How are you able to afford the DC area - from an out-of-towner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

Again? You people are retarded. I am originally from Cincinnati and there are 4-5 major museums and plenty of small, storefront art gallery shops. The Cincinnati Art Museum is free and the Contemporary Arts Center is the ONLY major architectural building in the US designed by a woman (Zaha Hadid). The University of Cincinnati has more buildings designed my major architects than any other campus in the entire country. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park won the regional Tony a few years ago. We have a ballet, an opera, and a highly-regarded symphony. Findlay Market is like a smaller version of Eastern Market. There is a thriving music and theater scene. It's not DC or NY, but people there don't give a fuck. We have beautiful parks, major Fortune 500 companies, etc etc etc. The restaurant scene is lousy but what are you gonna do? No place is perfect.

I think I've talked myself into moving back. I am sick to fucking death of morons like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

Again? You people are retarded. I am originally from Cincinnati and there are 4-5 major museums and plenty of small, storefront art gallery shops. The Cincinnati Art Museum is free and the Contemporary Arts Center is the ONLY major architectural building in the US designed by a woman (Zaha Hadid). The University of Cincinnati has more buildings designed my major architects than any other campus in the entire country. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park won the regional Tony a few years ago. We have a ballet, an opera, and a highly-regarded symphony. Findlay Market is like a smaller version of Eastern Market. There is a thriving music and theater scene. It's not DC or NY, but people there don't give a fuck. We have beautiful parks, major Fortune 500 companies, etc etc etc. The restaurant scene is lousy but what are you gonna do? No place is perfect.

I think I've talked myself into moving back. I am sick to fucking death of morons like you.

Yeah! Got rid of another one! Next!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

Again? You people are retarded. I am originally from Cincinnati and there are 4-5 major museums and plenty of small, storefront art gallery shops. The Cincinnati Art Museum is free and the Contemporary Arts Center is the ONLY major architectural building in the US designed by a woman (Zaha Hadid). The University of Cincinnati has more buildings designed my major architects than any other campus in the entire country. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park won the regional Tony a few years ago. We have a ballet, an opera, and a highly-regarded symphony. Findlay Market is like a smaller version of Eastern Market. There is a thriving music and theater scene. It's not DC or NY, but people there don't give a fuck. We have beautiful parks, major Fortune 500 companies, etc etc etc. The restaurant scene is lousy but what are you gonna do? No place is perfect.

I think I've talked myself into moving back. I am sick to fucking death of morons like you.

Yeah! Got rid of another one! Next!

Guess what? People in the Midwest (and South, and desert SW, and plains states) don't give a FUCK about you either. They think you are a pretentious asshole, and posts like yours just prove them right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

Like several of the other posters, I grew up here (in a NoVA suburb), so the crazy COL always seemed normal to me. I moved into DC after college and lived the dirt poor nonprofit worker lifestyle. I love living in the city, and my now-DH and I decided early on that it was worth the trade offs. He makes about $125K. I was only making about $45K (again, nonprofit), and I became a SAHM after we had a child. You really have to know what sort of trade offs you are willing to make? We live in a 2 bedroom, 1,000 SF condo. We don't have a yard, but on the other hand there are tons of kids and parks around us, and with less than a 5 minute walk to the metro (and we only have 1 car), we pretty much consider the whole city to be our backyard. Even without the metro we can walk to the zoo, library, grocery shopping, 5 or 6 playgrounds and parks, and about 200 restaurants. Our condo is not fancy and our local school is average, but we love our fun, walkable neighborhood, and DS spends his days having fun at museums, parks, the zoo, etc. By DC standards we don't make a lot of money, but we love our lifestyle.

What is comes down to, OP, is what sort of lifestyle do you and your family want? What are your non-negotiables? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Btw, don't listen to the snarkers who hate living here. No place is perfect of course, but DC is a great place to live if you are looking for that lifestyle.

Sounds nice, but still waiting for you to name something we don't have, and for a quarter of the price. The salary bump is not close to the differential. I would understand if our HHI were going to quadruple, or even double, but it won't, so I am genuinely trying to understand what makes this worthwhile. Some of you must be in jobs that simply don't exist, or not in adequate numbers, elsewhere - but if you're not a wonk or a lobbyist, why?

Okay, so now OP is getting snarky!!

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

Some of us don't stop having lives when we have children. You must be one of those people who didn't leave the house for three months after their child was born? Guess what? You don't have to do t hat. Strap your baby in a sling and you can go anywhere!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

Again? You people are retarded. I am originally from Cincinnati and there are 4-5 major museums and plenty of small, storefront art gallery shops. The Cincinnati Art Museum is free and the Contemporary Arts Center is the ONLY major architectural building in the US designed by a woman (Zaha Hadid). The University of Cincinnati has more buildings designed my major architects than any other campus in the entire country. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park won the regional Tony a few years ago. We have a ballet, an opera, and a highly-regarded symphony. Findlay Market is like a smaller version of Eastern Market. There is a thriving music and theater scene. It's not DC or NY, but people there don't give a fuck. We have beautiful parks, major Fortune 500 companies, etc etc etc. The restaurant scene is lousy but what are you gonna do? No place is perfect.

I think I've talked myself into moving back. I am sick to fucking death of morons like you.

Yeah! Got rid of another one! Next!

Guess what? People in the Midwest (and South, and desert SW, and plains states) don't give a FUCK about you either. They think you are a pretentious asshole, and posts like yours just prove them right.

Did I type too fast for you?

Seriously, calm down. It's not a big deal. I don't care where you're from as long as you don't live next door to me. DC can suck for some people and be wonderful for others. If you don't like it, then move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

Like several of the other posters, I grew up here (in a NoVA suburb), so the crazy COL always seemed normal to me. I moved into DC after college and lived the dirt poor nonprofit worker lifestyle. I love living in the city, and my now-DH and I decided early on that it was worth the trade offs. He makes about $125K. I was only making about $45K (again, nonprofit), and I became a SAHM after we had a child. You really have to know what sort of trade offs you are willing to make? We live in a 2 bedroom, 1,000 SF condo. We don't have a yard, but on the other hand there are tons of kids and parks around us, and with less than a 5 minute walk to the metro (and we only have 1 car), we pretty much consider the whole city to be our backyard. Even without the metro we can walk to the zoo, library, grocery shopping, 5 or 6 playgrounds and parks, and about 200 restaurants. Our condo is not fancy and our local school is average, but we love our fun, walkable neighborhood, and DS spends his days having fun at museums, parks, the zoo, etc. By DC standards we don't make a lot of money, but we love our lifestyle.

What is comes down to, OP, is what sort of lifestyle do you and your family want? What are your non-negotiables? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Btw, don't listen to the snarkers who hate living here. No place is perfect of course, but DC is a great place to live if you are looking for that lifestyle.

Sounds nice, but still waiting for you to name something we don't have, and for a quarter of the price. The salary bump is not close to the differential. I would understand if our HHI were going to quadruple, or even double, but it won't, so I am genuinely trying to understand what makes this worthwhile. Some of you must be in jobs that simply don't exist, or not in adequate numbers, elsewhere - but if you're not a wonk or a lobbyist, why?

Okay, so now OP is getting snarky!!

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

OMG, PP, because of your very obvious jealousy, you missed my point completely.

My point was that DC is a lot less boring than the midwest. My friends with kids are still leading pretty awesome lives compared to the people I know in the midwest. Hey, the zoo is free here, there are tons of children's events all over the city and suburbs, the kids can have friends from all over the world, and are exposed to ethnic events and food at a very early age. It's still more exciting to live in DC than it is to live in the midwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many people make well into the six figures. A typical house in Arlington with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths (one of which is in the basement) will be around $700k.
I can assure you that your quality of life is MUCH better in the midwest.

Commute and hours worked are better. Your cultural opportunities and opportunities to be friends with a diverse, very intelligent, very successful group of people? Lower QOL in the midwest.

Do you actually believe this? If so, you are fucking clueless. Guess what? There is diversity and culture in Midwestern cities. Yes, it's true! Take it from someone who spent the bulk of the first 30 years of their life in one of those cities. Good grief - the coasts do not have a lock on diversity, intelligence, culture, or success. Asinine bullshit like this is why some us can't stand many, many people we meet here.

I got the impression that the OP was from a small midwest town and not somewhere like Chicago or Cleveland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

Like several of the other posters, I grew up here (in a NoVA suburb), so the crazy COL always seemed normal to me. I moved into DC after college and lived the dirt poor nonprofit worker lifestyle. I love living in the city, and my now-DH and I decided early on that it was worth the trade offs. He makes about $125K. I was only making about $45K (again, nonprofit), and I became a SAHM after we had a child. You really have to know what sort of trade offs you are willing to make? We live in a 2 bedroom, 1,000 SF condo. We don't have a yard, but on the other hand there are tons of kids and parks around us, and with less than a 5 minute walk to the metro (and we only have 1 car), we pretty much consider the whole city to be our backyard. Even without the metro we can walk to the zoo, library, grocery shopping, 5 or 6 playgrounds and parks, and about 200 restaurants. Our condo is not fancy and our local school is average, but we love our fun, walkable neighborhood, and DS spends his days having fun at museums, parks, the zoo, etc. By DC standards we don't make a lot of money, but we love our lifestyle.

What is comes down to, OP, is what sort of lifestyle do you and your family want? What are your non-negotiables? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Btw, don't listen to the snarkers who hate living here. No place is perfect of course, but DC is a great place to live if you are looking for that lifestyle.

Sounds nice, but still waiting for you to name something we don't have, and for a quarter of the price. The salary bump is not close to the differential. I would understand if our HHI were going to quadruple, or even double, but it won't, so I am genuinely trying to understand what makes this worthwhile. Some of you must be in jobs that simply don't exist, or not in adequate numbers, elsewhere - but if you're not a wonk or a lobbyist, why?

Okay, so now OP is getting snarky!!

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

Eh, your kid is 2. When your kids reach elementary school, your free time will revolve around their schedule.

I feel so sorry for people like you whose lives revolve only around their children. There are other people out there who manage to have a life and have children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

How often do you go to museums with your child (assuming you're the op who lives in the midwest)? And how many are there in your city?

No, I'm not the OP from the midwest. I live in DC - in fact I can walk to the mall in 10 minutes. However, I would never be so smug as to think DC is the only city where I can find decent cultural attractions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you interested in living in the city itself or a suburb?

OP - I grew up in the midwest. I'm in my mid-30s recently married and no kids (yet). I make a lot of money, I've travelled a ton over the past 15 years, have been able to eat at amazing restaurants, drink at cool bars, go to museums, talks, parks, and have a lot of really awesome vacation spots within driving distance. On top of that, I've been able to meet really interesting people from a variety of places and in a variety of careers and have an amazingly cool and diverse group of friends. In contrast, my friends who stayed in the midwest have all been married 10 years, are friends with the same people we went to high school with, haven't seen the world, all have the same type of job/are stay at home moms, have kids in elementary school, don't really do anything on the weekends, and are quite frankly boring (and many of them have told me that they are bored). So despite the high cost of living here, I feel that I live a great life in DC that I could not get in the boring midwest.

As for salaries, most people in DC are NOT "wonks" as you say or lobbyists. Yes, we have an overabundence of lawyers and consultants here, but we also have a lot of people who get crappy staffer, non-profit or Fed salaries, too.

LMAO. Since you're on DCUM, I'm assuming you want children one day pp. When your first DC turns 1, don't forget to come back and tell us how exciting your life is then.

My kid is 2. We're constantly doing exciting activities around the city, visiting museums, and having a great time. So yes, it's possible to have a kid and take advantage of the city and *gasp* even have an exciting life.

I take my child to parks and museusms (didn't know that was exclusive to DC). But comparing a DINK lifestyle to a parent's lifestyle is apples and oranges and has no business in a "which city is better conversation".

This is what the OP posted. Note there is no mention of children.

I live in the Midwest. $330,000, ten year old house with 2,600 square feet and a nice back yard. The other day may spouse and I were looking at the DC area cost of living because a recruiter called me about a job opportunity. So I went on realtor.com to look at houses. OMG, in Maryland a house built in 1951 for over $700,000 that looks like it needs work!

Let's say I earn $125,000 and the DC area pays more so I will get $140,000 or slightly more. After taxes, there is no way that increase makes up anywhere near the cost of living difference. Are most of you lawyers, lobbyists, or ex-military that join defense contractors? How can you afford that kind of housing unless you have a job like that or an inheritance? We figured out that if we moved, there would be no money left to do anything for fun. In fact, we figured out that it would cost less to stay in the Midwest and fly to DC 4 or 5 times a year to do things than move there. Culture is great, but if you can't afford to do anything, what good does it do to be near it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: My husband and I both work- live in DC, crappy school area but lucked out on charters for both kids, make about 150k EACH, and do not have a great big back yard or lots of sq ft in our 800k home. We have a very easy commute to our jobs, like what we do, and have lots of family in the area. But I always said, if we could make anything close to our income now (and by close, I mean 60%) of it - or if my husband could make his income somewhere else (he is in tech, and gets 30% of his income for clearances, we should go. Here is the thing, other places would not have the same culture and city life we love, but we would have larger yards,less stress, and most importantly less assholes like 20:50.

I speak from experience -- don't underestimate the value of a "very easy commute" to jobs that you like, and lots of family close by. It's hard to imagine a big yard making up for losing that.

I'm one of those people who happily pays through the nose to live near Metro in a walkable neighborhood (shops, restaurants, etc) full of decent but smaller houses/lots, because it makes commuting and life in general so much better for me. Yeah, I could have a mansion out in the sticks, but that wouldn't make me happy.

So back to the OP -- it's a question of priorities, and everyone's are different, and there's no right or wrong here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many people make well into the six figures. A typical house in Arlington with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths (one of which is in the basement) will be around $700k.
I can assure you that your quality of life is MUCH better in the midwest.

Commute and hours worked are better. Your cultural opportunities and opportunities to be friends with a diverse, very intelligent, very successful group of people? Lower QOL in the midwest.

Do you actually believe this? If so, you are fucking clueless. Guess what? There is diversity and culture in Midwestern cities. Yes, it's true! Take it from someone who spent the bulk of the first 30 years of their life in one of those cities. Good grief - the coasts do not have a lock on diversity, intelligence, culture, or success. Asinine bullshit like this is why some us can't stand many, many people we meet here.

I got the impression that the OP was from a small midwest town and not somewhere like Chicago or Cleveland.

People in small midwest towns don't typically make 300 grand a year. Just like small town folk close to hear don't either. So I think you assumed incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: My husband and I both work- live in DC, crappy school area but lucked out on charters for both kids, make about 150k EACH, and do not have a great big back yard or lots of sq ft in our 800k home. We have a very easy commute to our jobs, like what we do, and have lots of family in the area. But I always said, if we could make anything close to our income now (and by close, I mean 60%) of it - or if my husband could make his income somewhere else (he is in tech, and gets 30% of his income for clearances, we should go. Here is the thing, other places would not have the same culture and city life we love, but we would have larger yards,less stress, and most importantly less assholes like 20:50.

I speak from experience -- don't underestimate the value of a "very easy commute" to jobs that you like, and lots of family close by. It's hard to imagine a big yard making up for losing that.

I'm one of those people who happily pays through the nose to live near Metro in a walkable neighborhood (shops, restaurants, etc) full of decent but smaller houses/lots, because it makes commuting and life in general so much better for me. Yeah, I could have a mansion out in the sticks, but that wouldn't make me happy.

So back to the OP -- it's a question of priorities, and everyone's are different, and there's no right or wrong here.

Yep, pretty much this. Signed, the poster originally from Cincinnati.