Is living in the DMV considered a failure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Other lower COL places seem great until you live there. I lived in one such place for 5 years and missed the DMV area so much.

Along with living in a lower COL area comes a lower salary. It also comes with fewer if any museums, sports teams, musical venues, etc.

The best, IMO, is living in the V of the DMV. Why? Better roads & drivers than in the M. Less crime than in the D. But you're close enough to the D & M to visit for their experiences like the museums, sports, theatre, etc.

Just say you're a Neo-Confederate and get it over with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys, this thread is a joke.

See: “is it considered a failure to live in a condo?”…which unfortunately wasn’t a joke but spawned the hilarious “it is considered a failure to live in the suburbs?”

Yeah, yeah, but I feel like it's a more valid question. It's idiotic to worry about whether someone lives in a condo, and everyone knows the suburbs suck. I think this thread has gotten far more valid responses than the other two combined.

[Anonymous]

After living all over the country, I've decided that DC is the best and most livable spot. About a decade into my 30 years here, I decided that moving "back home" would be a good idea to raise our kids. That lasted 3 years and then, out of pure boredom and fear of raising little idiots, came back. We'll never leave again.

Don't take DC for granted for all the reasons already cited.

Educated population, career and economic stability, cultural opportunities, children can learn history by actually visiting government and battlefields, good healthcare, architecturally interesting, great mix of cuisines, and the theater scene (while not wonderful) is as decent as you'll get outside of NYC. Four seasons, and none of them horrible with fall foliage and spring blossoms. Proximity to mountains, bay, ocean, vineyards, farms, and NYC can be a day trip. As expensive as real estate is, you get a LOT more for your money than in NYC or California, which are the only other two places I'd want to live in this country. Easy flights to Europe. Public transportation could be better but it's mostly clean and comparatively dependable.

I'm a Washingtonian now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If having an MD and a PhD and working to cure cancer at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda is a failure...

... then you are beyond hope, OP.

They’ve been trying to cure cancer fir a century and it is still rampant.

Actually not. Mortality for certain cancers has gone WAY DOWN. But I guess you're one of those people who can only be grateful if YOU get cancer.

Not wishing you anything, mind.

[Anonymous]

I’m a third generation native. This is home.

I have traveled all over the world, but have never wanted to live anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a third generation native. This is home.

I have traveled all over the world, but have never wanted to live anywhere else.

What kind of accent do you have?

[Anonymous]

If you think the museums are the only thing going for this area please move.

[Anonymous]

No, but posting about the “DMV” is.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1208918.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I enjoyed most aspects of living in North Bethesda and working in DC.

The big negatives were:

Real estate cost/commute-related issues
Low salaries relative to CoL
Muggy summer weather and lack of fun snowy weather

If it weren't for the CoL issues, I'd consider returning once my kids graduate college. I have good memories.

Many people aspire to work in DC - politicians, lobbyists, international relations, non-profit types, think tank types, health researchers, people who want to work in the region's many other unique institutions, high-up military, etc.

I dont like the DC metro but it has one of the best, if not the best, salary to COL ratios in the country.

PP. You are likely a lawyer or a lobbyist. Or a New Yorker or a Californian. Or a person whose HHI is above 95th ile. The house I live in now would be 3-4x as much in an equivalent neighborhood in DMV. According to stats, my professional salary would likely be the same or max 1.5x in DD. I am in a pretty portable managerial profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys, this thread is a joke.

See: “is it considered a failure to live in a condo?”…which unfortunately wasn’t a joke but spawned the hilarious “it is considered a failure to live in the suburbs?”

We know. I lived in a condo in the DMV and live in one elsewhere now. Both times in the suburbs. I'm a massive failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Texas... a "good" part. Living in DC is exactly what I wanted, want, and will want in the future. I love it here.

m

Yes! Same. I dreamed of moving here as a teenager and am so happy. Rock Creek Park is so green and lush compared to Texas.

[Anonymous]

This is a great area and I've very happy to have settled hear and am happily raising a family here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Do people grow up dreaming of living anywhere other than maybe California or Hawaii? I grew up in Hawaii. Let me tell you, not paradise.

Exactly. Add NYC to the list. And then realize they only work if obscenely wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Other lower COL places seem great until you live there. I lived in one such place for 5 years and missed the DMV area so much.

Along with living in a lower COL area comes a lower salary. It also comes with fewer if any museums, sports teams, musical venues, etc.

The best, IMO, is living in the V of the DMV. Why? Better roads & drivers than in the M. Less crime than in the D. But you're close enough to the D & M to visit for their experiences like the museums, sports, theatre, etc.

Just say you're a Neo-Confederate and get it over with.

You’re a tool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If having an MD and a PhD and working to cure cancer at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda is a failure...

... then you are beyond hope, OP.

Wow! Sounds like you really struggle with self importance.