WASHINGTON DC

Washington DC is our country’s most expensive city. And yet the nation’s capital is more than home to political superpowers and many of history’s most notorious characters. In addition to countless historic sites, the neighborhoods surrounding this governmental hub houses a smorgasbord of top-notch dining options, elegant boutiques, hip nightlife hotspots, and refreshing green space.

Aside from the famous residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, more than 700,000 people call Washington, DC home. With a wide range of price points and architectural styles to choose from, home can be a charming pastel-painted row house, a stately Victorian, or an upscale flat in a beautiful brick high-rise. Regardless of where one resides, DC dwellers can count on convenience, cultural and culinary diversity, amazing architecture, eclectic shopping experiences, and a multitude of museums as well as art and music venues to choose from. What might be surprising are the number of close-knit communities once you look beyond the hustle and bustle of this cosmopolitan space. Idyllic neighborhoods abound.

Check out some of DC’s popular neighborhoods and not-to-miss hot spots below, and be sure to subscribe to Ritter Mortgage’s YouTube channel where our very own Jon Ritter serves as your guide around the capital’s communities, culture, and lifestyle as DC host of American Dream TV!

Culturally diverse and eclectic, Adams Morgan is full of restaurants and shops. Along with its unique charm and convenient, central location, the neighborhood boasts a lively nightlife.

Location: First Ward (central cluster of neighborhoods surrounding Downtown) 18th St. NW and Columbia Rd. 1.5 miles north of the White House

Median Home Price: $529,000

Noteworthy Hotspots: Songbyrd, The LINE DC, Idle Time Books

Not to miss eats: Tryst, Roofers Union, Perry’s, Tail Up Goat

Proximity to major government buildings is one benefit of living in this sophisticated neighborhood. Easy access to transportation and breathtaking architecture also help make this a popular place to live.

Location: Straddles Southeast and Northeast quadrants; west of the Anacostia River;

Median Home Price: $829,000

Noteworthy Spots: U.S. Capitol, Bartholdi Fountain, Eastern Market, Folger Shakespear Library, Supreme Court, Library of Congress

Not to miss eats: The Dubliner Restaurant, Manna Dosirek, Buffalo & Bergen, Nostra Cucina

Named for the fog that rolls in off of the Potomac River, don’t let that make you think this is anything less than desirable! With great views of the river, this sophisticated historic area has a lot to offer.

Location: West of the White House; north of Lincoln Memorial; east of the Potomac; south of Georgetown

Noteworthy Spots: John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Art Museum of the Americas, State Department

Median Home Price: $475,000

Not to Miss Eats: Blue Duck Tavern, Rasika, Founding Farmers, Roof Terrace Restaurant

Gorgeous cobblestone tree-lined streets combined with plenty of green space and beautiful historic homes makes this upscale waterfront neighborhood a favorite.

Location: confluence of the Potomac River and Rock Creek, about 2.5 miles (4 km) northwest of the national Capitol

Median Home Price: $1,590,000

Noteworthy Spots: Potomac River, C&O Canal, Tudor Place, Dubarton Oaks

Not to miss eats: Fiola Mare, La Jolie Bleue, Lutece, 1789, Farmers Fishers Bakers

Kalorama, Greek for “fine view,” is a fitting description of this upscale neighborhood, which is home to many of Washington’s elite. Grand architecture and quiet tree-lined streets add to its desirability.

Location: Northwest quadrant, East of Rock Creek, North of Dupont Circle

Median Home Price: $1,335,200

Noteworthy Spots: Embassy Row, Spanish Steps, Woodrow Wilson House

Not to miss eats: Sushi Ogawa, Russia House

Regardless of which name you know it by, this busy neighborhood is ever evolving with a mixture of old and new. Sports fans and water enthusiasts will appreciate this fun place to live.

Location: Ward 6; Southeast DC; South of Capitol Hill; north of the Anacostia River

Noteworthy Spots: Nationals Park, The Yards Park, Canal Park, National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Median Home Price: $660,000

Not to Miss Eats: The Salt Line; Osteria Morini; Bluejacket

Picture-perfect, the Palisades does not disappoint with its upscale shops and restaurants. Impressive homes among quiet side streets along the Potomac make it a family-friendly place to live.

Location: Northwest DC; McArthur Blvd.

Median Home Price: $1,425,000

Noteworthy Spots: Capital Crescent Trail, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath; The Glass Forest

Not to miss eats: BlackSalt, Figs, Et Voila, and Kotobuki

Plenty of green space in the park and pandas in the zoo combine to make this elegant neighborhood one where residents plant roots and stay. It’s where urban convenience meets tree-filled retreat.

Location: Third Ward; Northwest DC; north of Dupont Circle

Median Home Price: $1,150,000

Noteworthy Spots: National Zoo, Rock Creek Park

Not to miss eats: Lebanese Taverna, Open City, District Kitchen

DC’s vibrant new waterfront destination has it all – restaurants, shops, hotels, residences, and plenty of fun things to do on and off the water. Eat, shop, stroll, paddle, or simply relax in this Southwest DC hotspot!

Location: Southwest DC; on the Potomac

Median Home Price: $999,500

Noteworthy Spots: Parks & Piers, Market Square, Wharf Ice Rink

Not to miss eats: Municipal Fish Market, Del Mar, Hank’s Oyster Bar