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I'm tired of all the DC area people bashing: tell me what you like about living here!
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Anonymous
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I love many things about DC.
Easy access to: - some of the best museums in the world - beaches, lakes - trails, mountains - great restaurants - other cities (Baltimore, Philly, NYC) - diverse - good schools - nice suburbs and rural areas (you can live on a farm and still be only one hour from DC proper) - not terribly crowded, except the roads Not to mention that our local news is national news for everyone else in the US. I would be curious to hear from other posters what their favorite area is? I am sure you can find pros and cons just about anywhere. I, for one, lived in NYC for several years. I am sure that is someplace many people on this board would vote for as the best place for them to live. Although I love NYC, I hated living there. So, I left. I was still single so it was an easy decision for me, and I still go back and visit once a year, but it just wasn't for me. |
Anonymous
Speak for yourself. Most of the people I know grew up in this area. |
Anonymous
Not the poster you are responding to, and not doubting that most of the people you know grew up here, but DC is famous for having many people not from here. A ton of folks come here every year fresh out of college or grad school, and many come here to attend the many schools we have, to work for the government, there are many, many international folks here, there are many companies here that attract folks from all over the world, etc. So I don't think it is inaccurate to say that many are here because of jobs. Maybe to say "most" but definitely think at least half are transplants. |
Anonymous
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I love it here!!
I love the aesthetics -- especially driving over the Roosevelt Bridge when the lighting is just right, and flying in over the Potomac on an approach that showcases the View! I love visiting the monuments and the National Mall, and the free Smithsonian museums and the zoo. I love the people -- truly some of the most interesting, fun and stimulating people I know. If you took this board as a representative sample, you'd think people were crazy. But in my experience they've been warm, friendly and wonderful. I love the fact that we can live incredibly close to the city (Arlington) without living IN the city. (I did the downtown living thing in NYC and it's not for me.) I love the inexpensive and diverse restaurants. I used to love the expensive ones when I was on expense account, but frankly don't miss them now. I love all the local parks and playgrounds and the Shenandoahs, too. Just wish we were closer to the ocean! |
Anonymous
Yes, but there are PLENTY of people that are truly local. So please don't say that "most of us are here because of jobs." I'm here because I was born here and because my family is here. And trust me - I'm not alone. It's great that people move here for their jobs - welcome all! - but please don't pretend that there is no sense of community that predates your arrival. |
Anonymous
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Besides all the reasons above...I love this area (not everything, but enough to keep me here!).
The cons I can think of can be found in any major city in the world so those basically wipe each other out. I lived in Boston, Chicago, NYC, San Diego and Houston. There is something about each one that is special, but the pros of DC outweigh the pros in these other cities, at least for me. I grew up here and most of my family and friends live here, so that makes a HUGE difference. I am sure it is tough for those coming from elsewhere to feel at home, just like I experienced when I lived somewhere else. |
Anonymous
Fine - I never said that, as I said, I was a new poster. Your "speak for yourself" response to the other poster was downplaying and negating one of my favorite things about this area, which is the diversity of people and even the transience - bringing new ideas and perspectives. I think we both agree - many people are born here and decide to stay here because of family and all the region has to offer, and many people move here because of all the job opportunities and other resources. |
Anonymous
| I am from NYC, so DC will always be second best in my mind, BUT, I do love that I can get a single family house, with a yard, and within walking distance of public transportation for the price of a two bedroom apartment in NYC. |
Anonymous
| With regard to the discussion about people coming here for jobs vs. growing up here, I think one reason this is a sensitive subject (or perhaps I'm reading too much into this -- please forgive me if I am) is that there is often a racial divide around this discussion. As a white person I've heard a lot of white people talk about how transient DC is but in the African-American community there are families who have lived here for generations. To say that one or the other is the norm may suggest that the person saying it is not thinking about all the different kinds of people who make up the city. |
Anonymous
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Maybe I'm just being a DC Urban "Snob" here, but I've noticed that most of the people that say they hate D.C. are the ones that live well outside the City or even outside the Beltway. And I don't blame them...they get the high-cost of living associated with the area, plus traffic and urban sprawl, without any of the benefit of being in one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the country.
Do I like living in D.C.? Of course, for all the reasons other PPs have listed. Would I like it here as much if I lived off the grid someplace that was not Metro accessible and made it easy to enjoy all that this city has to offer? Probably not. |
Anonymous
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Ok, whoever said D.C. is NOT crowded is on crack like Marion Barry. Just sayin'. We are thankful for our jobs here. We are thankful for our health. We have PLENTY to be thankful for. Yes, we could work elsewhere. (We know when we will do that, and it is not right now.) But instead of saying "well then leave", why don't you show some sympathy? Some people are home sick, and that is okay. Some people are not from here, and that is okay. How boring would it be if we were all from the same place? My neighborhood is just that way. If you're not "from here" (which most people, statistically, are not), then you are subtly slighted. How is that for manners? No wonder some don't feel like they fit in. D.C. people are not happy unless they can say "maybe it's you". To which I say, it's not an attack addressed to you personally (which should be obvious). It is hard to meet people when you are past a certain age (not that old, BTW). I know people who have only lived here and would not leave for that very reason. But how sad is that, to have never lived away from one's parents or never experienced the richness other areas have to offer? And let's face it, D.C. is a judgmental area. Just look how much D.C. gets defensive if you mention NYC. It's insane. On DCUM in particular, they resort to name calling and just plain meanness. I would certainly HOPE it is not indicative of this area, but really, it is no wonder some people feel that this is not home. So next time you say "maybe it's you", look in the mirror first. Ask yourself who you have made feel welcome lately. Or have you been the reason some don't like it here? Really, people don't just make this stuff up. They are allowed to prefer other places. It is not an attack on you. It's okay. |
Anonymous
you can be on the chesapeake bay in (0 min or so.... |
Anonymous
| 90 I mean |
Anonymous
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I like the fact it's 90 minutes to tubing/kayaking the shenandoah, luray, skiing up at liberty, the bay (tho the water sucks)
great falls and the c&o canal... |
Anonymous
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People are NOT in this area for the beaches, I hope! |