Blog Posts

Where Do Capitol Hill Staffers Live? DC-Area Neighborhood Guide

If you're starting a job on Capitol Hill, the best neighborhoods are the ones with an easy Metro ride or walk to the Capitol. In DC, that means H Street, Navy Yard, Mt Vernon Triangle, Gallery Place/Chinatown and Columbia Heights. In Virginia, Ballston, Courthouse and East Falls Church sit on the Orange and Silver Lines with direct trains to Capitol South, while Alexandria's Carlyle and Braddock neighborhoods are one quick transfer away. In Maryland, North Bethesda's Grosvenor-Strathmore area is on the Red Line, a direct ride to Union Station. This guide walks through each neighborhood's commute, its vibe and the apartments we offer there. Do I want to be near the House side or the Senate side? It helps to know where your office will be before you choose a neighborhood. House office buildings sit on the south side of the Capitol, closest to the Capitol South and Federal Center SW Metro stations. Senate office buildings sit on the north side, a short walk from Union Station. Picking a home on the right Metro line can save you a transfer every day. Washington, DC neighborhoods H Street Corridor (360 H Street). H Street NE is known for its restaurants, bars and music venues, and it's one of the closest neighborhoods to the Hill. 360 H Street is about a 10-minute walk to Union Station and roughly 15 to 20 minutes on foot to the Senate office buildings. Many residents can skip Metro entirely. Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront (Meridian on First). Navy Yard has a waterfront park, Nationals Park and a busy dining scene. Meridian on First is an easy walk to the Navy Yard–Ballpark Metro station, and the House office buildings are about a 15- to 20-minute walk north. Mt Vernon Triangle ( Meridian at Mt Vernon Triangle ). This newer neighborhood is full of restaurants and coffee shops, a short walk from the convention center and downtown. Mt Vernon Square station is on the Green and Yellow Lines, and Union Station is about a mile away. Gallery Place/Chinatown ( Meridian at Gallery Place ). This is the heart of downtown, with the Capital One Arena, theaters, museums and nightlife nearby. Gallery Place is a hub for the Red, Green and Yellow Lines, and Union Station is just two stops away on the Red Line. Columbia Heights ( Park Triangle ). Columbia Heights is lively and diverse, with big-box shopping, local restaurants and easy access to Meridian Hill Park. Park Triangle is right by Columbia Heights station on the Green and Yellow Lines, a ride of roughly 20 to 25 minutes to the Capitol with one transfer. Arlington, VA neighborhoods Ballston ( Meridian at Ballston Commons , Madison at Ballston Station , Ballston Park ). Ballston combines a walkable downtown with restaurants, a food hall, fitness studios and the Ballston Quarter shops. All three communities are walkable to the Ballston or Virginia Square Metro stations. Orange and Silver Line trains run directly to Capitol South in about 25 minutes, with no transfer. Courthouse ( Meridian at Courthouse Commons ). Courthouse is a quieter, residential corner of the Orange Line corridor, close to the restaurants of Clarendon and the trails along the Potomac. Courthouse station has direct Orange and Silver Line trains to Capitol South in about 20 minutes. Alexandria, VA neighborhoods Carlyle/Eisenhower ( Meridian 2250 at Eisenhower Station , Carlyle Place , Parc Meridian at Eisenhower Station , Meridian at Eisenhower Station ). Carlyle is a polished, walkable neighborhood near Old Town, with restaurants, a movie theater and the Alexandria waterfront nearby. All four communities are an easy walk to Eisenhower Avenue station on the Yellow Line. Take the Yellow Line to L'Enfant Plaza and transfer for a total trip of about 30 minutes to Capitol South. Braddock ( Meridian at Braddock Station ). The Braddock Road area sits on the edge of Old Town, close to King Street's shops and restaurants. Braddock Road station is on both the Blue and Yellow Lines, so you can ride the Blue Line straight to Capitol South or take the Yellow Line and transfer at L'Enfant Plaza. North Bethesda, MD Grosvenor-Strathmore (Meridian at Grosvenor Station). This neighborhood sits beside the Music Center at Strathmore and Bethesda's shopping and dining. Meridian at Grosvenor Station is easily walkable to Grosvenor-Strathmore station. Red Line trains run directly to Union Station in about 30 minutes, which is especially convenient for Senate staff. Affordable apartment options in Northern Virginia If you're starting on an entry-level salary, you may qualify for one of our affordable (LIHTC) communities. Depending on the property and current availability, these communities offer apartments at 50%, 60% and 70% of Area Median Income. Income requirements are listed on each property's website, or you can contact the property directly. East Falls Apartments in Falls Church, close to East Falls Church Metro on the Orange and Silver Lines. Pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Quebec Apartments in Arlington, with a bus stop right outside that connects to the Pentagon, Pentagon City and Ballston Metro stations. No pets. Indigo at McLean Station in Tysons, a brand-new community 0.3 miles from McLean Metro on the Silver Line. Pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Residences at Government Center in Fairfax, on local bus routes. Pet-friendly with no breed restrictions, limited to one pet. Ovation at Arrowbrook in Herndon, not far from Innovation Center Metro on the Silver Line. Pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Creekside Village Apartments in Alexandria, off Route 1 and on local bus routes. Pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Affordable communities offer 12-month leases. What kinds of apartments are available? Our portfolio mixes brand-new buildings with more established communities. The established buildings often have larger floor plans, along with renovated apartments and shared spaces. Select apartments, including some studios, have sunrooms. A sunroom works well as a home office for late session nights, a reading nook, a spot for plants or a place for a guest to crash. Select studios also have a separate sleeping area, so your bed isn't in the middle of your living room when friends come over. Are your apartments pet-friendly? Yes. All of our market-rate communities in this guide are pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Pet policies at our affordable communities vary by property, as noted above. Can I get a short-term lease? Our market-rate communities offer flexible lease terms, which vary by property. That flexibility can help if your job is tied to a two-year term. Check each property's website for current options. Our affordable communities offer 12-month leases. Can I pay rent on a flexible schedule? Yes. At any of our properties, you can pay rent, and now other bills, on a flexible schedule through the Flex platform . That can help in your first months while you wait for that first paycheck. Can I virtually tour apartments before I move? Yes. Watch video tours of apartments across our portfolio: Watch video tours of some of our Arlington, VA apartments Watch video tours of some of our Alexandria, VA apartments Watch video tours of some of our Washington, DC apartments Watch video tours of some of our North Bethesda, MD apartments Watch video tours of some of our affordable housing communities Each video's title includes the name of the community. These videos are examples of apartment styles across our portfolio. The specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching, and you'll find more video tours on each property's website. Appointments for Live Video Tours may also be scheduled. Frequently asked questions What's the closest neighborhood to Capitol Hill? H Street and Navy Yard are both within walking distance of Congressional office buildings. H Street is closer to the Senate side, and Navy Yard is closer to the House side. Where can I live in Virginia with no Metro transfer to the Capitol? Ballston, Courthouse and East Falls Church are on the Orange and Silver Lines, which run directly to Capitol South. In Alexandria, Braddock Road station is on the Blue Line, which also runs to Capitol South. Is Maryland a good option for Hill staff? Yes, especially for Senate staff. North Bethesda is on the Red Line, a direct ride to Union Station. Are there move-in specials right now? Select properties may be running specials. Check individual property websites for current offers. Find your next apartment Visit our community search page to browse every property in a list or map view, see current availability and find more video tours.

Local Love: Exploring Our Neighborhood Favorite, Bayou Bakery

At Meridian at Courthouse Commons , we love highlighting the businesses that make our community unique. For this edition of our Local Love series, we are featuring an iconic staple located right in our own neighborhood . Just a few short blocks away , you will find Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery . It has been a beloved neighborhood fixture since opening in late 2010. Step inside this funky, New Orleans-themed cafe and you are immediately greeted by the aroma of chicory coffee and pillows of warm, fresh beignets blanketed in powdered sugar. From authentic Louisiana muffalettas and hearty po'boys to local favorites like savory breakfast biscuits and gumbo, it brings the relaxed, welcoming hospitality of the French Quarter straight to Arlington. Don’t forget about $5 New Orleans style Sno-Balls to help you beat the heat! Want a sneak peek of these mouthwatering dishes? Head over to Instagram to check out photos of their incredible food and give them a follow! The magic behind the menu comes from owner and chef David Guas , a native of New Orleans. Widely recognized as a television host, author, and frequent culinary judge, Chef Guas has made a significant impact that extends far beyond the kitchen. He is a passionate food insecurity activist who co-founded Chefs Feeding Families alongside Real Food for Kids , providing over 180,000 meals to families impacted by school closures during COVID. When global or local crises strike, Chef Guas steps up—whether it is cooking a massive pot of red beans and rice to feed the local community, organizing the Community Spoon initiative to distribute meals to Afghan refugees in Northern Virginia, or flying to Poland with World Central Kitchen to feed Ukrainian families. Living at Meridian at Courthouse Commons means having this incredible culinary gem and community champion right around the corner. Stop by for weekday morning fuel or cozy up on the weekend for their signature all-day brunch.