Belmont is part of the Washington area. This page covers the whole metro.
Big-city feel, Outdoorsy, Historic
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Washington scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
How locals describe Washington
The words residents use most, from 120 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"AMAZING music scene. Wonderful parks and lots of trees in the city. Highly walkable with different neighborhoods having their own vibe."
"DC is not a cheap city to live in, but it is not SF or NYC either. $90K a year is enough to live a fairly comfortable life here IMO."
A walk through Washington
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Washington
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2025-07. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsEveryday life in Washington
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around Washington
What Washington is known for
Every year
AugDC JazzFest: international jazz festival with performances at The Wharfusatourist.com
SepNational Book Festival: free celebration of books hosted by Library of Congresswashington.org
Filmfest DC: international film festival showcasing world storytellingusatourist.com
Busiest time
Spring: cherry blossom festival draws large crowds of visitorsidc.edu
On a normal week
Walking around the Tidal Basinusatourist.com
Visiting the National Mallen.wikipedia.org
Walking or biking in Rock Creek Parken.wikipedia.org
Take a tour of Washington
"Rainy Day in Washington D.C. | Exploring the City's Best Landmarks and Streets (4k walking tour)" by ExploreTheWorld, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
One resident names Lapis as possibly their favorite restaurant in DC along with Moon Rabbit, Lutece, Poplar, Dolan, and Siam House.
“Love Lapis. Possibly my favorite restaurant in DC, Moon Rabbit or Lutece”
“In general the Arlington Loop (which consists of the Custis Trail, Mt Vernon Trail…”
One resident said free Pre-K is worth tens of thousands of dollars and they took their kids to the zoo and museums every weekend.
“Free Pre-K is worth tens of thousands but there are other perks”
The Continental in Rosslyn is recommended for bar games, pool and a good happy hour spot.
“It is a large bar that has bar games, pool, pop-a-shot, and other activities.”
From 19 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident ranks Wolf Trap as a favorite concert venue in the DMV.
“This can range from Capital One, the Anthem, Fillmore, Merriweather, Wolf Trap, etc. Rank your favorite concert venues in the DMV. Wolf Trap -...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident who moved to DC a year ago says it is hard to find a good bar with a live band.
“Good afternoon everyone. I moved to dc about a year ago and I love it, but my one complaint is that it is hard to find a good bar with a band. If...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident said that turning 30 left them as the only single person while all their friends got married, making weekends lonely.
“Turning 30 recently, I've realized that all my friends are married, leaving me as the lone single guy in the group. Weekends feel lonely, especially with...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident tried many different methods like walk clubs, bumble bff, Volo, Facebook groups, and run club but none of it helped.
“I basically threw everything on the wall and saw what stuck: city girls walk club, bumble bff, Volo, Facebook groups, run club. It didn't help...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident wrote a detailed step-by-step guide on how they made friends in DC as an introvert.
“Reddit Guide to making friends in DC as an introvert Friendship groups in Washington DC. A pretty detailed step-by-step guide on how I made...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident recommends the Clarendon Run Club as one of the most social run clubs in the NOVA area with different pace groups for everyone.
“Clarendon Run Club - One of the most social run clubs in the NOVA area. They meet every monday and have different pace groups for everyone.”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident noted that successfully integrating newcomers happens rarely and can feel forced or creepy if not done well, citing cities full of transplants like Seattle as an example.
“It happens, but it's rare. If done wrong, it can be creepy. So there's Seattle, or any of a bunch of cities, with a bunch of transplants...”
Read the full commentAbout 12 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident found it difficult to make friends or meet new people after moving there six months ago.
“Since I’ve moved here (6 months) I found it so hard to get people to be friends or find a place to meet up with other new people to the area. I saw...”
Read the full commentAbout 7 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident, an international student who recently arrived for university, described the experience as a wild ride so far.
“Hello Everyone. I'm an international student who just got into the USA. I joined my dream university this January and it has been a hell of a ride.”
Read the full commentAbout 5 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident suggested just downloading dating apps and seeing where things go, noting that lots of friendships used to start on OkCupid.
“I think you can just download the dating apps and see where things go. Time was lots of friendships started on okcupid. 31M you can go out on...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident believes single women outnumber single men in DC, making it hard to find opportunities to meet people.
“According to many, the number of single women in DC outnumber that of single men. In my experience there are very few opportunities to meet...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident finds dating apps depressing, with matches fizzling out after only a day of texting.
“I moved here three years ago and this is the first time in my life that I struggle with dating. The apps are depressing, you match, text for a day and they...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident eventually found their perfect match on Hinge after a year and a half of consistent dating app use.
“I met my absolute perfect match on Hinge, but I'd been going on Hinge/Tinder dates consistently for a year and a half. I loved meeting so many...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident said dating is statistically worse for straight women in DC because there are fewer straight single men compared to cities like NYC.
“I think it's like, statistically worse for straight women since there's just fewer straight single dudes in DC than in places like NYC (...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident considered deleting Hinge but feels apps are the only way people meet each other in DC.
“Hello all, I’m thinking of deleting Hinge but I feel like it’s the only way people are meeting each other in DC. I want to spend less time on social...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.Clarendon is described as the nightlife hub with bars on top of bars, while Shirlington offers a more relaxed vibe.
“Clarendon is the place you want, bars on top of bars. If you're looking for a more relaxed vibe? Shirlington. U street, Dupont Circle in DC are...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.The Continental in Rosslyn is recommended for bar games, pool and a good happy hour spot.
“In Rosslyn, check out The Continental. It is a large bar that has bar games, pool, pop-a-shot, and other activities. Good happy hour spot. Some...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 years ago. Things may have changed since.Whino in Ballston is called a regular spot with good happy hour, cocktails and a limited craft beer selection.
“I like whino in Ballston. Food is great, good happy hour and cocktails. They do have craft beer but it's a limited selection.”
Read the full commentAbout 9 months agoCrystal City has a couple of decent bars and restaurants along with a notable hookah lounge, and Old Town has a good bar scene.
“Crystal City has a couple decent bars, restaurants, and an amazing hookah lounge! Old Town Alexandria has a good bar scene IMO, and a lot to...”
Read the full commentAbout 14 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident lists several favorite bars including Wonderland, Red Derby, Player's Club, Little Miss Whiskeys, and Sauf Haus.
“Wonderland, Red Derby, Player's Club, Little Miss Whiskeys, Sauf Haus (Dupont I know, but it's not as bad). Other favs like Calico, Tall Boy,...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident says Adams Morgan is the best option for nightlife because it has a high concentration of bars and restaurants in a compact area.
“Adams Morgan is your best bet because it's compact with a high concentration of bars and restaurants. Wednesday should be much more tolerable...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident says they have almost no friends in DC despite being close with coworkers and having an in person job.
“This isn’t a complaint about DC at all FWIW.I have close to 0 friends here. I am close with colleagues at work and I also have an in person job with...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 19,078 business locations in the Washington area, employing about 365,086 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident has been unemployed since finishing a masters program and is struggling to salvage a career in the area.
“I’ve been unemployed since graduating from my masters program, and I’m currently at my wits end trying to find some way to salvage a career here,...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident says DC has many libraries and coworking spaces available for getting work done.
“DC is replete with libraries to camp down and get work done. pre-planned Coworking spaces you would recommend for remote work. Best Cafes and...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoAmazon has concentrated its growth in Arlington, while Microsoft and Google have a presence in the surrounding suburbs.
“Amazon has their entire growth outside in Arlington. Microsoft and Google in the suburbs. lobbying, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, law...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
Fall brings mild sunny days into mid October before temperatures drop and the first cold days and occasional snow arrive in November.
Alexandria offers tons of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and workout studios, though true late-night clubbing is limited.
“Alexandria has tons of great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, workout studios etc. maybe less on the true night life like clubbing/ 2 AM...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years ago“In general the Arlington Loop (which consists of the Custis Trail, Mt Vernon Trail…”
One hiker named Rock Creek, Patapsco Valley State Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, Great Falls and Catoctin Mountain Park as favorites.
“Rock Creek, patapsco valley state park, sugar loaf mountain, great falls, catoctin mountain park, and raven rocks are my favorite. AllTrails is...”
Read the full commentAbout 8 years ago. Things may have changed since.“The Western Ridge Trail is one of the better trails in the park…”
“bars on top of bars”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Washington area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Washington area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 833,886 rented homes in the Washington area, 51% rent for under $2,000 a month and 87% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Washington area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $3,000 to $3,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $4,500 to $5,997 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,500 to $1,999, that's a yearly income of about $54,000 to $71,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to District of Columbia: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the District of Columbia DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: District of Columbia voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Childcare and colleges
District of Columbia keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $345/week about $17,900 a year | $260/week about $13,500 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $288/week about $15,000 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $307/week about $16,000 a year | $221/week about $11,500 a year |
| School-age | $236/week about $12,300 a year |
For an infant at a center: $345/week here, $490 across DC, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 10% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
11 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Washington. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.
More towns in District of Columbia →