Washington DC
 

I am planning on renting an apt for the month of Oct. From the listings I found I thot the Capitol hill area made sense. But from reading the threads am seeing alot about Dupont Circle area. I am going alone, as a tourist. I have been to DC a few times but never long enough to really explore. I like the idea of the red line and the market being close. anyway any suggestions would be appreciated.

All price ranges. http://www.airbnb.com/search/?locati...FYYHRQodRChYYQ

Since you are spending a month you could even spend your time in 3 or 4 different places. Being close to the Metro is good.
Have you got a list of things to keep you busy in DC for a month? Don't forget that there will be a Presidential campaign going on then.

I lived (alone) near Dupont Circle for years. I absolutely loved it. If you rent there, I don't think you'll regret it. And yes, it will be busy.

Either area would be great; there are shops, restaurants, Metro, and markets in both (great Sunday farmers market in Dupont, Eastern Market every day on the Hill). I have not noticed that the month before a presidential election is any different from other Octobers.

T/U I have no agenda just want to absorb the city but really want to be able to walk to most places. Will let you know my choices and see what you think

Capitol Hill and DuPont Circle are very different places. Capitol Hill is more charming and less touristy. It feels more residential, but also a little more "gritty." DuPont Circle is more hectic, but more convenient. It's a much more expensive neighborhood but--until you get to the very edges--less "gritty."

Neither is a neighborhood where you can "walk to most places" in the sense that you can reach the whole city from there. For instance, the walk from DuPont Circle to Capitol Hill would be quite a hike. Of course, with Metro the entire city is within reach.

Sights in DC zare spread out over a large area - you will be ale to walk most places only if youd on;t mind oing 8 or 10 mikes. That's why there's a Metro.

But Dupong Circle is not that bad a walk to a number of places - assuming you think 3 or 4 mikes is esily walkable.

Depends on what part of Capitol Hill you are talking about in terms of "gritty."

I agree with MikeT's description of the two neighborhoods and think they'd both be fine places to spend a month exploring DC. Both are convenient to Metro stations with access to the entire city.

Of the two, I'd give the nod to Dupont Circle for being a neighborhood where you can "walk to most places" or at least walk to more places than Capitol Hill. A walk from Dupont Circle to the National Mall, Georgetown, and Penn Quarter will be 20-30 minutes.

Also check out the DC Circulator bus which runs more simplified routes to the heavily visited areas than the regular city buses. All use the Metro fare card.

Recommend you check a map for the actual location before you lease for a month -- both of these neighborhoods are popular places and ads can be a bit elastic in describing them. That might impact your walking distances and accessibility to Metro.

>>Sights in DC zare spread out over a large area - you will be ale to walk most places only if youd on;t mind oing 8 or 10 mikes. That's why there's a Metro. <<

No, that's not why there is a Metro. And you could easily plan a month long trip without having to log in 8-10 miles a day walking. Not that there's anything wrong with that much walking