Did you grow up in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Yes, and went to the University of Maryland. What I don't "get" is going away to a mediocre college then having to come back here to work because there were no jobs to be had in Oxford, Ohio or State College, PA.

[Anonymous]

I am a non-brancher-outer...born and raised in Falls Church, and currently live in Reston.

[Anonymous]

OP may I ask, why would you want to leave NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I currently live in NYC. We both went to college and grad school in Boston.
We will be moving to the DC area this summer.

You are my parents 40 years ago. Connecticut natives, college and grad school in Boston, in NYC and then moved to DC where they stayed for the next 40 years.

I don't think you will find the same level of culture shock that they did 40 years ago. For the record, there are a ton of ex-NYers and New England natives down here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, and went to the University of Maryland. What I don't "get" is going away to a mediocre college then having to come back here to work because there were no jobs to be had in Oxford, Ohio or State College, PA.

Since when is Penn State considered mediocre? My specialized biology degree didn't exist at any other schools. The education and research project I participated in (which was published) ensured that I was able to get a fantastic job. There are many colleges and universities that do not have significant job opportunities located in the immediate vicinity. I wouldn't trade my experience and education to go to a more "local" college.

That being said, I did grow up in the area. My family moved here when I was 5. DH was born and raised here.

[Anonymous]

Yes I did grow up in the area - in Bethesda where I still live.

[Anonymous]

I think the best thing ever would be to live your whole life in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else and there is a real sense of home and community. sure, see the world - those are called vacations - but come back to home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the best thing ever would be to live your whole life in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else and there is a real sense of home and community. sure, see the world - those are called vacations - but come back to home.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Grew up in the DC area and went to college in the area, too because I got a full ride scholarship. Have family elsewhere in the US and Europe, so travelled often as a kid and young adult even for that reason alone. Many, many folks in the DC area are like this... Not a totally insular sort of people, in general.

Returned to DC in my early 30s because of unparalleled job opportunities. Got married to a long-time resident alien, then moved away again when we mutually agreed it was time to see the other coast. Miss DC, to be honest, much as I think the quality of life in the west is in many ways better. For me, DC is professionally where it's at!

[Anonymous]

21:49 - WHERE?!?!?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, and went to the University of Maryland. What I don't "get" is going away to a mediocre college then having to come back here to work because there were no jobs to be had in Oxford, Ohio or State College, PA.

Since when is Penn State considered mediocre? My specialized biology degree didn't exist at any other schools. The education and research project I participated in (which was published) ensured that I was able to get a fantastic job. There are many colleges and universities that do not have significant job opportunities located in the immediate vicinity. I wouldn't trade my experience and education to go to a more "local" college.

That being said, I did grow up in the area. My family moved here when I was 5. DH was born and raised here.

Don't sweat it - UMd grads have a well-developed (and well-deserved) inferiority complex about their education. That leads them to make comments like this.

(There, that should make this thread a little more exciting.)

[Anonymous]

There are so many up and coming Metropolitan areas, you don't really have to limit yourself to one area these days. That would be rather small minded. OP, good for you for trying different areas! Sometimes you have to branch out, even if you have the best family that has always been here. It is healthy to be away from family at least for a few years (to PP).