If you don't like DC, what prevents you from leaving?

[Anonymous]

Just really curious. No snark intended. It's just tiresome to read the ad nauseam posts about being miserable in DC. If I truly hated a place, I would leave right away. Life's too short. If another place calls to you, you have ties there, you just love love love it, and the people are awesomely friendly, surely you can find a job there? Why be so unhappy that your perspective is clouded to the point that you think everyone here is terrible? That's just illogical.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

Why???

DC has interesting architecture
World class museums
Plenty of jobs
Inexpensive housing relative to salaries
Public transit (yes there are problems but many other us cities don't have any)
Lots of parks and green space
Two large airports
Train lines to other cities nearby
Not too far from the beach and mountains
Decent and improving restaurant scene
Plenty of events and things to do

Maybe it's because I live in DC and not the burbs, but I love it here. I'm often convinced that the haters live outside the district and spend a lot of time fighting traffic. In that case I would hate it too, but I wouldn't claim to live in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just really curious. No snark intended. It's just tiresome to read the ad nauseam posts about being miserable in DC. If I truly hated a place, I would leave right away. Life's too short. If another place calls to you, you have ties there, you just love love love it, and the people are awesomely friendly, surely you can find a job there? Why be so unhappy that your perspective is clouded to the point that you think everyone here is terrible? That's just illogical.

I don't know where else to go. : (

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just really curious. No snark intended. It's just tiresome to read the ad nauseam posts about being miserable in DC. If I truly hated a place, I would leave right away. Life's too short. If another place calls to you, you have ties there, you just love love love it, and the people are awesomely friendly, surely you can find a job there? Why be so unhappy that your perspective is clouded to the point that you think everyone here is terrible? That's just illogical.

I don't know where else to go. : (

Well what is it that you dislike? The weather? Outdoor activities? If helps if you know what it is you dislike about a city in order to find one you like

[Anonymous]

^I mean, if you are sooooooo excited to live in DC, far be it for me to rain on your parade. The museums are great, absolutely. But the shittier and shittier with every passing year public transit makes it a hassle to get to, let alone the traffic

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC. Of course, it's a government center, so it's going to attract the wonk types, not the creatives, but still... for a large city the dearth of creativity on such a level is kind of remarkable.

Also the people. Again with the lack of creativity- it tends to attract many small minded rule follower types, whether liberal or conservative. It doesnt have the vibrancy of great world cities like New York, LA, San Francisco, even Seattle.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, OP.

I can never understand people who would prefer to live here miserably rather than move and be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

Why???

DC has interesting architecture
World class museums
Plenty of jobs
Inexpensive housing relative to salaries
Public transit (yes there are problems but many other us cities don't have any)
Lots of parks and green space
Two large airports
Train lines to other cities nearby
Not too far from the beach and mountains
Decent and improving restaurant scene
Plenty of events and things to do

Maybe it's because I live in DC and not the burbs, but I love it here. I'm often convinced that the haters live outside the district and spend a lot of time fighting traffic. In that case I would hate it too, but I wouldn't claim to live in DC.

Are you not originally from DC? You sound like one of those "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" types that arrive in the "big city" bright eyed and bushy tailed, convinced that this is truly the pinnacle of urban life and fascinated by every inch of city sidewalk.

For those of us who grew up in an urban area, you have to understand that we have different standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I mean, if you are sooooooo excited to live in DC, far be it for me to rain on your parade. The museums are great, absolutely. But the shittier and shittier with every passing year public transit makes it a hassle to get to, let alone the traffic

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC. Of course, it's a government center, so it's going to attract the wonk types, not the creatives, but still... for a large city the dearth of creativity on such a level is kind of remarkable.

Also the people. Again with the lack of creativity- it tends to attract many small minded rule follower types, whether liberal or conservative. It doesnt have the vibrancy of great world cities like New York, LA, San Francisco, even Seattle.

The things you complain about: lack of culture and creativity have been eliminated due to gentrification. Many small business have had to close down to make way for Whole Foods, Starbucks and Trader Joe's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I mean, if you are sooooooo excited to live in DC, far be it for me to rain on your parade. The museums are great, absolutely. But the shittier and shittier with every passing year public transit makes it a hassle to get to, let alone the traffic

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC. Of course, it's a government center, so it's going to attract the wonk types, not the creatives, but still... for a large city the dearth of creativity on such a level is kind of remarkable.

Also the people. Again with the lack of creativity- it tends to attract many small minded rule follower types, whether liberal or conservative. It doesnt have the vibrancy of great world cities like New York, LA, San Francisco, even Seattle.

But you didn't answer the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

Why???

DC has interesting architecture
World class museums
Plenty of jobs
Inexpensive housing relative to salaries
Public transit (yes there are problems but many other us cities don't have any)
Lots of parks and green space
Two large airports
Train lines to other cities nearby
Not too far from the beach and mountains
Decent and improving restaurant scene
Plenty of events and things to do

Maybe it's because I live in DC and not the burbs, but I love it here. I'm often convinced that the haters live outside the district and spend a lot of time fighting traffic. In that case I would hate it too, but I wouldn't claim to live in DC.

Are you not originally from DC? You sound like one of those "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" types that arrive in the "big city" bright eyed and bushy tailed, convinced that this is truly the pinnacle of urban life and fascinated by every inch of city sidewalk.

For those of us who grew up in an urban area, you have to understand that we have different standards.

Not OP but you still haven't given specifics. And, where did you grow up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I mean, if you are sooooooo excited to live in DC, far be it for me to rain on your parade. The museums are great, absolutely. But the shittier and shittier with every passing year public transit makes it a hassle to get to, let alone the traffic

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC. Of course, it's a government center, so it's going to attract the wonk types, not the creatives, but still... for a large city the dearth of creativity on such a level is kind of remarkable.

Also the people. Again with the lack of creativity- it tends to attract many small minded rule follower types, whether liberal or conservative. It doesnt have the vibrancy of great world cities like New York, LA, San Francisco, even Seattle.

But you didn't answer the question.

The person asked why. That's a pretty clear response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

Why???

DC has interesting architecture
World class museums
Plenty of jobs
Inexpensive housing relative to salaries
Public transit (yes there are problems but many other us cities don't have any)
Lots of parks and green space
Two large airports
Train lines to other cities nearby
Not too far from the beach and mountains
Decent and improving restaurant scene
Plenty of events and things to do

Maybe it's because I live in DC and not the burbs, but I love it here. I'm often convinced that the haters live outside the district and spend a lot of time fighting traffic. In that case I would hate it too, but I wouldn't claim to live in DC.

Are you not originally from DC? You sound like one of those "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" types that arrive in the "big city" bright eyed and bushy tailed, convinced that this is truly the pinnacle of urban life and fascinated by every inch of city sidewalk.

For those of us who grew up in an urban area, you have to understand that we have different standards.

Not OP but you still haven't given specifics. And, where did you grow up?

Since I asked first, shouldn't you be answering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I dont live in DC anymore. Thank God. But I still reserve the right to snark on it, because it genuinely is a shitty place.

If you dont like it, don't open threads complaining about DC.

Why???

DC has interesting architecture
World class museums
Plenty of jobs
Inexpensive housing relative to salaries
Public transit (yes there are problems but many other us cities don't have any)
Lots of parks and green space
Two large airports
Train lines to other cities nearby
Not too far from the beach and mountains
Decent and improving restaurant scene
Plenty of events and things to do

Maybe it's because I live in DC and not the burbs, but I love it here. I'm often convinced that the haters live outside the district and spend a lot of time fighting traffic. In that case I would hate it too, but I wouldn't claim to live in DC.

Are you not originally from DC? You sound like one of those "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" types that arrive in the "big city" bright eyed and bushy tailed, convinced that this is truly the pinnacle of urban life and fascinated by every inch of city sidewalk.

For those of us who grew up in an urban area, you have to understand that we have different standards.

I grew up in NY. I don't think DC is the pinnacle of urban life, but I do think it has a lot to offer. however, I'm a very positive person and have lived a rather successful life so far. You won't get far in life with the attitude you exhibit. You only live once and you need to get excited about the life you're living and where you live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I mean, if you are sooooooo excited to live in DC, far be it for me to rain on your parade. The museums are great, absolutely. But the shittier and shittier with every passing year public transit makes it a hassle to get to, let alone the traffic

It's mainly the culture. There is such a dearth of creative culture in DC. Of course, it's a government center, so it's going to attract the wonk types, not the creatives, but still... for a large city the dearth of creativity on such a level is kind of remarkable.

Also the people. Again with the lack of creativity- it tends to attract many small minded rule follower types, whether liberal or conservative. It doesnt have the vibrancy of great world cities like New York, LA, San Francisco, even Seattle.

This is how I feel, exactly. It's even more than just a lack of creativity -- it's a "death to anyone who is different" attitude. I live in the burbs, but I used to live in the city and it did not come close to the vibrancy of other cities.

DC has a lot to offer. I grew up here and I love it in a lot of ways. But the people just ruin it.