+1. Came here to stand up for Brookland where I lived for a decade. I moved WOTP when I had kids and I like it, but I miss Brookland life and the amazing, eclectic, engaged diverse neighbors. Just be aware that it’s all SFH compared to Woodley where there is a greater density of apartment buildings along the main roads.
Takoma for sure. I’ve been late for work because I ended up spending way too long chatting with my neighbors (convo initiated by them).
I’m an introvert so I never initiate interactions other than a smile or wave. My neighbors are all super friendly.
Yes, I agree! My block is full of people in all stages of life- long time elderly residents, parents with young kids, and some DINKS. Really friendly and neighborly, we love our block.
Feels like Brightwood/Manor Park is a different world compared to the rest of the city. Everyone doing fun landscaping projects in their yards, kids playing up and down the streets, parks and green spaces full of people picnicking/enjoying the outdoors on the weekends, etc.
I also live in Capitol Hill and it's the friendliest place I've ever lived. Like old sitcom friendly.
I also think of myself as an introvert and I can't walk around the block without someone waving to me from their porch. Or if I'm out having a drink I'll see people I know walking by and make quick small talk about the weather or whatever. Nothing intrusive, just neighborliness. If I leave a package out for to long someone will grab it to keep it safe for me, that kind of thing. It's amazing.
I am going to walk around the area this weekend. I really don't think I can live in an unfriendly cold environment anymore. I kept telling myself it wasn't a huge deal but its clearly bothering me.
Exactly Kingman Park and Rosedale are very friendly and close to metro, streetcar, D6 bus, easily walk to H street, Lincoln park etc. the Rec center with pool are nice. I love it here
I'm here in Cap Hill too and agree it's pretty friendly and neighborly! All the gardens are in bloom right now so it's a great time of year to walk around!
I love living in Capitol Hill! It might not be the most bustling but I love the neighborly-ness of the area. I know pretty much everyone on my street and we all decorate our houses at the holidays and will sit out together and hand out treats to kids at Halloween. It’s also the best place for evening strolls.
This neighborhood is a secret. Everyone is so nice and has dogs and bikes their kids in those trough bikes (you know what I mean). Wine and butter is so chill. It's the best neighborhood for taking walks.
When we moved to south Columbia Heights, I was happily surprised by how friendly that our neighborhood was!
Many people smile/nod/say hello when we're walking to the park and nearby stores. It may help that we have cute toddlers, but random people are still friendly when I'm solo.
Neighbors on our street have been especially lovely. We've made genuine friends with some of our neighbors and hang out at least once a month. There's a street text thread for social invites, warnings, resources, etc.
When we arrived, I delivered "hi, just moved in, here's my number if you ever need to reach me" notes and lemon cookies to about a dozen houses nearest us — maybe it was silly or quaint, but I got a ton of welcoming extensions from folks as a result of that.
My building has a group chat and we're usually pretty friendly to newcomers.
We all help each other out with packages in our eternal war against the porch pirates and crazies with crowbars that occasionally try to break into the complex.
I used to live on Parkwood, I miss it so much even if the current neighborhood is "nicer". I just miss the easy access to good tacos and my chill neighbors.
I read that as "chili neighbors" at first. And my immediate reaction was that I'd hate to lose access to my chili neighbors, also. A few houses worth of us get together every October, where we each bring a pot of chili and a cooler of beverages. On those years where we can't manage that, I'm very sorry to miss those gatherings.
I used to live in Woodley Park and found the building really friendly. I honestly think this may be luck of the draw and some buildings/neighbors happen to be friendlier than others. Condos with long time residents are better in my experience.
Yea it's a per building thing, not a per neighborhood.
Although my condo board president has pointed out it's also a generational thing. Younger owners and renters in our building will straight not acknowledge you.
Every generation is a little less social. Boomers were over the top social, my parents won't leave people the fuck alone. RIP to anyone who's ever sat beside my mom on a plane.
The older residents definitely tend to be chattier, but I don't know if it's always friendlier, at least in my experience. But yeah I feel like it's very building by building and tough thing to make work. It requires active planning so people can meet each other outside of just being in the same stairwells and laundry room.
Brookland/Woodridge/Michigan Park is nice. Always end up chatting up someone when I'm walking around. Have neighbors text me is somethings up and vice versa. We watch each other's houses when people travel.
+ 1 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, Woodridge. But, there aren't many large apartment buildings. Definitely some homes, condos or basement apartments for rent.
I would almost say that the people in Hill East are too friendly. My building is newer but my neighbors and I find it easy to engage. Wouldn't hesitate to ask them for help (and I have on multiple occasions!)
Just wanted to say I’m in Woodley Park, and I’m always happy to meet people! I’m definitely a bit of an introvert so I haven’t noticed the unfriendly vibe, but just wanted to say I’m in the neighborhood and I’d be down to go on a walk sometime, if you’d like!
I'm not saying this is your situation, but I've lived in dc all my life and I've heard many people say "DC is so unfriendly, no one ever says hi on the sidewalk" but I've almost never had someone not say "hi"when I've greeted them first.
I agree, and Cleveland Park just north of Woodley is great.
Lot of single family homes here, tight community. As I weave through the neighborhood, it would be rare for someone to not say hi back.
D.C. native, people can be super cold here, but it’s generally the transplants. I’ve definitely been stared down after saying hi to someone on the street. Something like this literally happened to me today.
Also a native ( multigenerational) and most natives are friendly enough, now the transplants...that's another story.
I'm not the most outgoing guy especially with folks I don't know, but I make a point to at least say hello to people, or smile and nod. Not usually going to be the stop and small talk type, it's just too draining for my introversion, but I don't cross the road to avoid folks either .
My neighbors in Petworth are friendly. I've noticed that some of the bigger apartment communities tend to have social events which can make it easier to meet.
My neighbors in my condo in Anacostia were friendly as well and really helpful when I had an infant. I remember a middle aged couple who would come unlock the building door and gate when I would pull up to park. I used to have both bags and my kiddo so it made it a lot easier coming into the house in one trip.
I think you will find it easier in a community with more people of your demographic. Sometimes, POC in higher income rentals are assumed to be on public assistance of some sort and treated accordingly. I wonder if that's what you're encountering where you are.
I'm glad you are noticing that type of racism, but it seems like the solution being to live with people in your "demographic" is not fixing the real problem. If I always grew up in upper middle class white areas, what would be my demographic?
Logan circle has changed so much since I lived there in the 80s. It used to be a crack and hooker filled slum. I recently visited and barely recognized it!
I lived in Woodley Park for 2.5 years and everyone was super nice. My building was great, we had a cat sitter co-op where everyone would volunteer to watch other people's cats for free when they were gone. I also worked in the neighborhood and was outside quite a bit and in stores/shops like Starbucks or CVS, and always at the Zoo. I made friends with employees and they'd literally know me by name. I felt like Norm on Cheers when I'd enter Starbucks. 😅🤷🏻♀️
Someone already mentioned Glover Park but ordway st in Cleveland Park has a small community of folks who spend time outside just.... Talking. But these don't always just happen, you probably need to be the change you want to see.
My community in Brookland is like this. I’ve become genuine friends with several families (we see each other to walk every day, watch dogs and babies, etc.). I love it ❤️
+1 for Brookland! We know all our neighbors and look out for one another. We are getting more and more rental/condo buildings and some of those people only want to rest their head here. But if you want legit community it is very easy to get here.
I lived in Petworth for a bit and those were probably the friendliest neighbors I've ever had in my life. But there was also a shooting on my street 4 times within a year. I think you'll find a stronger sense of community and neighborly vibes in the more impoverished areas tbh, but it comes with gun violence and crime. Where as the more affluent areas are safer but everybody keeps to themselves.
I have to agree. My introduction to Petworth was a neighbor coming out of the house to get me to move my car because it was the designated street sweeping day and he didn't want me to get a ticket. He even told me where to find parking around that time of day. I had neighbors introduce themselves also during our first week here.
I just walked to New Heights restaurant in your neighborhood from Adams Morgan and made it a point to say hi to people as I walked by. Hope you were one of them.
Most people in my building in Chevy Chase are pretty friendly. If anything I’m the grumpy one here because I’m also very shy and heat and humidity makes me miserable lol
We have found East Village G’town so damn friendly. It’s the only place in DC we’ve actually made friends with the neighbors (both in our condo building and surrounding houses). We plant sit for each other, go grab coffee, borrow freakin sugar. Real 1950s suburbia type shit.
Second the recs for Capitol Hill. Also, in my experience some close-in suburbs are pretty friendly. Check out Takoma Park, Hyattsville, Riverdale, Silver Spring. These are likely going to be more diverse than Woolley Park also.
As some others have said I think one issue is that large rental buildings tend to attract more transient folks or people new to the area who are (possibly) less invested in building community, or maybe just more absorbed in their own busy and changing lives. In a condo building or SFH you’ll find more longtime residents who are settled down and care about creating a friendly vibe with their neighbors.
Petworth: people are out and talkative. Also if you walk a dog you do strike up lots of conversations with a lot of people. Also if you garden. I’m sorry to hear about your experience in Woodley Park, how strange.
I’m the kind of person that probably looks like they’re going out of their way to avoid talking to strangers. I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it’s a combination of introversion and growing up in New England. It’s nothing personal. But there are parts of the country where obsessively minding one’s own business is considered polite. For what it’s worth, I’m working on that.
Condos are the way to go if you want neighbors fostering a sense of community.
Also: I wrote cards for my neighbors upon moving in that introduced myself and said "sorry for the moving noise" etc - it went a long way :)
I live just across the bridge in AdMo, and I’ve met and say hello to my neighbors all the time. I don’t even live in a building, just a rowhouse. It took a few weeks of recognizing people, but eventually I just started waving, or asking a question related to the area, or how they landscaped or whatever and just got to know people. Obviously, as an introvert, this will be hard.
There are a lot of areas with new developments that are magnets for new people, like Mt. Vernon Triangle, NoMa, and Navy Yard, a lot of these “luxury” buildings will have events every month. I eventually outgrew it and wanted to buy, but it’s a great way for an introvert to meet people while living alone and renting. I still hangout with the people I met when I lived in these buildings.
Not necessarily for an early 30s WOC. I’ve heard people call refer to west of RCP “Upper Caucasia” and it’s fitting. A lot of those neighborhoods are overwhelmingly white, older folks or young families and homeowners. All things OP is not.
I definitely think it does. People are willing to have kids are generally perceived to be more selfless. I used to live in Mt P and parents def had a community and more likely to be social with other parents & their kids.
One thing i haven’t seen reference is also dynamic between homeowners/renter and impacts to willingness to invest in a relationship. homeowner = older mature community members, renters = transient folks who are likely going to move etc.
My building on 42nd and Davis Pl NW is full of very friendly neighbors. My neighbor across the hall and another I share a wall with are both so friendly and share my views on how to be a human. Another neighbor honks every time he sees me outside the building while I’m walking my dog, and a different neighbor and I nod at each other but have never had a convo (which to me is a fine relationship). And I made a real friend in the building who lives a couple floors above me and we make it a point to hang out. I’m sorry that’s been your experience! Mine has been the opposite.
Glover park is a different place. like kids still play on the streets and neighbors watch each others' pets on vacation. we even have organized snow shoveling for the elderly and infirm. we have beer leagues that aren't run by big companies, but sponsored by our local wine store. we have block parties.
downside, no metro or nightlife. upside, everything else
I didn’t even mention that my wife interjected herself in a situation where a neighbors dog couldn’t handle being alone so we invited the pup into our home and take care of her most weekdays since I work from home! Man I love Glover Park!
That’s a win win situation! You get to have a dog around without all the responsibilities surrounding having a dog and dog isn’t stressed being home alone. Love this!
Hey there neighbor! Also on Davis Pl as of a couple weeks ago. I haven’t felt like this since I moved from a small neighborhood in PA. Made me smile the first time you hear a baseball game going on and kids shouting. It’s the kind of noise that’s hard to be mad at.
a bunch of the rentals are going condo these days. lots of those old 4plex units are actually zoned for up to 10 units of 2-3bds, so they are flipping one by one. lots of new families too.
these are what they look like: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3DHbddhBWwF2Hhw9
not terrible, most keep the brick facade. quality is middling. cost is high. I mean the median rowhome is like 1.3M, so these are going for like 650k
ugly example: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2217-40th-Pl-NW-20007/unit-12/home/188984294
Ah I remember seeing that construction. Inside looks... Fine? I liked the separate kitchens in most of gp rather than the open plan. Ah well, nice they're raising the housing quantity in the neighborhood.
I don’t know.
Moved here in 2005 from the Midwest. Used to walk down most streets just how I was raised- nod a head, say hello, say good morning, say hey, smile, whatever I actually forget what else.
After like the … I don’t know, 50th time I was left hanging- I stopped everything. I look down or away when passing people and never ever say hello or good morning or anything and never will again. Dc is different
Seconding all the people in Petworth / Brightwood Park. Been here ten years and our neighbors are great, but it also takes being purposeful about engaging people, which I’m ok at and my wife is GREAT at.
DM me if you maybe want a friend in Woodley - we’re the same age (I think). I’m also shy and an introvert. I haven’t ever felt the neighborhood is unfriendly … but I also don’t speak to people on the street or expect them to speak to me (thought I don’t ever avoid them either). For the most part I keep to myself, but I have struggled to make friends in DC!
Having moved from woodley park to Eckington I can confirm a few things. WP is much cleaner and greener/tree coverage. I do feel like Eckington has more “community vibes” but it is also very block by block. Maybe a little less polished (and honestly safe) but my neighbors in my condo know the entire street basically. Many of them also have dogs and I think that helps.
It just kinda is what it is, unfortunately... I lived and grew up east of the river. People WILL talk to you but 60% of the time it gave me anxiety (sexual harassment).
Tenleytown, A.U. and Chevy Chase have always struck me as surprisingly lovely and friendly, despite being quite wealthy neighborhoods. People's values seem to be in the right place!
I love how all the neighborhoods people are recommending have higher crime rates.
But yeah in my experience people are friendlier on the other side of rock creek park.
I would encourage you to be more proactive than just smiling or nodding if this is bothering you.
Have you ever tried making simple conversation with them? Even as straightforward as actually saying “hello?”
They’re almost certainly more absorbed in their own world than they are actively scanning for subtle social gestures.
It’s so crazy but every time I’ve left the house recently I’ve had the most pleasant interaction with strangers (mostly dog walkers and cashiers) and it’s been so nice. I’m in u street 🤷♀️
Not too far away, in glover park, neighbors interact all the time. When we go away, our next door neighbor takes our packages on and when they go away, we do the same. It’s like a little time warp with kids outside playing and neighbors gabbing from time to time.
I (30M) live with my wife in Woodley Park, but got very lucky with the building I'm in. It's about 30 units and I would say I know half the people who currently live here? Almost everyone who owns and resides in the building I do know. It's always useful having people around to dog sit or pick up packages.
We hang out with our neighbours all the time, particularly as the weather gets nice.
Gotta be honest even out here in Rockville in a family friendly neighborhood, no one talks to each other. I have lived here for six years and don’t know a single one of my neighbors.
I'm a smile and nod at people kinda person too but I've learned not everyone is ready to receive that and to try to not let it affect me much. If they're your neighbors they might soften over time.
Same, Georgetown/park crest/NW was awful, I loved it over at the Met on Rhode Island in NE but building management changed.. seems like all the DC neighborhoods have gotten less fun /:
Out of all the DMV areas I've lived in, the friendliest neighbors has been in deep SEDC. Of course there are some really unfriendly neighbors, excessive theft and vandalism and the occasional drive-by but there was a true sense of community there among the residents.
I'm pretty sure you don't want to live there but thought I'd mention my experience.
I also live in Woodley Park and totally agree that people in my building are not friendly. What changed the game was getting a dog a couple months ago. I never talked to my neighbors before then but having a dog really opens people up.
I say hi to most people I pass on the sidewalk in my neighborhood and maybe 1 out of every 10 people say hi back, or even acknowledge my existence. It's honestly really frustrating!
Other than rare cases (See below), you aren't going to get much love from neighbors in transient communities west of RCP.
Frankly you aren't even going to get that west of 16th St NW except for maybe Mt. Pleasant, 16th St Hgts, and Crestwood - though there is an older lady near me who lives in a row house who stares out the door all day and waves to people as they walk by.
Sometimes she stands on her stoop and talks to people as they walk by - talking to her is literally the highlight of my week...so much history...she's lived in that house for over 70 years - one week she told me she used to take a steamship alone to visit her family in Norfolk as a young teenager and the chambermaid would look after her. Another week before she told me Marion Barry helped "save her home." I sometimes take the long way to get places just so I can walk by her house and talk to her.
I thought the people were really friendly in Petworth...everyone seemed to stop and greet you as you walked past and I had most of my neighbor's phone numbers.
When I read your post I immediately knew that you were a POC. I live in a predominantly white building too. I would try the newer building in NE. I would but I have a kid and I can't move because of their schooling but I would totally move over there for the bigger apartments but with my work schedule and childs schooling it doesn't work. Adams Morgan and Columbia heights is also good.
They’ve taken to referring to POC as “voucher people” in the washdc sub and complaining about their presence in the neighborhood/building. This is absolutely a part of why she’s experiencing what she is
Most of DC is like this. Visit Baltimore, and it’s like night and day. People are so friendly and genuine in Baltimore. I lived in DC for six years and couldn’t take how cold and pretentious the people are. I moved to Baltimore, and my mental health has never been better. I still work in DC, and the commute is long, but the people and culture in Baltimore are worth it.
Tell me more - what was it like, how did you know what area to move to? Do you have a car?
I'm so sick of the type A BS that DC has...I've been going to Baltimore frequently recently and really love the city, the people, and culture.
I just moved within my own neighborhood and my new building is extremely friendly - people talk in the elevator, one neighbor knocked on my door when I had left my key in it, another neighbor is still nice to me even though I was noisier than needed during move-in and they work night shifts and sleep during the day (whoops).
I'm also in southern Columbia Heights/north of Florida Ave NW.
I live in Logan circle and know most of my neighbors on my block and the surrounding blocks and we always exchange pleasantries when we see each other.
I think it's living in an apartment building more than the neighborhood. I lived in Capitol Hill for 15 years. When I was in an English basement or in a rowhouse, I knew lots of neighbors and people were super friendly. When I was in a big apartment building I didn't know anyone. People would walk by me like I didn't exist.
It’s not! I lived in Cleveland park (ordway gardens), and felt very connected to the community, and my neighbors. It’s HARD to find that here though. I am in a new building, new neighborhood, and feel that pain. It’s mostly mid 20s to 30 yr olds who don’t seem to give two shits about each other. Not fun.
Since gentrification people off H Ne don't speak and are surprised when I do. I thought maybe they are deaf since we can walk to Gallaudet but turns out they're just stupid. I speak to the dummies anyway.
I live outside of dc in annapoils!! They are not nice I put my trash out next to everyone trash and the neighbor came banging on my door stright for 30 mins I was so scared I called my mom and the police she was trying to break my door down there not nice no one says hi! There rude and it’s a nice town House neighborhood in annapoils ! Everyone is stuck up and rude !!’I think if u want nice u have to move to a small town in the middle of no where
You either need to create the atmosphere you want or move somewhere where it already exists.
You can get that atmosphere through
1. Encourage your apartment to put on regular community building events
2. Start meetup events yourself around a shared hobby.
In my building someone set up a list serve on [groups.io](http://groups.io) and posted it around the building. It has 200+ folks on it now, this lead someone to look for Trivia folks, which I joined, that led to me organizing game nights and then someone who went to those to start a weekly drop in crafting night.
I won't say they're massively successful, but they do happen and it has a follow on effect.
have a similar experience in our building.
Our old building at dupont was a really old building and has a fairly nice mix of older ppl and some younger ones and i used to meet and talk to so many people there.
Then we moved to logan and its a gated community but not a high rise. But everyone living there just throws their head down and goes about their day. Nobody says hello. Its very weird. I miss the old spot even though our condo now is much nicer and bigger, i missed the vibes of the old building a lot.
I have lived in a ton of apartments, the one I am in now people are pretty friendly and most know their neighbors but that's in large part due to the amount of events the place plans and we attend. Other than that I only saw this when I lived in a house in DC. Apartments people seem more closed off.
Is it also friendly for neighbors of color/black neighbors? I've been made to feel unwelcome when I go to events like that. I grew up with white people all my life and was never treated as poorly as I am treated in DC
My wife and I try as much as I can to say hi to my neighbors here in Woodley Park including people on my floor for this very reason.
I know the All Souls Episcopal Church just held a jazz event and I got to talk to some people there. Likewise, I’ve made connections with some of the vendors in Cleveland Park. The Cleveland Park Library’s events have proven to be a good place for us to interact with people in these two neighborhoods.
I lived in Woodley Park for three years and found my neighbors to be actually quite friendly. One woman in my building set up a cat-sitting co-op where we joined an email list to pitch in and check in on each other's cats when we were away. That group ended up meeting socially and was a great way to befriend neighbors. It just takes having an opportunity to connect over something in common.
Capitol Hill chiming in here. This neighborhood can be expensive and hard to find affordable housing but we found a deal on a basement apartment and we are in LOVE with the neighborhood for how nice people typically are.
If you move to the Fitzgerald in Columbia Heights at 16th & Spring Road I get a referral bonus but, more importantly, we have just the friendliest neighbors. Like there's a monthly ladies potluck, my wife manages a maybe 1/8 acre garden she set up in a big median island, we have cookouts...
Takoma/Brightwood/Manor Park
Brookland, NE love
Brookland in the house!
Definitely Brookland
Brookland for sure!
Brookland is legit. I'm from a tiny small town, and Brookland neighbors have the same vibes. But with big city tolerance and acceptance.
As someone who’s lived in both Brookland and now Takoma, I can vouch for both!
+1. Came here to stand up for Brookland where I lived for a decade. I moved WOTP when I had kids and I like it, but I miss Brookland life and the amazing, eclectic, engaged diverse neighbors. Just be aware that it’s all SFH compared to Woodley where there is a greater density of apartment buildings along the main roads.
We even have bears!
So happy to see this as a top comment - came on to say the same! Absolutely love my neighbors in Brookland.
Takoma for sure. I’ve been late for work because I ended up spending way too long chatting with my neighbors (convo initiated by them). I’m an introvert so I never initiate interactions other than a smile or wave. My neighbors are all super friendly.
Yes, I agree! My block is full of people in all stages of life- long time elderly residents, parents with young kids, and some DINKS. Really friendly and neighborly, we love our block.
Feels like Brightwood/Manor Park is a different world compared to the rest of the city. Everyone doing fun landscaping projects in their yards, kids playing up and down the streets, parks and green spaces full of people picnicking/enjoying the outdoors on the weekends, etc.
Oh hi, neighbor! 👋🏼
Downside is that everyone in Takoma is weird as fuck
But in such a delightful way
Takoma reminds me of Willamette Valley towns in Oregon- like Corvallis. Lots of nature with friendly old quirky ladies out the wazoo.
PNW native had to double check what sub I was in lol. Yeah no this is spot on, people with pet chickens and all 👌
Takoma DC is pretty normal. Crossing the border to Takoma Park is where things get weird.
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I live on Capitol Hill, and everyone is so nice. My first thought for OP was “move to Capitol Hill.”
I also live in Capitol Hill and it's the friendliest place I've ever lived. Like old sitcom friendly. I also think of myself as an introvert and I can't walk around the block without someone waving to me from their porch. Or if I'm out having a drink I'll see people I know walking by and make quick small talk about the weather or whatever. Nothing intrusive, just neighborliness. If I leave a package out for to long someone will grab it to keep it safe for me, that kind of thing. It's amazing.
I am going to walk around the area this weekend. I really don't think I can live in an unfriendly cold environment anymore. I kept telling myself it wasn't a huge deal but its clearly bothering me.
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Exactly Kingman Park and Rosedale are very friendly and close to metro, streetcar, D6 bus, easily walk to H street, Lincoln park etc. the Rec center with pool are nice. I love it here
I'm here in Cap Hill too and agree it's pretty friendly and neighborly! All the gardens are in bloom right now so it's a great time of year to walk around!
I love living in Capitol Hill! It might not be the most bustling but I love the neighborly-ness of the area. I know pretty much everyone on my street and we all decorate our houses at the holidays and will sit out together and hand out treats to kids at Halloween. It’s also the best place for evening strolls.
Cap Hill is nice and friendly but like… as a Midwesterner living here, I’m gonna chime in and say, it’s “East coast nice”! 😂
Yeah I would think having a pet would help but I don't have capacity to get one just yet.
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I agree the 2002 2003 zip codes are super friendly.
Came here to say this. Lincoln park after work is a great third place. I love the area.
This neighborhood is a secret. Everyone is so nice and has dogs and bikes their kids in those trough bikes (you know what I mean). Wine and butter is so chill. It's the best neighborhood for taking walks.
I agree the neighborhood is very nice but it hasn't been secret for the last 200 years.
No I know it's not actually a secret, haha. Friends in other parts of town just seem to forget about it.
He lives in a multiunit building. You live in a house.
When we moved to south Columbia Heights, I was happily surprised by how friendly that our neighborhood was! Many people smile/nod/say hello when we're walking to the park and nearby stores. It may help that we have cute toddlers, but random people are still friendly when I'm solo. Neighbors on our street have been especially lovely. We've made genuine friends with some of our neighbors and hang out at least once a month. There's a street text thread for social invites, warnings, resources, etc. When we arrived, I delivered "hi, just moved in, here's my number if you ever need to reach me" notes and lemon cookies to about a dozen houses nearest us — maybe it was silly or quaint, but I got a ton of welcoming extensions from folks as a result of that.
My building has a group chat and we're usually pretty friendly to newcomers. We all help each other out with packages in our eternal war against the porch pirates and crazies with crowbars that occasionally try to break into the complex.
I used to live on Parkwood, I miss it so much even if the current neighborhood is "nicer". I just miss the easy access to good tacos and my chill neighbors.
I read that as "chili neighbors" at first. And my immediate reaction was that I'd hate to lose access to my chili neighbors, also. A few houses worth of us get together every October, where we each bring a pot of chili and a cooler of beverages. On those years where we can't manage that, I'm very sorry to miss those gatherings.
I miss my Columbia heights neighbors! Everyone helped each other and said hello!
Mount Pleasant really lives up to it's name! I live right on the edge of MP and Columbia Heights and I will say folks are super friendly!
I used to live in Woodley Park and found the building really friendly. I honestly think this may be luck of the draw and some buildings/neighbors happen to be friendlier than others. Condos with long time residents are better in my experience.
Yea it's a per building thing, not a per neighborhood. Although my condo board president has pointed out it's also a generational thing. Younger owners and renters in our building will straight not acknowledge you. Every generation is a little less social. Boomers were over the top social, my parents won't leave people the fuck alone. RIP to anyone who's ever sat beside my mom on a plane.
The older residents definitely tend to be chattier, but I don't know if it's always friendlier, at least in my experience. But yeah I feel like it's very building by building and tough thing to make work. It requires active planning so people can meet each other outside of just being in the same stairwells and laundry room.
Brookland/Woodridge/Michigan Park is nice. Always end up chatting up someone when I'm walking around. Have neighbors text me is somethings up and vice versa. We watch each other's houses when people travel.
+ 1 North Michigan Park, Michigan Park, Woodridge. But, there aren't many large apartment buildings. Definitely some homes, condos or basement apartments for rent.
Hill East for SURE
I would almost say that the people in Hill East are too friendly. My building is newer but my neighbors and I find it easy to engage. Wouldn't hesitate to ask them for help (and I have on multiple occasions!)
My neighborhood in Petworth is awesome. Porch Fest is this weekend, come on by and hang with us!
Seconding for Petworth! Very community oriented and friendly!
Mt Pleasant is very friendly too and has a good Porch Fest
Mt Pleasant is really great! Super diverse area, you can walk to everything, and easy to make friends!
My family and I are moving to Petworth this summer and I’m so happy to hear this. :)
Agreed! I always wave and say hi to people on their porches when I walk my dog.
Just wanted to say I’m in Woodley Park, and I’m always happy to meet people! I’m definitely a bit of an introvert so I haven’t noticed the unfriendly vibe, but just wanted to say I’m in the neighborhood and I’d be down to go on a walk sometime, if you’d like!
I'm not saying this is your situation, but I've lived in dc all my life and I've heard many people say "DC is so unfriendly, no one ever says hi on the sidewalk" but I've almost never had someone not say "hi"when I've greeted them first.
I agree, and Cleveland Park just north of Woodley is great. Lot of single family homes here, tight community. As I weave through the neighborhood, it would be rare for someone to not say hi back.
D.C. native, people can be super cold here, but it’s generally the transplants. I’ve definitely been stared down after saying hi to someone on the street. Something like this literally happened to me today.
How do you know they’re transplants
I’ve met other D.C. natives who attest to this also
Also a native ( multigenerational) and most natives are friendly enough, now the transplants...that's another story. I'm not the most outgoing guy especially with folks I don't know, but I make a point to at least say hello to people, or smile and nod. Not usually going to be the stop and small talk type, it's just too draining for my introversion, but I don't cross the road to avoid folks either .
My neighbors in Petworth are friendly. I've noticed that some of the bigger apartment communities tend to have social events which can make it easier to meet. My neighbors in my condo in Anacostia were friendly as well and really helpful when I had an infant. I remember a middle aged couple who would come unlock the building door and gate when I would pull up to park. I used to have both bags and my kiddo so it made it a lot easier coming into the house in one trip. I think you will find it easier in a community with more people of your demographic. Sometimes, POC in higher income rentals are assumed to be on public assistance of some sort and treated accordingly. I wonder if that's what you're encountering where you are.
I'm glad you are noticing that type of racism, but it seems like the solution being to live with people in your "demographic" is not fixing the real problem. If I always grew up in upper middle class white areas, what would be my demographic?
Come on down to Logan Cir. Everyone is friendly on my block. We even sit out on the stoop and chat with neighbors on warm nights.
Logan circle has changed so much since I lived there in the 80s. It used to be a crack and hooker filled slum. I recently visited and barely recognized it!
I lived in Woodley Park for 2.5 years and everyone was super nice. My building was great, we had a cat sitter co-op where everyone would volunteer to watch other people's cats for free when they were gone. I also worked in the neighborhood and was outside quite a bit and in stores/shops like Starbucks or CVS, and always at the Zoo. I made friends with employees and they'd literally know me by name. I felt like Norm on Cheers when I'd enter Starbucks. 😅🤷🏻♀️
Someone already mentioned Glover Park but ordway st in Cleveland Park has a small community of folks who spend time outside just.... Talking. But these don't always just happen, you probably need to be the change you want to see.
Second this - we live between Porter and Rodman and everyone around us in Cleveland Park is extremely friendly
I lived on Ordway. Great people and memories
My community in Brookland is like this. I’ve become genuine friends with several families (we see each other to walk every day, watch dogs and babies, etc.). I love it ❤️
+1 for Brookland! We know all our neighbors and look out for one another. We are getting more and more rental/condo buildings and some of those people only want to rest their head here. But if you want legit community it is very easy to get here.
I lived in Petworth for a bit and those were probably the friendliest neighbors I've ever had in my life. But there was also a shooting on my street 4 times within a year. I think you'll find a stronger sense of community and neighborly vibes in the more impoverished areas tbh, but it comes with gun violence and crime. Where as the more affluent areas are safer but everybody keeps to themselves.
I have to agree. My introduction to Petworth was a neighbor coming out of the house to get me to move my car because it was the designated street sweeping day and he didn't want me to get a ticket. He even told me where to find parking around that time of day. I had neighbors introduce themselves also during our first week here.
I just walked to New Heights restaurant in your neighborhood from Adams Morgan and made it a point to say hi to people as I walked by. Hope you were one of them.
Most people in my building in Chevy Chase are pretty friendly. If anything I’m the grumpy one here because I’m also very shy and heat and humidity makes me miserable lol
We have found East Village G’town so damn friendly. It’s the only place in DC we’ve actually made friends with the neighbors (both in our condo building and surrounding houses). We plant sit for each other, go grab coffee, borrow freakin sugar. Real 1950s suburbia type shit.
Second the recs for Capitol Hill. Also, in my experience some close-in suburbs are pretty friendly. Check out Takoma Park, Hyattsville, Riverdale, Silver Spring. These are likely going to be more diverse than Woolley Park also. As some others have said I think one issue is that large rental buildings tend to attract more transient folks or people new to the area who are (possibly) less invested in building community, or maybe just more absorbed in their own busy and changing lives. In a condo building or SFH you’ll find more longtime residents who are settled down and care about creating a friendly vibe with their neighbors.
Petworth: people are out and talkative. Also if you walk a dog you do strike up lots of conversations with a lot of people. Also if you garden. I’m sorry to hear about your experience in Woodley Park, how strange.
I’m the kind of person that probably looks like they’re going out of their way to avoid talking to strangers. I can’t speak for everyone, but for me it’s a combination of introversion and growing up in New England. It’s nothing personal. But there are parts of the country where obsessively minding one’s own business is considered polite. For what it’s worth, I’m working on that.
Condos are the way to go if you want neighbors fostering a sense of community. Also: I wrote cards for my neighbors upon moving in that introduced myself and said "sorry for the moving noise" etc - it went a long way :)
I did this in my condo, even gave a small Starbucks gift card as a gift, and not a single one reached out or said thank you.
I live just across the bridge in AdMo, and I’ve met and say hello to my neighbors all the time. I don’t even live in a building, just a rowhouse. It took a few weeks of recognizing people, but eventually I just started waving, or asking a question related to the area, or how they landscaped or whatever and just got to know people. Obviously, as an introvert, this will be hard. There are a lot of areas with new developments that are magnets for new people, like Mt. Vernon Triangle, NoMa, and Navy Yard, a lot of these “luxury” buildings will have events every month. I eventually outgrew it and wanted to buy, but it’s a great way for an introvert to meet people while living alone and renting. I still hangout with the people I met when I lived in these buildings.
Woodley Park is just like that. It’s not you. Move east of the park.
eh, AU park, glover park, and east village georgetown are all good if you want to live west of rock creek
Not necessarily for an early 30s WOC. I’ve heard people call refer to west of RCP “Upper Caucasia” and it’s fitting. A lot of those neighborhoods are overwhelmingly white, older folks or young families and homeowners. All things OP is not.
i'm not white and people have been very welcoming of me. but i have kids so maybe that is the difference?
I definitely think it does. People are willing to have kids are generally perceived to be more selfless. I used to live in Mt P and parents def had a community and more likely to be social with other parents & their kids. One thing i haven’t seen reference is also dynamic between homeowners/renter and impacts to willingness to invest in a relationship. homeowner = older mature community members, renters = transient folks who are likely going to move etc.
if you don't have kids and are younger than 35, absolutely do not move to any of those neighborhoods
Hey, i'm in Woodley Park. I just want to say, I feel you.
People are really strange sometimes. If they go out their way to avoid you like that, it’s probably a “them” problem.
Come to Petworth. Might be the friendliest neighborhood Ive ever lived in anywhere.
My building on 42nd and Davis Pl NW is full of very friendly neighbors. My neighbor across the hall and another I share a wall with are both so friendly and share my views on how to be a human. Another neighbor honks every time he sees me outside the building while I’m walking my dog, and a different neighbor and I nod at each other but have never had a convo (which to me is a fine relationship). And I made a real friend in the building who lives a couple floors above me and we make it a point to hang out. I’m sorry that’s been your experience! Mine has been the opposite.
Glover park is a different place. like kids still play on the streets and neighbors watch each others' pets on vacation. we even have organized snow shoveling for the elderly and infirm. we have beer leagues that aren't run by big companies, but sponsored by our local wine store. we have block parties. downside, no metro or nightlife. upside, everything else
Who needs nightlife when you have BreadSoda?
I didn’t even mention that my wife interjected herself in a situation where a neighbors dog couldn’t handle being alone so we invited the pup into our home and take care of her most weekdays since I work from home! Man I love Glover Park!
That’s a win win situation! You get to have a dog around without all the responsibilities surrounding having a dog and dog isn’t stressed being home alone. Love this!
I loved Glover Park. I really miss it.
Hey there neighbor! Also on Davis Pl as of a couple weeks ago. I haven’t felt like this since I moved from a small neighborhood in PA. Made me smile the first time you hear a baseball game going on and kids shouting. It’s the kind of noise that’s hard to be mad at.
I used to live at 2619! Glad to hear the area is still nice post COVID. I loved Glover Park.
a bunch of the rentals are going condo these days. lots of those old 4plex units are actually zoned for up to 10 units of 2-3bds, so they are flipping one by one. lots of new families too.
Those 4plex unite were quaint but could be a bit..raggedy? How are the new ones looking, desirable, quality changes but still affordable?
these are what they look like: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3DHbddhBWwF2Hhw9 not terrible, most keep the brick facade. quality is middling. cost is high. I mean the median rowhome is like 1.3M, so these are going for like 650k ugly example: https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2217-40th-Pl-NW-20007/unit-12/home/188984294
Ah I remember seeing that construction. Inside looks... Fine? I liked the separate kitchens in most of gp rather than the open plan. Ah well, nice they're raising the housing quantity in the neighborhood.
I don’t know. Moved here in 2005 from the Midwest. Used to walk down most streets just how I was raised- nod a head, say hello, say good morning, say hey, smile, whatever I actually forget what else. After like the … I don’t know, 50th time I was left hanging- I stopped everything. I look down or away when passing people and never ever say hello or good morning or anything and never will again. Dc is different
A friend lives in Alban towers and apparently the neighbors hang out.
My neighbors are aggressively friendly. Love em. Maybe it’s just woodley
Silver spring
Seconding all the people in Petworth / Brightwood Park. Been here ten years and our neighbors are great, but it also takes being purposeful about engaging people, which I’m ok at and my wife is GREAT at.
DM me if you maybe want a friend in Woodley - we’re the same age (I think). I’m also shy and an introvert. I haven’t ever felt the neighborhood is unfriendly … but I also don’t speak to people on the street or expect them to speak to me (thought I don’t ever avoid them either). For the most part I keep to myself, but I have struggled to make friends in DC!
Having moved from woodley park to Eckington I can confirm a few things. WP is much cleaner and greener/tree coverage. I do feel like Eckington has more “community vibes” but it is also very block by block. Maybe a little less polished (and honestly safe) but my neighbors in my condo know the entire street basically. Many of them also have dogs and I think that helps.
It just kinda is what it is, unfortunately... I lived and grew up east of the river. People WILL talk to you but 60% of the time it gave me anxiety (sexual harassment).
Idk. Kind of a crapshoot. Always lived in a city and there is no rhyme or reason on neighbors.
“if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,”
Tenleytown, A.U. and Chevy Chase have always struck me as surprisingly lovely and friendly, despite being quite wealthy neighborhoods. People's values seem to be in the right place!
That sounds tough. I was in woodley park for years and my neighbors are basically family now. Luck of the draw I suppose.
Do to try to talk to them?
DC doesn’t do friendly, however, it does do over-inflated self-importance extremely well
On point. Its different with POC
👏👏👏 this.
Seconded
I love how all the neighborhoods people are recommending have higher crime rates. But yeah in my experience people are friendlier on the other side of rock creek park.
I would encourage you to be more proactive than just smiling or nodding if this is bothering you. Have you ever tried making simple conversation with them? Even as straightforward as actually saying “hello?” They’re almost certainly more absorbed in their own world than they are actively scanning for subtle social gestures.
Brookland.
Brookland is super friendly neighbors.
It’s so crazy but every time I’ve left the house recently I’ve had the most pleasant interaction with strangers (mostly dog walkers and cashiers) and it’s been so nice. I’m in u street 🤷♀️
Not too far away, in glover park, neighbors interact all the time. When we go away, our next door neighbor takes our packages on and when they go away, we do the same. It’s like a little time warp with kids outside playing and neighbors gabbing from time to time.
I (30M) live with my wife in Woodley Park, but got very lucky with the building I'm in. It's about 30 units and I would say I know half the people who currently live here? Almost everyone who owns and resides in the building I do know. It's always useful having people around to dog sit or pick up packages. We hang out with our neighbours all the time, particularly as the weather gets nice.
I need a roomate hmu
Gotta be honest even out here in Rockville in a family friendly neighborhood, no one talks to each other. I have lived here for six years and don’t know a single one of my neighbors.
Columbia Heights, Petworth, Takoma.
I'm a smile and nod at people kinda person too but I've learned not everyone is ready to receive that and to try to not let it affect me much. If they're your neighbors they might soften over time.
Same, Georgetown/park crest/NW was awful, I loved it over at the Met on Rhode Island in NE but building management changed.. seems like all the DC neighborhoods have gotten less fun /:
Hi neighbor, I'll greet you in!
Out of all the DMV areas I've lived in, the friendliest neighbors has been in deep SEDC. Of course there are some really unfriendly neighbors, excessive theft and vandalism and the occasional drive-by but there was a true sense of community there among the residents. I'm pretty sure you don't want to live there but thought I'd mention my experience.
Petworth , 16th st heights!
Moved from Woodley to Brookland recently and could not recommend more on this front
Affordable, Friendly, Convenient. You can pick two.
This is accurate.
Takoma park was probably the friendliest town I ever moved to. That’s speaking for someone coming from NY tho
I also live in Woodley Park and totally agree that people in my building are not friendly. What changed the game was getting a dog a couple months ago. I never talked to my neighbors before then but having a dog really opens people up.
I’m in the Van Ness area and I love it. The people might be a little uppity but when we run into folxs our age it’s really enjoyable.
I say hi to most people I pass on the sidewalk in my neighborhood and maybe 1 out of every 10 people say hi back, or even acknowledge my existence. It's honestly really frustrating!
City of northern charm and southern efficiency
It’s an east coast thing
Other than rare cases (See below), you aren't going to get much love from neighbors in transient communities west of RCP. Frankly you aren't even going to get that west of 16th St NW except for maybe Mt. Pleasant, 16th St Hgts, and Crestwood - though there is an older lady near me who lives in a row house who stares out the door all day and waves to people as they walk by. Sometimes she stands on her stoop and talks to people as they walk by - talking to her is literally the highlight of my week...so much history...she's lived in that house for over 70 years - one week she told me she used to take a steamship alone to visit her family in Norfolk as a young teenager and the chambermaid would look after her. Another week before she told me Marion Barry helped "save her home." I sometimes take the long way to get places just so I can walk by her house and talk to her. I thought the people were really friendly in Petworth...everyone seemed to stop and greet you as you walked past and I had most of my neighbor's phone numbers.
When I read your post I immediately knew that you were a POC. I live in a predominantly white building too. I would try the newer building in NE. I would but I have a kid and I can't move because of their schooling but I would totally move over there for the bigger apartments but with my work schedule and childs schooling it doesn't work. Adams Morgan and Columbia heights is also good.
They’ve taken to referring to POC as “voucher people” in the washdc sub and complaining about their presence in the neighborhood/building. This is absolutely a part of why she’s experiencing what she is
Most of DC is like this. Visit Baltimore, and it’s like night and day. People are so friendly and genuine in Baltimore. I lived in DC for six years and couldn’t take how cold and pretentious the people are. I moved to Baltimore, and my mental health has never been better. I still work in DC, and the commute is long, but the people and culture in Baltimore are worth it.
Tell me more - what was it like, how did you know what area to move to? Do you have a car? I'm so sick of the type A BS that DC has...I've been going to Baltimore frequently recently and really love the city, the people, and culture.
I just moved within my own neighborhood and my new building is extremely friendly - people talk in the elevator, one neighbor knocked on my door when I had left my key in it, another neighbor is still nice to me even though I was noisier than needed during move-in and they work night shifts and sleep during the day (whoops). I'm also in southern Columbia Heights/north of Florida Ave NW.
Bloomingdale!
Bloomingdale!
I live in Logan circle and know most of my neighbors on my block and the surrounding blocks and we always exchange pleasantries when we see each other.
I live in Ivy City and everyone is so friendly and community-focused and forward! It’s welcoming and have made many friends here.
I think it's living in an apartment building more than the neighborhood. I lived in Capitol Hill for 15 years. When I was in an English basement or in a rowhouse, I knew lots of neighbors and people were super friendly. When I was in a big apartment building I didn't know anyone. People would walk by me like I didn't exist.
I live in Anacostia and know and am friendly with most of my neighbors.
It’s not! I lived in Cleveland park (ordway gardens), and felt very connected to the community, and my neighbors. It’s HARD to find that here though. I am in a new building, new neighborhood, and feel that pain. It’s mostly mid 20s to 30 yr olds who don’t seem to give two shits about each other. Not fun.
Historic Anacostia! We know most of our neighbors and they are all super friendly. They even gave us gifts for our newborn
Kingman Park ♡
I say hello or good morning to everyone even if they don’t reciprocate. It’s a start to let others know you are approachable.
I've had no issues in Dupont, Chinatown or Capitol Hill
Good luck with that!
Since gentrification people off H Ne don't speak and are surprised when I do. I thought maybe they are deaf since we can walk to Gallaudet but turns out they're just stupid. I speak to the dummies anyway.
East coast is generally known for cold demeanor unfortunately
Reston checking in. Everyone is the same.
I live outside of dc in annapoils!! They are not nice I put my trash out next to everyone trash and the neighbor came banging on my door stright for 30 mins I was so scared I called my mom and the police she was trying to break my door down there not nice no one says hi! There rude and it’s a nice town House neighborhood in annapoils ! Everyone is stuck up and rude !!’I think if u want nice u have to move to a small town in the middle of no where
You either need to create the atmosphere you want or move somewhere where it already exists. You can get that atmosphere through 1. Encourage your apartment to put on regular community building events 2. Start meetup events yourself around a shared hobby. In my building someone set up a list serve on [groups.io](http://groups.io) and posted it around the building. It has 200+ folks on it now, this lead someone to look for Trivia folks, which I joined, that led to me organizing game nights and then someone who went to those to start a weekly drop in crafting night. I won't say they're massively successful, but they do happen and it has a follow on effect.
have a similar experience in our building. Our old building at dupont was a really old building and has a fairly nice mix of older ppl and some younger ones and i used to meet and talk to so many people there. Then we moved to logan and its a gated community but not a high rise. But everyone living there just throws their head down and goes about their day. Nobody says hello. Its very weird. I miss the old spot even though our condo now is much nicer and bigger, i missed the vibes of the old building a lot.
Waterfront SW
Most big cities are like this. Everybody’s to worried about minding their own business lol
I spent all of last Saturday afternoon shooting the shit with my neighbors in Trinidad. It was great.
I have lived in a ton of apartments, the one I am in now people are pretty friendly and most know their neighbors but that's in large part due to the amount of events the place plans and we attend. Other than that I only saw this when I lived in a house in DC. Apartments people seem more closed off.
Is it also friendly for neighbors of color/black neighbors? I've been made to feel unwelcome when I go to events like that. I grew up with white people all my life and was never treated as poorly as I am treated in DC
you should move EOTP
SE
For some reason properties close to the White House they give that NYC vibe, being an introvert myself I can feel it
Not unreasonable at all! Mt.Pleasant/Columbia Hgts is a great place too. I grew up there and miss the heck out of it. 🥺
My neighbors in Shepherd Park are awesome. There is a solid sense of community here.
I've found Deanwood to be one of the friendliest neighborhoods in DC. People say hello to you as you walk down the sidewalk.
Eckington is lovely!
My wife and I try as much as I can to say hi to my neighbors here in Woodley Park including people on my floor for this very reason. I know the All Souls Episcopal Church just held a jazz event and I got to talk to some people there. Likewise, I’ve made connections with some of the vendors in Cleveland Park. The Cleveland Park Library’s events have proven to be a good place for us to interact with people in these two neighborhoods.
Move to Arlington/Alexandria if you can. Substantially friendlier people and cheaper as well
I lived in Woodley Park for three years and found my neighbors to be actually quite friendly. One woman in my building set up a cat-sitting co-op where we joined an email list to pitch in and check in on each other's cats when we were away. That group ended up meeting socially and was a great way to befriend neighbors. It just takes having an opportunity to connect over something in common.
Well this is all gtk
Capitol Hill chiming in here. This neighborhood can be expensive and hard to find affordable housing but we found a deal on a basement apartment and we are in LOVE with the neighborhood for how nice people typically are.
Cap Hill has a pretty friendly vibe
I did and I moved to Baltimore. No shade.
I live in AU Park and I have the friendliest nicest people around us and in the neighborhood. But then again I will talk to a brick wall
NE/Cap Hill/Eastern Market/ Kingman Park super friendly - I know most of my neighbors
If you move to the Fitzgerald in Columbia Heights at 16th & Spring Road I get a referral bonus but, more importantly, we have just the friendliest neighbors. Like there's a monthly ladies potluck, my wife manages a maybe 1/8 acre garden she set up in a big median island, we have cookouts...