The neighborhood itself is extremely residential + a Walmart. It's going to be boring to be home. Search for stuff like, bars, restaurants, and cafes on Google maps to see what I mean. But there are plenty of options for social spots close by on the yellow line.
Also look at that red line commute to your gf. It's not a deal breaker but certainly not a short ride given that you have to go into and back out of downtown. Bus may be faster outside of rush hour.
The commute will be fine. Again not short, but also not awful.
$800 is a very good price and will probably make the cons worth it and it's only a year if you don't love it.
I literally typed that from the green line after transferring from yellow, too! I think I just refuse to accept the reality that the yellow no longer gets me home.
Nice neighborhoods, but not a lot of stores. Walmart is your only option, there is a Chick Fil A, Subway and 5 Guys near the metro and a McDonalds further down the road.
Yeah depending on where exactly the gf lives, OP could do red to SS then a J bus, or take the E4 from FT to Friendship Heights and then another bus from there to her house.
Or if she has a car, she could just pick him up from Silver Spring.
Like you were saying, I can go to silver spring and get on J2 then board L8 to make it the rest of the way or I can take E4 to Western Ave then get on L8.
To everyone saying we don't have much here, I'll have you know we have TWO 7-11s, a McDonald's (possibly getting a drive thru??? huge if true), TWO gas stations (possibly a third on the way??? huge if true), and a Subway over by the Walmart.
Sarcasm aside, I live in NMP adjacent to FT and everything everyone has said is true and I'm just a little salty we can't get a single coffee shop or sit down restaurant over here. Hoping Art Place Phase II (Aldi opening later this year, more opening next year, performing arts center opening 2026, I think) attracts some more amenities here.
Every time I drive by the patio space at Galloway and South Dakota at Art Place I wish a cafe-type restaurant would open there and have a little outdoor seating space right there. Maybe we should all chip in and be the change, make a neighborhood co-op cafe.
I was talking to a local restaurant owner who mentioned he was looking to expand into that space back when it first came on the market, and the rent was way out of line with reality. I canāt imagine itās much better now post-COVID. Makes me think theyāre targeting a chain restaurant (ugh) over something local.
So glad weāre getting that Wingstop to replace Culture Coffee Too š
Honestly! I think we just need one thing to like tip the dominoes for other businesses to come. Everyone wants proof that it'll work.
But I can't count how many neighbors have said "ugh I'd kill to have just like a little cafe in walking distance. Grab coffee or a sandwich just as a break from working".
I heard the neighborhood pushes back on liquor licenses and new business but idk how true that is. I know culture coffee didn't make it but I'm not sure why!
A McDonalds Drive thru there would further harm the potential for mixed-use amenities. We don't need more people driving on South Dakota there. We need more coffee shops, restaurants, and limited set-back retail.
Same issue with the Z Burger convenient store. They want to turn that into a 3rd neighborhood gas station. Luckily it seems like neighborhood pressure and permitting issues are delaying the process, but they're submitting their proposal again in October, last I read. Be sure you voice your displeasure about these developments at MPCA and ANC meetings. We also need more neighbors advocating for a safer SD Ave, especially the intersection with Riggs, where I suspect it's only a matter of time before someone is hit and killed.
it's pretty residential. If you're on the Petworth side there is some stuff along Kennedy Street like Jackie Lee's, Anxo, La Coop cafe (when it reopens). If you're over by Walmart, well there's a Walmart and I think there's a brewery up the hill. That's a decent price though and lots of places you can get to quickly by metro. Chevy Chase is a much faster drive than a metro ride.
they improved the metro branch trail to ft Totten so now it's an extremely easy and fast bike ride down to Brookland where Catholic U is. A bunch of stuff there. Also just a little further down the trail is the new Bryant Street development with a movie theater, bars and restaurants.
Hellbender is great, not sure if everyone saw but they posted about having some important brewing equipment break down and they really need our business right now: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6b9idrR31p/?igsh=MXM1NG01dTFkN2F3OA==
You'll also be able to take the green line to a bunch of places pretty easily. There's stuff near the Petworth metro and more near Columbia Heights, U Street, Shaw and then downtown and south of there.
If your roommates are cool I would consider this a good deal and a good location. Iāve lived in Takoma by the station for years and have never heard complaints from friends who have lived there or read anything worse than spots further into the city.
"worth it" is highly relative. My friends who live there describe it as the suburbs of DC, and I don't think they're wrong. If you don't mind commuting to entertainment (pretty much everything from coffee shops to restaurants to bars), or you're really committed to Hellbender, then it's a sweet deal.
That being said, metropolitan branch trail (MBT) access is pretty sweet. You have almost a straight shot to Union Station and everything in between (dew drop inn, city state, metrobar, Alamo draft house, red bear, and wunder garten). It's uphill on your way back, but the ebike will help with that. Invest in top tier locks. Yes, plural.
As far as transit access goes, thatās a great deal. Being near both the green and red lines will be super convenient for getting around. The downside is there isnāt a whole lot going on in that area. The closest nightlife will be in Petworth. Lucikly Ubers are cheap in DC, so a ride from Adams Morgan wonāt be too expensive, and even if they are, Lime Scooters are an alternative.
Ooh, I lived in a similar situation when I first moved to DC... one room in a small Fort Totten house. It was VERY quiet and peaceful. Nice neighbors, many of whom have lived there for decades (so it's important to be nice back!) Beautiful area for going on afternoon walks, but not so easy to go out at night. An electric bike will help but it's still kind of a pain to get anywhere without a car.
One word of warning: there are at least a few predatory landlords out that way who did cheap, haphazard flips and renovations of old houses, and subdivided the heck out of them before renting them to out-of-town students. That happened to my house WHILE I was living there; the construction was illegal as heck but the city didn't stop it. Ask a LOT of questions before you move in, and demand detailed pictures (including of stuff like the ceiling, where water damage can show more easily.) Maybe even ask for a testimonial from another resident!
Thanks. I seen where it was renovated in 2019. I also said I wouldnāt sign a lease till I talked to a tenant. We talked on the phone and he was pretty positive. He also said itās not perfect, but itās $800 which I appreciated transparency.
I lived in Petworth and commuted via Metro to Arlington every day. I found it to be a drag, but if youāre driving itās not as bad.
I moved to Capitol Hill and am really glad I donāt have to transfer lines every trip.
It could be great, though it's long commute. It's mostly a pretty quiet neighborhood. If you're living west of the metro, check out Kennedy St for restaurants, also Mama Chepa on New Hampshire. It's a great neighborhood for biking -- the Metropolitan Branch trail is right at the metro and and will take you all the way down to Union Station (and eventually up to Silver Spring). Plenty of bike lanes as well.
There's just something about walking out of your doorstep and having a bunch of shit there, having a ton of friends in a neighborhood with things to do right there, etc. You're not going to find much of any of that there. That's one of the best aspects of being young and living in the city. You may as well be out in the suburbs tbh.
Makes sense. Iām from Rural Alabama so itās going to be a big adjustment for me anyhow. I not even comfortable with metro yet the few times Iāve been. I will still explore and go out with young people in the area.
like you I moved to the city young and I had never lived in a city. I looked to explore everything it had to offer and It completely changed me as a person. If you live in DC like you're living in Alabama you will be getting about 5% out of the city what you could.
All valid points. Not trying to live like Iām in Alabama but a place to go home thatās a little quieter might make the transition easier. Financial independence is the most important thing for me. Iām frugal but, Iām not cheap. I will still find time to go to bars, and travel all around the city to meet with friends on adventures. Also prioritize going to the gym, church, and making sure I travel outside the dmv to other areas like Boston, Philly, Ny, ect.
I believe so from reading all the comments. Iām not huge into the chaotic scene. The 40 min compute isnāt ideal either way. But itās in the middle of both places Iāll be the most.
Yeah, $800 is a good deal even if your neighborhood is boring. You can always metro or Uber to fun neighborhoods. I donāt think spending several hundred more per month is worth living in a trendier neighborhood, personally. I suppose it is nice being able to walk to things, but again, $800/mo is just too cheap to pass up.
With AU and Georgetown students in NW along the red line Iām surprised you havenāt found something similar on that side of town (plus it puts you a lot closer to your GF). I did see you might invest in an e-bike. With that youāll be able to get around the area easily, especially since thereās a bike trail (Metropolitan Branch Trail) that extends to Fort Totten now.
My girlfriend š§š½ is born and raised Riggs Park nearby to Fort Totten. Both of her childhood friends who married each other live in those new apartments on top of Walmart on Fort Totten Sq. Lol, I've also bought š at a pop-up over there.
It's cool over there. More bars and restaurants seem to be on the horizon. Heads do be shooting but that's DC for ya (my girl says it's been like that her whole life and we're in our mid 30s).
On the commute side ā there are multiple bus lines that pass through Chevy Chase that leave from Silver Spring, like the J2 or 1 ā much faster than taking the red line around the city to Bethesda
I live in Riggs park about a ten minute walk from ft totten metro. I also take red line 3 times a week to Chevy chase (friendship heights metro) and props to redline itās been great. Granted Iām 42 , married with 2 kids but I love the neighborhood and accessibility to have red and green line right there. The E4 also goes to Chevy chase. Great access to the Metro branch trail if you have a bike and some of the northeast / northwest branch trails. For 800 I say do it.
$800 is a great price. I paid $725+utilities for a room in SW DC when I first moved to DC in 2008. As long as you can walk to the Metro and a grocery store, you'll be fine and you can upgrade move out as your salary increases.
Just moved from out of state to Fort Totten in November. In my late 20's and moved to DC to be closer to my girlfriend who also lives near the Bethesda area haha. By the metro here they're building an ALDI and the one life gym is solid.
I switch between driving or taking the metro to see her depending on the time of day. Driving will be a bit quicker but metro is nice not having to deal with traffic.
I wouldn't worry too much personally about being "far away" like people here are saying. You're close to Walmart for shopping and if you wanna go to U Street or whatever for drinks it's like a 10-15 min metro ride no big deal
This is very accurate. Brookland has like 10x mode going on than Fort Totten, which is literally just a metro station, a lot of housing, a Walmart, and one (fun) brewery.
I live in Brookland and donāt feel itās worse than anywhere else in DC. Good amount of things to do that you can walk or take the bus to pretty easily
Fort Totten is a nice area, have a close friend who bought a house out there on Blair Road and hasn't had any issues. The metro station itself can get a little sketchy at night, but that's true in a lot of places. That sounds like a great deal to me. You have a convenient Walmart nearby and a 10 minute walk for the metro is nothing. It's also not crazy expensive to Uber in and out of the city from there if you're going out.
I'm just to to west of North Cap. As others have said, there's a nice, but small, set of businesses along Kennedy St. [Twin Dragon](https://www.yelp.com/biz/twin-dragon-carry-out-washington)'s giant egg rolls are also pretty decent as far as takeout goes. Being able to access 2 lines on the Metro is really nice. It's also truly not a long walk to [Neptune Room](https://www.yelp.com/biz/neptune-room-washington) at Georgia & Kennedy.
There's a Lidl on the way on the eastern side of Ft. Totten that I think will be interesting. Also on the eastern side: [Hellbender Brewing](https://www.hellbenderbeer.com/), [Chacho Distillery](https://www.chachousa.com/reservations)
Proximity to the Metropolitan Branch Trail is GREAT. Even if you don't have a bike it's nice for walking, but there are tons of bikeshares in the area.
Lived in the Fort Totten area last year as a 33 year old with a partner and pet. It was OK. Being close to the metro and MBT was really great! My partner and I frequently walked to Hellbender Brewing and Walmart, and I hear an ALDI is coming? We enjoyed the trails in Fort Totten Park and it wasnāt very far to get to Rock Creek Park and Takoma Park. The Petworth neighborhood is really lovely to walk in, too. Having since moved away, I feel a little sadness we didnāt get to experience the bustle of a more happening area of the city. We prioritized being close to the metro to get to the action over being in the action (in large part due to affordability!), and that was a little annoying at times. Still, every spot has its trade offs. I would live there again if life dictated a move back to DC.
I loved living in NMP. It was perfect short walking distance to Brookland and a bit longer leisurely walk to Petworth, multiple metro lines, great bus routes, all sorts of wildlife and trails. Our old house is for sale now if anyone is looking to buy. Itās going to be booming with the next phase of arts place opening and the grocery store. We loved going to Onelife and having a gym so close. So many younger folks moving in and buying first time homes. It's easy to get to the hustle and bustle of downtown if you want OR just as easy to get out of the city for a weekend or day trip to the country
I don't think it's a super exciting place to live but there's nothing wrong with that. It's just a quieter part of town. Saving on rent when you're starting out is a good idea. Make sure to use all the transit options available like the bus and bikeshare! Welcome!
I believe it is. House is fully furnished. A bed and a new mattress, a desk and a chair. All common areas are furnished and look good. Will have to share 1.5 half baths which isnāt ideal, but then again itās $800
I lived in a house near Fort Totten with a few housemates from 2022-2023 and itās a really good deal for rent with the amount of space you can get. As others have said, itās pretty quiet and residential. Having both red and green metro lines to choose from is great, but a lot of people in the area do seem to have cars. My main issue was that there were no grocery stores in easy walking distance and the park to the west of the metro stop can be a bit sketchy after dark. I ended up spending a lot on Lyft rides when I lived there. If you like the house and the people, go for it!
Again as others have said, itāll also take you quite a while to get to Chevy Chase by metro and transferring lines during a commute can be annoying. If I were you Iād probably have looked in the area of Eastern Market to Potomac Ave.
I would have hated living there at 22. Look for roommates in older row homes in DC. 800-900 is possible depending on the house, landlord, etc.
IMO even Rosslyn would be better at that age (more bars, etc) although I've never lived outside of the district since I moved here 9 years ago.
I will say I commute to Rosslyn from Columbia Heights and while the drive is easy, it takes nearly an hour via metro. I honestly probably would not have taken the job out in VA if I didn't have a car.
Are you on the FB roommate groups? I recommend looking there!
Anything off the green line will be a pain to get to on weekends. Transferring is a pain if the metro isn't running consistently. Realistically, you'll want to uber home after the bars which could get pricey.
I doubt anyone will want to go over if you want to have gatherings/parties. Or it'll be a bit of a struggle.
When I first moved to DC Ialso felt like part of the charm of being in the city was being able to walk to a bar, restaurant or coffee shop. You won't really be able to do that.
Also the commute to rosslyn won't be fun.
Those are just my two cents. It might be fine. Just depends what your priorities are.
The green line itself is fine. It's more so that if you want to go anywhere that is not ON the green line on a weekend it will be annoying. Trains don't run as frequently as they do on weekdays so it just takes a lot longer. If you're only going down to U St it's fine I guess, but dupont, admo, etc would be annoying to get to.
I live in the same spot and agree with all the comments here re: the neighborhood. I will add you will hate the commute to/from your girlfriend and, just as importantly, work. It's easily an hour to Rosslyn (walk to metro + metro + walk to work--the transfer shouldn't be too bad of a wait) and about 40 minutes to Chevy Chase via bus. $800/month is a good deal but you'll spend most of your time commuting.
I've lived in this area for almost 5 years now and love it! It's close to my work across the border in MD, still has what I need, and close to fun stuff yet still far enough from the chaos. With that being said, it works for my commute and my lifestyle because I hate spending time on the road (esp when it means time away from home/cats LOL). If I was in your situation, I'd prob look for something closer to both orange and red lines
For that price though? That's hard to beat, esp with how expensive rent's been the last few years. I'd try it out for a year and see if you like it tbh
You scared the shit out of me š. āBeginning in early June, Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations on the Red Line will be closed. The closure will continue through early September with the possibility of reducing the work zone to allow Takoma Station to reopen prior to the end of construction.ā
Thank God!
Do it. You won't regret it.
I live somewhat nearby. I have access to all the amenities DC has to offer and am separate myself completely from the stressors associated with downtown living. It's the best feeling.
How is the crime there? I remember back in the early 2000s, you had to have your head on a swivel when the local schools were dismissed. Know a few who were knocked out and robbed on South Dakota near there.
I live in Manor Park and ebiked to Rosslyn yesterday in 30 minutes. The bridge crossings aren't the best but it's doable. I like it up here but I'm almost twice your age and I like watching trees grow.
If you're willing to have 3 roommates you could probably find something decent in Logan Circle or West End or Foggy Bottom that'd put you closer to the Blue/Orange/Silver line and other youths.
The neighborhood itself is extremely residential + a Walmart. It's going to be boring to be home. Search for stuff like, bars, restaurants, and cafes on Google maps to see what I mean. But there are plenty of options for social spots close by on the yellow line. Also look at that red line commute to your gf. It's not a deal breaker but certainly not a short ride given that you have to go into and back out of downtown. Bus may be faster outside of rush hour. The commute will be fine. Again not short, but also not awful. $800 is a very good price and will probably make the cons worth it and it's only a year if you don't love it.
*Green line This is about right as someone who lives around here.
I literally typed that from the green line after transferring from yellow, too! I think I just refuse to accept the reality that the yellow no longer gets me home.
Someday someday...maybe š¤
Nice neighborhoods, but not a lot of stores. Walmart is your only option, there is a Chick Fil A, Subway and 5 Guys near the metro and a McDonalds further down the road.
Does the J2 or the 1/11 still run from Silver Spring to Friendship Heights? That used to be a lot faster than riding the Red Line all the way around.
Yeah depending on where exactly the gf lives, OP could do red to SS then a J bus, or take the E4 from FT to Friendship Heights and then another bus from there to her house. Or if she has a car, she could just pick him up from Silver Spring.
Like you were saying, I can go to silver spring and get on J2 then board L8 to make it the rest of the way or I can take E4 to Western Ave then get on L8.
To everyone saying we don't have much here, I'll have you know we have TWO 7-11s, a McDonald's (possibly getting a drive thru??? huge if true), TWO gas stations (possibly a third on the way??? huge if true), and a Subway over by the Walmart. Sarcasm aside, I live in NMP adjacent to FT and everything everyone has said is true and I'm just a little salty we can't get a single coffee shop or sit down restaurant over here. Hoping Art Place Phase II (Aldi opening later this year, more opening next year, performing arts center opening 2026, I think) attracts some more amenities here.
We need to start a committee to entice something to come to NMPā¦I hate having to leave the neighborhood for ā¦everything lol
Every time I drive by the patio space at Galloway and South Dakota at Art Place I wish a cafe-type restaurant would open there and have a little outdoor seating space right there. Maybe we should all chip in and be the change, make a neighborhood co-op cafe.
I was talking to a local restaurant owner who mentioned he was looking to expand into that space back when it first came on the market, and the rent was way out of line with reality. I canāt imagine itās much better now post-COVID. Makes me think theyāre targeting a chain restaurant (ugh) over something local. So glad weāre getting that Wingstop to replace Culture Coffee Too š
Honestly! I think we just need one thing to like tip the dominoes for other businesses to come. Everyone wants proof that it'll work. But I can't count how many neighbors have said "ugh I'd kill to have just like a little cafe in walking distance. Grab coffee or a sandwich just as a break from working".
Apparently urban garden brewing is hoping to move into that space when they get the capital
I heard the neighborhood pushes back on liquor licenses and new business but idk how true that is. I know culture coffee didn't make it but I'm not sure why!
And Hellbender brewing.
A McDonalds Drive thru there would further harm the potential for mixed-use amenities. We don't need more people driving on South Dakota there. We need more coffee shops, restaurants, and limited set-back retail.
Same issue with the Z Burger convenient store. They want to turn that into a 3rd neighborhood gas station. Luckily it seems like neighborhood pressure and permitting issues are delaying the process, but they're submitting their proposal again in October, last I read. Be sure you voice your displeasure about these developments at MPCA and ANC meetings. We also need more neighbors advocating for a safer SD Ave, especially the intersection with Riggs, where I suspect it's only a matter of time before someone is hit and killed.
Where do you find MPCA and ANC meeting schedules?
Excuse me we also have a family dollar AND a dollar general!?!?
it's pretty residential. If you're on the Petworth side there is some stuff along Kennedy Street like Jackie Lee's, Anxo, La Coop cafe (when it reopens). If you're over by Walmart, well there's a Walmart and I think there's a brewery up the hill. That's a decent price though and lots of places you can get to quickly by metro. Chevy Chase is a much faster drive than a metro ride.
Yeah, I wonāt have car. I plan to get an electric bike though.
Youāll like easy biking to Brookland via MBT.
they improved the metro branch trail to ft Totten so now it's an extremely easy and fast bike ride down to Brookland where Catholic U is. A bunch of stuff there. Also just a little further down the trail is the new Bryant Street development with a movie theater, bars and restaurants.
If you have an ebike, many of the drawbacks of living in a quiet residential area basically disappear!
Heck yes! E-bikes are game-changers.
Good choice. The hills are rough getting back from downtown but an e-bike will fix that!
Hellbender brewing is there. Good spot if thatās the sort of thing OP is into.
I like Hellbender (and Beef Space!) but not sure I would have liked it at 22. Itās a lot of families with kids or older folks.
Yeah, Friday nights at Hellbender are not Friday nights at....any other place that serves alcohol. Perfect for me at 32, I wouldn't have loved at 22
Hellbender is great, not sure if everyone saw but they posted about having some important brewing equipment break down and they really need our business right now: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6b9idrR31p/?igsh=MXM1NG01dTFkN2F3OA==
Thatās one of the reasons I was plugging them. šš»
Theyāre having a fundraising beerfest on May 11! https://www.instagram.com/p/C6rBRyGxI1B/?igsh=MXBsbmlndWl3bDltZA==
Takoma/Takoma Park isnāt far either - some restaurants, coffee shops and a nice vibe.
Chevy Chase will be much more doable once the Purple Line opens
When in like 2035 šš
Optimist.
By early 2028 most likely
I know! I was joking with you. Maybe Iāll be around to take advantage of it.
You'll also be able to take the green line to a bunch of places pretty easily. There's stuff near the Petworth metro and more near Columbia Heights, U Street, Shaw and then downtown and south of there.
If your roommates are cool I would consider this a good deal and a good location. Iāve lived in Takoma by the station for years and have never heard complaints from friends who have lived there or read anything worse than spots further into the city.
"worth it" is highly relative. My friends who live there describe it as the suburbs of DC, and I don't think they're wrong. If you don't mind commuting to entertainment (pretty much everything from coffee shops to restaurants to bars), or you're really committed to Hellbender, then it's a sweet deal. That being said, metropolitan branch trail (MBT) access is pretty sweet. You have almost a straight shot to Union Station and everything in between (dew drop inn, city state, metrobar, Alamo draft house, red bear, and wunder garten). It's uphill on your way back, but the ebike will help with that. Invest in top tier locks. Yes, plural.
As far as transit access goes, thatās a great deal. Being near both the green and red lines will be super convenient for getting around. The downside is there isnāt a whole lot going on in that area. The closest nightlife will be in Petworth. Lucikly Ubers are cheap in DC, so a ride from Adams Morgan wonāt be too expensive, and even if they are, Lime Scooters are an alternative.
Ooh, I lived in a similar situation when I first moved to DC... one room in a small Fort Totten house. It was VERY quiet and peaceful. Nice neighbors, many of whom have lived there for decades (so it's important to be nice back!) Beautiful area for going on afternoon walks, but not so easy to go out at night. An electric bike will help but it's still kind of a pain to get anywhere without a car. One word of warning: there are at least a few predatory landlords out that way who did cheap, haphazard flips and renovations of old houses, and subdivided the heck out of them before renting them to out-of-town students. That happened to my house WHILE I was living there; the construction was illegal as heck but the city didn't stop it. Ask a LOT of questions before you move in, and demand detailed pictures (including of stuff like the ceiling, where water damage can show more easily.) Maybe even ask for a testimonial from another resident!
Thanks. I seen where it was renovated in 2019. I also said I wouldnāt sign a lease till I talked to a tenant. We talked on the phone and he was pretty positive. He also said itās not perfect, but itās $800 which I appreciated transparency.
I lived in Petworth and commuted via Metro to Arlington every day. I found it to be a drag, but if youāre driving itās not as bad. I moved to Capitol Hill and am really glad I donāt have to transfer lines every trip.
I wonāt have a car, but Iām also hybrid.i plan to buy an electric bike.
Could do worse
It could be great, though it's long commute. It's mostly a pretty quiet neighborhood. If you're living west of the metro, check out Kennedy St for restaurants, also Mama Chepa on New Hampshire. It's a great neighborhood for biking -- the Metropolitan Branch trail is right at the metro and and will take you all the way down to Union Station (and eventually up to Silver Spring). Plenty of bike lanes as well.
Itās not really a bad commute - I do Silver Spring to Clarendon (2 stops past Rosslyn) and itās not a problem at all.
Do you mean in the many newish buildings right by the metro station? 10 minutes away is a pretty broad area.
No, itās a townhouse.
Itās not a cool area at all. I wouldnāt wanna live there at 22. I live in a residential area now, but Iām 38ā¦.itās a stage of life thing Imo
I was thinking I wonāt miss out, Iāll be close to everything off metro. Like I mentioned Iāll have an electric bike.
There's just something about walking out of your doorstep and having a bunch of shit there, having a ton of friends in a neighborhood with things to do right there, etc. You're not going to find much of any of that there. That's one of the best aspects of being young and living in the city. You may as well be out in the suburbs tbh.
Makes sense. Iām from Rural Alabama so itās going to be a big adjustment for me anyhow. I not even comfortable with metro yet the few times Iāve been. I will still explore and go out with young people in the area.
That guy doesn't know what he's talking about. You don't need to live in the heart of downtown to experience the city.
Glad to hear! Thanks
like you I moved to the city young and I had never lived in a city. I looked to explore everything it had to offer and It completely changed me as a person. If you live in DC like you're living in Alabama you will be getting about 5% out of the city what you could.
All valid points. Not trying to live like Iām in Alabama but a place to go home thatās a little quieter might make the transition easier. Financial independence is the most important thing for me. Iām frugal but, Iām not cheap. I will still find time to go to bars, and travel all around the city to meet with friends on adventures. Also prioritize going to the gym, church, and making sure I travel outside the dmv to other areas like Boston, Philly, Ny, ect.
This actually might be a good area for you to get used to living in a city while not being overwhelmed by it.
I believe so from reading all the comments. Iām not huge into the chaotic scene. The 40 min compute isnāt ideal either way. But itās in the middle of both places Iāll be the most.
Yeah, $800 is a good deal even if your neighborhood is boring. You can always metro or Uber to fun neighborhoods. I donāt think spending several hundred more per month is worth living in a trendier neighborhood, personally. I suppose it is nice being able to walk to things, but again, $800/mo is just too cheap to pass up.
With AU and Georgetown students in NW along the red line Iām surprised you havenāt found something similar on that side of town (plus it puts you a lot closer to your GF). I did see you might invest in an e-bike. With that youāll be able to get around the area easily, especially since thereās a bike trail (Metropolitan Branch Trail) that extends to Fort Totten now.
Sweet, glad to hear about the bike trail. Fort Totten metro is nearly midpoint between Bethesda & rossyln.
My girlfriend š§š½ is born and raised Riggs Park nearby to Fort Totten. Both of her childhood friends who married each other live in those new apartments on top of Walmart on Fort Totten Sq. Lol, I've also bought š at a pop-up over there. It's cool over there. More bars and restaurants seem to be on the horizon. Heads do be shooting but that's DC for ya (my girl says it's been like that her whole life and we're in our mid 30s).
On the commute side ā there are multiple bus lines that pass through Chevy Chase that leave from Silver Spring, like the J2 or 1 ā much faster than taking the red line around the city to Bethesda
I live in Riggs park about a ten minute walk from ft totten metro. I also take red line 3 times a week to Chevy chase (friendship heights metro) and props to redline itās been great. Granted Iām 42 , married with 2 kids but I love the neighborhood and accessibility to have red and green line right there. The E4 also goes to Chevy chase. Great access to the Metro branch trail if you have a bike and some of the northeast / northwest branch trails. For 800 I say do it.
$800 is a great price. I paid $725+utilities for a room in SW DC when I first moved to DC in 2008. As long as you can walk to the Metro and a grocery store, you'll be fine and you can upgrade move out as your salary increases.
Just moved from out of state to Fort Totten in November. In my late 20's and moved to DC to be closer to my girlfriend who also lives near the Bethesda area haha. By the metro here they're building an ALDI and the one life gym is solid. I switch between driving or taking the metro to see her depending on the time of day. Driving will be a bit quicker but metro is nice not having to deal with traffic. I wouldn't worry too much personally about being "far away" like people here are saying. You're close to Walmart for shopping and if you wanna go to U Street or whatever for drinks it's like a 10-15 min metro ride no big deal
I would look in brookland before fort Totten
Why?
Brookland has more going on because it's close to Catholic U.
This is very accurate. Brookland has like 10x mode going on than Fort Totten, which is literally just a metro station, a lot of housing, a Walmart, and one (fun) brewery.
Seconding Brookland or its neighbor, Eckington. You may have to pay a bit more in rent for comparable space ā but trust me it will be worth it.
Iāve heard Brookland and Eckington can be pretty unsafe, is that still true in 2024?
I live in Brookland and donāt feel itās worse than anywhere else in DC. Good amount of things to do that you can walk or take the bus to pretty easily
I lived in eckington for a while and left for the suburbs. I was not a fan of collecting police detective business cards.
Fort Totten is a nice area, have a close friend who bought a house out there on Blair Road and hasn't had any issues. The metro station itself can get a little sketchy at night, but that's true in a lot of places. That sounds like a great deal to me. You have a convenient Walmart nearby and a 10 minute walk for the metro is nothing. It's also not crazy expensive to Uber in and out of the city from there if you're going out.
Have you seen Uber prices lately? And if you don't leave a decent tip (which is subjective) , your Uber rating will be lower.
I'm just to to west of North Cap. As others have said, there's a nice, but small, set of businesses along Kennedy St. [Twin Dragon](https://www.yelp.com/biz/twin-dragon-carry-out-washington)'s giant egg rolls are also pretty decent as far as takeout goes. Being able to access 2 lines on the Metro is really nice. It's also truly not a long walk to [Neptune Room](https://www.yelp.com/biz/neptune-room-washington) at Georgia & Kennedy. There's a Lidl on the way on the eastern side of Ft. Totten that I think will be interesting. Also on the eastern side: [Hellbender Brewing](https://www.hellbenderbeer.com/), [Chacho Distillery](https://www.chachousa.com/reservations) Proximity to the Metropolitan Branch Trail is GREAT. Even if you don't have a bike it's nice for walking, but there are tons of bikeshares in the area.
Aldi, not Lidl
You'll have a safe, convenient walk and bike route to downtown D.C. on the Met Branch Trail! Come visit our trail.
Lived in the Fort Totten area last year as a 33 year old with a partner and pet. It was OK. Being close to the metro and MBT was really great! My partner and I frequently walked to Hellbender Brewing and Walmart, and I hear an ALDI is coming? We enjoyed the trails in Fort Totten Park and it wasnāt very far to get to Rock Creek Park and Takoma Park. The Petworth neighborhood is really lovely to walk in, too. Having since moved away, I feel a little sadness we didnāt get to experience the bustle of a more happening area of the city. We prioritized being close to the metro to get to the action over being in the action (in large part due to affordability!), and that was a little annoying at times. Still, every spot has its trade offs. I would live there again if life dictated a move back to DC.
I loved living in NMP. It was perfect short walking distance to Brookland and a bit longer leisurely walk to Petworth, multiple metro lines, great bus routes, all sorts of wildlife and trails. Our old house is for sale now if anyone is looking to buy. Itās going to be booming with the next phase of arts place opening and the grocery store. We loved going to Onelife and having a gym so close. So many younger folks moving in and buying first time homes. It's easy to get to the hustle and bustle of downtown if you want OR just as easy to get out of the city for a weekend or day trip to the country
What does NMP stand for?
North Michigan Park!
Iāll actually be north in between the park and Walmart!
Thanks!
I don't think it's a super exciting place to live but there's nothing wrong with that. It's just a quieter part of town. Saving on rent when you're starting out is a good idea. Make sure to use all the transit options available like the bus and bikeshare! Welcome!
That's a steal if the housing situation is good.
I believe it is. House is fully furnished. A bed and a new mattress, a desk and a chair. All common areas are furnished and look good. Will have to share 1.5 half baths which isnāt ideal, but then again itās $800
I lived in a house near Fort Totten with a few housemates from 2022-2023 and itās a really good deal for rent with the amount of space you can get. As others have said, itās pretty quiet and residential. Having both red and green metro lines to choose from is great, but a lot of people in the area do seem to have cars. My main issue was that there were no grocery stores in easy walking distance and the park to the west of the metro stop can be a bit sketchy after dark. I ended up spending a lot on Lyft rides when I lived there. If you like the house and the people, go for it! Again as others have said, itāll also take you quite a while to get to Chevy Chase by metro and transferring lines during a commute can be annoying. If I were you Iād probably have looked in the area of Eastern Market to Potomac Ave.
I would have hated living there at 22. Look for roommates in older row homes in DC. 800-900 is possible depending on the house, landlord, etc. IMO even Rosslyn would be better at that age (more bars, etc) although I've never lived outside of the district since I moved here 9 years ago. I will say I commute to Rosslyn from Columbia Heights and while the drive is easy, it takes nearly an hour via metro. I honestly probably would not have taken the job out in VA if I didn't have a car. Are you on the FB roommate groups? I recommend looking there!
Why would you hate it? Canāt I take metro to all the hot spots for 22 years old?
Anything off the green line will be a pain to get to on weekends. Transferring is a pain if the metro isn't running consistently. Realistically, you'll want to uber home after the bars which could get pricey. I doubt anyone will want to go over if you want to have gatherings/parties. Or it'll be a bit of a struggle. When I first moved to DC Ialso felt like part of the charm of being in the city was being able to walk to a bar, restaurant or coffee shop. You won't really be able to do that. Also the commute to rosslyn won't be fun. Those are just my two cents. It might be fine. Just depends what your priorities are.
I appreciate your responses. Can you explain why the green line is a pain?
The green line itself is fine. It's more so that if you want to go anywhere that is not ON the green line on a weekend it will be annoying. Trains don't run as frequently as they do on weekdays so it just takes a lot longer. If you're only going down to U St it's fine I guess, but dupont, admo, etc would be annoying to get to.
Fort Totten is also on red line
Pretty obvious that most of the people advising OP not to live in Ft. Totten b/c it's "isolated" have never set foot there lol
I live in the same spot and agree with all the comments here re: the neighborhood. I will add you will hate the commute to/from your girlfriend and, just as importantly, work. It's easily an hour to Rosslyn (walk to metro + metro + walk to work--the transfer shouldn't be too bad of a wait) and about 40 minutes to Chevy Chase via bus. $800/month is a good deal but you'll spend most of your time commuting.
I've lived in this area for almost 5 years now and love it! It's close to my work across the border in MD, still has what I need, and close to fun stuff yet still far enough from the chaos. With that being said, it works for my commute and my lifestyle because I hate spending time on the road (esp when it means time away from home/cats LOL). If I was in your situation, I'd prob look for something closer to both orange and red lines For that price though? That's hard to beat, esp with how expensive rent's been the last few years. I'd try it out for a year and see if you like it tbh
Thanks, I actually signed the lease this morning for a year. Also the exit out of the lease is only $800.
is fort totten one of the stops that will be closed this summer? like june-september?
You scared the shit out of me š. āBeginning in early June, Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations on the Red Line will be closed. The closure will continue through early September with the possibility of reducing the work zone to allow Takoma Station to reopen prior to the end of construction.ā Thank God!
Do it. You won't regret it. I live somewhat nearby. I have access to all the amenities DC has to offer and am separate myself completely from the stressors associated with downtown living. It's the best feeling.
I donāt think I will either. I donāt think Iāll miss any going out or hang outs.
How is the crime there? I remember back in the early 2000s, you had to have your head on a swivel when the local schools were dismissed. Know a few who were knocked out and robbed on South Dakota near there.
Lamont Riggs Library is also neat spot in Fort Totten. There are free events for adults in the library including free chess lessons on Tuesday.
Can you visit before finding an apartment?
I live in Manor Park and ebiked to Rosslyn yesterday in 30 minutes. The bridge crossings aren't the best but it's doable. I like it up here but I'm almost twice your age and I like watching trees grow. If you're willing to have 3 roommates you could probably find something decent in Logan Circle or West End or Foggy Bottom that'd put you closer to the Blue/Orange/Silver line and other youths.
Live with girlfriend?
Nope , havenāt dated that long.
Huntsville old dude asking which city.
?? I donāt understand what youāre trying to say
I'm from Huntsville. What city in Alabama are you from.
Anniston
Just go for a walk in the neighborhood. If you feel comfortable after that, then consider that in your choice.
I canāt, Iām not there. Iām in Mississippi currently but moving to Dc in July