Is it just me or is Washington DC extremely underrated as a city?

[destroycreate]

It's one of my favorite East Coast cities. It's walkable, dense, historic, has excellent public transit, and the low-rise density gives it a European feel. There's so much great architecture. I don't feel like the city is talked about much beyond politics and internationally it's not as big a destination compared to NYC, LA, Miami etc. But I think it should get a lot more love and hype.

Thoughts?

[ilcapo]

Its murder rate is extremely high and has given the city a bad rep.

[chris08876]

I agree. I think its very underrated (just like Atlanta).

There has been a ton of development in the region over the last 5 years too, I mean they are pumping out the units.

Good culture, diversity, street energy (big one) and yes to the architecture. Georgetown is a very cute place.

The image of crime does harm it but once you go past that, DC and its proxies offer an urban experience that makes it stand out compared to most other U.S. cities.

My sister did her first nursing gig in the city and was always a blast to visit the place every few months. Arlington is cool.

Its expensive there but very cute homes in some areas, with character.

[Xing]

Originally Posted by ilcapo

Its murder rate is extremely high and has given the city a bad rep.

Who gave you the 1990 most dangerous cities list?

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by Xing

Who gave you the 1990 most dangerous cities list?

I just moved from DC after having lived there for twenty years. DC is a fantastic city but, unfortunately, in recent years the murder and violent crime rate is higher than the national average and while the murder rate has been declining nationwide the past two years, it is still higher in DC.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md...ting-violence/

[Xing]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

I just moved from DC after having lived there for twenty years. DC is a fantastic city but, unfortunately, in recent years the murder and violent crime rate is higher than the national average and while the murder rate has been declining nationwide the past two years, it is still higher in DC.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md...ting-violence/

Paywall for your link, but I can read the headline. it’s comparing the year with only post-millennial years.

Are we comparing it to NYC and Boston?

I lived there in the early 90’s. Kids were killing kids over shoes. There was a list of murders reported daily on the news.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-...ties-in-the-us

https://getsafeandsound.com/blog/mos...ty-in-america/

https://realestate.usnews.com/places...ngerous-places

https://bestdiplomats.org/most-dange...ies-in-the-us/

https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar...s-study-finds/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._homicide_rate

https://www.security.org/resources/m...gerous-cities/

Where is DC on these lists? I’m not carefully selecting them. These are literally the first to come up.

Chicago is another city people seem to think is dangerous. It’s only come up once, and it was at the bottom.

So, I have no clue where you guys are getting this idea, unless the local media there is overhyping it. Maybe the crime rate is coming “dangerously” close to 2001, but that’s still much lower than its peak.

[iheartthed]

It seems appropriately rated to me. I thought most people have a positive impression of DC as a city.

[Crawford]

It doesn't really have a "European feel", unless we're talking monumental axis-type design. It's the least European feeling of the major NE cities. DC has very wide arterials, large lots with big building footprints and is easily the newest of the big 6.

I don't think it's underrated. It's a very desirable place, at least in this part of the country. At this point, the unquestioned #2 city in the NE corridor.

[UrbanRevival]

Originally Posted by Crawford

It doesn't really have a "European feel", unless we're talking monumental axis-type design. It's the least European feeling of the major NE cities. DC has very wide arterials, large lots with big building footprints and is easily the newest of the big 6.

I don't think it's underrated. It's a very desirable place, at least in this part of the country. At this point, the unquestioned #2 city in the NE corridor.

My feelings exactly. From an East Coast perspective, DC definitely gets its due and has long been amongst the most prominent metros in the US, particularly amongst those interested in law/non-profits/government.

Outside of a rather monolithic/institutional-feeling downtown, it has very charming, heavily gentrified and urbane neighborhoods. But again these features are pretty widely known at this point, given that DC is very heavily populated by transplants from everywhere.

The region really does meld "old world" East Coast-styled urbanism with the Sun Belt-styled "New Urbanism" in a way that no other major metro does.

[Xing]

I don’t see why anyone would hate on DC at all. It’s an amazing city.

The speed of growth with the metro is pretty amazing too. I can’t imagine what it was like without it.

[edale]

I don't know about underrated, but DC does seem to have some negative connotations that I think make it seem less desirable than other American big cities. It has a reputation for being somewhat sterile and boring and pretty culturally conservative (not politically). I think that's a pretty fair assessment, tbh. There's not much grit to DC, no real artsy or bohemian neighborhoods...everything feels pretty establishment. It definitely lacks a 'cool' factor.

I really enjoyed living in DC. I loved the architecture, walkability, museums, the metro, diversity, etc. But I did find it lacking in local culture outside of politics/the government, and I also found the people a bit try-hard and boring. It seems like a place where a lot of people end up for work rather than choosing to live there because they want to be in DC. Among the white population at least, people dressed very conservatively. Finally, there's a lot of competition in the NE Corridor, and DC suffers a bit from that. Hard to compete with NYC on pretty much anything.

[Crawford]

Yeah, DC hasn't ever really been "cool." And I don't think it's easy to have a romantic attachment to the area. Not too many songs referencing DC and the like. Skews VERY heavily to career-focused professionals. And quite transient outside of the AA community.

But also offers great career opportunities, high QoL, and isn't that outrageously expensive relative to incomes.

[Steely Dan]

DC's "ratedness" doesn't seem terribly out of alignment with what it delivers, IMO.

In fact, its status as the national capital of the most powerful nation on the planet gives it a much larger cultural footprint than it would otherwise have.

If any of the 4 big bos-wash metropolises are underrated, it's absolutely Philly.

[DZH22]

It's not going to get as much attention on a skyscraper site since the downtown area isn't allowed to have a true skyline. There are satellite skylines surrounding the city but it isn't the same, and nothing is all that tall. Tyson's Corner looks cool from the highway but also appears to be rather suburban.

The ~12 story height limit for me is BORING. Midrises that are all the same height can create a nice urban street level, but they don't excite me from an outsider perspective. Also, I often enjoy navigating via landmarks and (for a big city) that requires more height than most of DC has to offer.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

If any of the 4 big bos-wash metropolises are underrated, it's absolutely Philly.

I agree. I've been to both Philly and DC, and I actually preferred Philly; I thought it was a more interesting city. I totally feel that Philly is underrated---and for some reason pooh-poohed. But don't get me wrong, I also liked DC.

[SWDC]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

DC's "ratedness" doesn't seem terribly out of alignment with what it delivers, IMO.

In fact, its status as the national capital of the most powerful nation on the planet gives it a much larger cultural footprint than it would otherwise have.

If any of the 4 big bos-wash metropolises are underrated, it's absolutely Philly.

Agree on Philly.

Regarding DC. I think people get so wrapped up on the National Mall/White House/Capitol, they stay concentrated in the federal portion. A lot of those type even stay in either that area or Crystal City, visit Arlington Cemetery in VA. I think they mostly take that in whereas the rest of the city where people live and culture outside of the federal government thrives. Small businesses, big chains, game stores, food, residential, bustling streets with on street dining. You’re just not going to get that on PA Ave or in the Federal dominated area.

I totally get it though. It’s hard to break-through the noise of the federal government and stuff to promote the city - especially when visitors specifically come to see the government, basically. Hopefully with some new initiatives the city can start to blend a bit and there won’t be DC the federal government and outside of it DC the city.

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by SWDC

Agree on Philly.

Regarding DC. I think people get so wrapped up on the National Mall/White House/Capitol, they stay concentrated in the federal portion. A lot of those type even stay in either that area or Crystal City, visit Arlington Cemetery in VA. I think they mostly take that in whereas the rest of the city where people live and culture outside of the federal government thrives. Small businesses, big chains, game stores, food, residential, bustling streets with on street dining. You’re just not going to get that on PA Ave or in the Federal dominated area.

I totally get it though. It’s hard to break-through the noise of the federal government and stuff to promote the city - especially when visitors specifically come to see the government, basically. Hopefully with some new initiatives the city can start to blend a bit and there won’t be DC the federal government and outside of it DC the city.

I don't think that's what anyone is saying at all. We're saying those people who work at those federal institutions live in the neighborhoods you speak of and as a result, are not overly interesting either. The entire apparatus of the federal government affects the personality of the city (and region, for that matter), so it is by design rather constrained.

Don't get me wrong it is beautiful and the neighborhoods are leafy and lovely. I like them. But it is not underrated, which was the suggestion of the OP.

[LA21st]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

I don't think that's what anyone is saying at all. We're saying those people who work at those federal institutions live in the neighborhoods you speak of and as a result, are not overly interesting either. The entire apparatus of the federal government affects the personality of the city (and region, for that matter), so it is by design rather constrained.

Don't get me wrong it is beautiful and the neighborhoods are leafy and lovely. I like them. But it is not underrated, which was the suggestion of the OP.

This.
You have to live there to really notice how the area is affected by it. The people arent really friendly, and that goes for the suburbs too like Fairfax County.

Yea, its great on paper for salaries, incomes etc and it always will because of those jobs. But, there is a cold (?) feeling to the residents. Maybe not cold, stiff? I dont know how to describe it really. But its noticeable. When I moved to Chicago, I saw a difference for sure.

[SWDC]

Originally Posted by 3rd&Brown

I don't think that's what anyone is saying at all. We're saying those people who work at those federal institutions live in the neighborhoods you speak of and as a result, are not overly interesting either. The entire apparatus of the federal government affects the personality of the city (and region, for that matter), so it is by design rather constrained.

Don't get me wrong it is beautiful and the neighborhoods are leafy and lovely. I like them. But it is not underrated, which was the suggestion of the OP.

I think it depends on the neighborhood. Foggy Bottom and Capitol Hill are a couple leafy not overly interesting (yet pretty) areas but I’m biased and don’t have many ties or have people with ties to the federal government. Most of my network perks for fortune 500’s just so happened to be located in the area.

I think I saw Philadelphia mentioned several times as being underrated. I definitely think it’s criminally underrated. I don’t think DC is anywhere near the underrated, I just think the vast majority of DC is overshadowed by the Federal Gov (which I guess it should for visitors) but again. It’s nice to see the city trying to fuse the neighborhoods with character and flavor into the more federal area.

[pdxtex]

I think word is out. It had a 15% growth rate last census. We just don't really talk about it much here. Looks pretty awesome. Think I'll listen to some Bad Brains now.