Is DC Really Dangerous???

[ku]

Ehh so so. Just don't look too vulnerable, and you should be fine. You should never be alone, no matter where u are.

 

[silverpig]

Didn't the mayor of DC get quoted as saying: "Aside from the killings, DC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."

 

[xaigi]

I've been living here for 4 years. Its not dangerous unless youre stupid, but it is one focked up city. I hope you dont drive.

 

[sharkeeper]

Beware of DC's Exploding Manhole Covers!!!

Be scared!

Cheers!

 

[Elledan]

Another vote for AC/DC here.

 

[KokomoGST]

Hmm, and this gearhead was thinking.... DaimlerChrysler? Heck yeah! They're the most dangerous of the Big3!

 

[glenn1]

Dangerous is a relative term. Any big city is going to have bad spots, but compared to somewhere like Philadelphia, Newark NJ, or Detroit, Washington DC is pretty tame. I think a lot of the crackheads and gang members from DC have moved to Philadelphia now, because the city is truly a real sh*thole now.

 

[Spamela]

i wouldn't go out at night, but that's just me.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

My dad was in DC about a month ago for a work conference, he said the only real tip for staying safe is to be alert and don't be out at night.

 

[Bulk Beef]

<< Dangerous is a relative term. Any big city is going to have bad spots, but compared to somewhere like Philadelphia, Newark NJ, or Detroit, Washington DC is pretty tame. I think a lot of the crackheads and gang members from DC have moved to Philadelphia now, because the city is truly a real sh*thole now. >>

Wait, are you saying the crackheads and gang members left DC because DC is a sh*thole, or are you saying Philadelphia is now a sh*thole because the crackheads and gang members moved there? Just trying to clear that up.

And I would concur with BlueApple, there are plenty of decent spots to check out in the city, and there are large areas where you will never, ever want to go. Adding to his list of good spots, Adams Morgan, 14th and U St., and Dupont Circle are okay places to hang out. And as he said, the Hill is mixed.

 

[perry]

I wouldn't walk south from the capital, you can get into a bad neighborhood pretty fast. Most of the city is pretty safe and I wouldn't hesitate to walk around at night time. You can get from the Capital to Union Station (closest METRO stop, IIRC) and be just fine. Most of the area between the capital and say the Kennedy Center is really touristy, so walking there should be fine. Just use your common sense, you'll be alright.

 

[glenn1]

<< Wait, are you saying the crackheads and gang members left DC because DC is a sh*thole, or are you saying Philadelphia is now a sh*thole because the crackheads and gang members moved there? >>



I meant the later. Washington DC is a paradise compared to Philadelphia, which is rapidly shooting up the ranks of the worst cities in America. Most of the neighborhoods in the city would be improved if you carpet bombed them. I'm seen districts (like Grays Ferry, Allegheny West, and Tioga) that would make the residents of Mogadishu nervous.

 

[BlueApple]

There are good parts of SE and SW (just not a lot though). I find the street system pretty well planed in you ask me, accept for the streets in far NW where they are alphabetic and number of syllables. I'd buy a Frommers book on DC, and if you look at Amazon there might be one for living/working/moving to DC. You can be out at night, especially in George Town, MCI/CC/Chinatown area, Dupont Circle (most of the Wisconson/Conneticut/Mass ave area) Adams Morgan, but Capital Hill and the mall at night can be tricky since it is almost a ghost town after all the workers leave.

FYI, Washington Post is the newspaper to read. Times can be controversial.

 

[beatniks3]

enjoy your stay in DC. I was there for a semester a year ago and I really enjoyed myself. As long as you follow the advice of this thread, you'll be fine. Like Linflas mentioned, alot of the serious crime occurs in places you are not likely to be. When you are out on the street, just make sure you let everyone know you 'see' them...that may sound strange, but what i mean is, let the people who may pass on the street know that you are paying attention to what is happening...it makes you less of a target. that said, make sure to take a sunny day to walk around the city (downtown/georgetown/dupont circle)


man, makes me wish I was there! Stuck here in madison, WI. At least the weather is mild here...low forties today and sunny...coud be so so so much worse!