In DC (not sure about Arlington) large apartment buildings and/or ones with dedicated garages are not eligible for street parking permits, which also makes them ineligible for visitor parking.

I’ll check out the metro garages. Thanks for the recommendation

If in Arlington, there’s neighborhoods near by that do have no parking meters. Also the metro garages have covered parking too.

The garage in Columbia heights under the target has a weekly rate I believe. Cheaper than most of the downtown garages

Thank you I’ll check it out.

Completely agreed. Obama years felt like DC was about to do or become something “magic”.

That’s great thanks. He’s in Arlington (I guess technically Virginia).

Just park in any normal parking spot. worst case you’ll get a ticket but there’s no obligation or method of enforcement to pay the tickets.

Alternatively if you want to park legally just find a daily lot/garage near the conference and metro to your friend’s place

The SpotHero app might be useful for you, depending on your friend's neighborhood. I've used it to find short term parking (less than 12h) but there might be longer term options as well.

Otherwise, the airport seems like a good idea. DCA lists availability and prices on this page.

My bet is that you can find more convenient covered parking nearer to your friend's place and for a similar price through SpotHero.

Under WaPo there’s a safe garage

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out.

His building said they can’t issue one for whatever reason.

Check out SpotHero. You will definitely have to pay.

Temporary visitor parking passes exist.

I've lived in DC for 37 years and have been a fed through Obama, Trump, and now Biden. I noticed basically zero difference in the "culture of DC" between administrations.

That being said, there are definitely city-wide mood swings. The weeks and months after the elections of Obama and Trump were definitely palpable in their jubilation and sorrow. The months after January 6th were noticeable in their shock and disgust. I don't think any of those things changed the overall culture of DC though.

Each new administration only gets about 4,000 appointees, only 1,600 of which require Senate confirmation. (i.e. are anyone actually important.) Many, probably most of them will choose to live in the rich MD/VA suburbs. There just aren't enough people to make a big difference.

Also, you're probably asking the wrong people. Except for maybe the upper crust of Georgetown and Kalorama who actually do hobnob with appointees at their clubs, us regular joes aren't connected with that world. You know where the biggest concentration of DC natives is? Wards 7 and 8. Nobody over here is getting invited to parties with Janet Yellen or Antony Blinken.

Glad I could help OP :)

Agreed. There's a lot of families who qualify as "D.C. residents" (African American and even a lot of the Salvadoran community) that have lived here for decades around SE, Anacostia, Colombia Heights, Petworth,16 st. Heights, etc. who are getting priced out or are aging out...

i know this, but i find it to be utterly irrelevant

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This captures it effectively.

Another way to look at it is where the party was at. Bush was republican lobbyists doing lots of blow in gtown. Obama moved the party uptown to M street. By the trump era we had republican bars and democrat bars.

It’s because of all the young people Obama attracted to the city. Public service became cool, so the best and brightest flocked here and amenities to serve them (gyms, trendy restaurants, coffee shops, Soulcycle, etc.) quickly followed.

If a pandemic couldn't bring refugification, nothing will

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They don't really care. You can bring a tote or large purse and be totally fine. They don't check except for super big shows like Hamilton. I go to 12+ KC shows a year and have only ever been checked at Hamilton.

Thanks!!