I'm very pro-shoebox - you can live small in the best walking neighborhoods and spend money on activities instead of amassing stuff, less to deal with (no yard, no need for car, no maintenance you personally have to deal with, less to clean). Simple life, happy life.

also have that at my place lol

Move, preferably to an older and rent controlled building that has been nicely renovated. "Luxuries" and amenities are often just marketing nonsense to cover up flaws and charge way more than your unit is worth. I've had a great experience with Keener so far - all issues are fixed the day I write a ticket, and it's quiet.

Walking city and transit, 311 Bulk Pick Up Service, Tenant's Rights, Libraries (yes!), green space, and Ethiopian food of course.

Welcome to our city!

1. Yes, for November - March it can get pretty cold and windy here. ie Christmas week it was only 6 degrees F, yesterday it was snowing etc. So you will need sweaters and layers. But you may just want to buy a big coat when you get here.

2. Very accessible, I've lived here 8 years without a car. However, if you are able to live more in the middle of the city you can save a lot of money just walking instead of taking the train, bus, and Uber. DC is quite small, much smaller than most people that don't live here realize.

3. If you can afford it, live near the center of the city in NW (some neighborhoods are Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Shaw, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, U Street). The neighborhoods all have different character and businesses. For instance Dupont is more quiet, U Street is more for going out etc. You can walk to everything if you live in one of these central neighborhoods. My personal opinion (and where I'm moving to soon) is that the neighborhood between Dupont and Adams Morgan is one of the quietest and safest in the city, but is also the most walkable. This could be a good place to serve as your home base as you apartment hunt and get the lay of the land.

4. You're probably going to see a lot in this sub and on the news about violent crime in DC. It is true that DC is a major US city and it is good to have some level of street smarts to live here (there are muggings, car break ins, issues with drugs and homelessness etc.), however most gun crime is related to gang activity and is targeted. A lot of people live in the suburbs of Virginia and commute in to the city to work because it is more affordable and safer, but I would highly recommend living in the city itself if you can. It's a wonderful city with lots of things to do, always events and museums and great restaurants. Many parts have a small neighborhood feel. If you are coming to a new country and don't know many people it is easy to get involved with groups etc. if you live here. Less so in the suburbs.

This morning saw two cars back to back turning right almost hit a woman walking towards me in a crosswalk, I start to cross and a car almost turns left and hits me from the other side. Then they have the gaul to honk at ME. This is with a light and we both had right of way.

We need to put resources into this, hire crossing guards, stake out these most dangerous intersections with cops, whatever. I'm usually against the general attitude of this sub always shitting on DC, but this is one thing that DC is generally terrible about and needs to be addressed immediately.