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Nice and seems super convenient.

Downside is that there are virtually no rowhomes or single family homes and is very much a transient community. You may like apartment/condo canyons, but some like quieter streets, back and front yards with sunshine, gardens and not paper thin condo/apt walls.

No real hardware/department stores (Walmart is different).

Also no trees or real parks....just small parks without trees, fountains, etc. Got a dog? Good luck with those two small and nasty dog parks.

Also a neighborhood with high traffic and those drivers ain't slowing down.

Restaurants and bars there are expensive (Hello $12 cupcake and plain 'ole coffee at Baked and Wired) most are not full-scale restaurants and lack the character of a neighborhood restaurant. Where are the regulars , the neighborhood vibe (Even Chinatown, Penn Quarter lacks that)? Most importantly, liquor in a ketchup dispenser a la Dan's Cafe)?

Greet neighborhood, but essentially a pop-up neighborhood and the maybe 2 thousand more units coming next year gonna make things more dense. And if you have 3 kids...where you gonna live?

1. It’s barely a neighborhood. It’s like a block of apartment buildings and a Safeway.
2. absolutely no parking.
3. A 20 minute walk from the mall is a hike imo. Like, I want to live in a neighborhood because of the neighborhood’s amenities, not because there are cool things a mile away.
4. related to the above, there’s no convenient food.
5. There are no convenient bars/no night life of any sort.
6. Basically you’re living there so you can walk to Chinatown. I’d rather just live in Chinatown if that’s going to be where I spend most of my time….but I’d rather visit Chinatown, personally, and so would rather live in a neighborhood that actually has things.

Used to live on the other side of the convention center, which I loved. I always found it a bit grim over on the east side of the convention center - NY Ave is a drag to walk along there since it's basically a 395 extension at that point still, lots of parking lots, the highway itself, etc. The Walmart is a shitshow and I don't really care for Chinatown lately, so those aren't really pros in my book. I enjoyed the vibe of extreme southern Shaw more, with a mix of building types, less traffic, more interesting food and drink.

Mt Vernon Triangle has definitely filled out lately though, and I agree the location within the city is pretty great.

Agreed. I love mvt but it does feel pretty transient and you don’t get as much of a neighborhood vibe as other neighborhoods. But as you pointed out, you can be in a your choice of different neighborhood within minutes.

Sometimes there’s road closures and traffic from events at the convention center, but I have lived here for a while and the African leaders conference was the only real inconvenience and it wasn’t that bad.

Personally, I do not like that area. It’s basically all apartments with a little bit of commercial space. I find it pretty soulless. Being close-ish to Chinatown or Metro Center isn’t at all positive at least for me. I find it’s an inconvenient area. I’d much rather live in Shaw or Logan Circle rather than being a 20 minute walk from the places I actually want to go to. Have you ever been near that Walmart? If you’re listing it as a perk lmao

I like Cleveland Park. Nice neighborhood with some restaurants, groceries, Metro access, and close to Rock Creek Park, which is the best park ever.

Do you mean the WalMart on H? You should rethink listing that as a perk until you've visited it.

It’s close to Blagden so that’s cool. But it’s also a neighborhood that’s super close to a metro stop (Mount Vernon), so you can just go visit it. I do for Ghostburger. Every DC neighborhood has groceries. I’m 5 minutes from a Harris Teeter and a Safeway in AdMo.

I lived by that Safeway for 4 years in one of those buildings. While all what you said is somewhat true, I got bored of it after a while because:

1- It's not a real neighborhood. Everything feels artificial after a while. 2- Restaurants are expensive and mediocre. Also always full. 3- No quiet time. Those condo like apartments turn into frat houses on weekends. It's like living in a dorm. 4- We had a rooftop pool and amenities in our building. They're always booked, full and loud. People bring all of their friends who don't live in those buildings and throw parties, and residents just can't enjoy what they're paying for. 5- Our building charged 250 a month to park your car in the garage. 6- Not a huge fan of Chinatown except food delivery. Lots of crazies walking around.

Good things: 1- Walking to the mall whenever I needed an escape was the best. 2- Red line (use Judiciary square stop) 3- Cute dogs 4- 20 min walking distance to my work.

The reason why we left is that the building management increased the rent 600 dollars a month on August, and at that point, it wasn't worth it. Now, with the same rent, I live in a row house with a backyard in a real neighborhood.

I think Mt Vernon is great if you're new to the city and a young professional who just started his/her career. Once that is over, there's no value in that area.

Yes, true. But all those streets have heavy traffic and getting worse.To be fair, they are mostly major thoroughfares, but drivers don't slow down and pedestrians and bikers, even with bike lanes, can't cross streets without worry.

The rowhomes directly north of it are nice if you want a neighborhood feel while still getting the amenities.

I’m still upset that City Vista priced out the hardware store that used to be there though.

I think it's a fine area. I liked spending time there.

I could ride my bike anywhere in 30 minutes from there.

The crowd was younger. There wasn't anything great about it either. That Walmart is nightmarish and I avoid it anyway I can.

There are plenty of areas with lots of grocery store options. For instance just a little north of Mt Vernon, Shaw has easy access to Whole Foods, Giant, and Trader Joe's. Since you're in NoVA I'd suggest spending a weekend in a few of the neighborhoods you're considering. A spreadsheet of wants and amenities is only going to tell you so much. Also don't discount how much you're going to walk. Most people I know don't use the metro except for work or going to events etc. It's very common to be able to walk to all the things you need on a day to day basis.

logan circle has more personality but it’s definitely less convenient, it has no metro stop

agree with the commenters that MVT is a bit soulless BUT it’s probably the most central residential area in the entire city, its access via metro to downtown attractions and to each of the other neighborhoods is pretty unmatched

lmfao, so it can’t be a neighborhood because it’s mostly apartments? also lmao at pretending there’s nothing but a Safeway. MVT is amazing.

1. Proximity to Wal Mart

I lived there for a month when my apartment in Parkview flooded. It was a nice area and I liked the proximity to the Metro, but there aren't a lot of "third places" there (places to hang out that aren't work or home). There are a few restaurants, but from what I remember no bars, lounges, cafes, or even shady parks. If you want to do anything or hang out somewhere, you have to leave the neighborhood.

Definitely very underrated. It's a top tier spot for people who like to go out and visit a lot of diff neighborhoods and events, I always recommend this area to people moving to DC, I like kt a tad better than Logan Circle because it's more chill

I love it here. MVT!

2 new big apt buildings going up soon. This area will just continue to grow

3 kids in the city sounds expensive pretty much anywhere you try to live.

1. This just isn’t true

2. There is street parking. A parking lot, and garages in the area.

3. That walk to the mall is great.

4. There are so many food spots right in MVT. Hell there are 4 spots you can get tacos in a 2 block radius

5. Chinios, Ciel, CloakRoom, and over under all stay open till 2am/3am

6. MVT is a much more desirable place to live then Chinatown at this point. What are you even talking about?

The best is foggy bottom

A number of new restaurants have come

I have lived in the area for three years and find it extremely convenient for work and nightlife

Lived there for years and moved 7 blocks away for better prices.

A few comments:

• For people without cars who are walking or biking to other parts of D.C., who work downtown, the location can't be beat. Penn Quarter or Logan would have been our second most convenient choices, but at the time they were more expensive, and Penn Quarter has no grocery store. You aren't isolated on the East side of town or the West Side, you can walk to Adams Morgan or Eastern Market, etc.
• MVT businesses are great, but unfortunately the nearby downtown businesses have been declining over the last 5 years heavily. We had a Barnes and Noble and Bed Bath and Beyond, boutique shops on F and E St's, and A LOT more bars and fast casual style restaurants in say 2015-2018.
• MVT is full of transient people compared to most other neighborhoods because it's so close to downtown, which can be good or bad. We met SO many good people there, but relatively there are a lot of subsidized young people and transient people who love to complain and can't wait to get back to their family elsewhere. Contrast that with say Columbia Heights or H St, and you can feel the difference in demographcis.
• The Safeway is average and you are far from other options if you walk. I really prefer the Whole Foods and Trader Joes combo I have now.
• On K St in MVT, the Metro isn't that close. It's ONLY a 5-10 minute walk sure, but I live a block/stone's throw from the metro now so it's all relative.

I think people are generally familiar with the WalMart shopping experience, be it in DC or in the burbs.

Sounds like a good fit for you. Good luck with the move

True. But OP never mentioned price.

What I mean is that it's pretty much built for singles or couples w/o kids or maybe one kid. No rowhomes or SFH where you can have roommates, build equity until you can afford to have kids.

Speaking of price. I'm guessing that the price per sq ft is much higher there in all units. Met young professionals getting support from mom and dad to live in expensive units for great convenience, amenities, etc.

Also the noise....man, I love a raging party but not where I live (NIMBY ha ja).

True, but that is not Mount Vernon Triangle.

Damn landlords jacking rentals up 2x or more.

The downtown areas of most major cities aren’t built for people with kids unless you’re bringing in a big time paycheck. I don’t blame MVT developers not caring about families at all.

There are number of row homes on the other side of of NY Ave. Idk where the exact cut off of MVT is.

Agreed on the noise. Don’t move here is some weekend partying by neighbors bothers you.

Some parts of DC are short on grocery stores, but I agree there are a lot in general. Depending on what you count as a grocery store (do smaller stores like Streets Market count?), I think there might be 10 within a mile of Adams Morgan. Kind of nuts how many options there are.

Seriously lol that Walmart is hot garbage.

I promise you that the H St Walmart is worse than the burbs. They are not comparable beyond the name on the door.

What’s the difference. Go into detail

I just moved from this area to Capitol Hill/Eastern Market area.

All of your points are good! I liked the area but since I’m here in DC to stay this time, I wanted to try out a different area with more roots, homes, etc. My apt was also not in a great spot for accessing trader joes, which is where I shop.

On the point of “roots” from above, for what it’s worth, Mt. Vernon Triangle SEEMED (so subjective) to have more transience than usual. Lots of coming and going, law students, surface level relationships, headphones, etc. I know coming and moving is the norm for DC — but this area in particular seems have more transience than previous neighborhoods I’ve lived in (Dupont, AdMo and now Capitol/Eastern Market). I say this because I do value people and community and this area seemed a bit more difficult to break into that. Likely because it’s all newish apartments, haha.

Nevertheless, this is my second time living in DC — and this time for a bit longer. So I wanted a more neighborly-friendly vibe, hence the move. I may regret it though because I (25M) just traded a decently accessible night life for a more lowkey vibe.

All that to say… good choice, haha, but just something to consider. Definitely not a deal breaker.

Edit: Also, if you move into a big complex… try to get a pool, gym, rooftop, etc. It costs you a fortune but honestly it’s such a great perk and can save you lots of money going out because you’ll find out there’s likely something going on on your roof. Also, much easier to entertain guests when you have rented spaces, fire pits, pools, and bars nearby. Super easy.

Worse stock. Worse staff. Worse environment generally. It’s not a good store, full stop.

What’s wrong with the staff

I have never found useful help there, when there’s help to be found at all.

How much help do you need when you’re in WalMart

Well when the shelves aren’t stocked or you’re trying to pick up an online order or return something or there’s a problem with the checkout, you need help. Do you work at the H Street Walmart, do you have some personal interest in arguing whether or not it sucks? Or just bored?

It's a common trope on here to talk shit about any chain store in the District staffed by Black Washingtonians, which you seem very comfortable parroting.

This was our impression when we were buying a few years ago. I liked a condo we found in MVT, so we did a pro/con list for the area. Lack of greenery, highways for local roads, and no where peaceful to stroll, were all big strikes against. I don’t know about now, but at the time, lots of people were talking about MVT becoming a young family neighborhood. I just didn’t see it.

Those rowhomes north of NY Ave are not MVT.

OP posted about what they liked and asked for feedback. So not really an urban design discussion.

But if you want to discuss that...DC Planning got played by the real estate developers who built up MVT. Most of them from influential property owners/developers over generations who got their way and built specifically for maximizing revenue. How? cough Campaign finance cough planting their former employees into MVT BID cough greasing government players, etc.

Almost all of the apts/condos were supposed to be built not just for singles or DINKs. But developers got their way to make most bang for their bucks (it is America, big businesses get their wish).

It is what it is. Though DC loves getting resident tax/etc. revenues, they know density challenges a city in the long run).

You're right about.knowing not to move to noisey areas. Leasing agents love to give tours during quiet times for a reason.

Not hating on MVT. But DC government knows mistakes were made and notice new massive developments are being buit differently...not just for short term profits and tax revenues.

It’s better than safeway

Exactly! Just posted a few minutes ago what DC Planning and urban design folks know- Developers essentially got their way and built maximum profit condos/apts without thought to amenities. Even the BID was stacked with former real estate developers.

DC government didn't plan well and now they are trying to build new developments with long term objectives in mind.

Definitely not a family neighborhood. Can't even think of one playground or nice park to take a kid or dog or just have a picnic. Manhattan has better parks than MVT.

Nah nah

That WalMart is legitimately the worst shopping experience I’ve ever had and the staff is terrible. Stop making it a race thing that place sucks.

Oh my god. What happened

I live in NoMa, and there are 5 grocery stores within a 10-minute bike ride. Most of the near part of NE isn't a food desert.

That place looks nice, though.

Moved to MVT in 2017, been here ever since. Moved apartments once but just down the street. Honestly the neighborhood today is the best it’s been since we’ve lived here.

1. that Safeway is mediocre at best lol. Produce is marginal. Understaffed, so huge lines at 5pm when everyone is off work. It’s fine in a pinch, but we usually trek to Whole Paycheck or Trader Joe’s.

2. metro is convenient enough. I used to walk to Gallery Pl, but recently I’ve started going to Judiciary Sq. I hardly ever walk to Convention Center (for similar reasons why I don’t frequent Gallery Pl).

3. Bar Chinois, D’leña (and the tequila bar downstairs), Bar Taco, Melange, Prost, etc are all great. We’re on a first name basis with the folks at A Baked Joint. It’s a good little block of restaurants.

4. that walk to the mall is longer than you think, but not impossible.

5. see #4

DOWNSIDES: There’s very little street parking, especially since they installed the protected bike lanes (which was great! Don’t get me wrong). Also since the bike lanes, K St is now 2 lanes, and nights and weekends there are always Uber drivers, FedEx/Amazon/UPS always blocking the road to pickup/drop off. If they’re not blocking the road they’re blocking the bike lane. If they’re not blocking the bike lane they’re parked on my alley blocking the entrance to my building (if you do this, fuck you).

Also yeah the rent is going up, but it’s going up everywhere. And the restaurants aren’t cheap. But this isn’t a cheap city. Doesn’t really bother me too much. Overall we’ve stayed because it’s convenient to work, we like the direction the neighborhood is going, we like our neighbors, and our apartment has an awesome view lol.

Let me know you want any specific recs! Would be happy to discuss.

EDIT: also, the dog situation someone else mentioned is accurate. Limited available places for dogs, especially bigger ones. That doesn’t stop anyone it seems, my building is full of dogs big and small.

I shopped there, it’s terrible

Will you ever recover

I don't get it. You asked them what's wrong with the store, they gave you a valid reason stating that the store doesn't stay stocked and the staff is unhelpful and you assume it's a issue about race? So anytime a store or business is lacking and a person notices, it's a racism issue right? How about the store just fucking sucks.

I’m black. That store sucks. This isn’t really debatable.

Only one of us is upset and you’re the one on the internet suggesting people who don’t like a Walmart are racist. I’m worried whether or not you’re gonna make it to be honest.

You new here? These complaints could be about literally any Walmart.

Dunno you seem pretty upset about this traumatizing shopping experience, I’m chill about shopping there

You’re the worst type of person

You might want to expand your search to cap hill and H st. They get you most if not all those things but more of neighborhood feels. Lots of great areas in DC and most of it is walkable

Depends on the Safeway.

Why would you rain on OP's parade?

bringing up this trauma must be difficult for you but I promise, you will shop at WalMart again. I'll see you there, I will probably be buying some batteries or something like the hundreds of normal people who shop there without incident every day

Is… is this sarcasm?

Are you under the mistaken impression that WalMarts elsewhere provide a superior customer experience? It’s WalMart

Lmfao lmao

I’ve been to other Walmart. They are better. That one sucks. Why are you defending this Walmart so hard homie? Shit weirdo behavior.

Yup

Dude willing to walk 20 minutes for a club but says that grocery stores are few and far between.

Sus.

There’s like four major stores within walking distance of me. Also pro tip that Walmart is wild. I’ve gone once and it was enough.

This. Original comment is dumb.

ok snowflake

Buddy I regularly walk into the store that traumatized you like it’s nothing

Debatable

And yet, you can’t read a complaint about a Walmart without being offended. Must be tough to be in your shoes.

yes, I always have time to call bullshit on gentrifier hysteria

It’s filthy. There’s no stuff. You basically need to go through security to go in and out. There are people on drugs standing out front.

I’m sure the fine people of H St WalMart are super glad to have a savior like you

Check eckington and noma near union market around tanner park. There are a ton of great restaurants and the Trader Joe’s at union market can’t be beat. There are a ton of new buildings- ask them for rent specials.

Sounds like a Walmart to me

I work nearby, have been many times, and the gentrifier hysteria is ridiculous. I think it’s far weirder to pretend that this one WalMart is somehow unusable or horrible for someone who lives in the neighborhood. WalMart is what it is

I do enjoy the people working there, that is true

Yeah it sucks. Glad we agree. Take care homie. 🙌🏾

I’m sure the hysterical gentrifiers appreciate having you in their corner

I would choose Tenleytown or Cleveland Park. You have a Whole Foods and a bunch of nice restaurants.

I really don’t give a fuck about them when stating my personal opinion kiddo.

They sound like someone that hadn’t been in MVT in 8 years

This is not something you describe. But if I had to, id say it’s the opposite of an orgasm.

Sure, whatever. I’m sure they appreciate it though.

You achieve orgasm in superior Walmart locations?

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> I’m still upset that City Vista priced out the hardware store that used to be there though.

I know! It's been an empty storefront ever since, too. (It was very briefly some sort of golf place, but unsurprisingly that folded almost instantly.)

> that Safeway is mediocre at best lol. Produce is marginal. Understaffed, so huge lines at 5pm when everyone is off work. It’s fine in a pinch, but we usually trek to Whole Paycheck or Trader Joe’s.

I really can't stress enough just how bad that Safeway is when it comes to fresh produce/meat. I live within a 5 minute walk of it and still often opt for the giant that's like 15 min away. (Or take the metro to Whole Foods in Shaw.)

That Walmart is what I classify as chaotic evil compared to the neutral evil of the Columbia heights target.

Didn’t read anything past the Walmart comment. I am not squeamish when it comes to stores in the city. I get it, part of living in a city. I went there once and I will up and drive to Richmond for groceries and supplies before I return.

Been about a week

20 min walk to the mall is nothing. The alternative is what? Living directly on the mall? That'd be a nightmare. There's nothing there as far as living amenities.

Go for it!

and Walmart is a greatest mart

No chance.

Agreed on all points. Love it here in MVT. I would also add that the street team and the CID (is that what it’s called) keeps the neighborhood spotless and organizes nice community events (tunes in the triangle, Halloween party, etc).

This the second thread I've seen with DC subredditors slamming that Walmart. I'm with you. I go there and never been bothered by the experience. I don't live close and go out of my way to go there whenever I'm remotely close. I like the store and would consider proximity to the store as a plus. I wish I lived closer and could go more often.

When people who don’t agree with you start downvoting statements of fact, that’s when you know you’re arguing about what you want to be true, not what’s actually true.

But in fairness it has actually been nine days.

I already wrote out why your original 6 points were clueless nonsense

Have never been to that Walmart but won't try it based on the relentless negativity about it...

This is an incorrect opinion.

Can't speak to MVT but proximity to Gallery Place would not be a plus anymore. Metro station is problematic. Once BB&B left, I have pretty much stopped going there. Once in a while to a restaurants, but but post COVID restos have been meh (for well-discussed reasons) across the board even the places I loved.

It was the same narrative around the Columbia Heights Target when it opened. Every store takes some time to figure out staffing and inventory, but you’d see comments section on Prince of Petworth implying that shopping there was like surviving a riot, which of course was absurd. A lot of it is barely coded racism.

There is no good neighborhood in VA

That walmart was great when it first opened. They had registers open, custometr service, minimal harassment upon exiting the store, they had express lanes opened (the counter behind the regular registers, accessed to the far right register), they had a hot lunch counter, they had ready to eat sandwiches and salads, they had an awesome pharmacist who went out of her way to find huge savings on some Rxs that my insurance wanted me to pay a fortune ($300+) for. And the parking lot was free and mostly empty. It was a great walmart. 10 out of 10. even better maybe.

These days If i need a product thats a clear wal mart purchase (Like a car battery or a prepaid phone ) I drive to landover hills maryland because that store is tolerable. (and next to a royal farms chicken). I dont go to the h st wal mart any more.

x2 & 80 to the end

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Ya that is not a nice neighborhood. If you value any green space, safety, general cleanliness, etc., don't move there. Have you been to DC in person before? Realize that the city is very street-by-street in terms of livability. You need to look at any street you are considering in person, preferably during the day and night.

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Just don’t live at a Meridian property. They’re awful

Lol….be my guest, OP. All of downtown kinda sucks to live in