Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in the city and its founding actually predates the establishment of Washington, D.C., originating as a part of the Province of Maryland in 1751. Georgetown always tops the lists of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods, thanks to its posh reputation and high name recognition even outside of D.C. The neighborhood has immense historic charm, with cobblestone streets and gorgeous row houses, all in a scenic location. Georgetown was originally a port town and water is a constant theme, from the Potomac River and the Georgetown Waterfront Park along its southern borders to the C&O Canal. Georgetown University is here and though there are still some student hangouts, the nightlife scene is significantly more sedate than the 1980s, when the bars were flooded with preppies and punks. But Georgetown always endures and the crowded shops and restaurants on M Street attest to its continuing popularity.