Tell me about living in the SF Bay area vs. Arlington/DC
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Anonymous
| The main difference for me is that in DC they’re a much better vibe overall. The Metro is safe, clean, and convenient. DC is surprisingly walkable and it feels pretty safe to walk around, even at night. There isn’t drug use or poop on the streets, WAY less homeless everywhere, and just less shady people on the streets. I’m a Bay Area native and would never walk all over and take public transportation everywhere in SF, Oakland, or even San Jose the way everyone does in DC. |
Anonymous
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I use to live in DC (foggy bottom) and NOVA (courthouse). I now have been in SF for 10+ years and haven't looked back.
Pro's: Great weather, no humidity, laid back, nice people. Water on 3 sides of the city and terrific views. Great restaurants. Liberal but also chilled out. Wine country and great wine is an hour away. People are friendly. Con's: $$$, Very expensive housing. Unreliable public schools so we go private which is expensive. Could be more diverse. |
Anonymous
What is your HHI there be here. We make $400k in DC, think to have similar lifestyle we need $800k? |
Anonymous
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I grew up on the Peninsula, spent and number of years in DC, then lived in SF proper (Cow Hollow) for 16 years then Palo Alto for another 2. We moved to DC area (Chevy Chase MD) because my wife is from here and wanted ti raise our kids closer to her family. Here’s the way I look at it
DC is MUCH more affordable and it’s really not even close. So it’s go that going for it. The suburbs are generally nice and you get a pretty good variety. With a few exceptions though you have to be okay with post war brick boxes. If you are from here the weather is probably fine for you. It’s fine for me too for the most part but the summers I’ve found to be brutal with the heat and humidity. Downtown DC is fine but clearly not without its problems, like most major cities. The food scene has a long long way to go compared to the Bay Area and other metro areas, but it’s improved a ton and is absolutely on the upswing. As for the people, I’ve found people are people. There’s a holes everywhere. In DC I’ve found it’s the people that put on airs and take themselves very seriously. Insufferable. In SF it’s the wannabe techies that are self-styled “visionaries”. Insufferable. Behind those two groups you get all kinds in both places. I’ve found that in the Bay Area people tend to “sweat the small stuff” way less than DC but that might be my own bias. Much much more to do if you’re outdoorsy in the Bay Area. Sierras, ocean, desert all right there. From a physical beauty perspective the bay area and the DMV are hard to compare. I find MoCo to be pretty if I squint hard enough. The Chesapeake is wonderful though and I do love it. The weather is all microclimates in the Bay Area. If you live in SF you will find the summers foggy and cold a lot. If you drive an hour south to Palo Alto you will find a beautiful day that very same day. The weather on the peninsula and in parts of Marin and east bay is tough to beat. As for a lot of the scuttle about downtown SF being a cesspool: in some parts of the city such as the tenderloin that comment is merited. Other places can have their rough moments as well. But it’s not gangs or that type of violence, it’s the druggies and crazies. MOST of the city though is just fine. Those who make blanket statements either have not spent real time there, are being politically provocative, or are (insert adjective) whose comments don’t warrant reading. Bottom line: both great places, both different cultures with strong streaks of similarity. Bay Area is leaps and bounds more expensive though. |
Anonymous
Yes, the weather is great except when there are wildfires. |
Anonymous
The wildfires impact mostly inland areas, not the Bay Area, especially the Peninsula, though it can impact air quality at times. I would take the Peninsula area over DC area in a heartbeat if money was not an issue. |
Anonymous
no heat or ac bills |
Anonymous
except for the air quality and having to wear a KN95 or respirator even in the city |
Anonymous
NoCal is perfect weather. Hiking there is beautiful too |
Anonymous
| Hot take: SF and close in East bay weather stinks for this of us who like actual hot. You can't never wear a skirt, shorts, sun dress all day long. |
Anonymous
except when you have to wear a special mask because of all the smoke which does happen even in the city these days |
Anonymous
When I moved from DC proper to SF, my paycheck went up because CA taxes were lower than DC taxes. |
Anonymous
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OP, it will be 3X the cost for you.
There aren't lower housing cost options you might luck into, or cave-in and accept, not like there are in the DMV area. |