As one of the most storied neighborhoods in Washington, DC, Georgetown is often perceived by tourists as a majestic and prosperous area, home to legendary senators, congressmen, diplomats and hostesses. Within the Beltway, however, there is a longstanding perception that Georgetown has two sides: the East Village (east of Wisconsin Avenue NW) and the area to the west. The popular notion is that the wealthy inhabit large estates in the East, while the less privileged live in the West Village. Some longtime residents scoff at this theory, pointing out that traffic and crime are bigger problems.

Georgetown’s east side offers the convenience of being within walking distance of Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom, giving residents easier access to the subway. Despite movies like 1987’s “No Way Out” in which bad guys chase Kevin Costner down the escalators of the Georgetown subway, there is no subway stop in Georgetown. And it’s true that the West Side is full of Georgetown University students, who typically care less about upkeep on their property. However, each side has its wealthy residents. Sense. John Kerr and Max Baucus have homes on the west side, the former senator. John Edwards recently sold his west side mansion. Famous journalists Ben Bradlee, Sally Quinn and Bob Woodward call the East Side their home. Prominent West Village properties include the Halcyon House and the Prospect House. In fact, some of the most historic houses from the Federal period are located on N, W and P Streets, NW in the west. Not to be outdone, the East Village features Evermay, luxurious Dumbarton Oaks, and Tudor Place.

The east side also features a number of smaller estates that were built for free blacks and slaves, a holdover from Georgetown’s history as a thriving African-American community. Georgetown’s history predates that of the capital city. The community was founded as a tobacco port by two men named George (perhaps foreshadowing the split) during the reign of George II. The actual city of George Town evolved over time and was incorporated into the District of Columbia after Maryland ceded the territory to help create the nation’s capital city. In 1967, the neighborhood was declared a National Historic Monument.

Regardless of the light-hearted bickering, residents agree that parking is always a challenge and finding a property under half a million dollars is an even bigger challenge these days.