If you left DC -- why? And where did you go?

[Anonymous]

I lived in DC for a decade. Ultimately, I could not foresee raising a family here.

I found the suburbs very cookie-cutter and bland, having come from New England. Everything felt beige or brick -- like one long condo sprawl. There were pockets I liked (Old Town), but by and large, it felt very Levittown-esque.

There was a hyperfixation on: What do you do for work? This mainly centered around the federal government. I felt a strongly lacking edgy, creative class. I did find it, but I had to hunt. It felt very much like a company town where everyone was marching lockstep up the GS-whatever food chain.

I missed proximity to the ocean and skiing.

That said, DC's food scene was really great and becoming more so when I left. And I appreciated the ease of getting around the city -- Metro was clean and efficient.

I found it easy to meet people. The down side was, everyone was so transient. You'd meet a friend, and they'd move to their true hometown a couple years later.

Curious for other thoughts.