DC without a car?
Apr 3, 2014 | 3:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Great, no. Pretty damned good compared to pretty much anywhere else in the US (NYC and Chicago excepted), most definitely. Granted, I rarely ever set foot on Metro, as I bike and walk everywhere, but it really isn't that bad, particularly if one isn't stuck on the red line or outside of the main city core.
As on on and off resident of DC for the past decade and a very frequent visitor to Mexico City, I would rate DC as much, much safer than Mexico City, particularly in the touristy areas. Then again, I'm very comfortable traveling around most of Mexico City solo, as well (Good luck finding trouble in Polanco or Colonia Roma). Yes, A-M, H St NE, CoHi, and U St (The main nightlife areas) do see some crime, but it's generally late at night around bar time, and is very sporadic. I frequent most of those neighbourhoods at night and have never felt even remotely in danger. It's been the better part of a decade since most of those areas resembled the scorched earth of the 1970s through 1990s.
If you're taking the train solely to/from downtown DC during the morning and evening rush hours, it's generally more or less reliable (although crowded.)
However, if you're taking the train at off-peak hours - particularly on weekends - the system becomes a Dantesque hellscape. It's not unusual to find numerous stations shut down for construction, or for trains to use one set of tracks for both directions, adding 30+ minutes to what should be a 15-minute trip.
If you're based in downtown DC, most of the main tourist attractions can be reached easily on foot or by bus, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, if you stay out in a suburban hotel (which are often *much* cheaper than those in the District proper) and expect to commute in on Metro over a weekend, you could find yourself stuck with long waits.
Also, with regard to safety in DC - as a tourist you're unlikely to run into any problems. However, crime is certainly not uncommon even in so-called "nice" areas and downtown, particularly at night. And keep in mind that some of the city's main nightlife areas - such as U Street, Columbia Heights, and H Street NE - were until recently 100% the ghetto, still have lots of public housing, and do with some frequency see muggings, street attacks, and shootings (the latter usually between/among criminals, but still.)
Don't let the fact that you see giant luxury condo buildings and restaurants/bars all around lull you into a false sense of security in DC. I'd say the crime risk is more akin to that in Mexico City (the nicer parts) than in NYC or Chicago or other big US cities where tourists go. Again, you're extremely unlikely to have a problem, but at least recognize that the risks are higher than you might expect them to be, and maintain the appropriate level of vigilance.
However, if you're taking the train at off-peak hours - particularly on weekends - the system becomes a Dantesque hellscape. It's not unusual to find numerous stations shut down for construction, or for trains to use one set of tracks for both directions, adding 30+ minutes to what should be a 15-minute trip.
If you're based in downtown DC, most of the main tourist attractions can be reached easily on foot or by bus, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, if you stay out in a suburban hotel (which are often *much* cheaper than those in the District proper) and expect to commute in on Metro over a weekend, you could find yourself stuck with long waits.
Also, with regard to safety in DC - as a tourist you're unlikely to run into any problems. However, crime is certainly not uncommon even in so-called "nice" areas and downtown, particularly at night. And keep in mind that some of the city's main nightlife areas - such as U Street, Columbia Heights, and H Street NE - were until recently 100% the ghetto, still have lots of public housing, and do with some frequency see muggings, street attacks, and shootings (the latter usually between/among criminals, but still.)
Don't let the fact that you see giant luxury condo buildings and restaurants/bars all around lull you into a false sense of security in DC. I'd say the crime risk is more akin to that in Mexico City (the nicer parts) than in NYC or Chicago or other big US cities where tourists go. Again, you're extremely unlikely to have a problem, but at least recognize that the risks are higher than you might expect them to be, and maintain the appropriate level of vigilance.
Apr 3, 2014 | 7:37 pm
#17
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Great, no. Pretty damned good compared to pretty much anywhere else in the US (NYC and Chicago excepted), most definitely. Granted, I rarely ever set foot on Metro, as I bike and walk everywhere, but it really isn't that bad, particularly if one isn't stuck on the red line or outside of the main city core.
and the OP, who's from Europe, should know it has huge limitations. Furthermore, speaking as a former DC and Silver Spring resident who didn't own a car and relied on Metro as my primary mode of transportation, I can say with some authority that outside of business hours - and particularly on weekends - it's a crapshoot.As on on and off resident of DC for the past decade and a very frequent visitor to Mexico City, I would rate DC as much, much safer than Mexico City, particularly in the touristy areas. Then again, I'm very comfortable traveling around most of Mexico City solo, as well (Good luck finding trouble in Polanco or Colonia Roma). Yes, A-M, H St NE, CoHi, and U St (The main nightlife areas) do see some crime, but it's generally late at night around bar time, and is very sporadic. I frequent most of those neighbourhoods at night and have never felt even remotely in danger. It's been the better part of a decade since most of those areas resembled the scorched earth of the 1970s through 1990s.
I feel much safer walking around at night in Polanco, Condesa, even Zona Rosa than I would in A-M.
Anyway, I think we both agree that the OP is very unlikely to come to harm in DC. I'm just urging him/her to exercise more caution than s/he might otherwise think to do, even in apparently wealthy neighborhoods.
Apr 3, 2014 | 8:31 pm
#18
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Finishing watching the second season of House of Cards seems to have implanted a subliminal message in my head that I should go to DC on my next vacation. Funny, The West Wing never did this; must be all the outside shots. 
Looking at doing the usual tourist stuff: Look at the White House, Capitol Hill, National Mall, Vietnam Memorial, The Smithsonian, etc.
Is it feasible to get around to these places without a car? The Metro system seems pretty good.
Avoiding the obvious bad parts of town, is it safe to walk around?
Looking at doing the usual tourist stuff: Look at the White House, Capitol Hill, National Mall, Vietnam Memorial, The Smithsonian, etc.
Is it feasible to get around to these places without a car? The Metro system seems pretty good.
Avoiding the obvious bad parts of town, is it safe to walk around?
The tourist areas and main shopping and restaurant areas are safe enough by day. Even at night it is mostly ok, but don't walk deserted streets at night and be aware that some of the more interesting nightlife in the area isn't in absolutely safe surroundings.
For over two decades, I've walked from around the White House or DuPont Circle to Georgetown at well past midnight and only had one sort of close run in with someone who may have been considering using a weapon on us -- that was on a nice residential street about 50 yards from where the then US Secretary of State was living and had his own security detail outside. And that was years ago when DC was far more dangerous than it is today. Public transport in the areas you are likely to go in the day are generally fine enough from morning to closing.
I've had more close encounters with criminals with guns in nicer parts of Stockholm than I have in the parts of DC a tourist is likely to visit. And I'm the post-midnight walker doing a solo stroll way more often in DC than in Stockholm.
My most fun showing visitors around DC usually involves no car unless we are leaving the District. It would involve taxis, which are reasonably cheap compared to Swedish taxi prices.
The areas of DC you are likely to visit are far safer than Mexico City (as a whole or comparable areas in Mexico City).
Last edited by GUWonder; Apr 3, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Apr 4, 2014 | 6:34 am
#19
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I just want to second (or third) the comments in support of DC in general. It has it's challenges like any big city, and it's share of neighborhoods to be wary of, but it's definitely not something that should strike fear into the heart of any traveler who's used to large American cities.
And yes, the Metro's not the NYC subway in scope of coverage or level of service, but nothing else in the US is. If you're riding on weekends, they do have a tentative schedule of which lines will see major closures up through the end of June: http://www.wmata.com/rail/trackwork.cfm
I've been visiting and riding the Metro regularly since the mid-80s. While the Metro hasn't aged well in some categories (i.e., maintenance), I have to say I've felt consistently safer on the Metro than most subway/transit systems in the US over the years.
And yes, the Metro's not the NYC subway in scope of coverage or level of service, but nothing else in the US is. If you're riding on weekends, they do have a tentative schedule of which lines will see major closures up through the end of June: http://www.wmata.com/rail/trackwork.cfm
I've been visiting and riding the Metro regularly since the mid-80s. While the Metro hasn't aged well in some categories (i.e., maintenance), I have to say I've felt consistently safer on the Metro than most subway/transit systems in the US over the years.
Apr 4, 2014 | 11:35 am
#20
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The Metro is an adequate commuter system to bring people to their jobs and home again. And, yes, compared to other US cities it's a beacon - but the US is a third-world country and the OP, who's from Europe, should know it has huge limitations. Furthermore, speaking as a former DC and Silver Spring resident who didn't own a car and relied on Metro as my primary mode of transportation, I can say with some authority that outside of business hours - and particularly on weekends - it's ...
and the OP, who's from Europe, should know it has huge limitations. Furthermore, speaking as a former DC and Silver Spring resident who didn't own a car and relied on Metro as my primary mode of transportation, I can say with some authority that outside of business hours - and particularly on weekends - it's ...The few times I have taken Metrorail have made me thankful I don't have to depend on it all the time.
Apr 4, 2014 | 10:38 pm
#21
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Agreed. When the OP has dates booked he should then check the WMATA website for the planned track work and avoid the impacted lines if possible. It would be a pretty miserable trip if, e.g. he was staying up in Rockville and Red Line trains were only running every 25 minutes all weekend due to single tracking (there is also some weeknight track work).
The few times I have taken Metrorail have made me thankful I don't have to depend on it all the time.
The few times I have taken Metrorail have made me thankful I don't have to depend on it all the time.
DC and the nearby Arlington area is a great area and most frequently a great area for Priceline/Hotwire hotel bookings. Cabs are relatively cheap and a good supplement for Metro and other public transit use.
Apr 5, 2014 | 8:39 am
#22
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Why would a foreign visitor want to stay in Rockville or anywhere else that isn't a sub-90 minute walk to the White House and/or the monuments?
DC and the nearby Arlington area is a great area and most frequently a great area for Priceline/Hotwire hotel bookings. Cabs are relatively cheap and a good supplement for Metro and other public transit use.
DC and the nearby Arlington area is a great area and most frequently a great area for Priceline/Hotwire hotel bookings. Cabs are relatively cheap and a good supplement for Metro and other public transit use.
Apr 6, 2014 | 4:24 pm
#23
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In addition, as everyone else has already said, it is best to skip using a car if your aim is to visit downtown D.C. Driving can be frustrating with traffic, construction, security closures, and one-way streets; and parking is expensive and often hard to find near tourist attractions.
When I visit D.C. for a day or two I often stay in the Rosslyn and Crystal City neighborhoods across the Potomac River in Virginia. On weekends they are much cheaper than staying in downtown D.C., and by picking a hotel near one of the Metro stations I can travel from my room to the National Mall in 25 minutes.
Apr 10, 2014 | 11:10 am
#24
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I have made periodic visits to D.C. for 25 years. I find that the standard big-city precautions are fine.
In addition, as everyone else has already said, it is best to skip using a car if your aim is to visit downtown D.C. Driving can be frustrating with traffic, construction, security closures, and one-way streets; and parking is expensive and often hard to find near tourist attractions.
When I visit D.C. for a day or two I often stay in the Rosslyn and Crystal City neighborhoods across the Potomac River in Virginia. On weekends they are much cheaper than staying in downtown D.C., and by picking a hotel near one of the Metro stations I can travel from my room to the National Mall in 25 minutes.
In addition, as everyone else has already said, it is best to skip using a car if your aim is to visit downtown D.C. Driving can be frustrating with traffic, construction, security closures, and one-way streets; and parking is expensive and often hard to find near tourist attractions.
When I visit D.C. for a day or two I often stay in the Rosslyn and Crystal City neighborhoods across the Potomac River in Virginia. On weekends they are much cheaper than staying in downtown D.C., and by picking a hotel near one of the Metro stations I can travel from my room to the National Mall in 25 minutes.
Apr 10, 2014 | 5:08 pm
#25
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I was surprised I had to read down this far to see the Crystal City/Rosslyn recommendations because that's what I came here to say. We often come down from Baltimore for the weekend and spend Saturday night in the DC area to cut out two train trips. We almost always stay in Arlington and occasionally in Rosslyn for 1/2 or less the price of DC hotels. Just be sure to check a map and find something close to a Metro stop, with the Pentagon City and Crystal City stops being my favorites.
Apr 15, 2014 | 2:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 218
As a DC resident, I find M60's comments to be classic New Yorker. Obviously has little experience on the ground in DC. Wife and I do long dog walks all through DC. As long as you stay north of the Anacostia and away from Benning road, you'll be fine.
it is true that the occassional drunk young adult at 2 AM gets a bit of trouble. But that's more of a too much alcohol and bad judgment problem than one unique to DC. Fights on H Street? Tell me where a bunch of 20-30 somethings can gather and get drunk without a few problems? I'd like to see that city.
One final note: comparing crime stats between cities is problematic because reporting standards vary so widely from city to city. Within a city it's more consistent, although note that as neighborhoods gentrify, crime reporting rises - we gentry are more likely to report than the poorer incumbents.
it is true that the occassional drunk young adult at 2 AM gets a bit of trouble. But that's more of a too much alcohol and bad judgment problem than one unique to DC. Fights on H Street? Tell me where a bunch of 20-30 somethings can gather and get drunk without a few problems? I'd like to see that city.
One final note: comparing crime stats between cities is problematic because reporting standards vary so widely from city to city. Within a city it's more consistent, although note that as neighborhoods gentrify, crime reporting rises - we gentry are more likely to report than the poorer incumbents.
Apr 22, 2014 | 10:46 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2011
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Er, no. Lived there for about 5 years until recently, and go back regularly to visit friends. I actually have quite a bit of experience on the ground, thank you very much.
Apr 28, 2014 | 6:37 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 18
And yet, you're getting resounding pushback from people who actually *do* live here, at current. Comparing DC to Mexico City is ludicrous. Midday muggings in Foggy Bottom? I'm not saying it's *never* happened, in fact I'm sure you're probably latching on to an anecdote of soemthing that happened once. But those rich GW students walking around with iPhones out sure don't seem too worried. Foggy Bottom is as safe, or safer, than being down by NYU/ the village in NYC. There is so incredibly little chance of a tourist being a crime victim here: they're in the safest, most heavily policed areas. Random crime is pretty rare throughout the city these days.
Apr 28, 2014 | 6:56 am
#29
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The Metro is an adequate commuter system to bring people to their jobs and home again. And, yes, compared to other US cities it's a beacon - but the US is a third-world country and the OP, who's from Europe, should know it has huge limitations. Furthermore, speaking as a former DC and Silver Spring resident who didn't own a car and relied on Metro as my primary mode of transportation, I can say with some authority that outside of business hours - and particularly on weekends - it's a crapshoot.
You're totally right that DC is far safer than it used to be, but it needs to be said that random street crime remains extremely prevalent - far more so than most white, upper-income people in the city like to tell themselves. I know many people in DC who have stories of being held up at gunpoint in midday in places like Foggy Bottom, or being suckerpunched by a group of kids in Eastern Market. Even in so-called "nice" neighborhoods like A-M, there are often houses where shootings and muggings occur regularly but the city's dysfunctional laws means police take no action. I can think right off the bat of the corner of 15th/Columbia - literally a block away from embassies - as well as 17/Euclid, but there are many, many others. There are often shootings on the A-M strip - hell, there have been several shootings and stabbings at a club across the street from my old office, on 14/K right downtown!
I feel much safer walking around at night in Polanco, Condesa, even Zona Rosa than I would in A-M.
Anyway, I think we both agree that the OP is very unlikely to come to harm in DC. I'm just urging him/her to exercise more caution than s/he might otherwise think to do, even in apparently wealthy neighborhoods.
and the OP, who's from Europe, should know it has huge limitations. Furthermore, speaking as a former DC and Silver Spring resident who didn't own a car and relied on Metro as my primary mode of transportation, I can say with some authority that outside of business hours - and particularly on weekends - it's a crapshoot.You're totally right that DC is far safer than it used to be, but it needs to be said that random street crime remains extremely prevalent - far more so than most white, upper-income people in the city like to tell themselves. I know many people in DC who have stories of being held up at gunpoint in midday in places like Foggy Bottom, or being suckerpunched by a group of kids in Eastern Market. Even in so-called "nice" neighborhoods like A-M, there are often houses where shootings and muggings occur regularly but the city's dysfunctional laws means police take no action. I can think right off the bat of the corner of 15th/Columbia - literally a block away from embassies - as well as 17/Euclid, but there are many, many others. There are often shootings on the A-M strip - hell, there have been several shootings and stabbings at a club across the street from my old office, on 14/K right downtown!
I feel much safer walking around at night in Polanco, Condesa, even Zona Rosa than I would in A-M.
Anyway, I think we both agree that the OP is very unlikely to come to harm in DC. I'm just urging him/her to exercise more caution than s/he might otherwise think to do, even in apparently wealthy neighborhoods.
Last edited by slawecki; Apr 28, 2014 at 7:03 am
May 1, 2014 | 9:18 pm
#30
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Agreed. M60_to_LGA lost all credibility with the Mexico City comparison. But I'm glad he loves New York. And LGA is one fine airport
To the OP: As others have said, you don't need a car and DC is as safe as almost any city in North America. Just use common "street smarts" that you apply in European cities and you'll be fine. Hope you have (or had) a great visit.
To the OP: As others have said, you don't need a car and DC is as safe as almost any city in North America. Just use common "street smarts" that you apply in European cities and you'll be fine. Hope you have (or had) a great visit.