Anyone rich ever consider leaving the rat race

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

So then what's your plan? Move somewhere you can be ostentatiously rich without having to work at the same time? I don't understand the desire to live a "normal life" while rejecting "normal" people.

DP here but there are wealthy, more laid-back places where OP would fit in. OP doesn't want to move to some LMC/lower end of UMC DMV neighborhood to escape the rat race.

You could find a place that caters more to rich people and many probably live year round and work remotely. Aspen, CO, the Hamptons, Laguna Beach, CA, Marin County towns (would be gay friendly).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

“Pretending” you’re middle class???
Wow, OP. You sound insufferable. Stay in DC.

What's your criticism here exactly?

[Anonymous]

Olney/Brookeville has wealthy families without the rat race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Olney/Brookeville has wealthy families without the rat race.

I’m the poster who left and always thinks about coming back and Olney/Brookeville is exactly where I keep getting drawn to. Can you tell me more about the vibe there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

“Pretending” you’re middle class???
Wow, OP. You sound insufferable. Stay in DC.

What's your criticism here exactly?

There are lots of really wealthy people in dc who are quiet about it and just plugging along - not really in the rat race and doing jobs that they enjoy. Teaching, non profit, social work, etc. I think some of this is your attitude and it’s not going to be any different anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

“Pretending” you’re middle class???
Wow, OP. You sound insufferable. Stay in DC.

What's your criticism here exactly?

There are lots of really wealthy people in dc who are quiet about it and just plugging along - not really in the rat race and doing jobs that they enjoy. Teaching, non profit, social work, etc. I think some of this is your attitude and it’s not going to be any different anywhere else.

Even if you don't want to be part of the rat-race, it is everywhere--- the way people are in parking lots, in grocery stores, the way teachers teach and their expectations that are above developmental norms for many kids, it's the traffic, the rudeness and entitlement. Once you move away from it, you realize people are kinder, chat with you in stores, wave to you from the car, stop for bikes, etc.... parents trust teachers and schools still have fun and let kids be kids while still learning....I get what the OP is talking about and once you separate from the DC metro area these differences are jarring.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t move because of the rat race but because I don’t think DC is that great if a city and I only lived there because of work.

I didn’t want to retire in DC and had an opportunity to move somewhere else. This place has better schools, more outdoor activities and better weather.

I’d be cautious moving to escape the rat race. Every place has a rat race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

Lol

The richest people I know in real life are (1) a NPR reporter (2) art teachers. Like heiress level of money. And they totally cosplay as middle class. Maybe even think they are middle class. Bless. You're going to be OK.

[Anonymous]

If you're truly wealthy and want to feel like you aren't at the top, Los Angeles is the obvious answer. You can get a very nice property in the hills, leave the workaholic culture, while at the same time being surrounded by folks who are far wealthier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the “rat race”?
Can you explain?
I work but I’m not in a rat race.

Uptight people whose life revolves around work and power and one-upping each other
Awful traffic
Lack of good outdoor recreation (sorry, Rock Creek and Whitetail Resort don't cut it)

DC is the quintessential rat race city -- people come here for job opportunities and for political power, and they tend to be competitive. Of course there are exceptions but it is the defining trait of this area. Everyone thinks that they and their friends are not like that, but mostly they are.

I consider the rat race to be - racing to work, racing kids to school and activities, racing to make dinner. I have to wake up and just start hurrying right away. I’m not racing to the top - racing to survive in this area.

We often think of moving. Cash out and live mortgage free somewhere. But there isn’t a reason those places have lower housing costs. There is nothing there.

My in laws live in a lovely historic small town. But there is not much there - no movie theater for example.They know everyone and were teachers - and literally know generations of families.

I think about it - yes, it would be a slower pace - but I think too slow! We were there this weekend - nothing open Sunday night for dinner except a Bob Evan’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

“Pretending” you’re middle class???
Wow, OP. You sound insufferable. Stay in DC.

What's your criticism here exactly?

There are lots of really wealthy people in dc who are quiet about it and just plugging along - not really in the rat race and doing jobs that they enjoy. Teaching, non profit, social work, etc. I think some of this is your attitude and it’s not going to be any different anywhere else.

Not OP here, but I'm guessing OP doesn't work in these traditionally low paying jobs and that's part of the reason why it doesn't make sense to pretend like they're middle class. Maybe they have high paying careers that they like and don't want to switch careers either. I don't think the trick here is to change your job to something that doesn't pay anything. Most of us have worked our entire life to be where we are career wise and there's no sense in giving it up just to cosplay being poor.

FWIW, I get really annoyed when rich people pretend like they're struggling like the rest of us because they're an ~artist~ when everything is actually just funded by family money. And I find it hilarious that some posters feel better being fooled by someone's masking than to know the truth of someone's financial well being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were never in the rat race. Our wealth is from a lucky/savvy investment in stocks, not from our professions or family money. We live a small, middle class life, with parents working flexibly from home most of the time, able to spent time with kids. It's nice.

Teaching our teens to manage what money they have is more important than getting them into highly-paid positions. We value work-life balance enormously.

Congratulations for dong well, Teaching kids to manage money is really important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the “rat race”?
Can you explain?
I work but I’m not in a rat race.

Uptight people whose life revolves around work and power and one-upping each other
Awful traffic
Lack of good outdoor recreation (sorry, Rock Creek and Whitetail Resort don't cut it)

DC is the quintessential rat race city -- people come here for job opportunities and for political power, and they tend to be competitive. Of course there are exceptions but it is the defining trait of this area. Everyone thinks that they and their friends are not like that, but mostly they are.

I consider the rat race to be - racing to work, racing kids to school and activities, racing to make dinner. I have to wake up and just start hurrying right away. I’m not racing to the top - racing to survive in this area.

We often think of moving. Cash out and live mortgage free somewhere. But there isn’t a reason those places have lower housing costs. There is nothing there.

My in laws live in a lovely historic small town. But there is not much there - no movie theater for example.They know everyone and were teachers - and literally know generations of families.

I think about it - yes, it would be a slower pace - but I think too slow! We were there this weekend - nothing open Sunday night for dinner except a Bob Evan’s.

This is kind of clueless. Anyone with kids who is working a job is likely rushing to work. This is not something to the DMV. Millions of families all over the country are rushing to get their kids to daycare, activities, school etc. I’d argue it could be worse with multiple jobs and childcare that isn’t dependable.

Your comment reminds me of a New Yorker article where the author is truly suggesting that trash in riverside park is unique to NY. As if other parks don’t deal with trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the “rat race”?
Can you explain?
I work but I’m not in a rat race.

Uptight people whose life revolves around work and power and one-upping each other
Awful traffic
Lack of good outdoor recreation (sorry, Rock Creek and Whitetail Resort don't cut it)

DC is the quintessential rat race city -- people come here for job opportunities and for political power, and they tend to be competitive. Of course there are exceptions but it is the defining trait of this area. Everyone thinks that they and their friends are not like that, but mostly they are.

We actually have a lot of money kind of unconventionally and still live in DC to be near family. We live in PG county and it’s a pretty good balance so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't actually have to move to leave the rat race. There's plenty of middle class people in the DC area who live normal lives.

Op here. The problem is that we aren’t middle class and pretending that we are is both unrealistic and just dishonest to everybody involved.

“Pretending” you’re middle class???
Wow, OP. You sound insufferable. Stay in DC.

What's your criticism here exactly?

There are lots of really wealthy people in dc who are quiet about it and just plugging along - not really in the rat race and doing jobs that they enjoy. Teaching, non profit, social work, etc. I think some of this is your attitude and it’s not going to be any different anywhere else.

Not OP here, but I'm guessing OP doesn't work in these traditionally low paying jobs and that's part of the reason why it doesn't make sense to pretend like they're middle class. Maybe they have high paying careers that they like and don't want to switch careers either. I don't think the trick here is to change your job to something that doesn't pay anything. Most of us have worked our entire life to be where we are career wise and there's no sense in giving it up just to cosplay being poor.

FWIW, I get really annoyed when rich people pretend like they're struggling like the rest of us because they're an ~artist~ when everything is actually just funded by family money. And I find it hilarious that some posters feel better being fooled by someone's masking than to know the truth of someone's financial well being.

I definitely never “pretend to struggle” but it actually is tricky and complicated to have a lot more money than your neighborhood peers and lateral colleagues. People tend to live and work in economically homogeneous bands, or assume it’s true. And in neighbor chatter people are always talking about interest rates, expensive plumbers, etc. I’m not being “dishonest” exactly if I don’t say “I don’t have a mortgage because of inheritance and I dgaf what the plumber costs.” You can imagine how that would go over.

It wouldn’t matter if I moved to a more expensive neighborhood either because people max out their housing and live on a budget way up the scale, past where I could afford anyway. And we like our house and neighborhood.