I feel like transplants, especially recent ones, expect DC to be a lot cleaner and more sterilized than it is. They seem really taken aback by the crime, "rudeness" of people, and crowds.

DC natives have seen much worse and they don't bat an eye to any of it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I a transplant? I've lived here since 1994. I'm 45. I sure feel like a native at this point.

Yes, you are a transplant. If you can't answer "where did you go to school?", then you are a transplant.

Twenty one years in this city (IN the city, no burbs) has to give you some points. This city's changed SO much in that time, for better and for worse.

You can call yourself a Washingtonian now- you have earned that right. But not a native.

I know several District of Columbia natives. They all grew up in Ward 3. Some went to Murch/Lafayette and some went to Sidwell/St. Albans/NCS. All had highly educated, well-read parents.

I'd have to agree that none of these ~15 adults swoon over the visual of the White House at this point, they DO still like the city. We all live in ward3 fwiw, except one guy who lives in petworth.

Anonymous wrote:I think transplants seem more infatuated with the area in general. They seem to view the city through perpetual rose colored glasses.

On the other hand, natives don't seem all that impressed. They don't seem to have the same thrill or appreciation that the transplants do, when seeing monuments or Dupont Circle other "DC" things

I think it's the opposite. Most of the transplants I know don't love it here.

I am native, married a native and most of our friends are native, but it makes sense since we all went to elementary-high school together. There are tons of us here.

Anonymous wrote:I moved here in 2000. In that time, I've met 2 natives. So I can't really compare them to transplants.

Interesting. I live in DC but grew up in "close-in" MD suburb. It seems like many, many people I know from HS still live around here.

I moved here in 2000. In that time, I've met 2 natives. So I can't really compare them to transplants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Am I a transplant? I've lived here since 1994. I'm 45. I sure feel like a native at this point.

Yes, you are a transplant. If you can't answer "where did you go to school?", then you are a transplant.

Twenty one years in this city (IN the city, no burbs) has to give you some points. This city's changed SO much in that time, for better and for worse.

Anonymous wrote:Am I a transplant? I've lived here since 1994. I'm 45. I sure feel like a native at this point.

Yes, you are a transplant. If you can't answer "where did you go to school?", then you are a transplant.

Anonymous wrote:Am I a transplant? I've lived here since 1994. I'm 45. I sure feel like a native at this point.

You moved here as an adult. I'd consider you a transplant but your children natives.

Am I a transplant? I've lived here since 1994. I'm 45. I sure feel like a native at this point.

Anonymous wrote:DC proper? Or the burbs as well? The true DC natives I know are the real socialite type. Transplants - a lot more diversity there.

I think close in burbs can qualify, but not super far out. Someone who grew up regularly coming into DC proper and spent time there, if that makes sense.

I think transplants seem more infatuated with the area in general. They seem to view the city through perpetual rose colored glasses.

On the other hand, natives don't seem all that impressed. They don't seem to have the same thrill or appreciation that the transplants do, when seeing monuments or Dupont Circle other "DC" things

DC proper? Or the burbs as well? The true DC natives I know are the real socialite type. Transplants - a lot more diversity there.

What differences do you notice between the two?