Is living in the DMV considered a failure?

[Anonymous]

I am from a small midwestern town. Have lived other places, but this area has a lot going for it. Educated and interesting people. Also not far from the ocean and the mountains. Theater, music, sports, whatever you want it's here. History all around us.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed most aspects of living in North Bethesda and working in DC.

The big negatives were:

Real estate cost/commute-related issues
Low salaries relative to CoL
Muggy summer weather and lack of fun snowy weather

If it weren't for the CoL issues, I'd consider returning once my kids graduate college. I have good memories.

Many people aspire to work in DC - politicians, lobbyists, international relations, non-profit types, think tank types, health researchers, people who want to work in the region's many other unique institutions, high-up military, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one ever dreams of one day living in the DMV, and apart from the museums, does this area really have anything going for it? Feels like people settle for living here, as opposed to being the place that they want to live.

Epic troll! Or not.

[Anonymous]

One of the best balanced metros in entire country.
I’ve lived 22 years in Cali (La, San Diego and sf) and 6 years in nyc and 2 years south Florida and 2 years Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If having an MD and a PhD and working to cure cancer at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda is a failure...

... then you are beyond hope, OP.

They’ve been trying to cure cancer fir a century and it is still rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I enjoyed most aspects of living in North Bethesda and working in DC.

The big negatives were:

Real estate cost/commute-related issues
Low salaries relative to CoL
Muggy summer weather and lack of fun snowy weather

If it weren't for the CoL issues, I'd consider returning once my kids graduate college. I have good memories.

Many people aspire to work in DC - politicians, lobbyists, international relations, non-profit types, think tank types, health researchers, people who want to work in the region's many other unique institutions, high-up military, etc.

I dont like the DC metro but it has one of the best, if not the best, salary to COL ratios in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Do people grow up dreaming of living anywhere other than maybe California or Hawaii? I grew up in Hawaii. [/b]Let me tell you, not paradise[b].

Why?

[Anonymous]

I want to know too. It's true. I do dream about living in Hawaii.

[Anonymous]

You have a point. It’s not a place for celebrities or the ultra wealthy and for a reason.

[Anonymous]

I love living in DC, but yes, I'm from NYC so everyone thinks I'm a loser. Not on a personal level (I have a great career, live in a "cool" as can be for DC part of town, etc.) but it's definitely viewed as a downgrade.

[Anonymous]

My kid dreams of living in DC! (Not VA/MD)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Do people grow up dreaming of living anywhere other than maybe California or Hawaii? I grew up in Hawaii. [/b]Let me tell you, not paradise[b].

Why?

Poverty, drugs, housing is crazy unaffordable, traffic sucks, if you are white you face open hostility in all aspects of living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love living in DC, but yes, I'm from NYC so everyone thinks I'm a loser. Not on a personal level (I have a great career, live in a "cool" as can be for DC part of town, etc.) but it's definitely viewed as a downgrade.

DC just isn’t on the same level as the heavy hitters, but once you accept that, it’s a great place to live. I’m a NYC transplant and since I moved here, I live by the motto that comparison is the thief of joy.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I only live here as got too old for NYC and they hire old farts here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of us grew up here and like it.

Yes.