I live in the Chevy Chase, MD and find myself caught in the blimp of washingtons massive NFZ.

Even with getting an approved individual unlock is the zone simply not flyable?

I don't think anyone is getting individual unlocks from within the DC red zone. My understanding is that unlocks are more for when you are within 5 miles of an airport but have received permission to fly. More info here: http://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system