If you live here, you know; and if you don't, it's a pseudo-secret. TV shows & movies portray a laid back, albeit thrilling life in this town. But the travel agents also point out the local attractions, including museums & theater. This area also has a very educated populace, which shows in bookstores and local activism.

For those who don't want the excess of life in the downtown area, there are some suburban neighborhoods, and there are some top class suburbs, cities in their own rights.

Forbes recently highlighted a few, in both Maryland and Virginia. I'd also add Reston,VA and Columbia, MD to their list. You'll find home prices in the premier suburbs as higher and higher than most of DC, but, as in all, you get what you pay for.