I was down at Shadow Room for my girlfriend's sisters birthday. It was a pretty cool joint but likewise difficult to remember. Drinks are strong (and a bit expensive), place is super dark, lots of dance floor - not so much anything else that I could see.

 

Wow this is all great info. I've even thought about moving somewhere around the DC area. You guys are a great help.

 

DC is a great place.... to visit. I was born there, and my best friends and roommates from college live up there now, but I live in Virginia Beach and like the pace and cost of living down here more, especially for raising a family. DC is crazy expensive, and if you live in the burbs, traffic will make you want to leap off a bridge. All that said, if you can get a job in the city, and a nice little apartment there too, it be a great place to spend a few years pre-marriage.

 

I've mainly been looking at either manassas or Alexandria area, I couldn't imagine how expensive dc would be to live in. Plus I heard that the crime is terrible

 

Best sushi I've ever had around DC is Kaz Bistro near 17 & i. It's a little pricey but well worth it. I went for Fugu (blowfish) earlier this year. Best roll I've ever had anywhere there as well.. a really simple roll with tuna & foi-gras.
For more laid back, casual, cheap sushi - I really like Tono in Woodley Park. It's right across the bridge/walking distance from Adams Morgan if you're thinking of checking out that neighborhood.
DC Crime gets a back rap, but I think its based on a handful of neighborhoods. I've lived in the city for 7 years and the only issues I've ever had are people breaking into my jeep, when I left my tools in it/out in the open. I've never thought twice about walking around late night.

 

I would not say crime is terrible, but there are areas you need to be careful in (east of the Capitol, for example). I also would not park a car anywhere with stuff visible. There are smash and grabs all over, even in areas considered safe to walk, etc. Thieves go where the money is, and there is lots of money in DC. It is very expensive to live here, but salaries are higher, too - pretty much the best job market in the country. Obviously, the farther out you go, the less expensive, but you sacrifice quite a bit for that, in terms of time spent commuting to work, etc. If at all possible, you want to live near public transportation, mainly the subway. Whole communities are springing up around subway stops - condos, etc. What is more important to you, your time or your money? I personally love the DC area, but do not drive to work. Mostly subway and walk. Traffic can be a real drag. Probably the main downside for most peeps here. I'm sure other Mid-A members can help you out if you get serious about moving.

 

You really don't need to be in DC for nightlife. I usually prefer Arlington (Courthouse, Clarendon, etc). All metro accessible and lots of bars and restaurants to choose from.

DC has a few clubs, although that isn't really my scene. Lol @ Camelot as a suggestion - that's definitely a pure strip club with the highest priced drinks possible - I would have put you more onto something like Fur or Ibiza. Just Yelp for clubs in DC and you can look thru the choices.

When you go into the city, stick with NW (Dupont Circle area), or Georgetown, though the latter is less metro accessible. For any sort of touristy excursion, I would drive to a metro and use that to get around during the day, it will open up your options to be less attached to your car. SW is actually becoming pretty nice as well (Nationals Park area), though there is less to do there at night.

As previous posters have mentioned, if you want to take your S, we do have a lot of roads worth driving OUTSIDE of the city. I would recommend Skyline out towards the Shennandoah, or even just the Great Falls area of MD/VA (much closer to the city proper).

 

You guys have been a huge help, I'm taking all of the feedback in.

 

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