My neighborhood, my home, is Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. When I say that, you think of where I walk my dog every Sunday evening:
and I can understand that. But that's not at all that I think of. I think of a village, most of it within the Capitol Hill Historic District. Really, I think of my neighbors:
In truth, those 2 perceptions speak to buildings, which need to be considered.
The first, the US Capitol and its staff is not quite as as the wizard in the Emerald City of Oz. I'd argue the wizard lives in another neighborhood in NW DC, while all the worker munchkins and their families and teachers and dry cleaners and dentists and librarians and ad infinitum live in Capitol Hill.
Those neighbors in the second photo are the wonderful people who gravitate to this city for the ideals they wish to fulfill, and to this neighborhood because it does feel like a prototypical American village (population just over 52,000 making it a good-sized village). Truly, schools and churches at just about every corner, independent drugstores and markets at all the other corners. You see the same people at the bus stop, or as you walk the 2-3-5 blocks to the Metro. And you see all the same people at the dog parks that dot Capitol Hill, at the health club, at the local automobile repair shop, at the farmer's market.
Are there benefits to living in Capitol Hill that one wouldn't get in a small town in Vermont? Certainly, the local employer does ensure we have world class leaders & thinkers come into our midst weekly. Are there benefits to living in Capitol Hill rather than other neighborhoods? Certainly I think so, as this is a relatively affordable neighborhood (relative to the metro. area) with the benefit of the best of urban Washington nearby, while yet living in a protected neighborhood, almost a cocoon. (poor word choice, yet this is a very insulated neighborhood where neighbors care and look out for one another.)
If you want to visit this town, try to find a local Airbnb; you'll be surprised and pleased. If you fall in love and want to look at some home considerations, I like the information which HomeSnap publishes.
Certainly, this is all just marketing boosterism, correct? Not so, this is truly how we live. Two weeks ago, I saw a neighbor (the girl in the pink summer dress, who's parents allowed me to take the photo), at her Lemonade Stand. I stopped to get a cup, and while I was speaking with her, people were driving up, getting out of their cars simply to come to support her. Surely more for the support than the lemonade, and she was raking it in, both compliments and currency. This scene was around the corner from the townhomes above.
If you'd didn't know where that photo had been taken, would you think this was Vermont or a 15 minute walk from the US Capitol and a 15 minute drive from Reagan National Airport?
If this is the type of living you'd like to have in Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, see what's currently available for your consideration.
I've got to admit I was motivated to do this as a result of Noah Seidenberg's contest that he is holding this month. See the other entries.
photos: personal & HomeSnap.com
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