Georgetown, Washington

Georgetown is a very popular neighborhood in northwest section of the city and is the home of Georgetown University. Approximately 13,848 residents make their home in this older and more affluent neighborhood where the average home was priced at $1,088,847 in 2010. Many of the homes, which are 51% owner occupied, are relatively small and many are also attached, but they amazing and extremely well maintained. Many streets are tree lined and have the original cobblestone pavement.

Residents here are treated to a city within the city. There are numerous private and public schools including Georgetown Prep, Holy Trinity School, Hyde-Addison Elementary, Hardy Middle School, the British School of Washington and Duke Ellington School of Arts. There are at least 15 places of worship, a wide variety of world class restaurants and shops along M Street N.W. and Wisconsin Avenue N.W. You will also find 16 museums within the neighborhood as well as a movie theater. Green space can be found at Montrose Park and Dumbarton Park as well as Rock Creek Park. The Thai Embassy is located here as well.

Crime seems to be mainly theft from vehicle. As always check the most recent crime statistics to determine if you are comfortable living here.

Georgetown is arguably Washington’s most famous area. Having been a town since before colonial times, Georgetown has some of the oldest homes in the District. It is also home to a famous bakery, Georgetown Cupcake, star of the hit show “DC Cupcake.” Georgetown University has its home here, but besides campus housing few students can afford to live here: that’s because Georgetown housing is among the most expensive in the city. In any event, Georgetown is full of many ritzy shops and decadent eateries. People are on the streets late into the night, and have a lot of fun here. In fact, many of the most famous residents of the city live here, including John Kerry (senator) and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Georgetown has some of the best public schools in the city. So much so that residents of other areas try to get their kids sent there under school choice initiatives. Ironically, most Georgetown residents send their children to private schools, as they almost invariably can afford it. Residents play host to some of the most exclusive parties in the city. If you want to impress someone in Washington, all you have to do is invite them to some residence in Georgetown for a party.

Ah Georgetown! The very name itself conjures up images of elegant parties where the crème de la crème of Washington society gather to toast each other and whisper political secrets. If you are considering making a move to this area, you will not be disappointed except, of course, with the cost of living.

What surprises many people is that it has always been this way. In fact, Georgetown was a center of colonial fashion when the District of Columbia was still an undeveloped swamp. So, when the Adams family (John, not Gomez) moved into the White House, their friends moved to Georgetown. Later, as transportation became easier, some people strayed away to the Victorian Era suburbs. However, the neighborhood never had a serious fall from grace. Instead, the old families just became older and waited behind pulled shades for things to shift again, which they did in the years leading up to World War II.

Most historians agree that Georgetown’s modern heyday began when the then Senator John Kenndy lived there during his presidential campaign with his young family. From then until the present, newcomers to the seat of American power have dreamed of living in this elite enclave. However, its quiet streets are still reserved for only the powerful, or, at least very wealthy.