My Search for a Home

With the new year I committed to starting the process of looking for property I could purchase.

And so, my search began in my immediate neighborhood when a for rent sign on a tiny townhouse went up around the corner. After scheduling a viewing of the property I asked the owner if she would consider selling which she was open to, but after several weeks of conversations her asking price of $360,000 was far out side of my mid-western view of reasonable.

The same can be said about most all of the properties in and on the edge of the expanding Capital Hills neighborhood.

Life on the Hill

Its been five years since I moved from the big shouldered city on the shoreline of Lake Michigan (Chicago) to the southern influenced midtempo pacing of Washington DC. The transition was needed and embraced having just completed my studies in design.

I settled comfortably and without much drama into a affordable and recently renovated 12 unit apartment building in the Capital Hill neighborhood. I marvel at how fast I adjusted to the white wall apartment life after spending eight years of living in community and sharing my living space with others.

The best part of the neighborhood is the convenience of services. I love being able to walk to the market (2 blocks), the metro (3 blocks), the cleaners (1/2 block) and church (1 block)...

Map: Washington DC, Viringia & Maryland (aka: the DMV)

One of the first steps in understanding the lay of the land in DC is to recognize that the city is divided into quadrants, referred to as NE, SE, NW and SW. Each quadrant has its own unique qualities whether real or perceived. The generalized view of each is as follows: NW - money and privilege, NE - a real mixed bag, SW water front and the new baseball stadium and SE Marion Berry and the expanding Capital Hill neighborhood.

I have only lived in the SE so far, and prefer it for its less dense and quieter environs.

Reflections on Living in Washington DC

This blog will be a reflection of my thoughts on living in the nation's capital city. On the suggestion from a hometown (Detroit) friend over the weekend I will attempt to share some of my experiences as I make DC my home.