We are 7 middle aged people, going to DC in October. We'll probably rent through VRBO (if you have a recommendation for other rental sources, that would be welcome) or possibly stay at a hotel. We're looking for advice on which areas are safe to stay around. Thanks.

I stay in the Dupont circle area quite often and have never felt ill at ease even once.

Dupont Circle, as stated above, Penn Quarter, Downtown, right across river in VA - Crystal City, Rosslyn, Old Town Alexandria. Avoid NY or FL Aves in NE quadrant. Let us know what you find for further comment.

ps, please tell me 65 is your age, not the year you were born. 44 = middle-aged??

I'd be OK if 65 is the year they graduated from college or HS.

Almost anyplace in the NW quadrant of the city is OK; the farther out you get, the more space you can get for your money. Access to a bus line or Metro station is important. Neighborhoods like Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park are farther out than Dupont but perfectly safe and convenient.

vjpblovesitaly and anonymous: I am neither 65 nor was I born in 1965. I had an intense love of music during the 1960s and felt (still feel) that 1965 was the best of all of those years. I turned 14 that year, which I think makes me solidly middle aged at 57 (birthday is later in the year). The rest of our party ranges from 50 to 63.

Thanks for the info. Now if I can only talk my wife into going to Italy...I love Italy, too.

Yes, that was an excellent year; I turned 16.

As Anonmymous says, most anything with "NW" in the street address is probably fine. DC is divided into quadrants with the Capitol building in the center. You might prefer to say South of Mass Ave from Union Station up to about 14th street, then South of Florida Ave until about when hits 18th Street, and west of Rock Creek Park from there.

This is only a rough guideline and many perfectly acceptable neighborhoods will fall outside those parameters.

I also suggest Dupont Circle. The Metro is right there, there is a host of good restaurants and the design reminds me of Paris.

Has anyone heard of the Hillcrest area?

We've stayed several times in Dupont Circle too, and love it.
I agree with PamSF - metro line close by, great restaurants within walking distance, quiet, cute little bistros, coffee shops, cafes, parks, and it feels like a little city within the larger context of DC. We always felt very safe, and we did walk around at night.

According to Google, Hillcrest is in the Southeast section of the city, bordering on Maryland. Not a very interesting or convenient location for tourists. I don't know anything about factors like safety.

No. I wouldn't stay in Hillcrest, and I'm a native Washingtonian.

Hillcrest is a pretty neighborhood and safe enough, but incredibly inconvenient for a tourist and probably not for someone who isn't familiar with the city.