you live," there's so much character it can actually be surprising at first.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is where history meets everyday life. Take it from me - you hear the term "Capitol Hill" and you immediately think it only includes the Capital, but believe it or not people actually live here.

Brick row houses line leafy streets, and weekends center around Eastern Market, where locals browse fresh produce, vintage treasures, and handcrafted art. Stroll a little farther and you’ll find cozy cafes, community parks, and neighbors catching up on front porches.

Georgetown

Georgetown, on the other hand, brings its own kind of charm. Cobblestone streets wind past boutiques and bakeries, and the C&O Canal offers a tranquil place for a morning walk. By evening, the waterfront glitters with restaurants and patios that seem designed for long conversations and lingering sunsets.

Plus, if you're a film aficionado, Georgetown has its own very special place in cinematic history. William Friedkin not only shot the classic horror film "The Exorcist" there, but the long steps that feature prominently in the climax of that movie are still on display and they feature a plaque dedicating the space and marking its notoriety.

You'll still see people checking out the spot, especially during the cooler fall months of the year. Just be careful, as the steps themselves really are as long and as harrowing as they appear on film!

Columbia Heights

For those seeking a blend of accessibility and community, Columbia Heights has become a favorite. With global eateries, bustling shopping, and a lively mix of residents, it feels both grounded and vibrant. The Wharf and Southwest Waterfront showcase the city’s modern edge, offering sleek apartments, concerts on the pier, and the kind of waterfront living that feels like an urban retreat.

Public Transportation and Washington, DC

One of the best parts of living in or even near Washington, DC is how easy it can be to move around without relying on a car.

The Metro is the backbone of daily life, carrying commuters from leafy suburbs to downtown in minutes and making neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, and Navy Yard feel remarkably connected. Above ground, buses trace every corner of the city and often reveal a side of DC you would miss underground.

For shorter trips, bike shares and scooters add a sense of freedom and fun, letting you zip from brunch in Shaw to an art show in H Street without worrying about parking.

Speaking of parking - while parking is scarce and traffic can be maddening, many locals see that as a push toward a lifestyle built around transit, walking, and biking. It is part of what makes DC feel like a living, breathing city rather than a gridlocked capital. Embracing the rhythm of the Metro and the hum of city streets quickly turns daily errands into a natural part of the urban experience.

Mixing Tourist Hotspots with Hidden Gems

Living in DC means having world-class museums and monuments within reach - to the point where virtually every school district in the country still sends kids into the area on a regular basis.

Having said all of that, the magic of life in the Washington, DC area often lies in quieter places. The U.S. Botanic Garden, tucked near the Capitol, feels like a secret oasis. In Columbia Heights, BloomBars creates an intimate space for art, performance, and community connection. LeDroit Park, with its historic homes and tucked-away farm, invites slow exploration, while the Dupont Underground brings an unexpected edge with art installations in a reclaimed trolley station.

The National Mall is obviously an example of where history and culture combine, lined with iconic landmarks from the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial to the reflective pool and the Capitol itself.

Smithsonian museums dot the landscape, offering everything from the awe-inspiring National Air and Space Museum to the natural wonders of the National Museum of Natural History. Art lovers can wander the National Gallery of Art, while history enthusiasts can dive into the stories at the National Museum of American History or the recently revitalized National Museum of African American History and Culture.

But even the museums themselves often have multiple sides to them. Yes, there are the ones like the Museum of National History that everyone knows about. But for a side of Washington, DC that feels equal parts thrilling and mysterious, the International Spy Museum is a must-visit.

Tucked in L’Enfant Plaza, it’s a playground for curiosity and adventure, where visitors can step into the shoes of secret agents and uncover the hidden world of espionage. The exhibits blend real-life history with interactive experiences, from decoding secret messages to exploring gadgets once used by spies in the field. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel clever just for walking through the doors, and it’s endlessly fun to return again and again, discovering stories and artifacts you might have missed the first time.

Whether you’re a history buff, a pop culture fan, or just someone who loves a good twist of intrigue, the Spy Museum reminds you that DC has layers beyond the monuments, with secrets waiting to be uncovered around every corner.

From a larger perspective, many will tell you (myself included) that Washington, DC is a city best lived outdoors. Of course, the National Mall draws crowds, but locals often gravitate toward Meridian Hill Park, where terraced fountains and Sunday drum circles create a rhythm of their own. The Wharf’s wide boardwalks invite evening strolls, and in warmer months, kayaks and paddle boards fill the water. Even in the most urban neighborhoods, you’ll find community gardens, shaded parks, and murals that transform an ordinary walk into a gallery visit.

Being a Foodie in Washington, DC

I resisted the urge to talk in too much detail about food up to this point because it's a topic that tends to warrant a lot of attention. You could visit (or live) in Washington, DC and never even consider going anywhere near a museum or tourist hotspot and still walk away totally satisfied thanks to the quality of the food.

To put it another way: if you love trying new foods, Washington, DC is basically paradise. Everywhere you go, there’s something delicious waiting, from tiny neighborhood spots to high-end restaurants. One of the best things about living here is that you don’t have to travel far to get food from all over the world. Every neighborhood has its own mix of flavors and specialties, so you can keep exploring without ever running out of options.

Adams Morgan and Shaw are great places to try Middle Eastern food, with restaurants like Lebanese Taverna serving dishes packed with flavor. U Street is known for Ethiopian food, and hidden gems offer hearty stews and fresh injera that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another country. Peruvian restaurants like Pisco y Nazca bring ceviches, lomo saltado, and other South American favorites right into the heart of the city.

Part of what makes DC food so much fun is that eating out is more than just filling up - it’s an experience in every sense of the term. The atmosphere of a place, the way the food looks, and even the story behind the restaurant all add to the enjoyment. Whether you’re grabbing a fancy dinner at Le Diplomate, a spicy chicken sandwich at Roaming Rooster, or a classic crab cake at Old Ebbitt Grill, there’s always something new to discover.

Take the aforementioned Old Ebbitt Grill, for example. If its walls could talk, they'd gossip like Washington, DC insiders after a cocktail or two.

Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is the city's oldest saloon - and it has been charming presidents, poets, and powerbrokers ever since. Legend has it that Presidents like Grant, Cleveland, Harding, and even Teddy Roosevelt used to sidle up to the bar, no doubt to escape the stress of running a nation (or maybe just to dodge their staff).

But don’t let the old-school vibe fool you. This place still buzzes with modern political intrigue. Senators, celebrities, journalists, and tourists all brush shoulders here.

Keep in mind that up to this point I've only been talking about Washington, DC proper, too. You're also just a short drive away from Maryland, which is home to some of the best crab cakes you'll ever have the pleasure of tasting. Baltimore is only about a 40 minutes away (or an hour and 40 minutes, depending on how heavy traffic is), and it has its own unique food identity totally independent of Washington, DC.

That's what I mean when I say that you could never go anywhere near a monument and still come away satisfied. Moving into this area likely means that you'll never have to eat at a chain restaurant again if you don't want to.

More Than Just the Washington Monument

Overall, part of what makes it great to live in or even near Washington, DC. is because it's a city that is both exactly what you expect and nothing like you thought, all at the exact same time.

Yes, you have the national monuments and the museums. But you also have neighborhoods that are filled to the brim with local art, music, and food. Virtually every aspect of American history that you can possibly be interested in is represented here - but the future is being forged all around you, too.

For being the capital of the United States, Washington, DC also has a surprising international sensibility that a lot of people don't expect. You'd think that it would be the ultimate American city, and from a certain perspective it is. People arrive from all over the world, as they have since this country was founded, and make their way here. That's before you also get into the fact that there are embassies from nearly every country, which means there's an entire subset of the city that is a thriving diplomatic community, too. It feels much more like a place like New York City in that way.

At the same time, Washington, DC has a deeply local side. Residents take pride in their neighborhoods, whether it’s the tree-lined streets of Capitol Hill, the creative vibe of Shaw, or the historic roots of Anacostia. You can step out of a high-powered office downtown and, within minutes, find yourself walking through parks, along the Potomac, or biking the city’s extensive trail system. That balance of urban bustle and access to green space makes daily life feel more livable.

All this is to say that Washington, DC is absolutely a city of contradictions - as anyone with access to an Internet news site can tell you. It feels like it's a part of the North and the South. It's local but international. Political yet intensely welcoming to anyone and everyone. Steeped in history but aspirational towards what's next.

What you're left with is a place that is truly unlike any other, largely by design. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, you have a place in Washington, DC - to the point where you'd be surprised by how quickly you become an insider when you arrive.

(But whatever you do, stay off of I-295 if the weather is anything other than a bright, sunny day. Snow, rain, mild fog, it doesn't matter. Traffic will be backed up for miles and this miserable experience is the one thing that virtually everybody in Washington, DC can agree on).