Snap-Shots by Julian

Julian’s snap-shots this week are from Petworth.

Name: Natalia
Age: 23
Cross-streets: 10th and Spring

1. When did you move to DC and from where? What was the reason you moved?
I moved to DC ten months ago from San Francisco. I moved primarily to reunite with my family, but I also came out here for a job opportunity after graduating last may.

2. How does DC compare to your hometown?
I can always have a lengthy dialog about how the two compare, but for the sake of time, I would first mention food. in my opinion, San Francisco offers a wider range of diverse foods at all price ranges, and you can often get any type of food late into the night. DC is a little different. Things close a lot earlier around here. And be prepared to spend a little more money to get a better quality of food.

3. As far as neighborhoods go, how does Petworth compare to other DC neighborhoods?
This one is tough because every time I tell people where I live, 85 percent of the time they respond with, “Oh, its an up and coming neighborhood.” I’ve only been here for ten months so I can’t really go into heavy detail about other neighborhoods. I can, however, tell you that Petworth strikes a good balance between being just far enough from the hustle and bustle of other more central neighborhoods, but it still feels very “city” and is its own community.

4. If you could change anything about your neighborhood, what would it be? What do you like or dislike about it?
I would add a couple of more food options in my immediate area, which I think is in the works for the near future. i would also love to see a park. I wouldn’t say I really dislike anything about Petworth. I don’t drive, so I would consider myself VERY fortunate to have a metro stop across the street, a Safeway a couple of blocks a way, a couple of restaurants in the immediate radius, and the new retail options of Columbia Heights just a short and pleasant stroll away. I’ll be honest and say that at times Petworth can get or seem pretty gritty at times, but I think that that grittiness stands as a reminder of what we as a society need to continue working on.

5. With neighborhoods in DC changing so much, what would it take to unite the people, old and new, young and old?
I think an increase in community involvement, whether its a bake sale, live music, neighborhood sports league, meetings at a community center – all these events and activities show that people regardless of age, ethnicity, seniority, or socioeconomic status, we all share a common interest in making our worlds and our lives better not only for ourselves, but for our kids too. And that includes where we live.
Snap-shots continue after the jump.

Name: Arthur
Age: 27
Cross-streets: 7th and Upshur

1. When did you move to DC and from where? What was the reason you moved?
I moved to DC back in 2002 from Arizona. As cheesy as it sounds, I moved because of the person I was dating at the time – I was in love.

2. How does DC compare to your hometown?
Well, I’m from a really small town so the choices people have here are obviously more diverse. DC has a real city feel, even though, in comparison to other cities, it is small as well. Its self-contained and you can get everything you need right here, instead of traveling thirty miles in any direction, like I had to do when I was younger.

3. As far as neighborhoods go, how does Petworth compare to other DC neighborhoods?
I’ve been here only for about two years, but I love it – its rich with culture, and although I wish the crime weren’t as bad, I’ve experienced crime all over the city. I used to live in Foggy Bottom and had my car broken into there, but never here! So you give and you take a little bit.

4. If you could change anything about your neighborhood, what would it be? What do you like or dislike about it?
Like I said before, the crime. It would be nice to not have to walk around with your keys in your hands all the time, and constantly look over your shoulder. With all the construction going on around the [Georgia Ave./Petworth] metro station now, I think we’ll see lots of changes in that department.

5. With neighborhoods in DC changing so much, what would it take to unite the people, old and new, young and old?
I don’t know – it’s a tricky situation. I consider myself part of both – I am part of the fabric of this neighborhood, and I feel part of it, but I am a relative newcomer, too. I think it would take people on both sides to WANT to make it work. The people building and remodeling should make room and arrangements to let the current residents stay somehow.

Name: Samir
Age: 33
Cross-streets: Quincy and New Hampshire

1. When did you move to DC and from where? What was the reason you moved?
I moved to DC two years ago, from Chicago. Like so many others, I moved for a job.

2. How does DC compare to your hometown?
I love Chicago, and I always will – moving to DC was hard because I left so many people behind. But DC has grown on me. It’s a great city and I’ve met so many fantastic people.

3. As far as neighborhoods go, how does Petworth compare to other DC neighborhoods?
Well, when I first moved to DC I lived in Shaw, and I don’t think they’re that dissimilar, despite their proximity to downtown and all the stuff around there. I like both – I have more space up here, and its really a treat when festivities like the Caribbean festival come up Georgia, practically on my front porch.

4. If you could change anything about your neighborhood, what would it be? What do you like or dislike about it?
I’d like to see more options of places to eat. One can have Sweet Mango maybe four or five times a week before it starts to go a little stale.

5. With neighborhoods in DC changing so much, what would it take to unite the people, old and new, young and old?
I don’t know – I think that maybe the government should get involved a little more than they already are. There should be more options for affordable housing in places like Logan Circle and Dupont, places where people have been forced out almost completely to make way for wealthier residents. If these things were regulated, then I don’t think the tension would be as much.