Living in close in Bethesda or DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have lived near AU and in Bethesda. They are pretty much equal. The big question is what you plan to do on weekends. Some people like to go deeper into the city for museums, concerts, etc. Others like to go further out -- to the state parks and cheaper stores and big open spaces that you find more easily in MD and VA. We fell in to the second category once we had kids so Bethesda was a better fit for us.

We also lived not to far from AU, and now in Bethesda. It was a revelation to get to MoCo and have better access to its recreational programs, nature centers, etc. I'm not much into shopping, but I appreciate the easiest access to stores now on those occasions we do need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC and prefer it, but another thing to think about is jury duty. People who live in DC get called to do it constantly, and people who would be excused in other states end up having to serve in DC. It is a major PITA.

This is such a good point. I got called every 2.5 years like clockwork when I lived in DC, and have lived in Montgomery County for years and JUST got my first summons. But, even when you are doing jury duty here, it is easier - you can drive and there is ample parking, and you can call in the night before and you might not be needed. In DC you go and wait four hours to find out you won't be needed.

And some of the cases in DC were pretty nasty - luckily I got picked for a dog bite case, but avoided a child abuse case that would have been awful to sit through.

As with anything, not everyone's experience is the same. I've lived in DC for 9 years and just got my first jury summons a few months ago. It was easy to get there via Metro and I thought it was well-organized. I got plenty of work done on my laptop before I was dismissed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC and prefer it, but another thing to think about is jury duty. People who live in DC get called to do it constantly, and people who would be excused in other states end up having to serve in DC. It is a major PITA.

This is such a good point. I got called every 2.5 years like clockwork when I lived in DC, and have lived in Montgomery County for years and JUST got my first summons. But, even when you are doing jury duty here, it is easier - you can drive and there is ample parking, and you can call in the night before and you might not be needed. In DC you go and wait four hours to find out you won't be needed.

And some of the cases in DC were pretty nasty - luckily I got picked for a dog bite case, but avoided a child abuse case that would have been awful to sit through.

As with anything, not everyone's experience is the same. I've lived in DC for 9 years and just got my first jury summons a few months ago. It was easy to get there via Metro and I thought it was well-organized. I got plenty of work done on my laptop before I was dismissed.

It is a known fact though that there is a smaller pool of applicants and more cases in DC courts. For example, the dog bite case I sat in on were two residents of other states (VA) but because it happened on the national Mall they were doing the case in DC. Just more crimes, and a smaller pool for many reasons. You were lucky not to get called so often.

I didn't appreciate the long waits - I like being able to call in ahead of time. It's not just a DC thing but it is a big city issue.

[Anonymous]

The jury duty thing is funny. I lived in DC for three years and was called three times (I never had to serve on a case). It's tied to your voter registration, I think, and there must be a small pool of registered voters.

[Anonymous]

Spring Valley is far tonier than any part of Bethesda. Although there are not a lot of kids.

You are kidding, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And some of the cases in DC were pretty nasty - luckily I got picked for a dog bite case, but avoided a child abuse case that would have been awful to sit through.

Right. Because there is no child abuse in MD at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And some of the cases in DC were pretty nasty - luckily I got picked for a dog bite case, but avoided a child abuse case that would have been awful to sit through.

Right. Because there is no child abuse in MD at all.

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Spring Valley is far tonier than any part of Bethesda. Although there are not a lot of kids.

You are kidding, right?

Kidding about what? Bethesda isn't Spring Valley. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in the District for eleven years, have never missed voting in any election and have only been called to jury duty once - 10 years ago! But, I'm different - I actually want to serve. I think it's cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've lived in the District for eleven years, have never missed voting in any election and have only been called to jury duty once - 10 years ago! But, I'm different - I actually want to serve. I think it's cool.

It may be cool, but if you get a bad case, it can be all consuming. Plus, it inevitably comes at an inconvenient time, at least for me. You basically have to drop everything. If it's a day or two, fine, but if it's longer it can really be disruptive.

I really don't think anyone was saying don't move to DC because of jury duty, but in the list of pros and cons, it goes as a con IMO.