Relocating to DC...what's life like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Live the dream.

Move to Capitol Hill.

+1. I also don't think you should be worried about crime on the Hill (a couple posters on this forum seem to love to bring it up; I think it's one of those weird anti-urbanist schticks that they think makes them seem edgy but actually just makes them seem out of touch). But there are usually ample opportunities to rent on the Hill first if you want to see if it's for you.

Georgetown and Burleith are also good suggestions. They trend a little older and a hair more conservative if that matters to you. You should also check out Glover Park and Mount Pleasant.

Op I agree Capitol Hill might be great if you want a row house and families love it. It’s also flat and more easily walkable and bikeable to things similar to what it sounds like you’re looking for (there are parts of NW and NE that are actually less walkable to restaurants/shops than my suburb home). I know some on Capitol Hill end up moving in middle or high if they don’t get good numbers in the lottery though. We lived in Chicago for 5 years and then moved back here, we both grew up in the area. We are in a walkable area in Arlington and very happy. People give this area such a hard time, but i had a great childhood here and find it very kid friendly to raise my kids. And I don’t really understand why everyone says people aren’t friendly, I find most to be very friendly (and didn’t notice a huge difference in Chicago), we have a wonderful neighborhood with great, kind, generous neighbors. It’s definitely more high pressure than Chicago, just career wise. Many people work interesting jobs and they like talking about them (some are self absorbed, but many are just generally passionate about whatever political or social issue they work on, for me this is a pro of the area not a con).

It sounds like you will like it here! It sounds like you aren’t considering the suburbs, but I saw your concern about your kids transition from a very different environment and similar to the Bethesda poster I will just say it might be worth a look at Arlington if you think that transition will be too much. We were really worried we wouldn’t be happy not living in the city after living in great neighborhoods in Chicago for years, but we found a great walkable (suburb walkable, still not like certain parts of the city!) neighborhood we love here (westover) and it makes life pretty easy. But I can still be downtown on a Saturday morning to a museum with my kid in 10 minutes (literally).

Love all of your information! Interesting how close Arlington is to downtown! We are excited about the move, but moving itself is such a hassle. It's hard to know what the real estate market will be next spring. I just have a feeling we'll be in a rental for a while. Will be interesting to experience a city with such strong political/social influences to the culture and feel. My husband loves to work, so he might fit right in with the "high pressure career" vibe. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Live the dream.

Move to Capitol Hill.

....and get shot, or mugged, or both.

Ridiculous

I’ve lived in the Hill for 15 years and raised my kids here. It’s a wonderful place. I know my neighbors, kids walk to eastern market with their friends, good restaurants, dog friendly.

You go ahead and continue trying to convince yourself of this since you've spent your hard earned money to live there ....

https://www.areavibes.com/washington-dc/capitol+hill/crime/

https://wjla.com/news/local/million-dollar-homes-capitol-hill-neighborhood-murders-carjackings-shootings-dc-police-contee

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/im-still-looking-for-the-bullet-shooting-kills-1-breaks-neighbors-window/2835596/

https://wtop.com/dc/2021/10/spike-in-crime-leads-to-more-pushback-complaints-about-city-leaders/

Yawn.

Stay in your trailer park in Loudoun and keep watching your local Fox channel.

OMG you figured me out! Is that the best you've got? The minute someone disagrees with your point of view you pigeon hole them into this odd identity. I know you can do better than this. Try again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

We are likely relocating to DC in the summer 2022 from Wisconsin. We have lived in several cities before, including Hong Kong and London, however, each city has their vibe. Can anyone share what the overall feeling is in the district, such as is it friendly, fast-paced, open to meeting transplants, kid-friendly, etc. What should I be aware of before coming? Will probably focus on finding a house in NW quadrant for kid's schools.

Thanks!

OP, I really truly wish you the best. I, myself, am from the midwest and have met many midwesterners in DC. The area is full of transplants...but no...it's not a friendly area by any definition.

+1

It is the complete opposite of the Midwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello,

We are likely relocating to DC in the summer 2022 from Wisconsin. We have lived in several cities before, including Hong Kong and London, however, each city has their vibe. Can anyone share what the overall feeling is in the district, such as is it friendly, fast-paced, open to meeting transplants, kid-friendly, etc. What should I be aware of before coming? Will probably focus on finding a house in NW quadrant for kid's schools.

Thanks!

OP, I really truly wish you the best. I, myself, am from the midwest and have met many midwesterners in DC. The area is full of transplants...but no...it's not a friendly area by any definition.

+1

It is the complete opposite of the Midwest.

Haha thank you so much and I figured! We don't mind and is actually why we want to come!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you won't get the pace of HK or London in DC, even in the most urban parts. I grew up here and think it gets bashed unnecessarily, but it's not a very big city. That said, the wealthier neighborhoods are much more of a pressure cooker than the Midwest (I went to college in Chicago and spent about 7 years there total). So, if you want to avoid that you can, but then you have to be prepared for people to tell you your kids' schools suck, blah blah. NWDC is lovely and friendly to people who can afford to live there. But maybe that's a good middle ground between where you are now and the excitement you've had in the past?

Thanks so much and love the comparison to the larger cities. Probably a good thing to have less of a buzz with small kids. I just fondly remember living in the international cities, but that was all pre-kids. We've tried to make the Midwest work. We've lived in five houses in seven years LOL, but we are just bored. We joke that our weekends involve driving to shopping centers or anywhere else. Just living in the car, which I hate. So boring and winter lasts more than half of the year!

girl, you chose to live in New Berlin!!! I'm not sure what you expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you won't get the pace of HK or London in DC, even in the most urban parts. I grew up here and think it gets bashed unnecessarily, but it's not a very big city. That said, the wealthier neighborhoods are much more of a pressure cooker than the Midwest (I went to college in Chicago and spent about 7 years there total). So, if you want to avoid that you can, but then you have to be prepared for people to tell you your kids' schools suck, blah blah. NWDC is lovely and friendly to people who can afford to live there. But maybe that's a good middle ground between where you are now and the excitement you've had in the past?

Thanks so much and love the comparison to the larger cities. Probably a good thing to have less of a buzz with small kids. I just fondly remember living in the international cities, but that was all pre-kids. We've tried to make the Midwest work. We've lived in five houses in seven years LOL, but we are just bored. We joke that our weekends involve driving to shopping centers or anywhere else. Just living in the car, which I hate. So boring and winter lasts more than half of the year!

girl, you chose to live in New Berlin!!! I'm not sure what you expected.

Haha fair point. Long story, but we're finally ready to get back to what we've been missing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, avoid the suburbs at all costs - most of the whiners and complainers about unfriendliness and traffic are people stuck in traffic hell.

Live in DC, have a short commute, and you will find it is a much easier place to live than most major cities - more affordable, more space, and people in fact are friendly and welcoming to transplants.

Thanks so much! Our target is living in DC. Fingers crossed we can eventually find a place to buy!

OP, look in Glover Park in NW DC. Within your budget, and a lovely neighborhood that is full of friendly families.

[Anonymous]

Most people live in DC for work. Majority of people are career focused. DC isn’t a city you move to for other reasons besides a job.

[Anonymous]

I work around the corner from the Volta rec center and frequently walk the streets. I mostly see Nannie’s with kids or college students. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and far from the “touristy” section of Georgetown, but if I was a SAHM, I think I would feel lonely.

I wouldn’t rule out private. you can read all about DCPS. It wasn’t for us, but honestly, the publics in MCPS aren’t much better. Definitely not anything you will get like a true suburb, town school. That said, you may find more of that community and friendship you’re looking for.

People are friendly - more so than the Northeast, less so than the south. And everyone is die hard into politics and defining themself by what they do. It may not be a bad thing if that’s what you’re into.

Best of luck with the move.

[Anonymous]

You’ve moved an awful lot, OP! Do you have to move to the DC area or can your husband telecommute and go into the office once in a while? I would recommend Richmond. The people are friendlier and there’s plenty for kids plus some excellent schools.

Please make sure that your three kids will have space for all of the stuff that they will accumulate as they grow up, it’s a LOT. If you do consider the Hill, be sure to visit at different times of the day. I couldn’t do it with little ones back in 2001, but that’s just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most people live in DC for work. Majority of people are career focused. DC isn’t a city you move to for other reasons besides a job.

DC is a great place to live for things beyond work. Free museums and zoo; close to beach and mountains for easy weekend getaways, college and pro sports, theater and the arts, great hikes and biking in DC proper and within the beltway; world class health care options. There is a lot here beyond "a job"

[Anonymous]

OP, I want to go back to your original question of 'what's it like?'

I think the simple answer is that DC and it's suburbs, especially the close-in ones, has a uniquely high-density (on a national or a global scale) of highly-educated professional class people, and that's for better or for worse. The only places in the U.S. that approach that level of density of educated professionals are SF and Boston. Thinking a lot about what's appealing or revolting to you about those people will help quite a bit with understanding what you are getting into here.

HK and London, by contrast have a lower %-age (but still a lot) of educated professionals, but really, really large %-ages of seriously rich and seriously cool culture-vulture types. There are some rich people around DC (mostly lower-end rich folks) and some cool culture-vultures (mostly second- or lower-tier stuff), but the loud chorus is of law review, Phd, former student body President, editor-in-chief folks, big fancy job title, etc. drown out the stuff that make London or HK or NYC, etc. unique on a global scale.

Furthermore, while many have said DC lacks true urban density, it does density with lots of green space nearby much better than almost any place. Looking at parts of DC near parks, especially parts with TH or condos/coops might be just the thing for you. Consider not just Georgetown and Burleith and Capital Hill but also as others have said, anything near Connecticut Avenue, including somewhat exotic options like the Kalorama/AdMo condo buildings, stuff near Rock Creek Park, and stuff near places like Soapstone Valley or Glover-Archibald Park.

Mentioning Connecticut Avenue makes me realize is that urban dc reflects strongly that DC has a lot of very-high responsibility first professional jobs. There's a huuuuge cohort of twenty-somethings that might do a few years in DC and then decamp to another city. I've personally known a few big players in NYC, HK, London, etc. who had first jobs in DC, at say, the Federal Reserve or the State Dept or on Capital Hill, in the WH or at the WaPo or WB/IMG.

Unfortunately, with a hot res RE market, your hand might be pushed by price. So being a little more open-minded about the possibilities and trade-offs should help find something that works for you. But realize that highly-educated professional-class people, for better or for worse, will be everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I want to go back to your original question of 'what's it like?'

I think the simple answer is that DC and it's suburbs, especially the close-in ones, has a uniquely high-density (on a national or a global scale) of highly-educated professional class people, and that's for better or for worse. The only places in the U.S. that approach that level of density of educated professionals are SF and Boston. Thinking a lot about what's appealing or revolting to you about those people will help quite a bit with understanding what you are getting into here.

HK and London, by contrast have a lower %-age (but still a lot) of educated professionals, but really, really large %-ages of seriously rich and seriously cool culture-vulture types. There are some rich people around DC (mostly lower-end rich folks) and some cool culture-vultures (mostly second- or lower-tier stuff), but the loud chorus is of law review, Phd, former student body President, editor-in-chief folks, big fancy job title, etc. drown out the stuff that make London or HK or NYC, etc. unique on a global scale.

Furthermore, while many have said DC lacks true urban density, it does density with lots of green space nearby much better than almost any place. Looking at parts of DC near parks, especially parts with TH or condos/coops might be just the thing for you. Consider not just Georgetown and Burleith and Capital Hill but also as others have said, anything near Connecticut Avenue, including somewhat exotic options like the Kalorama/AdMo condo buildings, stuff near Rock Creek Park, and stuff near places like Soapstone Valley or Glover-Archibald Park.

Mentioning Connecticut Avenue makes me realize is that urban dc reflects strongly that DC has a lot of very-high responsibility first professional jobs. There's a huuuuge cohort of twenty-somethings that might do a few years in DC and then decamp to another city. I've personally known a few big players in NYC, HK, London, etc. who had first jobs in DC, at say, the Federal Reserve or the State Dept or on Capital Hill, in the WH or at the WaPo or WB/IMG.

Unfortunately, with a hot res RE market, your hand might be pushed by price. So being a little more open-minded about the possibilities and trade-offs should help find something that works for you. But realize that highly-educated professional-class people, for better or for worse, will be everywhere.

After I wrote, I realized I should encourage you to look at few other areas. First, Wisconsin Avenue through DC into MD, including Tenleytown and FH. In addition to SFH, there are some condos. Simiarly, 16th Street into MD presents an interest option. North Arlington, especially stuff closer to the river, presents another set of interesting options.

[Anonymous]

Our bohemian HRCS had a fundraiser. They decided to make it competitive, making thermometers for each classroom and a target amount, I think it was 5k, per class.

This completely ignored the school demographics as the wealthier, more populous grades were all in the younger cohorts. I will never forget the five-year-old I found one afternoon mocking my third-grader for having a "loser's class."

To me this sums up DC completely. Full of viciously competitive people who will claim victories about nothing and raise their kids accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Before the fundraiser I did, btw, raise an objection to making it a competition. The lovely women who'd given me a sourdough and a kombucha culture looked at me as if I was speaking ancient Sumerian, and turned back to her friend, who worked for a nonprofit, and they both chuckled.