Reply to How can you NOT like living in DC?

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[quote=Anonymous]While I agree with many of the pros OP listed, I also see some cons to the DC area (and it doesn't make me a hater).  As far as cities go, I agree that DC has an amazing balance of urban landscape/cultural features with greenery and natural beauty.

You nailed the first con, which was weighted heavily for me: cost of living.  I'm in my early 30's with a newborn, make a decent but not astronomical salary (~100K) and find the long term prospects raising a family in the DC area daunting.  I'm not saying it can't be done (many do it), but it would include trade offs that I don't want to make, especially in terms of housing options and the accompanying commute.  If money were no object, I'd buy a house in the close-in suburbs in a second, but that's not the case for my family.

Funny that you mention Charlotte, because that is exactly where we moved a few months ago.  I'm making very similar money and bought a house a few miles outside of downtown Charlotte for 250K.   My commute is 10 minutes door to door, I have a backyard and front porch, and overall happier quality of life (according to my personal goals/tastes).

I don't think COL can be understated, because that factor can really intertwine with others such as commute.  If I looked for a 250K place around DC, I'd either be living in a shoe box or be commuting for hours each day (both reducing family time and wearing me down).

I can certainly see how a city like Charlotte wouldn't appeal to everyone (many would find it sleepier than DC, etc.) but it offers a family like mine opportunities to live the type of life we want, that aren't readily available in DC.[/quote]

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