If you don't like DC, what prevents you from leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've always wondered why so many DCUMers believe they can only find work in DC. My sister has worked for the Federal government her entire career -- in California. There are Federal jobs in every state of the union. Is everyone on here a member of Congress?

Fed here (and lifelong dc resident who does not hate dc). I think its three things,

1) DC is MUCH more highly graded than anywhere else in the country and has higher locality pay. So if I wanted to move to like, Cleveland or something, I'd probably have to give up my 14 AND take a hit on locality, so there is the probability of a big cut

2) There are a lot LESS jobs elsewhere. In DC you can be a fed and bounce around constantly because there is no shortage of vacancies. This is not the case in other parts of the country, especially promotion potential jobs

3) 1 and 2 would make you think its logical to be prepared to jump to the private sector but govies (myself included) DO get spoiled. The job flexibility (for some of us at least) and the virtual impossibility of ever getting laid off or fired is really appealing if you're in that stage of life when you're having kids and getting through that young childhood phase.

That said, we are planning to move next year and I'm going to be able to telework and keep my government job so I totally agree with you. It IS doable and giving up 20 years of your life to a place you hate because of golden handcuffs is a bad life choice. I actually think thats why a lot of people hate dc, they want to leave but can't give up the benefits and then end up resenting the city for not giving them EVERYTHING.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't leave because of DH's job. Not convinced where my family lives is any better. The grass is not always greener. All you have to do is look up a city data forum of a place you want to move to, and you will find a thread about how that place sucks.

This. I left an area many people probably think they might love to live in (SoCal) to move to DC. DC is not perfect, but there are many aspects of living here that I prefer over SoCal. Not the weather, tho.

+1

The worst thing about SoCal is the distances involved in driving. Going from my grandmother's house in Orange County for lunch to grab dinner with friends in West Hollywood is a 60 mile drive that takes nearly 2 hours.
All your errands - even to your local grocery - ends up being a 20-25 minute drive one-way.
Oh your best friend lives in The Valley while you live in West LA? You'll only see them 3 or 4 times per year. No one ever wants to leave the radius more than 30 minutes from their house.
That gorgeous beach? You won't go to the beach if you live more than 5 miles from it.

Been there, done that.

Nope, can walk down the street to my grocery store. That's why you live in LA proper and pick your apartment for walkability. It's not that rare

I hope it doesn't get burned down. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I've posted elsewhere, I work in foreign affairs (not Foreign Service), which is a career I love but isn't really transferable to other places.

I don't hate DC or think it's a shitty place, but I don't particularly like it either. I guess the best I could say about it is that it doesn't suck. I grew up on the West Coast, and the culture is just different out there. Not better or worse - simply different. I feel like I fit in better and find the lifestyle more comfortable out West.

Why would you pick a career that takes you away from the place you love?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC.

I just fell off my chair.

Pray tell, how creative are you yourself? I'm willing to bet you stopped at the 5th grade art exhibition.

Nice. Keep 'em coming, PP. You will certain win people over to the wit and charm DC has to offer with these kinds of zingers.

Not the PP you quoted but I have a BFA and I totally agree with her.....

Oh, please. That pp can state what she wants. Plenty of harpies spew all sorts of hate on DCUM but when a DC defender does it, it's an indictment of DC. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't leave because of DH's job. Not convinced where my family lives is any better. The grass is not always greener. All you have to do is look up a city data forum of a place you want to move to, and you will find a thread about how that place sucks.

This. I left an area many people probably think they might love to live in (SoCal) to move to DC. DC is not perfect, but there are many aspects of living here that I prefer over SoCal. Not the weather, tho.

+1

The worst thing about SoCal is the distances involved in driving. Going from my grandmother's house in Orange County for lunch to grab dinner with friends in West Hollywood is a 60 mile drive that takes nearly 2 hours.
All your errands - even to your local grocery - ends up being a 20-25 minute drive one-way.
Oh your best friend lives in The Valley while you live in West LA? You'll only see them 3 or 4 times per year. No one ever wants to leave the radius more than 30 minutes from their house.
That gorgeous beach? You won't go to the beach if you live more than 5 miles from it.

Been there, done that.

Nope, can walk down the street to my grocery store. That's why you live in LA proper and pick your apartment for walkability. It's not that rare

I hope it doesn't get burned down. Enjoy!

Learn Socal geography before trying to lob an insult. If you are referencing wildfires you just sound like a grade A ignoramus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC.

I just fell off my chair.

Pray tell, how creative are you yourself? I'm willing to bet you stopped at the 5th grade art exhibition.

Nice. Keep 'em coming, PP. You will certain win people over to the wit and charm DC has to offer with these kinds of zingers.

Not the PP you quoted but I have a BFA and I totally agree with her.....

Thirded. One way to really piss off non creatives though is to point out how very boring and uncreative they are. Sure way to cause defensiveness and petty anger. As this board proves!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I've posted elsewhere, I work in foreign affairs (not Foreign Service), which is a career I love but isn't really transferable to other places.

I don't hate DC or think it's a shitty place, but I don't particularly like it either. I guess the best I could say about it is that it doesn't suck. I grew up on the West Coast, and the culture is just different out there. Not better or worse - simply different. I feel like I fit in better and find the lifestyle more comfortable out West.

Why would you pick a career that takes you away from the place you love?

They said they love their career not the west coast. All they said about that was that they fit in better there than the east coast. Foreign service will likely take you all over the world.

I'm not a dc hater and find these threads incredible annoying but pp doesn't seem to be trashing dc, why do you insist in reading that into it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC.

I just fell off my chair.

Pray tell, how creative are you yourself? I'm willing to bet you stopped at the 5th grade art exhibition.

Nice. Keep 'em coming, PP. You will certain win people over to the wit and charm DC has to offer with these kinds of zingers.

Not the PP you quoted but I have a BFA and I totally agree with her.....

Thirded. One way to really piss off non creatives though is to point out how very boring and uncreative they are. Sure way to cause defensiveness and petty anger. As this board proves!

Could you describe a single scenario where you insult someone repeatedly and intensely and the person does not get defensive and angry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I've posted elsewhere, I work in foreign affairs (not Foreign Service), which is a career I love but isn't really transferable to other places.

I don't hate DC or think it's a shitty place, but I don't particularly like it either. I guess the best I could say about it is that it doesn't suck. I grew up on the West Coast, and the culture is just different out there. Not better or worse - simply different. I feel like I fit in better and find the lifestyle more comfortable out West.

Why would you pick a career that takes you away from the place you love?

They said they love their career not the west coast. All they said about that was that they fit in better there than the east coast. Foreign service will likely take you all over the world.

I'm not a dc hater and find these threads incredible annoying but pp doesn't seem to be trashing dc, why do you insist in reading that into it?

Well, she/he says they fit in better/more comfortable on the West Coast. Sounds like love to me but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC.

I just fell off my chair.

Pray tell, how creative are you yourself? I'm willing to bet you stopped at the 5th grade art exhibition.

Nice. Keep 'em coming, PP. You will certain win people over to the wit and charm DC has to offer with these kinds of zingers.

Not the PP you quoted but I have a BFA and I totally agree with her.....

Thirded. One way to really piss off non creatives though is to point out how very boring and uncreative they are. Sure way to cause defensiveness and petty anger. As this board proves!

Could you describe a single scenario where you insult someone repeatedly and intensely and the person does not get defensive and angry?

Oh gosh, you're taking this as a personal insult. I guess I can see where you fit into this scenario

Step away from the computer, grab a paper bag, and take deep breaths, in and out, in and out. It's gonna be okay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC.

I just fell off my chair.

Pray tell, how creative are you yourself? I'm willing to bet you stopped at the 5th grade art exhibition.

Nice. Keep 'em coming, PP. You will certain win people over to the wit and charm DC has to offer with these kinds of zingers.

Not the PP you quoted but I have a BFA and I totally agree with her.....

Thirded. One way to really piss off non creatives though is to point out how very boring and uncreative they are. Sure way to cause defensiveness and petty anger. As this board proves!

Could you describe a single scenario where you insult someone repeatedly and intensely and the person does not get defensive and angry?

Oh gosh, you're taking this as a personal insult. I guess I can see where you fit into this scenario

Step away from the computer, grab a paper bag, and take deep breaths, in and out, in and out. It's gonna be okay

A lifelong dc resident who thinks all you arrogant transplants are ingrates? Yeah you got me!