JCG

Prospect Street NW is truly just steps away from the heart of Georgetown, one of the most vivacious areas of Washington, D.C. Georgetown is the place where everyone goes to have fun, eat great food, mingle with friends and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Prospect Street NW is just one block from the main intersection of Georgetown (Wisconsin Avenue and M Street NW) so if you are able to afford an apartment on this street, you will be right in the middle of all the activity. Obviously, there is great shopping on both M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, as well as almost any type of restaurant you'd want. You're also just footsteps away from the C & O Canal, which runs through the heart of Georgetown. If you're a student attending Georgetown University, all you'd have to do is walk west and you would end up on the campus. Many of the homes on Prospect Street NW are old town homes, which were built over a century ago. During Christmas time, residents open their curtains so passers-by can see their interior holiday decorations. This is always a fun thing to do.

This is another nice, middle class neighborhood in the northeast quadrant of the city that offers spacious, private homes, many of them duplexes, with front and back yards for the kids to play. It looks a lot like middle America, and not the middle of Washington, D.C. Part of the street is "on the other side of the tracks," but in this case, both sides of the track are nice. The western side of the street comes up the campus of Trinity College,so that is quite a nice area, with many faculty and staff members making their homes on this street. The eastern end of the street has some small apartment buildings and some commercial activity, especially at the cross streets. There are no real restaurants or shopping areas in the immediate vicinity, but services and amenities are within a 5-10 minute car ride. This is a nice area of the city, even though most people consider the "northwest" quadrant to be preferable. This is a more affordable part of the city.

Living on 6th Street SW is pretty sweet if you enjoy the water, because that's where this street begins, right at Water Street. Most of the buildings toward this end of 6th Street SW are larger and relatively more modern apartment buildings, but as you get farther away from the water, the neighborhood begins to turn more citified with brick townhouses dotting the landscape. Living near the water is really nice in the warmer weather, since it's a relatively safe place to walk or jog and there are a lot of restaurants that (naturally) specialize in seafood. Many boaters keep their vessels at the marina, so it is very busy during the summer months. Often people will come down and just hang out on the boats, so it is a very friendly and warm atmosphere. The street passes close to Southeastern University, so if you live here and go to school there, it's an easy, walkable commute. It is also very close to the Arena Stage, which is on 6th St. SW and Maine, so you would have opportunities to see some great theater. All in all this is a very nice place -- close to the water and close to downtown.

Battery Park City is a planned development at the tip of Manhattan that is adjacent to "Ground Zero" and site of the former World Trade Center. A residential community combined with outdoor parks and recreation, this is a neighborhood within a neighborhood and definitely an oasis in the midst of the Big Apple. Adjacent to the New York Harbor, walking to the tip of Battery Park City provides breathtaking views of Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, New Jersey and the shoreline of Staten Island. It is a mixed development of apartments, condos, office buildings and commercial establishments. Theoretically, if you live and work in lower Manhattan, you really should not ever have to leave since all services are at your fingertips (or at least a subway ride away). Battery Park City is a fairly new "neighborhood" as far as New York City goes. Although there was a Battery Park years ago, the development of the green space and scenic promenades are quite recent, as are many of the upscale apartments and condos. Much of the "land" was developed when the original World Trade Center was excavated and it was used to form the basis of this new neighborhood. Living in Battery Park City is extremely expensive because of its proximity to the Wall Street financial district as well as its waterfront views and amenities. Although it is extremely congested (do not even think about owning a car here, unless you are rich and can afford private parking or a valet driver), getting around on foot, bicycle, bus or subway makes it a convenient place. There are lots of upscale and trendy restaurants as well as plentiful casual eateries. If you need a banker or lawyer, they're in great abundance in Battery Park City. The same for stockbrokers and plastic surgeons! I like this area a lot because it provides a bit of tranquility while still just a few miles from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. It's a must-see for tourists and if you can afford a night in one of the pricey hotels, spring for it and spend the day exploring the side streets, where you can find a lot of interesting shops. (There are even a few antique shops on down here, albeit off th beaten path a bit.) Be prepared for windy conditions when you're on the tip of Manhattan. Bring a sweater or jacket, even in the hot summer months. The breezes can kick up fairly suddenly.

Marine Avenue is a wide street that runs between busy Ft. Hamilton Parkway and ends at 92nd Street. It's a nice address to have (wouldn't you like to live on Marine Avenue?) and if you are lucky enough to find a vacant apartment here, it will most likely be in a mid-rise apartment building (4 to 6 stories), although there are a number of private homes that are located on this street. Marine Avenue is only about one long block from Shore Parkway, which is the major interstate that runs from Queens to Brooklyn and around the borough, so you have good vehicular access to and from the area. Plus, you are adjacent to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, that goes into Staten Island. Marine Avenue is also close to the water and some of the little parks and trails that are built alongside it. Ft. Hamilton Park is also close by. There are no commercial services per se on Marine Avenue, but you have lots of restaurants, grocery stores, laundromats, dentists and specialty shops on the intersecting streets and avenues, especially 3rd and 4th Avenues. Marine Avenue is a healthy and vibrant street in a thriving and accessible neighborhood. Living in this area definitely has its perks.

Desmond Street is another short street that is not far from the Sheepshead Bay area. It is a very middle-class area with attached homes that are cramped together like so many others in Brooklyn. Since real estate is at a premium, this was the preferred style of building, it seems. Desmond Street runs between the main drag of Coney Island Avenue on one side and West 7th Street on the other. It is convenient to a lot of services, but you really would need a a car if you wanted to shop for clothing, furniture or things of that sort. There are a lot of small shops on Coney Island Avenue, but most of them are independent or mom-and-pop operations. It's a fairly clean street and very average. However, the location is good and so is the surrounding neighborhood.

The Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of downtown Richmond, Virginia is literally "at the bottom," meaning it is a very low-lying area adjacent to the historic James River. Originally home to a number of tobacco warehouses owned by companies that are long gone, the neighborhood has always been a mix of old, new and eclectic. Every few years a hurricane or bad storm comes through and the "bottom" gets flooded ... which sets in motion a new wave of renovation.

Currently, Shockoe Bottom is in the midst of a revival. A new seawall along the banks of the James River will keep the water in the river next time a major storm passes through. Old warehouses are being converted into trendy condominiums and restaurants. Lots of new restaurants are joining those which have been there for years. Tourism is increasing, as a local company is offering Segue tours.

Main Street Station, the Amtrak boarding location for Richmond has been restored and sits at the western end of Shockoe Bottom. Adjacent to the station is a Farmer's Market, that operates seasonally and sells fresh fruit, vegetables and crafts from local growers. The Edward Allen Poe house is in Shockoe Bottom -- it is one of the places that Poe lived in as a young man.

On the drawing board for Shockoe Bottom is a new minor league baseball stadium for Richmond. This is still in the planning stages and approvals will be needed from a variety of constituents to make it happen. But if it comes to pass, Shockoe Bottom will likely become a shining star in Richmond's economy and night life. Also in discussion is the possible development of a National Slave Museum.

Right now, Shockoe Bottom is one of the best places for night life in Richmond, maybe second in stature only to Carytown. Living in Shockoe Bottom currently means an expensive condo overlooking the river, or one of the apartments over the numerous stores or restaurants. There are some private homes and small apartment houses. Nearby Church Hill also offers some outstanding opportunities for living in an historical area.

When in Richmond, head for Shockoe Bottom for good food and good views. Walk along the river on the canal walk. Visit some of the trendy shops. Enjoy the history of Virginia's capital city.