A few words from our contributors about their HWW&W about the Hill.
Why do you live on Capitol Hill?
I moved here after college, because the rent was cheap and honestly, there weren’t a lot of shops and restaurants to spend my paltry government salary. My first apartment was $500 for an efficiency. The condos in the building now go for $500k.
What are the boundaries of the Hill?
I think of the Hill as the space between 395 to H Street, NE – from the Capitol back to Congressional Cemetery. I’m all for being inclusive!
Is there one place that says “the Hill” to you? It’s a toss up between Lincoln Park, where I walked my first puppy and St Mark’s Church – a diverse Episcopal church near the LOC where there’s a great blend of opinions, creeds, activities and diversity.
What’s your favorite thing to do on the Hill? Go to open houses and ogle good restoration projects
What the Hill needs is: A bookstore with new books, wifi, comfy chairs, cafe and author readings. Preferably and independent, perhaps a Politics & Prose outpost
– Kate McFadden
Borrowing from Kate’s questions…
Why do you live on Capitol Hill?
I went to college in the area, and the first time I went to Eastern Market I said to myself, “This is where I will live someday.” It’s 17 years later, and this is where I live. I’ve left DC many times, and have come back just as many. The Hill really is Home to me.
What are the boundaries of the Hill?
My first instinct is always to say, “If you can have vinyl windows, it isn’t the Hill!” This is probably because I’m jealous of people whose winter prayers weren’t answered with the Snuggie to fend off the drafts and whose summers aren’t fraught with battles between the wood, the paint, the humidity and my desires to get a little fresh air. In reality, I think Kate’s definition is good one.
Is there one place that says “the Hill” to you? It’s cliché, but I have to say Eastern Market. Welcome back, old friend.
What’s your favorite thing to do on the Hill? Just sitting on my patio with my dog and chatting with the neighbors and their dogs.
What the Hill needs is: BETTER DELIVERY PIZZA FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!
–Nichole Remmert
Why do you live on Capitol Hill?
I grew up on the Hill, right off of Lincoln Park. As most kids proclaim, I swore that I was going to move away as soon as I could and never come back. I went to college in New York but moved back after graduation, somewhat reluctantly, because of the job market. I came back to a very different city and a much more lively Capitol Hill, which I quickly fell in love with as a young adult. Closing in on 10 years later, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I came back to find the redevelopment on 8th Street taking off, new bars, restaurants, and stores were popping up. I saw the charm that my teen-years made me miss. When friends ask me what’s its like to live here, I describe it as a great small-town feel, yet you’re in a city. It’s a great balance and a great community.
What are the boundaries of the Hill?
From the Capitol to RFK when looking at it east-west. I feel like North-South is expanding. I used to think SE/SW Freeway to H Street but I think the ballpark neighborhood is going to develop into the Hill as it grows.
Is there one place that says “the Hill” to you? There’s no way I can narrow it down to one place. Lincoln Park was essentially my back yard growing up so it definitely says “Hill” to me. East Capitol Street says “Hill” more than most streets to me with the beautiful yards and houses (and memories of great trick-or-treating on Halloween; you could seriously clean up that night!). Eastern Market, Barracks Row, and the bars on Pennsylvania Avenue are also a huge part of the Hill for me.
What’s your favorite thing to do on the Hill? I love to take a different route on my errands so I go up a street that I usually never see. Each street can be so different from the next, and I love seeing what people do with their yards and homes, as well as seeing the different architecture.
What the Hill needs is: A good and affordable sushi restaurant! I love Sticky Rice but the SE side of the Hill needs something.
– Claudia Holwill
Your first apartment was $500 on capital hill!!!! Wow, now i feel young…
You can also find Sticky Rice at Cornercopia on 3th and K SE.
Let’s hear it for the Ballpark neighborhood!
What the Hill needs: Fro Yo.
@Lauren – agreed!!!
The Hill definitely needs a Diner and even more than that it need to not change too much
The hill needs developers & the city to realize that we need buildings like Hines Junior high rather than a shopping mall that will eliminate the dwindling parking that there barely is now.