"Nothing is unique in DC"
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Anonymous
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Best friend just moved to DC from New England and is having a really tough time adjusting. We are both born and bred New Englanders. I moved back from DC to New England a few years ago after a long time in NoVA. Work just took her there and she's really having a rough time. Been a while since I lived there, so - ideas?
Criticisms are - lots of bland condos and not a lot of "neighborhoods" with their own little town squares and small shops. Up here most towns have a main street with independent shops, not planned communities build around retail. She went to Reston Town Center the other day and felt deflated. She is living in Bethesda but feels like it is very homogenous. I suggested looking more in Del Ray area for things to do. It has truly been a while since I lived there and I'm wondering how to help - anyone here know? Looking for charming little towns, stately architecture, sidewalks, etc. Think Concord or Lexington Massachusetts. Not sure what may be comparable. McLean? |
Anonymous
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If I used Reston as a gauge, I would totally agree.
This post is about the suburbs though, not DC. I don't think the same would be said about the city. |
Anonymous
Go back to New England. You won't be missed. |
Anonymous
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Bethesda used to be more of a small town but it got wrecked by office development. I can't believe the Tastee Diner survived. At least through 2022 when I was last there.
I would say maybe try Cleveland Park or Woodley Park? Traveling by metro. Why would a Bethesda person go to Reston? |
Anonymous
| I lived in New Orleans before I moved here, and I lived in Chicago before that. The whole DMV is super bland. She’s just going to have to get used to living in a cultural dessert. |
Anonymous
I grew up in Lexington. This area does not have an equivalent to it nor Concord. In the Boston area, the towns were towns before suburban sprawl - Not so much in the DMV. Plus, having the schools based on county instead of towns makes it harder. Both Lexington and Concord have historical associations too. City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Vienna and Herndon proper are close in terms of having downtowns with local stores. |
Anonymous
+1. She should be in the city. I feel this way about the burbs here but not my city neighborhood (Dupont Circle). |
Anonymous
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Suburbs with more character/local business:
Del Ray Hyattsville (and Mt. Rainier which actually crosses over into DC) Takoma Park Cheverly Subcommunities in Silver Spring (Kensington, Forest Glen, Woodside) DC neighborhoods that are less corporate and have more character: Eastern Market Mt. Pleasant Petworth Chevy Chase DC H Street Brookland If she wants more local character and a less corporate vibe she needs to stop going places that are frequented almost exclusively by UMC and wealthy transplants who to there to avoid local character. |
Anonymous
| So this area is like a scam. It's so overrated and hyped up but it's garbage. This is why you're feeling the way you are. All hype and no substance. |
Anonymous
just why. |
Anonymous
Why so defensive PP? It's like they directly insulted YOU but they DIDN'T. Maybe, just maybe, this isn't about YOU. |
Anonymous
| Cleveland park feels like a Inman Square. Woodley Park is walking distance to Georgetown, DuPont and feels like Central Square. Towns are not like New England towns. |
Anonymous
| DC has always been a bland, provincial nothing town by word standards. But that’s also true of the entire USA, including NEW England. The NEW is in the name! |
Anonymous
Why is she living in the suburbs? I've lived here for 20 years and have avoided the bland places. Lived in Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and now raising kids in Bloomingdale (been here for 12 years). She needs to move to the city. |
Anonymous
| Vienna |