I haven't figured out how people raise children in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The job thing, I agree, is out of control. People massively overestimate their own importance, and need to relax more, spend less time in the office, and generate self-worth other than through their jobs.

The high price for housing thing is just a reflection of the relatively high incomes and the fact that lots of people want to live here. It is still a lot cheaper than other places like London, New York, or San Francisco.As for your question of whether people are happy raising children here, the answer is of course no. If we wanted to be happy we wouldn't have had kids. We would be on a mini-break now on some Caribbean Island. But we were idiots.

actually, it isn't.

actually, it is.

I have to add my own "so there" to the chorus. San Francisco is most definitely more expensive. And you get less for your money. I like the Bay Area a lot, but the housing is amazingly expensive. And you will be living on or right next to two major faults, with no hope of buying earthquake insurance. Also, as a PP said, California due to its budget problems is screwed.

This is so interesting - my parents live in the East Bay in a neighborhood with white collar and blue collar families. It's where I grew up, and I liked it. 30 minutes to oakland, 20 minutes to san jose, an hour or less to San Francisco (with a BART station not too far away, and commuter buses nearby). And houses in their neighborhood are in the 300s for 3-4 bedrooms. Yeah, not the best schools, but still, it's not outrageous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - We're in the same boat. Bought a house pre-kids in close in Silver Spring, but work in downtown, DC. Couldn't get good childcare in our neighborhood, so DS goes to a very expensive daycare near my office. We have another on the way, so will soon have a $40K per year daycare bill. Pre-kids the commute was up to 45 minutes, all metro and on foot. Now with daycare drop off, commute is about 75 minutes each way. Thank goodness DS loves the metro because he spends more time with us commuting than he does awake at home on weekdays. We only work 8 hour days. Our house has declined in value and although we've outgrown it we can't afford to sell. It feels like we're working really hard and not getting a good quality of life in return. We'd love to leave this area. I loved it pre-kids.

Because you bought in a declining area. If you'd bought in Bethesda instead of Silver Spring, your house would have held its value.

Sorry to burst your bubble (and not the person you are responding to) but close in SS is NOT a declining area. It actually has been singled out in national magazines as one of the greatest close in suburbs in the country. Houses in my neighborhood are going for 550-650K. That is not declining.

I love it hear though there are some things that are annoying. We have great commutes, awesome jobs, and a good HHI to live comfortably but not have to mingle with the folks others are complaining aobut (keeping up with the Jones, etc.). I'm sure if I had a bad commute it would be a different story.

[Anonymous]

12:48 - who said I'm not happy? If you read any of the post, you will know that I am, at the very least, very amused, at least daily! Must everyone who is not making love to D.C. "not be happy" in your eyes?

I seem to have touched a nerve. Good news.

[Anonymous]

Honestly 13:03, I am sorry that your generational wealth has not provided you with an education that includes proper use of punctuation within quotation marks. Oh wait, no, I'm actually jealous.

[Anonymous]

12:48, I'm dying to know where you'd live if you could.

"As far as the PP who mentioned "shallow" and "weather" in the same sentence: I want to know where you score your crack, because I could use some of that while living here with the likes of you. "

That's me, I stand by my statement. And I intend to retire here too, so there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I lived in San Diego for 8 years and San Francisco for 2 years. I prefer San Diego, because it's almost always sunny and moderate, except for the occasional May Gray and June Gloom days. And once you've lived in a warm weather state, you do notice the subtle seasonal changes. You're right; it's personal. "

San Diegans don't entertain in their homes much - not much hospitality. Tremendous border patrol issues. Financial issues, always. Just to get 300 + plus days of sunshine a year? Not worth it to me.

You've never lived there, have you? I lived in a very friendly neighborhood and made friends easily. If you're hospitable, then you'll attract like-minded people. If you're not, well, then stop complaining. I entertained much more than I'm able to living in DC. It was always easier to host parties, because you can patio dine almost year-round. Here, I have to worry more about bothering my neighbors because we're in confined quarters. Sure, the city government is in a financial crisis, not unlike DC. The border issue statement is funny. I'm guessing you're a racist, because I can think of no other reason to mention this.

I lived in Poway and got the heck out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:48 - who said I'm not happy? If you read any of the post, you will know that I am, at the very least, very amused, at least daily! Must everyone who is not making love to D.C. "not be happy" in your eyes?

I seem to have touched a nerve. Good news.

It would have taken me a half hour to read your post, and I could tell by the first paragraph that you had no interest or ability to understand any opinion except your own. You touched a nerve because of the absurd idea that you somehow have more knowledge or experience than anyone who doesn't agree with you. DCUMers have fantastic douchebag detectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:48 - who said I'm not happy? If you read any of the post, you will know that I am, at the very least, very amused, at least daily! Must everyone who is not making love to D.C. "not be happy" in your eyes?

I seem to have touched a nerve. Good news.

Why are you still living in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I lived in San Diego for 8 years and San Francisco for 2 years. I prefer San Diego, because it's almost always sunny and moderate, except for the occasional May Gray and June Gloom days. And once you've lived in a warm weather state, you do notice the subtle seasonal changes. You're right; it's personal. "

San Diegans don't entertain in their homes much - not much hospitality. Tremendous border patrol issues. Financial issues, always. Just to get 300 + plus days of sunshine a year? Not worth it to me.

You've never lived there, have you? I lived in a very friendly neighborhood and made friends easily. If you're hospitable, then you'll attract like-minded people. If you're not, well, then stop complaining. I entertained much more than I'm able to living in DC. It was always easier to host parties, because you can patio dine almost year-round. Here, I have to worry more about bothering my neighbors because we're in confined quarters. Sure, the city government is in a financial crisis, not unlike DC. The border issue statement is funny. I'm guessing you're a racist, because I can think of no other reason to mention this.

I lived in Poway and got the heck out.

Poway is not San Diego. It's like saying you live in DC, but you really live in Dulles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:48, I'm dying to know where you'd live if you could.

"As far as the PP who mentioned "shallow" and "weather" in the same sentence: I want to know where you score your crack, because I could use some of that while living here with the likes of you. "

That's me, I stand by my statement. And I intend to retire here too, so there

how positively dull

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:48, I'm dying to know where you'd live if you could.

"As far as the PP who mentioned "shallow" and "weather" in the same sentence: I want to know where you score your crack, because I could use some of that while living here with the likes of you. "

That's me, I stand by my statement. And I intend to retire here too, so there

how positively dull

Not dull to me, and that's all that matters. Care to share where you'd rather live and retire? Nah, didn't think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ewwww, Cleveland... I grew up there... Ewww, just ewwww.

I never heard of an apt in DC w/o a washer/dryer, central a/c, etc. Maybe you haven't looked at any since the 90ties but things have changed.

NP - Grew up near Cleveland and lived there for awhile and really liked it. But I have grown to love DC nevertheless. Probably because I moved to the neighborhood that reminded me more rather than less of Cleveland. Yes, I know I sound crazy. But there's "down to earth" in DC. You just have to look for it and you don't have to look far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ewwww, Cleveland... I grew up there... Ewww, just ewwww.

I never heard of an apt in DC w/o a washer/dryer, central a/c, etc. Maybe you haven't looked at any since the 90ties but things have changed.

NP - Grew up near Cleveland and lived there for awhile and really liked it. But I have grown to love DC nevertheless. Probably because I moved to the neighborhood that reminded me more rather than less of Cleveland. Yes, I know I sound crazy. But there's "down to earth" in DC. You just have to look for it and you don't have to look far.

What neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12:48, I'm dying to know where you'd live if you could.

"As far as the PP who mentioned "shallow" and "weather" in the same sentence: I want to know where you score your crack, because I could use some of that while living here with the likes of you. "

That's me, I stand by my statement. And I intend to retire here too, so there

how positively dull

Not dull to me, and that's all that matters. Care to share where you'd rather live and retire? Nah, didn't think so.

I like change and adventure...Belize, Malta, New Zealand. The possibilities are endless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I lived in San Diego for 8 years and San Francisco for 2 years. I prefer San Diego, because it's almost always sunny and moderate, except for the occasional May Gray and June Gloom days. And once you've lived in a warm weather state, you do notice the subtle seasonal changes. You're right; it's personal. "

San Diegans don't entertain in their homes much - not much hospitality. Tremendous border patrol issues. Financial issues, always. Just to get 300 + plus days of sunshine a year? Not worth it to me.

You've never lived there, have you? I lived in a very friendly neighborhood and made friends easily. If you're hospitable, then you'll attract like-minded people. If you're not, well, then stop complaining. I entertained much more than I'm able to living in DC. It was always easier to host parties, because you can patio dine almost year-round. Here, I have to worry more about bothering my neighbors because we're in confined quarters. Sure, the city government is in a financial crisis, not unlike DC. The border issue statement is funny. I'm guessing you're a racist, because I can think of no other reason to mention this.

I lived in Poway and got the heck out.

Poway is not San Diego. It's like saying you live in DC, but you really live in Dulles.