Pros and Cons of Moving to DC Area

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound like a pain in the ass. Please move to NWDC or Bethesda, not to McLean.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC metro area once before, and are considering a move back for professional reasons. Would you currently recommend this area as a place to live? How is traffic now? How are the people (still competitive)? How is the current cost if living and quality of life? Is it getting too built up or crowded? We could afford a nice neighborhood and good schools, but even then is life stressful?

I adore DC - I think it is the best place in the united states to raise kids and is without a doubt the least stressful location for us. That said, we have grandparents in town who are extraordinarily helpful - both with their time in taking care of our kids, doing errands for us, and being generally supportive and with their money (of which there is lots). My husband has a very strong legacy at a "Big 3" and he has a trust to pay for our kids to go there from K through 12, but as a back-up we live in a NWDC neighborhood with a fabulous elementary school. This means our commutes are easy so no traffic headaches to speak of. To top it off, we both work in flexible, interesting, high paying jobs that we couldn't have anywhere else. We also have a beach house we inherited from my grandparents and a legacy membership to two country clubs. Now I realize that none of this is helpful because it all only applies to me and my family, but since you don't seem to care for any of the objective measures of comparison I figured I'd share our limited experience.

OP here. Then it sounds like our children might be in school together.

If you can afford to live in Upper Ward 3, any stress in your life is entirely within your control. Given how you bristled at innocuous (for this forum) questions such as household income, I suspect you bring a good deal of stress upon yourself.

PP, thanks for the help, it is genuinely appreciated. Will I be asked about my income by fellow parents at the schools, or by my neighbors? I assume the answer is no, because those questions are not generally asked. That is the only reason that I bristled. I certainly hope to meet you around the neighborhood, or in the school one day though.

[Anonymous]

OP, having read through this entire thread, I would say that the congeniality, niceness, helpfulness, neighborliness, and can-help spirit of those of us in DC, MD, VA is the best reason to move here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, what will your income be?

As I said previously, sufficient to afford a good neighborhood and schools. That should not be the focus.

Wow, you are a treat. I really want to help you. OK, SE DC is GREAT now! Live there.

+1

Bossy, bossy, bossy. You know you're asking people to take their time to help you, right?

Yeah, you'll fit right in. Come on back.

I certainly apologize to all you would-be helpers for any personal offense, but is it polite to ask "what will your income be?" It certainly is not polite to ask someone "how much do you earn?" in most places. Is this something that I should be aware of, that these type of personal questions are commonplace in DC? Will we get asked often "what do you make"?

It would not be polite if we were having a conversation face to face. However, this is an anonymous forum. We're asking not to judge you, but because if you want a house 10-15 minutes away from downtown DC, you will likely need a very expensive house.

I don't know - ask any fed what grade they are and they do not hesitate to share. That is the same thing as asking - and answering - salary questions. It is common place around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC metro area once before, and are considering a move back for professional reasons. Would you currently recommend this area as a place to live? How is traffic now? How are the people (still competitive)? How is the current cost if living and quality of life? Is it getting too built up or crowded? We could afford a nice neighborhood and good schools, but even then is life stressful?

I adore DC - I think it is the best place in the united states to raise kids and is without a doubt the least stressful location for us. That said, we have grandparents in town who are extraordinarily helpful - both with their time in taking care of our kids, doing errands for us, and being generally supportive and with their money (of which there is lots). My husband has a very strong legacy at a "Big 3" and he has a trust to pay for our kids to go there from K through 12, but as a back-up we live in a NWDC neighborhood with a fabulous elementary school. This means our commutes are easy so no traffic headaches to speak of. To top it off, we both work in flexible, interesting, high paying jobs that we couldn't have anywhere else. We also have a beach house we inherited from my grandparents and a legacy membership to two country clubs. Now I realize that none of this is helpful because it all only applies to me and my family, but since you don't seem to care for any of the objective measures of comparison I figured I'd share our limited experience.

OP here. Then it sounds like our children might be in school together.

If you can afford to live in Upper Ward 3, any stress in your life is entirely within your control. Given how you bristled at innocuous (for this forum) questions such as household income, I suspect you bring a good deal of stress upon yourself.

PP, thanks for the help, it is genuinely appreciated. Will I be asked about my income by fellow parents at the schools, or by my neighbors? I assume the answer is no, because those questions are not generally asked. That is the only reason that I bristled. I certainly hope to meet you around the neighborhood, or in the school one day though.

I can't even imagine what you must be like in real life. It's hard to believe this is even real, I'm beginning to suspect you're just bored and looking for something to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, what will your income be?

As I said previously, sufficient to afford a good neighborhood and schools. That should not be the focus.

Wow, you are a treat. I really want to help you. OK, SE DC is GREAT now! Live there.

+1

Bossy, bossy, bossy. You know you're asking people to take their time to help you, right?

Yeah, you'll fit right in. Come on back.

I certainly apologize to all you would-be helpers for any personal offense, but is it polite to ask "what will your income be?" It certainly is not polite to ask someone "how much do you earn?" in most places. Is this something that I should be aware of, that these type of personal questions are commonplace in DC? Will we get asked often "what do you make"?

It would not be polite if we were having a conversation face to face. However, this is an anonymous forum. We're asking not to judge you, but because if you want a house 10-15 minutes away from downtown DC, you will likely need a very expensive house.

I don't know - ask any fed what grade they are and they do not hesitate to share. That is the same thing as asking - and answering - salary questions. It is common place around here.

That's because it's public info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, what will your income be?

As I said previously, sufficient to afford a good neighborhood and schools. That should not be the focus.

Wow, you are a treat. I really want to help you. OK, SE DC is GREAT now! Live there.

+1

Bossy, bossy, bossy. You know you're asking people to take their time to help you, right?

Yeah, you'll fit right in. Come on back.

I certainly apologize to all you would-be helpers for any personal offense, but is it polite to ask "what will your income be?" It certainly is not polite to ask someone "how much do you earn?" in most places. Is this something that I should be aware of, that these type of personal questions are commonplace in DC? Will we get asked often "what do you make"?

It would not be polite if we were having a conversation face to face. However, this is an anonymous forum. We're asking not to judge you, but because if you want a house 10-15 minutes away from downtown DC, you will likely need a very expensive house.

I don't know - ask any fed what grade they are and they do not hesitate to share. That is the same thing as asking - and answering - salary questions. It is common place around here.

But nobody who isn't a fed is ever asked what they earn. I've worked here since '95, and have never been asked. (Outside of DCUM, anyway)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the DC metro area once before, and are considering a move back for professional reasons. Would you currently recommend this area as a place to live? How is traffic now? How are the people (still competitive)? How is the current cost if living and quality of life? Is it getting too built up or crowded? We could afford a nice neighborhood and good schools, but even then is life stressful?

I adore DC - I think it is the best place in the united states to raise kids and is without a doubt the least stressful location for us. That said, we have grandparents in town who are extraordinarily helpful - both with their time in taking care of our kids, doing errands for us, and being generally supportive and with their money (of which there is lots). My husband has a very strong legacy at a "Big 3" and he has a trust to pay for our kids to go there from K through 12, but as a back-up we live in a NWDC neighborhood with a fabulous elementary school. This means our commutes are easy so no traffic headaches to speak of. To top it off, we both work in flexible, interesting, high paying jobs that we couldn't have anywhere else. We also have a beach house we inherited from my grandparents and a legacy membership to two country clubs. Now I realize that none of this is helpful because it all only applies to me and my family, but since you don't seem to care for any of the objective measures of comparison I figured I'd share our limited experience.

OP here. Then it sounds like our children might be in school together.

If you can afford to live in Upper Ward 3, any stress in your life is entirely within your control. Given how you bristled at innocuous (for this forum) questions such as household income, I suspect you bring a good deal of stress upon yourself.

PP, thanks for the help, it is genuinely appreciated. Will I be asked about my income by fellow parents at the schools, or by my neighbors? I assume the answer is no, because those questions are not generally asked. That is the only reason that I bristled. I certainly hope to meet you around the neighborhood, or in the school one day though.

Okay then. You will likely fit in, but not unless you adjust your attitude. People are not going to rollout the red carpet for you unless you have a certain capital. Even those with a lot of $$$ knows that. People here ask question because they like their city and are trying to help you have a good landing. But here you are acting all important already and you haven't arrive here yet. Yes, you'll get some snarky remark form people but your responses are not helping either. I'll tell you what, you won't have as easy time adjusting here unless you give a little. Maybe you've forgotten, the name of the game here isn't like anywhere else. People don't have patience for aloofness around here, contrary to what you read. You've got to put out some to get some.

[Anonymous]

Op here: I am writing an article about DC. Want to make sure it is the same as when I left 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here: I am writing an article about DC. Want to make sure it is the same as when I left 20 years ago.

Oh for the love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I adore DC - I think it is the best place in the united states to raise kids and is without a doubt the least stressful location for us. That said, we have grandparents in town who are extraordinarily helpful - both with their time in taking care of our kids, doing errands for us, and being generally supportive and with their money (of which there is lots). My husband has a very strong legacy at a "Big 3" and he has a trust to pay for our kids to go there from K through 12, but as a back-up we live in a NWDC neighborhood with a fabulous elementary school. This means our commutes are easy so no traffic headaches to speak of. To top it off, we both work in flexible, interesting, high paying jobs that we couldn't have anywhere else. We also have a beach house we inherited from my grandparents and a legacy membership to two country clubs. Now I realize that none of this is helpful because it all only applies to me and my family, but since you don't seem to care for any of the objective measures of comparison I figured I'd share our limited experience.

Wow, must be nice, PP. Now, let me give you the exact opposite perspective. DH and I have excellent jobs, but it's not enough for this area. We've been here between 10-15 years and we're fed up with the cost of living, the housing prices and the crappy houses you get for these exorbitant prices, the traffic, congestion, overcrowded everything, waitlists to do everything, competitive nature of everyone, and the crappy public schools in DC and Montgo. Co. We can't afford private, we can't afford a decent home, and let me say again, we have excellent jobs and two master's degrees.

If your life mirrors the PP's above, then you'll be quite happy here. If you are more like me, you'll be looking for a way out - although we can't seem to get out because smaller cities don't have jobs for us. Lose/lose.

[Anonymous]

Op here: I am writing an article about DC. Want to make sure it is the same as when I left 20 years ago.

Then you should do your own research. I'm not going to do your work for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here: I am writing an article about DC. Want to make sure it is the same as when I left 20 years ago.

I am OP, that person just co-opted the thread because I am not writing an article.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Op here: I am writing an article about DC. Want to make sure it is the same as when I left 20 years ago.

Then you should do your own research. I'm not going to do your work for you.

I can assure you that was not me, but clearly someone looking to start an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, what will your income be?

As I said previously, sufficient to afford a good neighborhood and schools. That should not be the focus.

Wow, you are a treat. I really want to help you. OK, SE DC is GREAT now! Live there.

+1

Bossy, bossy, bossy. You know you're asking people to take their time to help you, right?

Yeah, you'll fit right in. Come on back.

I certainly apologize to all you would-be helpers for any personal offense, but is it polite to ask "what will your income be?" It certainly is not polite to ask someone "how much do you earn?" in most places. Is this something that I should be aware of, that these type of personal questions are commonplace in DC? Will we get asked often "what do you make"?

I'm the PP to whom you responded. While people will not ask you outright about your income, you will be asked often and immediately by total strangers what you do for a living. DC is the only place I have ever lived in which this is not only socially acceptable, but expected.