NoMa, or North of Massachusetts Avenue, is an up and coming neighborhood in northeast DC with much to offer for residents. Following the 1968 riots and decline of Union Station as a means to transport goods, growth in the area declined and stagnated. In the late 1990s, however, several businesses relocated to the area. NoMa is now the home of NPR, CNN, Sirius XM, the Department of Justice, and the American Psychological Association. The area continues to be a model for urban revitalization as it brings new business to the area while maintaining its unique character.

Live

NoMa’s housing market is characterized by the plethora of new luxury apartments being built as the neighborhood grows, but charming row homes and townhouses are also available. The area boasts easy access to the Union Station, NoMa – Gallaudet, and Rhode Island Ave Metro stations, as well as Union Station. New York, Florida, Rhode Island Avenue, and I-395 South offer easy access for drivers as well. Residents will also soon be able to take advantage of DC’s first streetcar service from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue when it opens in 2016, with planned expansions to the rest of the District in future. NoMa cyclists can also make use of bike lanes on I, G and F streets, with more planned for the future and plenty of Capital Bikeshare stations to support them.

Dine

H Street’s eclectic mix of upscale and casual dining is sure to delight picky eaters and foodies alike. Try Sidamo coffee shop or Ethiopic restaurant on H street to get a taste of DC’s famous east African cuisine. Feed your soul with a half smoke at the shiny new Ben’s Chili Bowl location at 10th and H. M Street’s Wunder Garten treats visitors to a wide selection of authentic German beers; pair these with a sunny afternoon and some chow from food trucks like Federal City Bros. bratwursts or DC Slices pizza.

Listen & See

The Tree House Bar & Lounge on Florida Ave offers jazz, blues, hip-hop, and hard rock most nights of the week with affordable drinks in an intimate setting. Catch a show at the Atlas Performing Arts Center – recent productions included Mosaic Theater Company’s thought provoking Wrestling Jerusalem for the serious, as well as a progressive metal version of Sweeny Todd for the sillier. And as always, the Rock & Roll Hotel remains a great place to see bands & artists just about to become famous.

Play & Do

Having bounced back from its depressed years following the 1968 riots, H Street is a vibrant neighborhood with countless activities for residents and visitors alike. The annual H Street Festival in September combines food, music, art, and community to make it “DC’s Best Neighborhood Festival.” Check out Gallery NK for fascinating modern art installations, or take the family to the National Postal Museum, which traces America’s surprisingly fascinating history of stamps and postage. Feeling nostalgic? Pay a visit to Atlas Arcade, DC’s only bar/arcade that combines classic 80s games with a diverse beer selection. Nightlife in NoMa is abundant, with Layla Lounge and Lux Lounge representing just a few of H Street’s offerings for late night dancing and music.

For the past decade, the cultural and focal center of DC has been shifting eastward, and NoMa and H Street are the magnetic force.  With so much to offer, it’s no wonder people are flocking to this promising and contemporary neighborhood.