Leaving DC for a lower COL area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

Let me guess, you're 17 and in high school? Or maybe 23 and a nonprofit intern?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

I do "keep think" this is true, because it comports with my experience - but I'm glad you're happy where you are, too. No need for everyone to want the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

Let me guess, you're 17 and in high school? Or maybe 23 and a nonprofit intern?

No, I’m in my 40s and from a smaller city. Having lived in a few large cities, the difference is astounding. Large cities like NY, LA, dc, Boston etc still attract most of the strong talent in the US. Yes, there are exceptions but overall, people here are more educated and successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

All of you are so ignorant

Google where the Fortune 500 companies are I'll wait

Here you go

New York NY 42
Houston TX 24
Dallas TX 12
Atlanta GA 10
Minneapolis MN 10
Chicago IL 9
St. Louis MO 8
San Francisco CA 7
Charlotte NC 6
Cincinnati OH 6
Columbus OH 6
Milwaukee WI 6
Englewood CO 5
Irving TX 5
Los Angeles CA 5
Omaha NE 5
Philadelphia PA 5
Pittsburgh PA 5
Richmond VA 5

All of these places are great places to live and in many you can be just as successful for half the cost or more vs DC

It's disturbing to me that anyone that isn't a liberal progressive is somehow less than for many of you.

That's a common knock on democrats in general. Yall need to work on that.

DC is the only place in the country that is so imbalanced politically yall need to get out of your bubbles

thank you for posting this list. I don't think this is about liberal/progressive at all, I think it is about people not realizing that are major cities in the US that are NOT SF, NYC, LA or DC. It is more like just completely blind to the other significant cities. There was a poster up above who made it sound like there was only one major company in every other city in the US that wasn't SF, NYC, LA or DC. LMAO!!!

[Anonymous]

Also the idea of "all the talent and intellect is in big cities" is laughable. OMG so funny!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

Let me guess, you're 17 and in high school? Or maybe 23 and a nonprofit intern?

No, I’m in my 40s and from a smaller city. Having lived in a few large cities, the difference is astounding. Large cities like NY, LA, dc, Boston etc still attract most of the strong talent in the US. Yes, there are exceptions but overall, people here are more educated and successful.

I would not dispute that certain cities attract a quality of talent and in high numbers, for reasons both to do with lifestyle and opportunities. New York, Boston, DC, SF, LA top the list. And you're probably right that to fast track to "success" it can be easier to remain in those cities. They have a dynamism that not many other cities have.

But it is absolutely not true that those are the only places that have talent and intellect. Let's take Baltimore. No one is going to consider Baltimore a major city. But would you claim that the talent at Johns Hopkins hospital or medical school or public health (which are tops in their field) isn't as good as the talent you find in comparable roles in DC? Or SF? Or LA?

All American cities have their cohort of highly educated and successful and intelligent people. All of them. It is arrogant to assume that only in places like DC you can find like-minded people. I went to a highly regarded Ivy for both undergrad and graduate and judging from the alum notes, many of my classmates did start out in the prestige cities and then later migrated to the provincial cities, taking senior roles locally and by all accounts they are having a happy life. I grew up in a provincial city and my parents' circle was highly educated, deeply engaged in local affairs and arts & culture and well traveled and accomplished in their professions. And this is a city you would probably sneer at.

And you know what, not all "accomplished" people want a rat race life. They don't need to be in DC or New York. They don't benefit being in those places. Or they live elsewhere and come into New York when they need to for whatever reason. Best of both worlds.

Last but not least, the "talent and intellect" in New York laugh at DC.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

I'm shocked at how blind posters like you are. How many people in DC actually live like this? Not that many 5-10% of the metro population, maybe? The vast majority of people live a suburban car oriented lifestyle or even if they take the subway to work it's long commutes still.

You talk about what works for you in your very specific urban context while totally ignoring that most people in DC can't live the way you do. And you pay a price for your lifestyle that is not affordable to many if not most people. Your ignorance is amazing, because your knowledge of DC stops at the borders of your neighborhood and you're using your very narrow context as a basis for comparison with other cities while ignoring the rest of the DC metro area where most people actually live.

12 percent of DC residents walk to work
38 percent of households don’t have cars
37 percent of residents take public transportation - I fall in this category and it’s far from the 5-10 percent you claimed.


MORE DC residents than NYers walk to work. NY is at 10 percent walking to work

How old are some of you?

Those are quotes for DC specific. We are talking about metro areas. You'd probably find comparable statistics if comparing strictly the urban core / downtown of many metro areas. 12% of DC metro area does not walk to work. It'd be impossible.

Right. This a DC URBAN website and the title of the post is about moving from DC. Not moving from ashburn.

The website name is DC Urban Moms and Dads. Are you a mom or a dad too? Somehow I have a feeling you're not. Because you're probably a kid.

I have news for you. Ashburn is part of DC. Just as much as Logan Circle is. Ashburn as we know it wouldn't exist if it weren't for DC. It's a suburb of Washington, DC. It's totally fair to consider it part of DC when talking about moving from one metro area to another.

Omg. No, it’s not. It’s not legally part of Washington, dc. Saying you live in dc when you live in ashburn is LYING

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

All of you are so ignorant

Google where the Fortune 500 companies are I'll wait

Here you go

New York NY 42
Houston TX 24
Dallas TX 12
Atlanta GA 10
Minneapolis MN 10
Chicago IL 9
St. Louis MO 8
San Francisco CA 7
Charlotte NC 6
Cincinnati OH 6
Columbus OH 6
Milwaukee WI 6
Englewood CO 5
Irving TX 5
Los Angeles CA 5
Omaha NE 5
Philadelphia PA 5
Pittsburgh PA 5
Richmond VA 5

All of these places are great places to live and in many you can be just as successful for half the cost or more vs DC

It's disturbing to me that anyone that isn't a liberal progressive is somehow less than for many of you.

That's a common knock on democrats in general. Yall need to work on that.

DC is the only place in the country that is so imbalanced politically yall need to get out of your bubbles

Only someone from a flyover city would actually think being a Fortune 500 company means something. It doesn’t. Working for a Fortune 500 company is the dream for someone in Dallas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

I'm shocked at how blind posters like you are. How many people in DC actually live like this? Not that many 5-10% of the metro population, maybe? The vast majority of people live a suburban car oriented lifestyle or even if they take the subway to work it's long commutes still.

You talk about what works for you in your very specific urban context while totally ignoring that most people in DC can't live the way you do. And you pay a price for your lifestyle that is not affordable to many if not most people. Your ignorance is amazing, because your knowledge of DC stops at the borders of your neighborhood and you're using your very narrow context as a basis for comparison with other cities while ignoring the rest of the DC metro area where most people actually live.

12 percent of DC residents walk to work
38 percent of households don’t have cars
37 percent of residents take public transportation - I fall in this category and it’s far from the 5-10 percent you claimed.


MORE DC residents than NYers walk to work. NY is at 10 percent walking to work

How old are some of you?

Those are quotes for DC specific. We are talking about metro areas. You'd probably find comparable statistics if comparing strictly the urban core / downtown of many metro areas. 12% of DC metro area does not walk to work. It'd be impossible.

Right. This a DC URBAN website and the title of the post is about moving from DC. Not moving from ashburn.

The website name is DC Urban Moms and Dads. Are you a mom or a dad too? Somehow I have a feeling you're not. Because you're probably a kid.

I have news for you. Ashburn is part of DC. Just as much as Logan Circle is. Ashburn as we know it wouldn't exist if it weren't for DC. It's a suburb of Washington, DC. It's totally fair to consider it part of DC when talking about moving from one metro area to another.

Omg. No, it’s not. It’s not legally part of Washington, dc. Saying you live in dc when you live in ashburn is LYING

The more you talk the more you clearly reveal you're a kid. "OMG" and "LYING". Really? Wow. I'm impressed.

Ashburn is part of metropolitan DC. It is firmly part of the "DC" area and perfectly justifiable to refer to if talking about moving from DC to a lower cost area even if it is Ashburn to a lower cost suburb of another city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

I'm shocked at how blind posters like you are. How many people in DC actually live like this? Not that many 5-10% of the metro population, maybe? The vast majority of people live a suburban car oriented lifestyle or even if they take the subway to work it's long commutes still.

You talk about what works for you in your very specific urban context while totally ignoring that most people in DC can't live the way you do. And you pay a price for your lifestyle that is not affordable to many if not most people. Your ignorance is amazing, because your knowledge of DC stops at the borders of your neighborhood and you're using your very narrow context as a basis for comparison with other cities while ignoring the rest of the DC metro area where most people actually live.

12 percent of DC residents walk to work
38 percent of households don’t have cars
37 percent of residents take public transportation - I fall in this category and it’s far from the 5-10 percent you claimed.


MORE DC residents than NYers walk to work. NY is at 10 percent walking to work

How old are some of you?

Those are quotes for DC specific. We are talking about metro areas. You'd probably find comparable statistics if comparing strictly the urban core / downtown of many metro areas. 12% of DC metro area does not walk to work. It'd be impossible.

Right. This a DC URBAN website and the title of the post is about moving from DC. Not moving from ashburn.

The website name is DC Urban Moms and Dads. Are you a mom or a dad too? Somehow I have a feeling you're not. Because you're probably a kid.

I have news for you. Ashburn is part of DC. Just as much as Logan Circle is. Ashburn as we know it wouldn't exist if it weren't for DC. It's a suburb of Washington, DC. It's totally fair to consider it part of DC when talking about moving from one metro area to another.

Omg. No, it’s not. It’s not legally part of Washington, dc. Saying you live in dc when you live in ashburn is LYING

The more you talk the more you clearly reveal you're a kid. "OMG" and "LYING". Really? Wow. I'm impressed.

Ashburn is part of metropolitan DC. It is firmly part of the "DC" area and perfectly justifiable to refer to if talking about moving from DC to a lower cost area even if it is Ashburn to a lower cost suburb of another city.

Yes, Ashburn is part of the DC metro.

No, Ashburn is not part of DC. The residents don’t live in DC, don’t pay DC taxes, can’t attend DC public schools, and can’t vote in DC elections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

All of you are so ignorant

Google where the Fortune 500 companies are I'll wait

Here you go

New York NY 42
Houston TX 24
Dallas TX 12
Atlanta GA 10
Minneapolis MN 10
Chicago IL 9
St. Louis MO 8
San Francisco CA 7
Charlotte NC 6
Cincinnati OH 6
Columbus OH 6
Milwaukee WI 6
Englewood CO 5
Irving TX 5
Los Angeles CA 5
Omaha NE 5
Philadelphia PA 5
Pittsburgh PA 5
Richmond VA 5

All of these places are great places to live and in many you can be just as successful for half the cost or more vs DC

It's disturbing to me that anyone that isn't a liberal progressive is somehow less than for many of you.

That's a common knock on democrats in general. Yall need to work on that.

DC is the only place in the country that is so imbalanced politically yall need to get out of your bubbles

Only someone from a flyover city would actually think being a Fortune 500 company means something. It doesn’t. Working for a Fortune 500 company is the dream for someone in Dallas.

LOL, as opposed to what? The "policy analyst" in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What types of jobs are we talking about here? What are these jobs that are only available in DC?
Some are saying that even if they find a new job outside of DC, their career will be over.
I'm really curious to know what those jobs are.

Two Fed household here. Impossible for us to leave D.C. and have both of us stay in the same field.

This is why I always encourage young people to be careful what they wish for when they take that first dc-centric job.

seriously.

also, not a great reflection on your professional skills if the federal government is literally the only employer you're capable of working for. Yiiiikes; can't imagine living that way!

This is a good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What types of jobs are we talking about here? What are these jobs that are only available in DC?
Some are saying that even if they find a new job outside of DC, their career will be over.
I'm really curious to know what those jobs are.

Two Fed household here. Impossible for us to leave D.C. and have both of us stay in the same field.

This is why I always encourage young people to be careful what they wish for when they take that first dc-centric job.

seriously.

also, not a great reflection on your professional skills if the federal government is literally the only employer you're capable of working for. Yiiiikes; can't imagine living that way!

This is a good point.

Have you ever worked for the federal government? Yeah, I would agree that it'd be impossible for many of those folks to succeed in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem with lower COL areas is that the job market is not as robust. Yes, "everybody" know someone who moved to Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee and found a good position and cheap housing but there is nowhere near the opportunities found in growing areas. Also, lower COL places tend to be insular. You are competing with people who went to local schools, married someone from there, and will never leave there. They pick their own when an opening occurs.

That's ...wrong on just about every level. Dallas and Houston are the same size as DC, with an even better economy, record low unemployment rate and much better COL. I've lived in both and wouldn't describe either as "insular." People are pouring in from other states. And the idea a company like Toyota or AT&T is picking executives based on the neighborhood they grew up in, that's just ludicrous.

SInce when are Dallas and Houston = Cleveland/Detroit/Milwaukee?

Dallas and Houston have incredible economies but are very hot and 100% sprawl. No charm, history, or walkability.

Yeah right. Dallas has Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Lower Greenville, Uptown ...areas with as much walkability as anything you'll find in the District. And several have a funkier vibe than the
manufactured cool of many gentrifying DC neighborhoods. And yeah ...it's hot. But you can also sit outside on the patio in February and don't have to dig out from a blizzard every other year.

You've named areas in Dallas that are much like Atlanta's Five Points/Virginia Highlands -- highly industrialized with a glut of retail/restaurants in one place but they aren't walkable communities with mixed-use density that including housing and amenities artfully imposed together. Basically those are the places you take an Uber to to bar hop for happy hour but you don't live on that street or next to that restaurant nor can you walk to those grocery stores (not unless you want to cross a parking lot which can fit a couple 100 cars easily first). In other words, the Whole Foods is in a shopping plaza.

Huge difference. Basically living there is nothing like D.C.

+1000000. PP obviously has never lived in a real city. Five points in Atlanta is a perfect example. You may be able to walk to bars and restaurants from your house. But on a daily basis walk to work, walk your kids to school and run 90% of your errands on foot? No way. Especially given the hot weather. Dallas is a city built around the automobile. Even in the areas in Dallas claiming to be walkable, the parking lots are HUGE which in itself demonstrates it’s not really a walkable area.

Whereas I live in DC and almost always walk to the grocery store, combo walk and bus to work, and only use my car on the weekend for an errand or going somewhere outside of DC. I can’t imagine many families in Dallas are only using their cars on the weekend.

Meh. You still live in DC, which is full of boring people who are bland AF.

As opposed to whom? Do you live in NY or LA, perhaps?

My DC neighbors work in a variety of pretty interesting professions. I assume you’re thinking everyone’s a fed, but on my block, there are people in medicine, finance, research, education, a museum director, etc. Really runs the gamut.

I live in a small city outside of DC and it's the same as in my neighborhood.

Stay in DC if you want to but you're being ridiculous if you think the "quality" of DC people is better than anywhere else. Lots of places have interesting people in them. No, not Supreme Court justices - that is unique to DC - but people who work in all these intellectual and creative fields. Many interesting people have left high cost cities, in fact, because it's too hard to keep yourself going in one of the more interesting professions. One reason my smaller city has such a good restaurant scene is that it's affordable enough that chefs can come experiment here. We have a great arts scene for largely the same reason. We have tons of writers here. (I am one of them.)

You keep think this is true, but it’s not. Most of the talent and intellect in this country is located in big cities. Sad, but true.

All of you are so ignorant

Google where the Fortune 500 companies are I'll wait

Here you go

New York NY 42
Houston TX 24
Dallas TX 12
Atlanta GA 10
Minneapolis MN 10
Chicago IL 9
St. Louis MO 8
San Francisco CA 7
Charlotte NC 6
Cincinnati OH 6
Columbus OH 6
Milwaukee WI 6
Englewood CO 5
Irving TX 5
Los Angeles CA 5
Omaha NE 5
Philadelphia PA 5
Pittsburgh PA 5
Richmond VA 5

All of these places are great places to live and in many you can be just as successful for half the cost or more vs DC

It's disturbing to me that anyone that isn't a liberal progressive is somehow less than for many of you.

That's a common knock on democrats in general. Yall need to work on that.

DC is the only place in the country that is so imbalanced politically yall need to get out of your bubbles

Not sure why it disturbs you or upsets you. I cannot see why you would care at all. If someone wants to live somewhere with people that are more progressive, what is wrong with that? I surely do not care if conservatives want to live in conservative areas. I actually prefer it that way. So, as an professional AA, I can avoid those areas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What types of jobs are we talking about here? What are these jobs that are only available in DC?
Some are saying that even if they find a new job outside of DC, their career will be over.
I'm really curious to know what those jobs are.

Two Fed household here. Impossible for us to leave D.C. and have both of us stay in the same field.

This is why I always encourage young people to be careful what they wish for when they take that first dc-centric job.

seriously.

also, not a great reflection on your professional skills if the federal government is literally the only employer you're capable of working for. Yiiiikes; can't imagine living that way!

This is a good point.

Have you ever worked for the federal government? Yeah, I would agree that it'd be impossible for many of those folks to succeed in the private sector.

Yes, I did for 8 years. Now, I work in the private sector and am quite successful there.