Are you too experiencing a different DC culture than the one everyone complains about?

[Anonymous]

23:17 - I agree with the latter part of your argument, but the former part makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will concede that heading for bridges into Virginia can be trouble, but that's not really "DC" traffic. Routes coinciding with backed up VA traffic can usually be avoided, or at least the coincidences can be minimized.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You do realize, don't you, that the District of Columbia was carved out specifically as the seat of the federal government, right? Or are you unaware of that bit of history. In other words, the only reason it is a city of any significance and not some podunk town is because of the feds. And the individuals who WORK in the institutions that make up the federal government are in fact part of the "real" DC even if they live in VA or MD - in fact more integral to the existence of the city than those who are wholly independent of the feds. Therefore, I think their traffic counts as part of the "real DC" traffic. Without those feds (and accompanying lobbyists, legal types, NGO's, and associations employees who flock to this city because the government is here) there would be precious little DC traffic period.

Whoa. Calm down. I think you're overthinking this. I think what PP meant is if you can avoid the areas where people are going over bridges at rush hour, you'll be okay. For example, I work in Columbia Heights and live in Glover Park. I take the bus, but if I drove I'd just go Columbia Road to Conn, go down Florida, come out somewhere on Mass, take a left on Calvert, cross over Wisconsin to continue on Calvert, and boom... I'm home. No muss no fuss. 20-25 minutes.

Yes, thank you. I also meant that people who know their way around the city can usually find more than a few alternative routes that can bypass traffic hotspots or minimize time spent following more common suburban commuter routes.

I'd call the messy bridges to VA backed up VA traffic rather than getting around DC traffic, because getting around DC itself can be accomplished with relative ease most of the time.

[Anonymous]

I think what gets folks annoyed is the endless talk about how great things are back home. Low cost of living, low traffic, lakes of beer, fountains of the finest vodka ...

Most of the heavy duty complainers are spouses who were brought along more or less for the spouse's career, or are just perennial malcontents who were unhappy back home and will be unhappy if they went back home.

[Anonymous]

I could do without the high housing prices and my annoying commute. (I drive 12 miles a day, plus metro, but the driving part is extremely high-stress.) Otherwise, I like DC a lot.

[Anonymous]

Spouse of someone who came here for a job, who also loved where I grew up (Richmond). I'm actually pretty happy here, but I always thought it was because we live AND work in the burbs. Housing is better and DH still gets DC pay and sophisticated clients. Traffic is mostly fine b/c we don't stray too far unless it's the weekend. I still wish my parents were local and we could have a "Richmond house" but other than that I am content and lots of upside to living here.

[Anonymous]

OP, where do you live? I don't "hate" the "DC culture," but as someone with a higher income than yours it does get me down that our housing options here are so much more expensive than in lots of other parts of the country. I know that's hardly unique to DC, and since our professional options are almost exclusively centered here, I can't really do anything about it. But I'd love to know your secret of finding a great house with great schools and an easy commute - please share!!

[Anonymous]

I too am very happy here. Single mom, $110k, nice house, safe neighborhood, good school, not a bad commute (even though it is FAIRFAX oh-the-horror). Love our area. People are nice. Except the drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:10, where do you live?

adams morgan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, where do you live? I don't "hate" the "DC culture," but as someone with a higher income than yours it does get me down that our housing options here are so much more expensive than in lots of other parts of the country. I know that's hardly unique to DC, and since our professional options are almost exclusively centered here, I can't really do anything about it. But I'd love to know your secret of finding a great house with great schools and an easy commute - please share!!

OP again. At the risk of having others disagree with me that my new neighborhood is great (to each their own - it works perfectly for us!), we live in the neighborhood near downtown Silver Spring. Walking distance to the SS Metro (and to lots of restaurants, Whole Foods, Safeway, etc), close enough to DC that we can get to the museums, etc. quickly, quick access to 495 and 95, elementary/middle/HS that I would actually send my kids too (and plan to), housing in the $500k range (yes, smaller and older, but we found one that was renovated and updated and has enough bedrooms/bathrooms/finished basement/small yard. Great neighbors with lots of young kids, lots of diversity. We love it.

Others who have found good balance in the DC area - where are you?

[Anonymous]

Also Adams Morgan. Not losing any sleep over the size of my (owned) apartment.

[Anonymous]

Columbia Heights. Nice-sized, renovated house we bought years ago, long before the Target and whatall. Three blocks to groceries, restaurants, metro, etc.

Obvious concern now is schools; kids weren't even part of our plan when we bought, but now, if we don't get into a good charter, we'll have to move. That is the sum total of my living-in-DC stress.

[Anonymous]

To me, the key is to work near where you live. Our home, my office and the kids' school is within a 3 mile radius, as are all of their friends and most of their activities. We're in the Virginia suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Columbia Heights. Nice-sized, renovated house we bought years ago, long before the Target and whatall. Three blocks to groceries, restaurants, metro, etc.

Obvious concern now is schools; kids weren't even part of our plan when we bought, but now, if we don't get into a good charter, we'll have to move. That is the sum total of my living-in-DC stress.

I'm in the burbs because the crowding, noise and dirt of the city get to me. That would be stressful for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:10, where do you live?

Not that PP, but I would guess Adams Morgan or Columbia Heights from the description. I loved living there!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18:10, where do you live?

Not that PP, but I would guess Adams Morgan or Columbia Heights from the description. I loved living there!!

me again. or mount pleasant.