Reply to NYTimes: College educated workers are leaving DC due to high housing costs

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The reality is that these T2 cities now have most of the amenities of larger cities with nicer housing, less traffic and fewer awful people. And for the number of times you actually use the Smithsonian or go to the theater, you can travel to NYC or DC four times a year to see the shows and then GTFO back to a more civilized enclave.[/quote]

Depends on the person. We actually use the Smithsonian almost every weekend. We are also tired of the high cost of housing and some of the culture in DC, and are exploring moving elsewhere. But losing access to free museums and events, all year round, is actually a big deal and not easy to give up.

Another issue we are encountering is that there are very few truly walkable cities in the US. DC, NYC, Boston, Philly. Chicago has decent public transportation which can make it walkable if you live/work/go to school in the right place. Seattle is walkable in parts but it's public transportation is spotty. All the other alternatives people have mentioned -- Minneapolis, Portland, Denver, Austin, etc. -- you will be very car dependent.

But NYC and Seattle are as expensive if not more so than DC. Boston is comparable. Philly and Chicago are cheaper; they are also more insular and can be harder to move to as an outsider -- fewer transplants and if you aren't from there, it can be socially difficult.

I totally get why people might want to leave DC. We often feel that way. But the idea that there are lots of other cities that offer what DC offers is false. DC offers something really unique: a walkable, modern city with a booming economy, tons of cultural/social activities and venues, AND a culture that is extremely friendly to newcomers and outsiders.[/quote]

I can’t recommend Philly enough. Like all big cities, it has big city problems, but cost of living is so much better and has all of the amenities, most of which are better than DC. Much better in terms of restaurants, etc. Also, it really isn’t insular at least in greater center city. Lots of transplants from Europe as well. The only major issue is that schools are difficult to navigate in the city. There are options but not easy if you don’t go private.  Suburbs have comparable school stock to DC burbs [/quote]

I absolutely respectfully disagree with PP about culture that is friendly to newcomers and outsiders here.  I'm from Chicago and came here years ago for a job where I met my husband and settled.  I am STILL having a hard time making solid friendships work.  Most of the folks that I get along with end up moving after x amount of time.  Nobody who I really like stays.  Nobody here is truly nice - there's always a motive for being "nice" so that they seem like it but really aren't.  I have never actually met so many not nice people until I came out here.  In the MW like Chicago, I met truly nice people.  Normal people who said how they felt and did not play games with you - the social aspect here is very very important to people and what results is that you can't really trust anyone to be a friend even if they are "nice" to you.  I love Philly a lot and I don't think that the school thing is really the big obstacle - I have to put my kids in private in Alexandria so on top of high cost of living - there is the school to consider paying for.  I HATE it here but it's where we've settled.  But make no mistake, I would never ever suggest people to move here or stay here if they could leave.  I would never suggest this area is friendly and nice.  The places mentioned like Philly, Chicago, even SF and NYC - these are artistic centers and moreover, financial hubs (NYC/Chicago anyway).  They are food places.  In DC I know people think there's good food here but they have no idea.  It's lawyers who like to be seen and pay $$$ for fancy beautiful looking dishes.  Really good food is what you get in Chicago/Philly/NYC - Fancy and good food are NOT the same.  Anyway, I just do not feel that DMV really great taste - great educated people maybe and even well travelled but kinda like new money, they aren't refined and do not have a lot of taste.  Most people I know who do leave DMV after some time.[/quote]

As a transplant you likely spend time with transplants. Perhaps you should spend time in DC not Washington. There is a difference. [/quote]

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