A quarter of a century ago, Washington DC had a fearsome reputation for crack abuse and rampant gun violence – it was the "murder capital" of the US. But now, once-blighted neighborhoods close to the centre of the capital are thriving.

After Washington had "bottomed out" in 1991, a virtuous cycle began as more affluent young professionals began to opt for the convenience and buzz of living closer to the city centre, often moving to handsome old buildings in areas that once had been considered too dangerous.

Residents old and new recognize that gentrification has meant a safer and more prosperous neighborhood. Homeowners have seen the value of their property rise. New commerce in the neighborhoods with shops and restaurants means people are making money and spending it too, in a prosperity cycle.

(READ the story from the BBC)