Ready to embark on your very first DMV home search, but not exactly sure where to look without breaking the bank?

Contrary to popular belief, our city is brimming with neighborhoods perfect for first-time buyers — from bustling urban enclaves to charming residential retreats…and everything in between.

Keep reading for the neighborhoods that should be on the top of your neighborhood wishlist this season!

#1 Brightwood: Full of rowhomes, Colonials, and duplexes, Brightwood is an especially appealing option for families since it’s close to both green space and all that DC has to offer. The area is on the verge of change, as the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center is being redeveloped into new housing, recreational space, and commercial space for local residents to enjoy.

#2 Eckington: One of DC’s oldest neighborhoods offers plenty of small-town flair, but still maintains relatively easy access to Downtown DC and its many possibilities nonetheless. The tight-knit Eckington neighborhood is a good place for families as well, with mature, tree-lined streets and a lot of residential options for prospective buyers to choose from. Here, buyers will find single-family homes, rowhomes, and condos from which to choose.

---

➤ Learn more about buying a home with The Jenn Smira Team right here.

---

#3 Hill East: For early 20th century rowhomes and even some low-rise apartments, head to Hill East. A new development called Reservation 13 is underway here, bringing even more housing and retail space to the community of Hill East.

#4 Kingman Park: Brick rowhouses with front stoops are the standard in Kingman Park. This neighborhood has a good location with easy access to area restaurants and bars, plus the golf course — and even a walking trail. The neighborhood is a great destination for families, with plenty of nearby amenities, several tree-lined streets, a local skate park, and a charming farmer’s market.

#5 Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights is a large urban neighborhood in DC — and a popular choice for anyone looking to buy a home in the region today. Full of contemporary architecture, this area has a variety of housing options ranging from elegant rowhouses to modern condos. You’ll also find historic architecture, particularly along 14th St NW and 16th St NW, where several embassies and international organizations reside in 19th-century buildings. Nearby schools include the highly-rated Harriet Tubman Elementary School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, and there are plenty of public transit options for commuting professionals.

---

➤ Ready to start your search?

• Click here to search all homes for sale in the DMV
• Click here to see homes for sale in Columbia Heights
• Click here to see homes for sale in Brightwood
• Click here to book a buyer’s appointment with us

---

#6 Woodridge: This quiet, residential strip located in Northeast DC also happens to be one of the hottest neighborhoods in the area. Woodridge features Colonials, Craftsman, and Bungalow style homes from the 1920s and 1930s. With quick access to downtown via Rhode Island Avenue and a blossoming commercial strip featuring food, drink, and entertainment options, Woodridge has a tangible sense of community that many buyers are looking for today.

#7 Anacostia: When it comes to revitalization, Anacostia is a well-known success story. Major companies as well as small businesses continue to flock to this historic neighborhood in droves. As a result, more new homebuyers have been putting down roots in Anacostia than ever before. And what’s not to love? The neighborhood has a variety of things to explore including museums, art centers, restaurants and bars, community events, and sporting events. Enjoy the outdoors? Rent a bike and ride along the river trails, kayak on the Capitol Riverfront, or lace up your roller skates at Anacostia Park.

#8 Michigan Park: Michigan Park is a neighborhood known for its green spaces, quietness, and friendliness. Located in Northeast DC near the Maryland border, Michigan Park boasts a cozy atmosphere perfect for those who prefer to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of the city.

#9 Fairlington-Shirlington, Arlington, VA: Low-traffic residential streets, proximity to national attractions like the Arlington National Cemetery, and a median home value of $408,376 are just a few of the reasons Fairlington-Shirlington is considered an ideal combination of location and value today. If you settle down in the northeastern block of the neighborhood, the median rental price of $1,300 makes becoming a landlord an attractive investment, while the surrounding area draws active families and culture-seekers who come to enjoy the 22-acre Jennie Dean Park, local playhouses, and theaters.