The Pandemic Hit Cities Hard And Then There's Washington, DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

No one is delighting. That’s your odd assumption.

Look - the WSJ had a front page article about this. There has to be *some* truth to it.

Sure, some law firms are requiring lawyers to return FT. But major law firms aren’t a large % of employers in the district. Look at what government agencies and contractors require. That’s what matters.

It's an opinion piece supported by a few anecdotes of people who left town, some of whom would have left anyway. DC has always been a transient city.

And I used law firms as an example. They're hardly the only employers who are requiring workers to come back -- and, yes they are a large percentage of employers. DC's downtown is full of law firms, for pete's sake.

That's an embarrassing thing to say. It's a well reported piece of journalism. You are starting to sound like a "fake news" Trump in your attempts to rebut a very interesting story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

And you're small minded because you assume that what "families" do means everything. DC has always been a transient city from which rich racist mommies and daddies have moved out when they have kids. It's nothing new. The broader trend is that the city is growing -- not shrinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not surprised that DC has been hit harder than other cities.

There are many people who live in NY, LA, SF etc because they are world class cities and have a lot to offer.

Most people live in DC because of....work. Now there have been shifts in work structures that will likely result in a portion of DC office workers having a hybrid or fully remote work arrangement. I don’t see these people staying chained to DC like I might expect someone to still stay in NY or LA.

On top of that, add in the high COL, social unrest, homeless people and crime. DC is on the decline. It’s pretty easy to figure this out. Now see what happens with a government shutdown!

Well, some of us who have lived here for generations watched people swoop in for work with little interest in the city beyond trying to mold it to meet their needs and interests. This reads like you’re getting your impressions of DC solely from Fox News.

How dare people try to change a city!

You’re right. I’m unable with my own eyes to see the homeless encampments, read or hear about increased crime, or see how deserted downtown is. I am 100% influenced by Fox News and the journalist who wrote the WSJ is likely as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

No one is delighting. That’s your odd assumption.

Look - the WSJ had a front page article about this. There has to be *some* truth to it.

Sure, some law firms are requiring lawyers to return FT. But major law firms aren’t a large % of employers in the district. Look at what government agencies and contractors require. That’s what matters.

It's an opinion piece supported by a few anecdotes of people who left town, some of whom would have left anyway. DC has always been a transient city.

And I used law firms as an example. They're hardly the only employers who are requiring workers to come back -- and, yes they are a large percentage of employers. DC's downtown is full of law firms, for pete's sake.

That's an embarrassing thing to say. It's a well reported piece of journalism. You are starting to sound like a "fake news" Trump in your attempts to rebut a very interesting story.

It's not a hard news story. That's all I'm saying. If it were, then no one could disagree with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

And you're small minded because you assume that what "families" do means everything. DC has always been a transient city from which rich racist mommies and daddies have moved out when they have kids. It's nothing new. The broader trend is that the city is growing -- not shrinking.

Is this true though? Has DC been increasing in population since covid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

So if you go downtown, you will understand what the discussion is about. It is not about your neighborhood. It is about what is happening in downtown DC primarily.

I also don't know where you are getting your information about law firms. All firms I know are moving or already have been in hybrid since the summer, allowing up to 3 days remote per week. There is no scenario within the next 2 years that commuting patterns, foot traffic, office vacancy rates, etc return to pre-pandemic levels.

The question is whether this will be enough for things to muddle through and no one really knows.

I'm guessing the people predicting DC doom haven't lived here very long. I was born in this city and moved back around the millenium. Once upon a time there were almost no good restaurants in DC. There were lobbying traps and tourist traps. There was no reason for people to go to DC other than the museums.

Since then, there's Jaleo, and about 100 other similarly good spots, there's Navy Yard, The Wharf, China Town, NOMA, new development in Brookland, Petworth, not to even mention H street and U Street. All of which are still doing just fine.

Even if downtown gets set back ten years, this city still has a lot more going for it than it did in 2002, so excuse me if I don't hit the panic button.

Also, if you think tourists aren't eventually coming back to Washington, DC, the Capital of the US with some of the most iconic building and museums in the world, there's a bridge in Brooklyn I think you'd be really interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

No one is delighting. That’s your odd assumption.

Look - the WSJ had a front page article about this. There has to be *some* truth to it.

Sure, some law firms are requiring lawyers to return FT. But major law firms aren’t a large % of employers in the district. Look at what government agencies and contractors require. That’s what matters.

It's an opinion piece supported by a few anecdotes of people who left town, some of whom would have left anyway. DC has always been a transient city.

And I used law firms as an example. They're hardly the only employers who are requiring workers to come back -- and, yes they are a large percentage of employers. DC's downtown is full of law firms, for pete's sake.

That's an embarrassing thing to say. It's a well reported piece of journalism. You are starting to sound like a "fake news" Trump in your attempts to rebut a very interesting story.

It's not a hard news story. That's all I'm saying. If it were, then no one could disagree with it.

Have you read the article? It contains a lot of stats on employers, new work arrangements, DC population growth etc. Yes, it contains some personal anecdotes.

I realize the story is likely upsetting to you. It’s why you’re so defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not surprised that DC has been hit harder than other cities.

There are many people who live in NY, LA, SF etc because they are world class cities and have a lot to offer.

Most people live in DC because of....work. Now there have been shifts in work structures that will likely result in a portion of DC office workers having a hybrid or fully remote work arrangement. I don’t see these people staying chained to DC like I might expect someone to still stay in NY or LA.

On top of that, add in the high COL, social unrest, homeless people and crime. DC is on the decline. It’s pretty easy to figure this out. Now see what happens with a government shutdown!

spoken like someone who has never lived in the district.

I lived in DC for years. I don’t think I ever met anyone who moved to DC for anything other than work. I never met anyone who moved to DC because it is such a great city. I did meet people who enjoy living in DC. But DC isnt a city like NY where recent college grads move there without having a job yet because they so badly want to live in NY.

DC is a company town that revolves around the government. Even removing 25% of the workforce will have a profound effect

You don't live here now. For whatever reason (my guess being the city was too black for your children) you left. Your bias is showing.

Haha. I know it’s hard to hear that DC doesn’t have the same appeal as NY or that the boring US government is the main employer.

You're continuing to confirm my hypothesis concerning the majority of the posters on this thread. If you used to live here and moved away, then why are you here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

I live in DC and know a lot of people here. I also know a lot of people in other places who've re-located. I don't know a single family in DC who has left the city.

The article states that 19,000 people net have left in 2020 alone. You seem to be confirming that you have a very limited circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

So if you go downtown, you will understand what the discussion is about. It is not about your neighborhood. It is about what is happening in downtown DC primarily.

I also don't know where you are getting your information about law firms. All firms I know are moving or already have been in hybrid since the summer, allowing up to 3 days remote per week. There is no scenario within the next 2 years that commuting patterns, foot traffic, office vacancy rates, etc return to pre-pandemic levels.

The question is whether this will be enough for things to muddle through and no one really knows.

I'm guessing the people predicting DC doom haven't lived here very long. I was born in this city and moved back around the millenium. Once upon a time there were almost no good restaurants in DC. There were lobbying traps and tourist traps. There was no reason for people to go to DC other than the museums.

Since then, there's Jaleo, and about 100 other similarly good spots, there's Navy Yard, The Wharf, China Town, NOMA, new development in Brookland, Petworth, not to even mention H street and U Street. All of which are still doing just fine.

Even if downtown gets set back ten years, this city still has a lot more going for it than it did in 2002, so excuse me if I don't hit the panic button.

Also, if you think tourists aren't eventually coming back to Washington, DC, the Capital of the US with some of the most iconic building and museums in the world, there's a bridge in Brooklyn I think you'd be really interested in.

Who said this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

No one is delighting. That’s your odd assumption.

Look - the WSJ had a front page article about this. There has to be *some* truth to it.

Sure, some law firms are requiring lawyers to return FT. But major law firms aren’t a large % of employers in the district. Look at what government agencies and contractors require. That’s what matters.

It's an opinion piece supported by a few anecdotes of people who left town, some of whom would have left anyway. DC has always been a transient city.

And I used law firms as an example. They're hardly the only employers who are requiring workers to come back -- and, yes they are a large percentage of employers. DC's downtown is full of law firms, for pete's sake.

That's an embarrassing thing to say. It's a well reported piece of journalism. You are starting to sound like a "fake news" Trump in your attempts to rebut a very interesting story.

It's not a hard news story. That's all I'm saying. If it were, then no one could disagree with it.

Have you read the article? It contains a lot of stats on employers, new work arrangements, DC population growth etc. Yes, it contains some personal anecdotes.

I realize the story is likely upsetting to you. It’s why you’re so defensive.

The story doesn't upset me in the least. I'm fine personally, professionally, socially, and economically no matter what happens to and in DC. I'm just curious as to why so many DCUM posters get off on putting the city down and wishing its demise. You're all so damned nasty and petty. It's astounding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

And you're small minded because you assume that what "families" do means everything. DC has always been a transient city from which rich racist mommies and daddies have moved out when they have kids. It's nothing new. The broader trend is that the city is growing -- not shrinking.

Is this true though? Has DC been increasing in population since covid?

It was not even true pre-COVID. 2019 had basically zero population growth. 2020 had negative growth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

I live in DC and know a lot of people here. I also know a lot of people in other places who've re-located. I don't know a single family in DC who has left the city.

The article states that 19,000 people net have left in 2020 alone. You seem to be confirming that you have a very limited circle.

That 2 percent of dense city's population moved out in the middle of a 100 year pandemic hardly means that the city is doomed. Check back in two years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m one who moved. Our very high income family was sick of being taxed like crazy, having no school, and (most of all) being surrounded by loons who think looting is a form of free speech and that encampments of human poo/drugs are appropriate near schools.

We are enjoying our lower tax rate, and REALLY enjoying living with people who have common sense!

Thanks for confirming that most of the posters on this thread get off on the city's problems.

Oh, and I'll bey your "very high income family" makes less than mine. Otherwise you would have gone private.

DP. Why is it so hard to understand that some people with means no longer want to live in DC, even if private would be an option? Anyone who knows anyone in DC has known countless families who have relocated permanently over the last 2 years.

I know it’s easier to chalk it up to those leaving not being as wealthy as you or not being able to afford private, but that shows how small minded you are.

And you're small minded because you assume that what "families" do means everything. DC has always been a transient city from which rich racist mommies and daddies have moved out when they have kids. It's nothing new. The broader trend is that the city is growing -- not shrinking.

Is this true though? Has DC been increasing in population since covid?

It was not even true pre-COVID. 2019 had basically zero population growth. 2020 had negative growth.

I said "broader trend." Not just the last two years. DC rents are already just about back to pre-covid levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many of you actually live in DC. We live in the U Street/Logan area and it's basically like there never was a pandemic. If you need to move to Frederick because of housing prices and "social unrest," well, good luck to you. You'll be replaced soon enough by the more prosperous.

Oh, a couple days ago a realtor knocked on my door and literally begged me to sell my townhouse. If DC is dying, you sure can't tell from the real estate prices.

So many suburbanites seem to get off on DC's impending demise. It's ain't gonna happen.

I believe you that your neighborhood is doing great. People who used to go into offices and spend money downtown are now spending their money closer to home. When is the last time you went downtown?

I never go downtown because I don't work. But I know, for example, that most of the major law firms are soon to require their workers to return to the office full or nearly full time. The delta variant has slowed things down, to be sure, but DC is going to come back.

I don't get why so many on DCUM seem to delight on DC having problems. It's an odd psychology.

No one is delighting. That’s your odd assumption.

Look - the WSJ had a front page article about this. There has to be *some* truth to it.

Sure, some law firms are requiring lawyers to return FT. But major law firms aren’t a large % of employers in the district. Look at what government agencies and contractors require. That’s what matters.

It's an opinion piece supported by a few anecdotes of people who left town, some of whom would have left anyway. DC has always been a transient city.

And I used law firms as an example. They're hardly the only employers who are requiring workers to come back -- and, yes they are a large percentage of employers. DC's downtown is full of law firms, for pete's sake.

That's an embarrassing thing to say. It's a well reported piece of journalism. You are starting to sound like a "fake news" Trump in your attempts to rebut a very interesting story.

It's not a hard news story. That's all I'm saying. If it were, then no one could disagree with it.

Have you read the article? It contains a lot of stats on employers, new work arrangements, DC population growth etc. Yes, it contains some personal anecdotes.

I realize the story is likely upsetting to you. It’s why you’re so defensive.

The story doesn't upset me in the least. I'm fine personally, professionally, socially, and economically no matter what happens to and in DC. I'm just curious as to why so many DCUM posters get off on putting the city down and wishing its demise. You're all so damned nasty and petty. It's astounding.

DP. Let's be clear here. You are calling a well reported article that it seems that you may not have even read a piece of opinion because you personally disagree with it and personally believe that it is not "hard news". When people rightly point out that this is weird and defensive behavior, your response is to engage in ad hominem?