Depends on where you lived as a child. If it was crestwood or chevy chase, somewhere along those lines, Columbia Heights can be a bit scary at times. But its a good location near things someone your age may enjoy. If you lived in say petworth or shaw, then maybe slightly a more noticeable air of crime and def more bike lanes, but mostly the same DC. Navy yard, the waterfront and Shaw have more things now. DC has grown into more of a food city now then it was back then I think, which is good!