When in doubt, blame DC

[Anonymous]

Well, I'd leave if I could, but it's not so simple. My husband's best career prospects are here, and at this point, we wouldn't be able to live as well as we'd like to in NYC, which is where we'd much rather be. So it's a compromise, and not such a bad one since we can at least live in a part of DC we like, but I still chafe and would like to see things get livelier here in general. I'm invested now and have to work toward improvement in any way I can.

I once read that "DC is a small town person's idea of what a big city should be." It stung pretty badly, but rings true. And while I know that other countries also have separate political and cultural capitals, I think we don't represent the nation so admirably.

I also realize that plenty of people who live here like a quiet DC it just fine. I wish they wouldn't be so complacent. My vision is different, and I'm going to do everything I can to push for change. Yes, that should include addressing the poverty, but there should be a corollary to Godwin's Law that applies to anyone who tries to end a discussion of how to make lighter things better with "How can you be so frivolous when there are people living in poverty?"

So yes, DC is robbing ME of something I WANT, but since I'm drawn here by the regrettable presence of the Federal government, I have a stake in the character of the city, too.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't live in DC. I live in VA. And smiling at strangers isn't going to bridge this socioeconomic gap or make the murder rate come down.

Very insightful - BRAVO!

For those who realize most of us are in fact here for jobs (which we are glad to have) - in exchange for (hopefully) temporary sacrifices; realize that the "sentence" is not forever, and try to remember what your parents did, in fact, teach you.

The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't live in DC. I live in VA. And smiling at strangers isn't going to bridge this socioeconomic gap or make the murder rate come down.

Very insightful - BRAVO!

For those who realize most of us are in fact here for jobs (which we are glad to have) - in exchange for (hopefully) temporary sacrifices; realize that the "sentence" is not forever, and try to remember what your parents did, in fact, teach you.

The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

It took three pages until the "don't blame DC" thread included a post saying that people from DC are somehow less worthy than other people. Way to go!

[Anonymous]

In honor of this thread things I love about DC:
1. The diversity. Having been born and raised in two different metropolitan areas in the Northeast (neither of them being DC), and having been schooled in a major metro area in the Midwest, I'm continuously amazed by the diversity of language and culture here. A lot of that is because of the embassies and other intra-national organizations here, and I'm grateful for that.

2. The incredible job opportunities. From the federal government (White House, Capitol Hill, departments and independent agencies) to the embassies to the intra-national orgs to the trade associations, this is a pretty phenom place to work for the highly educated who seek it out in droves.

3. The high level of education across the board. DC boasts the highest per capita population of graduate degrees in the country. In practical terms, that means that, on a daily basis, I'm surrounded by (and constantly challenged by) smart and interesting people that are well-schooled, well-traveled, and have a lot to contribute to society (both to DC society and to the country and internationally, as well). There's something to be said for living in a place where you are actually jealous of the fabulous jobs and/or lives other people have, and you want to strive for that as well. It's not something I've experienced in any other place.

4. The culture. No, it's not New York (this to the PP who has resigned herself to living in Sleepy Washington), and in my view, thank god it's not New York. I love living in a place where people care more about politics, schools, and jobs than they do about Fashion Week and celebrities. And from the Kennedy Center to Wooly Mammoth to some of the most amazing museums (free!!) on earth, the culture here is pretty great. That doesn't include all the diverse restaurants and types of cuisines that aren't so easy to find in most other cities (except, I grant you, New York, Chicago, and a few others).

5. The natural beauty - yes, I said it! Take a walk along the banks of the Potomac or through Rock Creek Park or through Roosevelt Island or one of the many other gorgeous wooded areas in our metropolitan area. This place is pretty darn beautiful (okay, not all parts of it). I think it compares favorably to even those cities that are known for their natural beauty, but particularly so to most other major metropolitan cities (I'm looking at you, New York), which are *not* known for being particularly nature-friendly.

Those are just a few of the reasons I love this place. As for the perceived negatives - snobbiness, entitlement, special clubs, extraordinary wealth - those things tend to be present in any metropolitan area that boasts of all the good things (education, job opportunities, etc.) that Washington has. Given Washington's unique status in the world, of course that also goes hand-in-hand with some of these other things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:--mean DC people don't like it when I slow my SUV to a crawl so I can breastfeed on my way to work

Okay, this is a bit of a hijack (sorry!), but do people really breastfeed while driving/riding in a car?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I don't live in DC. I live in VA. And smiling at strangers isn't going to bridge this socioeconomic gap or make the murder rate come down.

Very insightful - BRAVO!

For those who realize most of us are in fact here for jobs (which we are glad to have) - in exchange for (hopefully) temporary sacrifices; realize that the "sentence" is not forever, and try to remember what your parents did, in fact, teach you.

The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

Here for my job and intend to stay because I love living here. (That is, I started loving it once I got the heck out of Georgetown.) This is the best combination of small town and big city I've ever found. Not a sacrifice for me at all. Okay the summers are very humid but other than that....

I know it's not for everyone though -- but I'm okay with you not liking it as long as you're not a snob about me liking it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

Really -- I hadn't noticed that my neighbors (who work as janitors, supermarket cashiers, and security guards) felt particularly entitled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

Really -- I hadn't noticed that my neighbors (who work as janitors, supermarket cashiers, and security guards) felt particularly entitled.

Agreed. I suspect much of the District east of the Anacostia would disagree with that assessment as well.

[Anonymous]

Funny, I thought it meant "when in doubt, blame dear child"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Detroit now holds that title--murder capital of the US. Also, aren't there usually rich and poor people everywhere, just depends on how you define it geographically.

Yes, the "murder capital" thing is 10-15 years out of date. Has it been that long since Virginian PP dared to venture beyond the Mall? DC proper has become a much more affluent place since then, benefiting from the boom years and a renewed taste for urban living among many people who have options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I'd leave if I could, but it's not so simple. My husband's best career prospects are here, and at this point, we wouldn't be able to live as well as we'd like to in NYC, which is where we'd much rather be. So it's a compromise, and not such a bad one since we can at least live in a part of DC we like, but I still chafe and would like to see things get livelier here in general. I'm invested now and have to work toward improvement in any way I can.

I once read that "DC is a small town person's idea of what a big city should be." It stung pretty badly, but rings true. And while I know that other countries also have separate political and cultural capitals, I think we don't represent the nation so admirably.

I also realize that plenty of people who live here like a quiet DC it just fine. I wish they wouldn't be so complacent. My vision is different, and I'm going to do everything I can to push for change. Yes, that should include addressing the poverty, but there should be a corollary to Godwin's Law that applies to anyone who tries to end a discussion of how to make lighter things better with "How can you be so frivolous when there are people living in poverty?"

So yes, DC is robbing ME of something I WANT, but since I'm drawn here by the regrettable presence of the Federal government, I have a stake in the character of the city, too.

Hard to take anything seriously when you have freely chosen to be here because you "wouldn't be able to live as well in NYC" as here. And yet you bash DC? If you want to be in NYC, then accept a lower standard of living and do so. Otherwise, stop complaining!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The people I meet who seem to feel most entitled happen to be from here, sorry to say.

Really -- I hadn't noticed that my neighbors (who work as janitors, supermarket cashiers, and security guards) felt particularly entitled.

Agreed. I suspect much of the District east of the Anacostia would disagree with that assessment as well.

Heck, east of the park! Or east of Georgia Avenue anyway!

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why this has to be negative. I "bash" DC all the time but secretly I am proud -

-people here ARE anxious - but that is because we are in the center of the world (outside of NY) and are a target, and there's lots of traffic and congestion.

-people here ARE competitive - but that is because there are a lot of smart, educated, ambitious, talented people here and there is a lot of opportunity.

-people here are fast-paced, it's expensive etc.

All those things are true but those things mean there are opportunities, diversity, resources, etc. I've been here for 11 years and I take pride in the fact I am able to own a home, raise a family, have a great career. Many folks wouldn't be able to hack it here. I can adapt. I can take it. I'm from DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I'd leave if I could, but it's not so simple. My husband's best career prospects are here, and at this point, we wouldn't be able to live as well as we'd like to in NYC, which is where we'd much rather be. So it's a compromise, and not such a bad one since we can at least live in a part of DC we like, but I still chafe and would like to see things get livelier here in general. I'm invested now and have to work toward improvement in any way I can.

I once read that "DC is a small town person's idea of what a big city should be." It stung pretty badly, but rings true. And while I know that other countries also have separate political and cultural capitals, I think we don't represent the nation so admirably.

I also realize that plenty of people who live here like a quiet DC it just fine. I wish they wouldn't be so complacent. My vision is different, and I'm going to do everything I can to push for change. Yes, that should include addressing the poverty, but there should be a corollary to Godwin's Law that applies to anyone who tries to end a discussion of how to make lighter things better with "How can you be so frivolous when there are people living in poverty?"

So yes, DC is robbing ME of something I WANT, but since I'm drawn here by the regrettable presence of the Federal government, I have a stake in the character of the city, too.

Hard to take anything seriously when you have freely chosen to be here because you "wouldn't be able to live as well in NYC" as here. And yet you bash DC? If you want to be in NYC, then accept a lower standard of living and do so. Otherwise, stop complaining!

Reasonable, but I think you're assuming a higher standard of living for me here than the one I've got. Life is full of trade-offs, and we're already making painful ones to live modestly but centrally in DC. The biggest obstacle is that DH's career path is focused here with relatively few options in NYC. We just didn't play our cards right in this respect. When he made the career decision, I had never lived in a small city before and didn't anticipate that I wouldn't like it. He had also gotten used to a larger city and misses the lifestyle... but it's just past the edge of our means now. "Freely choosing" means evaluating options and making compromises. That decision is made, at least for the next few years. But DC is undergoing big changes and I can support the progress I see and argue against impediments to progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I'd leave if I could, but it's not so simple. My husband's best career prospects are here, and at this point, we wouldn't be able to live as well as we'd like to in NYC, which is where we'd much rather be. So it's a compromise, and not such a bad one since we can at least live in a part of DC we like, but I still chafe and would like to see things get livelier here in general. I'm invested now and have to work toward improvement in any way I can.

I once read that "DC is a small town person's idea of what a big city should be." It stung pretty badly, but rings true. And while I know that other countries also have separate political and cultural capitals, I think we don't represent the nation so admirably.

I also realize that plenty of people who live here like a quiet DC it just fine. I wish they wouldn't be so complacent. My vision is different, and I'm going to do everything I can to push for change. Yes, that should include addressing the poverty, but there should be a corollary to Godwin's Law that applies to anyone who tries to end a discussion of how to make lighter things better with "How can you be so frivolous when there are people living in poverty?"

So yes, DC is robbing ME of something I WANT, but since I'm drawn here by the regrettable presence of the Federal government, I have a stake in the character of the city, too.

Hard to take anything seriously when you have freely chosen to be here because you "wouldn't be able to live as well in NYC" as here. And yet you bash DC? If you want to be in NYC, then accept a lower standard of living and do so. Otherwise, stop complaining!

I think that this poster is here mostly because of the husband's career prospects (as she suggested), not because the cost of living is lower than NY; otherwise, DC certainly wouldn't be the best place for her. Iowa might be. But in general, I agree with your sentiment; it's hard to take the complaining of these people seriously when they have clearly chosen to live here because of some ostensible advantages!