May
30

Why Downtown DC Is Perfect For Meta Employees

Lifestyle

This just in: DC has officially earned its reputation as the hottest destination for the country’s most prominent tech hubs — not to mention their employees. It’s a fitting transition, especially considering all the culture, nightlife, cuisine, transportation, and shopping that make DC the perfect home for tech employees today. Whether you’re relocating for a new opportunity or looking to channel the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation’s capital in style, we’re here to help.

Keep reading to learn why Downtown DC is the place for Meta employees near and far and some places you might like to spend your time!

#1 The Neighborhoods

Looking for the best places to live in and around DC? From the bordering suburbs to the most vibrant urban enclaves, here are a few of the neighborhoods that top the list:

  • Logan Circle: The beautiful, historic Logan Circle area is a historic and refined neighborhood in Washington, DC. Residents of this upscale neighborhood enjoy a mix of quiet streets, beautiful architecture, and immediate access to the city’s amenities and entertainment. The neighborhood is especially perfect for those who love a little outdoor space, but don’t need a home with a backyard. The charming neighborhood features a small park that’s perfect for picnics and other outdoor activities.
  • DuPont Circle: DuPont Circle combines an urban, hip feel with turn-of-the-century real estate. This neighborhood is home to a number of embassies and sits less than two miles from the White House. Partly due to that proximity, the DuPont Circle neighborhood is famous for its high concentration of political figures, with senators and ambassadors sitting down to lunch at the local cafes.
  • Shaw: Shaw has everything you need nearby, from shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants to a newly rebuilt Giant inhabiting the shell of a restored 19th-century market. But when you need to leave, it’s just one stop south on the Green Line metro to the Convention Center and downtown– or north to the bustling Columbia Heights corridor. And if you prefer walking, you can soak in DC’s residential and urban mix as you stroll downtown or even to the National Mall.
  • Woodley Park: It’s easy to forget you’re rooted firmly in an urban center when surrounded by so many trees and park space. The two bridges spanning Rock Creek both connect and create distance between Woodley Park and its nearby neighborhoods. When you’re ready for adventure, you can get anywhere: There’s easy access to all parts of the city and beyond through Rock Creek Parkway. With two historic hotels, a Metro stop as a jumping-off point for the National Zoo, and local eateries and shops, it welcomes visitors while still catering to its residents. Bucolic nature is just steps from home, and you can even hear the calls of the wild coming from your neighbors at the zoo.
  • Bethesda: This bustling suburban community located just outside of Washington, D.C is known for its upscale amenities and thriving downtown area. Bethesda offers a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It’s home to a mix of DC commuters, long-time residents, and foreign dignitaries — making for a diverse mix of cultures. Its central location means you have quick access to the nation’s capital plus hip, trendy Georgetown and the nightlife of Silver Spring.

Interested in learning more about DC’s vibrant neighborhoods? Check out the communities we serve right here.

#2 Networking Opportunities

Unsurprisingly, Washington, DC is a networker’s paradise. Opportunities to meet or get together with other professionals are everywhere. On any given day, there are special events, lunches, happy hours, and more to choose from, each focused on placing people in the right place at the same time in order to make connections and grow their careers.

#3 The Ease Of Getting Around

One of the best ways to experience Washington, DC is on foot. The city’s wide sidewalks meander past the inspiring monuments and museums found on the National Mall, as well as the intimate museums, world-class theaters, and splendid gardens in the city’s collection of neighborhoods. Prefer to get around on two wheels? Unlimited Biking offers rentals from two locations in DC, and has a wide variety of bikes to choose from, including kids’ bikes and attachments. With each rental, helmets, locks, and a map are included, and the friendly staff will help you plan your route to explore the city. Additionally, Capital Bikeshare has over 350 stations across DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Its fleet includes more than 3,000 bicycles, and the system is easy: simply join (options range from a Day Key to a year-long membership) and access bicycles 24 hours a day. The first 30 minutes of each trip is free, with each additional half hour incurring a fee.


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#4 Shopping At City Center

One of downtown’s hottest destinations is CityCenterDC. The massive, mixed-use development takes up several city blocks and boasts a Rodeo Drive-worthy amount of luxe labels. Window shop or break out your credit card for brands like Paul Stuart, Gucci, Hermes, Kate Spade, Christian Dior, and Allen Edmonds.

#5 Concerts at DAR Hall

The Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters doubles as a music venue in Downtown DC. The calendar is usually jam packed with performances by touring musicians, comedians, and special events (to name just a few). The first floor of the building also houses a museum (open Monday-Saturday) dedicated to the history of the American Revolution.

#6 The POV Rooftop Lounge

POV Rooftop Lounge & Terrace in the swanky W Hotel features indoor and outdoor seating, making it a year-round option for an evening appertif. The lounge is not only popular for its DC-themed cool vibe (look for the wall made of “red tape” in a nod to DC’s sometimes bureaucratic ways) and creative cocktails, but for its absolutely spectacular view of the White House. The terrace overlooks 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (it’s so close, you can see the Secret Service posted on the White House roof), giving this popular bar extra cred. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there when the president’s Marine One helicopter lands on the White House lawn.

#7 The National Gallery’s World-Class Collection

Famed financier and one-time U.S. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon offered to donate his expansive art collection to launch a national art museum that would rival those of other great cities around the world during then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration. Roosevelt agreed, and in 1937, the National Gallery of Art was officially established. Today, the museum is home to great works like Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de Benci (the only da Vinci in the Western hemisphere), Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer Aged 14, and Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait. The museum consists of an East and West building — connected by a concourse walkway-turned-artwork with Leo Villareal’s mesmerizing Multiverse.


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#8 Experience The National Museum Of Women In The Arts

Downtown DC’s National Museum of Women in the Arts is the world’s only major museum solely dedicated to recognizing women’s creative contributions to the art world. The museum houses an impressive collection, including works by Frida Kahlo, Mary Cassatt, and Sarah Bernhardt. The museum also hosts ongoing female-focused programming and lectures related to the gallery’s latest exhibition. Make sure to check out all of NMWA’s events and the particularly impressive gift shop.

Are you a tech worker making the move to DC? Reach out to our team today to learn more about buying a home in DC today! Call 202.280.2060 or book a consultation with our team right here.