I am at a rooftop bar on U-Street when one of our friends introduces us to his ex, Jack. We have the obligatory “I hate asking what people do, but…” exchange, and then Jack excitedly tells us about how much U-Street has changed over the years.
Jack: “It has really gentrified. You know, the only gay bar around here was Nellies – can you imagine? I bought my place around the corner from here 10 years ago and the area was rough.”
Me: “So I’ve heard.”
Jack: “I love how much stuff we have here now. What a remarkable change! You know, if you stay in D.C. you should really buy. It was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made!”
We talk about how expensive real estate is in D.C. (it’s ridiculous.) Jack says that there are still many “up-and-coming” neighborhoods, and rattles off some names that I have never heard of.
I then tell Jack the story of my coworker from Dallas who bought a house in an “up-and-coming” neighborhood that never gentrified, so he just lives in the hood and has to ward off stray dogs and drug dealers from his property.
Jack: “Unlike Dallas, The District has a limited amount of space. The gentrification will happen. Plus, the neighborhoods are pretty safe, although I did get held up at gunpoint by my place last year…”
Everyone in our group exchanges horrified looks as Jack launches into his “when I got pistol-whipped in front of my townhome” story.
The Howard Theater in Washington D.C.
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., on a rainy weekend afternoon.
Tourists taking pictures of the White House in Washington D.C.
Buildings along H Street in D.C.
Washington D.C. rowhouses.
JR’s bar in Washington D.C.
“Oh, you live in Virginia?”
Since starting the Georgetown tax LL.M. program, I have lived in the Crystal City/Pentagon City neighborhood of Arlington County.
It is a high-rise neighborhood next to the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery, and immediately across the river from the Washington Monument and downtown Washington. Most of the buildings here are fairly new or renovated, which makes the area feel a lot like Dallas’ Victory Park neighborhood or Lowertown in St. Paul.
Despite being on the border of downtown Washington and part of the urban core of the city, many D.C. residents act like Northern Virginia is another world. It’s not uncommon to get a condescending “Oh, you live in Virginia?” – from a D.C. resident who lives further away from downtown than I do. (But technically “still in The District.”)
We had the reverse version of this situation this past summer when we moved from Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood to the Galleria area – 16 miles away. That apartment was still within Dallas city limits but the technicality was silly because we lived across the street from the business district of Addison, a Dallas suburb.
Public art in Addison Circle.
A park in Addison near our apartment.
Ingrid the labradoodle at a park in Addison, Texas.
Ingrid the labradoodle at a park in Addison, Texas.
Enjoying the suburban lifestyle
Our brief time as fake-Addison residents made me realize that suburban life is kind of nice. Specifically, it was a lot cleaner, cheaper, and safer than living near downtown. We did not have to worry about robbers or rats, and there was plenty of green space for the dogs. However, we had to drive everywhere and weekend Uber rides were a struggle.
Crystal City has the best of both worlds – we have the high-rises, shopping, green space, and a metro line into the city. We also don’t share D.C.’s rat infestation problem.
Although Northern Virginia has been a great place to live while I’m on a school schedule (and budget), we are thinking about moving into The District this summer. Dog walkers are freaking expensive, so juggling full-time work schedules with pets may be easier if we live within a few blocks of work.
Plus the gay happy hour opportunities are more fabulous in the city (there’s only one gay bar in Northern Virginia.)
Michael and the dogs exploring some public art in Northern Virginia.
Michael at Freddie’s Beach Bar.
Considering The District
One downside with moving to D.C. (besides the cost) is that we run into a lot of strange characters in town and there’s always the risk of getting harassed and mugged. This concern isn’t just theoretical – a woman lunged at me last week because she was angry that I gave money to another woman outside of a 7-Eleven (and not to her.) She followed us for blocks, shrieking.
Right now we don’t have to worry about aggressive panhandlers or people learning our schedule – particularly the evening dog walks. Whereas, in D.C. that will constantly be a concern.
Sure, there are plenty of perfectly-safe neighborhoods in The District, but if they aren’t within walking-distance of the office then we have the same dog-management problems that we have in Virginia. Plus moving is a pain.
We have a few more months to decide what to do. Hopefully we don’t get a pistol-whipping story like our friend Jack (plus I already have one of those.) 🚨
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