If you relocated from DC to Bay Area…

[Anonymous]

What do you wish you had known before the move? I know SF and around pretty well and have known friends who lived in the city and in San Jose. However, old info. isn’t the same as current info, and visiting isn’t the same as living. I’m currently in DC proper (a city person) interested in remaining in an urban environment —probably Oakland or other (slightly) more affordable city around the Bay. My household is mulling a job offer with a pay increase that could make these feasible for us.

[Anonymous]

I made the move almost 7 years ago (after having gone to college in the Bay Area and then leaving for 10+ years), and I think you need to provide more information about why you are considering the move, size of the pay increase, etc.

I know many will disagree, but I found DC to be one of the most livable areas I've ever been in. I did not live in DC proper, but just on the outskirts. The city is a good density, IMHO, public transit makes it easy to live in the (close-in) suburbs and still take advantage fo the city (I also worked in DC), and there are many affordable cultural benefits to DC. Basically, none of this is true in the Bay Area. But if you like being outdoors in nature and good weather, I think the Bay Area beats DC. Same if you're into cutting edge technology.

So, it really depends on what's important to you. DH really does not like DC, otherwise I would strongly consider moving back there.

[Anonymous]

If you like weather and the outdoors and want to get away from winter/summer - you may love it.

But you'd better also like the inside of your car, because even the "walkable" parts of the bay area (outside of SF proper) still really require a car.

[Anonymous]

OP back again.

What I'm most interested in getting at are the things that you have discovered that were difficult to know until you relocated. It could be anything related to the culture of the Bay Area or good or bad quality of life things that you have noticed. Anything regarding weather, attractions, events, cost of living is relatively easy to look up. Nor do I really need help with a pros and cons list.

For example, if I were telling someone about the DC Metro area, I might mention the following:

While housing in DC can be relatively more expensive than the surrounding suburbs, the effective homestead real estate tax rate is almost half of Montgomery County's. As well, universal all-day Pre-K3 can make living in the city more affordable for young families.

DC is a surprisingly good city for live music, particularly indie rock and live jazz. This is because the city and close-in suburbs have so many rock clubs of varying size as well as bars and restaurants that feature live music.

While our morning and evening rush hours run late, and a lot of people arrive at work after 9 a.m., many services like dry cleaners, hair stylists, and boutique fitness studios, even within DC, shutter between 6 and 7 p.m.

While it's not scenic, North Bethesda can be a great place to rent or own a condo. It has many inexpensive restaurants, convenient access to big box stores and every grocery chain, and 30 min red line commute to downtown.

Anyway, I appreciate any time that people put into sharing their experiences.

[Anonymous]

PG&E has started cutting off power whenever a threat of a wildfire exists. I believe this just started this year. Between July/August and November last year, you would randomly wake up to the news announcing another potential power shut off. Sometimes with little to no warning.

Also, because of the way the power grids are structured out here, even if you are not in a fire risk area your power line/station (whatever they are called) may be connected to a high risk area, so your power will be cut.

Although your particular household may keep power, the uncertainty and wide ranging power outages are really disruptive to everyday life. Have weekend plans outside the city? Well, they may be losing power.

Also, North Bay has really, really been hit hard by the fiires the past few years. The fall, which is my favorite season here, has becoming anxiety provoking.

[Anonymous]

I think the need for daily car time is a real thing. Areas right around BART stations are very expensive.

[Anonymous]

Also, North Bay has really, really been hit hard by the fiires the past few years. The fall, which is my favorite season here, has becoming anxiety provoking.

This ^^^^ I worry more about fire than earthquakes.

I moved here nearly 20 years ago from D.C.

I love it here and don't miss the east coast at all. The natural beauty and opportunity for recreation and weekend trips is almost never ending. I think there are a lot of assumptions from the advice I am reading that, may or may not apply to you.

First a caveat, who knows how all of this changes as it relates to the current pandemic.

I have gone through two Boom/Busts here. 2001 with the .com bubble bursting, and 2008. Both times housing prices took a pretty big hit and with in five or six years roared past their previous high water marks.

The "Big House" or McMansion trend is not really a thing here. People understand that they will likely pay over a million $'s for what would be considered a modest home in the DMV.

With the opportunity to WFH, and now an emphasis on it, you may be able to find a bigger home in the outer suburbs. However, the schools probably won't be as good. I know people that live in Tahoe that have jobs in the Bay Area. They will Airbnb one or two nights a week, come to town for meetings/office days, and then head home.

Childcare is crazy expensive here. We went through a period where both kids were in extended pre-school and our monthly nut was as much as our mortgage.

The live music scene here is amazing. In Marin, where we live, we have Terrapin Station and Sweetwater Music Hall. Sleepy suburban music joints right? Terrapin is owned by Phil Lesh and Bob Weir owns Sweetwater, some of the best live music i have ever seen has been at these two clubs. With less than 300 people.

If you are looking to recreate your D.C. life in California, don't. The lifestyle and priorities are just different here. If you want an adventure and to explore a new world, come on out!

[Anonymous]

I lived in DC, MOCO and NOVA. I now live in South Bay.

Things that I didn't know -

1. While housing space is smaller it really works. We paid $$$ because we thought we really needed 3000 sq feet. In hindsight, 2000 or smaller would have been fine. The open layouts here are really well done and livable. I do love one story living now.

2. Do not move all the furniture that you have been dragging around because its good quality. People here do not hold onto furniture or pass it down. Ikea actually is well done here if you are on a budget or good mid century modern or arts and crafts if you want higher end.

3. Garages are way smaller and there are usually far fewer closets and built in book cases. Get rid of stuff.

4. People in DC listen to NPR, stay current about politics, economics and world events. Here people are not very knowledgable and conversation can be boring. People are much friendlier and neighbors interact a lot more.

5. Its hard to just dump stuff so you end up donating or garage selling old stuff.

6. Get an electric car if only for the commute.

7. Get a place with lots of natural light and ceiling fans to save on utilities.

8. SF is not as fun or nice as I remembered it from years ago. Its not the homeless but the traffic. It is just exhausting getting into SF even taking Cal Train and Ubering to the area you want to go.

9. You do want a car because there are amazing road trips. Big Sur, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe all in driving distance.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you can get insurance on your home. If your area is high fire risk, many insurers are dropping people.

Great place to live! The vibe is so much better than DC. People have lives outside of work! And they don’t wear dour suits all of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like weather and the outdoors and want to get away from winter/summer - you may love it.

But you'd better also like the inside of your car, because even the "walkable" parts of the bay area (outside of SF proper) still really require a car.

I lived there 15 years without one. So: no.