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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"

Thanks for this. Can completely understand the viewpoints, but so happy to read your post. Was hoping it was more than just a place to work, even if that is a MAJOR part of life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Wow OK. Thank you for sharing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"

Thanks for this. Can completely understand the viewpoints, but so happy to read your post. Was hoping it was more than just a place to work, even if that is a MAJOR part of life

This board can be very negative about life in DC. It’s like most internet experiences— people who are unhappy about something are much more likely to go online to complain about it. DC has a lot of positives (as long as you don’t spend your time comparing it to places you lived before— for example you might not find the Mexican food you are used to in LA but try a Salvadoran pupusa instead)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWDC is friendly and a great place to raise kids, especially if you want them to have a sense of confidence in navigating cities as they grow into adolescence. A great mix of interesting people. I love living here. Good luck with your move!

Stressful, cut throat, superficial, competitive, sneaky, petty too when it comes to kids. The schools in NW can be pressure cookers. Works for some kids but if you have kid who are not top students they will feel behind.

This has been our experience. Absolutely awful. My husband grew up here and so actually believes that kids' childhoods are supposed to be some kind of strenuous boot camp for life. His childhood in DC was basically an elitist pressure cooker under the thumb of a narcissit mother. Other than the narcissist mother, my poor children have experienced the same. They hate it and can't wait to go somewhere where real people live. They cannot believe how friendly people in the world are when they go to other places.

NP. I need to know more, such as where you live, where your kids go to school , and what you and DH do for work and social activities

I am a fed lifer married to a high school teacher whose kids go to public school and who socializes with mostly other feds, teachers, nonprofit types. Neighbors mostly have similar type jobs-- even the lawyers are in public-interest fields. What you describe doesn't fit our experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thank you so much! Really helpful information and insights, especially the comparisons to HK and London. Will definitely look at your recommendations in terms of RE locations. Agreed, I have no idea where we'll end up as the market is crazy, but we'd like to target certain areas first. Loved the "type of people" POV as well. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWDC is friendly and a great place to raise kids, especially if you want them to have a sense of confidence in navigating cities as they grow into adolescence. A great mix of interesting people. I love living here. Good luck with your move!

Stressful, cut throat, superficial, competitive, sneaky, petty too when it comes to kids. The schools in NW can be pressure cookers. Works for some kids but if you have kid who are not top students they will feel behind.

This has been our experience. Absolutely awful. My husband grew up here and so actually believes that kids' childhoods are supposed to be some kind of strenuous boot camp for life. His childhood in DC was basically an elitist pressure cooker under the thumb of a narcissit mother. Other than the narcissist mother, my poor children have experienced the same. They hate it and can't wait to go somewhere where real people live. They cannot believe how friendly people in the world are when they go to other places.

NP. I need to know more, such as where you live, where your kids go to school , and what you and DH do for work and social activities

I am a fed lifer married to a high school teacher whose kids go to public school and who socializes with mostly other feds, teachers, nonprofit types. Neighbors mostly have similar type jobs-- even the lawyers are in public-interest fields. What you describe doesn't fit our experience.

My kdis grew up here, and are now at college elsewhere. They don't think this is true at all, and while they are enjoying their respective new locations (MA and MI), they like it ere and have found positives and negatives elsewhere. Perhaps your attitude rubbed off on your kids? People are very friendly in other places, but not necessarily actually any kinder or better people. The one thing they do like about this area is that people are much more well informed about the world outside of the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"

Thanks for this. Can completely understand the viewpoints, but so happy to read your post. Was hoping it was more than just a place to work, even if that is a MAJOR part of life

This board can be very negative about life in DC. It’s like most internet experiences— people who are unhappy about something are much more likely to go online to complain about it. DC has a lot of positives (as long as you don’t spend your time comparing it to places you lived before— for example you might not find the Mexican food you are used to in LA but try a Salvadoran pupusa instead)

Thanks so much for the perspective and yes, for sure everyone's experiences are different. I was really happy to read both sides and about the differences in how people perceive others/group types.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I live not far from Volta (Georgetown, for those of you who aren’t familiar) and there are lots of families here, I have many nice SAHM friends. Maybe the people you think are nannies are really us mommies!

This isn’t to say some people don’t have nannies (including some SAHM) but we for sure are here. The pool there is an amazing free resource for us with kids and the tennis courts are nice too (kids can take lessons).

Not tremendously diverse, however. And it is quite expensive. Burleith and Glover Park are good alternatives.

[Anonymous]

DC can have a very suburban feeling. Most people in your bracket are not happy with DC schools. If you are set on public school Bethesda Mclean or private in DC. The lottery drives many parents crazy. Some international transplants are not happy that the central urban areas are very expensive/ walkable/ fun but the schools aren’t great. Some of the schools are but it takes luck. I personally didn’t want to rely on luck for my kids. Best to you. DC is a great place to live !

[Anonymous]

DC is the 5th largest city in the US but it’s not dense like NYC. It’s filled with highly educated people with elite and high paying jobs. That’s the demographic in the $2M range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I'm a SAHM, my husband works in digital/cloud consulting. Budget probably needs to be $1.8, although we'd LOVE to spend less!! The market is so tough for buyers at the moment, so we just might have to push the budget. We were going to relocate this year, but houses in DC would be pending in a few hours. If we don't live there, I don't know how we will be able to purchase. I'm sure our current house will sell quickly, however, I feel we'll have to live in an apartment in DC for a while as it would be a miracle to get the first house we make an offer on.

See if you can find a house on VRBO in Gtown for a month or two!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is the 5th largest city in the US but it’s not dense like NYC. It’s filled with highly educated people with elite and high paying jobs. That’s the demographic in the $2M range.

Thank you for this! That's what I'm gathering and there are definitely varying opinions on how people feel/experience that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC can have a very suburban feeling. Most people in your bracket are not happy with DC schools. If you are set on public school Bethesda Mclean or private in DC. The lottery drives many parents crazy. Some international transplants are not happy that the central urban areas are very expensive/ walkable/ fun but the schools aren’t great. Some of the schools are but it takes luck. I personally didn’t want to rely on luck for my kids. Best to you. DC is a great place to live !

Thanks! Yes, we did the lottery last year in anticipation of the move and I'm glad I did, even for the "practice". I wouldn't rely on it as a strategy for getting into a choice school. We are trying to research the areas that could potentially tick two boxes....walkability/city and good schools. Will be tough to find given the RE market, but I'm reading that the market is predicted to be less frenzied in 2022....let's see. Hoping we don't have to live in temp housing with our belongings in storage too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is the 5th largest city in the US but it’s not dense like NYC. It’s filled with highly educated people with elite and high paying jobs. That’s the demographic in the $2M range.

Thank you for this! That's what I'm gathering and there are definitely varying opinions on how people feel/experience that.

Hi there! We work in similar fields and had a similar set of preferences as you. I’d stick with NWDC and look for the best house you can find in Chevy Chase DC, anywhere down Wisconsin (Glover Park, Georgetown etc) or zoned for Mann or Key. We live in Palisades and love it- it sort of feels like a small town within the city. Kids are super, super happy with school and have friends from all over the world. IMO it’s a great place to grow up. We personally are planning to stick with DCPS through middle/ high school if possible, but could do private if really necessary. The suburbs are ok, tbh I’m not a huge fan of the housing stock. Maybe in the more walkable areas of Bethesda or Arlington you’d be happy, but the houses get very expensive fast. Welcome! I think you’ll love it here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWDC is friendly and a great place to raise kids, especially if you want them to have a sense of confidence in navigating cities as they grow into adolescence. A great mix of interesting people. I love living here. Good luck with your move!

Stressful, cut throat, superficial, competitive, sneaky, petty too when it comes to kids. The schools in NW can be pressure cookers. Works for some kids but if you have kid who are not top students they will feel behind.

[b]This has been our experience. Absolutely awful. My husband grew up here and so actually believes that kids' childhoods are supposed to be some kind of strenuous boot camp for life. His childhood in DC was basically an elitist pressure cooker under the thumb of a narcissit mother. Other than the narcissist mother, my poor children have experienced the same. They hate it and can't wait to go somewhere where real people live. They cannot believe how friendly people in the world are when they go to other places.

[/b]
NP. I need to know more, such as where you live, where your kids go to school , and what you and DH do for work and social activities

I am a fed lifer married to a high school teacher whose kids go to public school and who socializes with mostly other feds, teachers, nonprofit types. Neighbors mostly have similar type jobs-- even the lawyers are in public-interest fields. What you describe doesn't fit our experience.

My kdis grew up here, and are now at college elsewhere. They don't think this is true at all, and while they are enjoying their respective new locations (MA and MI), they like it ere and have found positives and negatives elsewhere. Perhaps your attitude rubbed off on your kids? People are very friendly in other places, but not necessarily actually any kinder or better people. The one thing they do like about this area is that people are much more well informed about the world outside of the US.

My DC are in college too, as you say, "elsewhere." They got as far away from DC as possible, hated everything about the parents here and the way children are raised. And no, before you ask, they didn't run from us, we have a second home near where they both attend college. There's a lot of truth in the statement about strenuous boot camp of life, only those that support that type of child rearing will call it out as positive.