Anyone else burnt out with DC lifestyle

[Anonymous]

I have said this on here before, however, I do think it bears repeating. I have lived somewhere that I hated. Hated it and complained about it all the time. You know what I did? I moved and respect the fact that some people love there (including my own brother and his family). I never try to convince other people that life sucks there and there are no redeeming qualities even though that was my experience. If you are one of the many on this board that so detest this area, I do hope you are able to move soon and find happiness in a place more well suited for the life you want. But don't put that on other people -- it is up to you to choose the right place and make the most of it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:* I went to the Kennedy Center's open house thing back a few years ago. It's a day in Sept I believe where they open the place up on a Saturday and have all sorts of things going on. That was an absolute zoo. It was like being at a rock concert. Literally could not move anywhere in the building. Too many people.

* Costco. Absolute chaos on the weekends.

* Very, very few people retire here. That speaks volumes for the quality of life. In many other cities, people may have a second home, but they retire where they spent their working years.

* Life moves fast here. Work, commute, work some more. I feel like if I don't get out of here I'm going to suddenly realize that I'm 60 yo and what just happened. Where did the time go?

* Summers. Forget trying to go out of town. 95, 66, are jammed. Meanwhile you are sitting under this impressive heat and never ending sunshine. Last summer was the absolute worst. Sitting inside the AC all summer because it was just intolerable doing anything outside.

Absolutely everything and anything fun and interesting for the public happens in May and September with little bit of bleed into October. That's part of the problem. Nobody has open houses, festivals, or events at any other time of the year.

Ummm...our neighborhood has open houses and house parties all year round...plus we had a parade last week...there are always local events at the local stores and restaurants. Just May and Sept--and a little of OCt---wtf? No Xmas or 4th of july events either...we have a neighborhood parade then and a party for kids at the holiday time at local community house, etc...There really is too much to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're absolutely right. Skip the crowded festivals and pumpkin patches, and keep your kids enrolled in one activity at a time. Just slow it down!

So, you're saying its fine as long as you don't try to do anything. I would like to live somewhere where I can participate in community activities without throngs of crowds at every turn. And the competition for "slots' for everything: camp signups that start in December? Give me a break! Like I said, I'm sure some of the world's largest cities: NY, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc have similar issues. Thing is, DC is not at that level. Its just DC. A medium to large city but with small city logistics and bad local government but people who feel like they have more importance than they really do. Creates quite a problem.

We do plenty, just not to the point of frustration and exhaustion. Since when is one activity per kid "not trying to do anything"? We take Metro, go to thing early. We don't try to sign up for summer camps that require December signups. It's simply not necessary! Most of what we do is in our suburb. I work 5 miles from home and the kids walk to and from school. The thing that you can't deny about DC is its job creation machine. That, and the incredibly intelligent and educated people who live here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:* I went to the Kennedy Center's open house thing back a few years ago. It's a day in Sept I believe where they open the place up on a Saturday and have all sorts of things going on. That was an absolute zoo. It was like being at a rock concert. Literally could not move anywhere in the building. Too many people.

Um, pay for an event and go then instead?

* Costco. Absolute chaos on the weekends.

Don't belong to Costco. We have a family of four and I have no interest in belonging to a big box store like this.

* Very, very few people retire here. That speaks volumes for the quality of life. In many other cities, people may have a second home, but they retire where they spent their working years.

Well, my parents and my ILs are all retired here. DH and I plan to stay here in retirement as well. We all live near metro stops so we can still get around once we can't or don't choose to drive. Excellent medical care available around these parts. Lots for seniors to do. Of course, my parents and ILs all have good pensions and mortgage-free homes.


* Life moves fast here. Work, commute, work some more. I feel like if I don't get out of here I'm going to suddenly realize that I'm 60 yo and what just happened. Where did the time go?

That's not unique to DC.

* Summers. Forget trying to go out of town. 95, 66, are jammed. Meanwhile you are sitting under this impressive heat and never ending sunshine. Last summer was the absolute worst. Sitting inside the AC all summer because it was just intolerable doing anything outside.

Join a pool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're absolutely right. Skip the crowded festivals and pumpkin patches, and keep your kids enrolled in one activity at a time. Just slow it down!

So, you're saying its fine as long as you don't try to do anything. I would like to live somewhere where I can participate in community activities without throngs of crowds at every turn. And the competition for "slots' for everything: camp signups that start in December? Give me a break! Like I said, I'm sure some of the world's largest cities: NY, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc have similar issues. Thing is, DC is not at that level. Its just DC. A medium to large city but with small city logistics and bad local government but people who feel like they have more importance than they really do. Creates quite a problem.

We do plenty, just not to the point of frustration and exhaustion. Since when is one activity per kid "not trying to do anything"? We take Metro, go to thing early. We don't try to sign up for summer camps that require December signups. It's simply not necessary! Most of what we do is in our suburb. I work 5 miles from home and the kids walk to and from school. The thing that you can't deny about DC is its job creation machine. That, and the incredibly intelligent and educated people who live here.

This is the difference. You don't actually live or spend time in DC or the immediate vicinity, do you? By "your suburb", are you referring to someplace like Ashburn, Leesburg, Germantown, Olney? Cuz that's not living in DC. DC proper, Arlington, Bethesda, Ch Chase, etc.

[Anonymous]

9:29, we live in Arlington and do go to DC.

[Anonymous]

This is the difference. You don't actually live or spend time in DC or the immediate vicinity, do you? By "your suburb", are you referring to someplace like Ashburn, Leesburg, Germantown, Olney? Cuz that's not living in DC. DC proper, Arlington, Bethesda, Ch Chase, etc.

You really are on a mission to prove that nobody can be happy here -- obviously, if you don't like it, then nobody can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're absolutely right. Skip the crowded festivals and pumpkin patches, and keep your kids enrolled in one activity at a time. Just slow it down!

So, you're saying its fine as long as you don't try to do anything. I would like to live somewhere where I can participate in community activities without throngs of crowds at every turn. And the competition for "slots' for everything: camp signups that start in December? Give me a break! Like I said, I'm sure some of the world's largest cities: NY, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc have similar issues. Thing is, DC is not at that level. Its just DC. A medium to large city but with small city logistics and bad local government but people who feel like they have more importance than they really do. Creates quite a problem.

We do plenty, just not to the point of frustration and exhaustion. Since when is one activity per kid "not trying to do anything"? We take Metro, go to thing early. We don't try to sign up for summer camps that require December signups. It's simply not necessary! Most of what we do is in our suburb. I work 5 miles from home and the kids walk to and from school. The thing that you can't deny about DC is its job creation machine. That, and the incredibly intelligent and educated people who live here.

This is the difference. You don't actually live or spend time in DC or the immediate vicinity, do you? By "your suburb", are you referring to someplace like Ashburn, Leesburg, Germantown, Olney? Cuz that's not living in DC. DC proper, Arlington, Bethesda, Ch Chase, etc.

You really are miserable, arent' you?
I live in Fairfax (just commuted into the city in less than an hour). We are in and out of all sorts of "dc proper" areas throughout the year. I have no idea WTF some of you are talking about. The options for festivals, museums, exhibits, etc. are almost too overwhelming throughout the entire year. Sign up to some of the community boards and you'll see for yourself.

For those of you still complaining that DC is "too fast paced" you have only yourself to blame. We are quite able to slow down and enjoy time at the pool, BBQs, etc. all summer. I, personally, find that this area has decent weather April through Mid-October (with some spotty areas in there) and we are outside almost all the time evenings/weekends during that time. Stop accepting every birthday party. Stop overscheduling. Keep a day with NOTHING planned once in awhile. And, above all, stop BITCHING and change your situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're absolutely right. Skip the crowded festivals and pumpkin patches, and keep your kids enrolled in one activity at a time. Just slow it down!

So, you're saying its fine as long as you don't try to do anything. I would like to live somewhere where I can participate in community activities without throngs of crowds at every turn. And the competition for "slots' for everything: camp signups that start in December? Give me a break! Like I said, I'm sure some of the world's largest cities: NY, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc have similar issues. Thing is, DC is not at that level. Its just DC. A medium to large city but with small city logistics and bad local government but people who feel like they have more importance than they really do. Creates quite a problem.

We do plenty, just not to the point of frustration and exhaustion. Since when is one activity per kid "not trying to do anything"? We take Metro, go to thing early. We don't try to sign up for summer camps that require December signups. It's simply not necessary! Most of what we do is in our suburb. I work 5 miles from home and the kids walk to and from school. The thing that you can't deny about DC is its job creation machine. That, and the incredibly intelligent and educated people who live here.

This is the difference. You don't actually live or spend time in DC or the immediate vicinity, do you? By "your suburb", are you referring to someplace like Ashburn, Leesburg, Germantown, Olney? Cuz that's not living in DC. DC proper, Arlington, Bethesda, Ch Chase, etc.

You really are miserable, arent' you?
I live in Fairfax (just commuted into the city in less than an hour). We are in and out of all sorts of "dc proper" areas throughout the year. I have no idea WTF some of you are talking about. The options for festivals, museums, exhibits, etc. are almost too overwhelming throughout the entire year. Sign up to some of the community boards and you'll see for yourself.

For those of you still complaining that DC is "too fast paced" you have only yourself to blame. We are quite able to slow down and enjoy time at the pool, BBQs, etc. all summer. I, personally, find that this area has decent weather April through Mid-October (with some spotty areas in there) and we are outside almost all the time evenings/weekends during that time. Stop accepting every birthday party. Stop overscheduling. Keep a day with NOTHING planned once in awhile. And, above all, stop BITCHING and change your situation.

so agree...with some of their miserable attitudes I can see why their social calendars aren't exactly full.

[Anonymous]

There is a WAIT LIST for neighborhood pools. But if you have a pool, PP we will be glad to bring our throngs to your house and see how you like it and for how long. People do try different activities, its discouraging when everything is a huge deal, however. You can't deny that. I am open to constructive, specific suggestions instead of just criticism. This is not the PP you were writing to, BTW. There are many people who feel the same way. These are productive contributors to society who are just "done", that's all. Who knows, we may be your employers.

[Anonymous]

When you're miserable you will find more reasons to pile on and I think OP has the right to just feel the way he/she does because DC isn't for everyone. Unlike PPs, I've never had visitors/friends/family come and tell me they don't like it here. They love it here but I have met DC folks in other parts of the country/world who told me they couldn't take it and moved. Some people aren't meant for this type of lifestyle.

I love it though. I am raising 2 young children in the city. We walk everywhere. Our house was very expensive but our commute is super fast and easy. We take advantage of what the city has to offer and goto museums almost every week. Sometimes I think about life elsewhere but then I think of what I would be giving up and.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is a WAIT LIST for neighborhood pools. But if you have a pool, PP we will be glad to bring our throngs to your house and see how you like it and for how long. People do try different activities, its discouraging when everything is a huge deal, however. You can't deny that. I am open to constructive, specific suggestions instead of just criticism. This is not the PP you were writing to, BTW. There are many people who feel the same way. These are productive contributors to society who are just "done", that's all. Who knows, we may be your employers.

Great, move to Oklahoma City. I don't mind at all that you don't like living in DC. No amount of your complaining is going to drive me and my family away from DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is a WAIT LIST for neighborhood pools. But if you have a pool, PP we will be glad to bring our throngs to your house and see how you like it and for how long. People do try different activities, its discouraging when everything is a huge deal, however. You can't deny that. I am open to constructive, specific suggestions instead of just criticism. This is not the PP you were writing to, BTW. There are many people who feel the same way. These are productive contributors to society who are just "done", that's all. Who knows, we may be your employers.

Gosh, I know. That's why we leased a summer membership the first two years before we got off the WAIT LIST and were able to purchase a membership. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All big cities have horrible commutes (Rome, Italy for example) and some of these big cities also have great sites to enjoy for years and years (Rome, Italy for example) and DC is one of these cities. I am a museum junkie and can't get enough of the great museums. I have gone to some of them more than 50 times and I still don't get bored. If you love Picasso as I do, the National Gallery has several of his most important works. If you love space science and aeronautics, whatever you don't find at Air and Space downtown you will most likely come across at the Dulles location.....you get the picture.

I just saw a House Hunters where a person was looking to RENT in Rome. The prices there were way above what you'd pay in downtown Manhattan! Having said that, you can't compare DC to Rome. You just can't. DC isn't even in the same ball park.

[Anonymous]

Who cares that DC isn't in the same ballpark as Rome? How many of us could live and work in Rome?