Moving back to Minneapolis after 11 years here. It's long overdue. At times I think I might miss the career I have here, but I KNOW that I will completely forget about this place not a week into my new life there. I spent much of these past 11 years working and it's time to enjoy life. At a place where most companies have summer hours/flex schedule for the summer. That's the kind of place it is. Life moves SO fast here. Work, work, commute, work, commute, work, and then work some more. Then spend the weekends in more traffic, long lines at stores. Spend the summer cooped up in the AC, and horrendous weekend traffic. I'm so over it all. Time to get back to an easier, more relaxing life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leaving DC is my daily day dream. Had thought we'd go to Philly to be near family, but now leaning towards Charlotte. DH and I are in finance so it has decent job prospects, nice weather, affordable everything and friendly southerners!

I am a PP from 01/25/2011 20:52. We moved to the Philly burbs. It is so...amazingly...different than DC. We can't imagine what life would still be like in DC (well, I do know, we'd be freaking out over preschools and looking into Cap Hill Day School, not to mention who knows what childcare arrangement we'd be trying to afford). Things are just so - easy here. Drs appts are easy to get, the waits are shorter, the customer service people work harder, services are better - and the grocery store on a saturday is busy, but it won't take you 45 min to check out. And living near family is a DREAM come true!

20:41 again. We were thinking the same thing, maybe try and rent for a year or so and get settled, save some more money. My only hesitation with Philly is that the main line area isn't cheap, and I wasn't sure if we'd be happy further out. But sonds like you are, which is good to hear. Any recommendations on good Philly suburbs? Somewhere you can get a nice place for $400k?

Agree with PP. Despite its reputation, you can carve out a niche in Texas quite easily regardless of political orientation.

There are quite a few false assumptions here about Texas. Texas is very large. If you have never been there, you would be surprised by the positive aspects. Yes, I am from Texas; well emigrated here from my native country as a kid, and mostly grew up in the Houston suburb area. I did live in Dallas and San Antonio for a couple years, but don't remember much, so can only speak on Houston.

To add my 2 cents on the good stuff:

-As mentioned, cost of living is great.
-Good schools, but depends on area.
-Great shopping, sooo many restaurants that cater to different international tastes, nightlife, etc
-Don't know about other cities in Texas, but Houston is VERY ethnically diverse. I would consider it to be a growing international city. There are alot of people from out of state and country who relocate for medical and oil and gas positions.
-A pp mentioned that everyone is Christian. I'm Muslim and there were 3 mosques that I went to on a regular basis in Houston. There are plenty of different active religious communities.
-Most people are very friendly
-First openly gay mayor


Not so good stuff:
-The weather. Seriously. On the plus side, harsh winters are rare.
-Public transportation is limited compared to other large cities.
-I do have to say, I lived in a small town for 3 years that was about 30 miles outside of Houston, and being literally the only Asian Muslim kid in my elementary school mostly composed of AA and Hispanic kids was a bit challenging, but when I started junior high, we had moved closer in to Houston and it was definitely a big difference. So, as I stated, Texas is very large and like any other state, there are some areas which are better than others.

I'm moving to a suburb of Sacramento in two months. Can't wait. For what we paid for our 2br townhome in Vienna we are looking at 5br sfh. Good public schools, beautiful weather, near family and friends, easy commute. Same salary, much better standard of living.

I would love to move back to Northern California, but we are stuck in our house -- under water, so not leaving any time soon. The main reasons for moving are: 1) closer to family - none here, 2) horrible commutes in DC, 3) humidity & mosquitors in DC summer, 4) more laid back lifestyle in CA.

There are many benefits living in DC, so we're going to enjoy them while we're here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leaving DC is my daily day dream. Had thought we'd go to Philly to be near family, but now leaning towards Charlotte. DH and I are in finance so it has decent job prospects, nice weather, affordable everything and friendly southerners!

I am a PP from 01/25/2011 20:52. We moved to the Philly burbs. It is so...amazingly...different than DC. We can't imagine what life would still be like in DC (well, I do know, we'd be freaking out over preschools and looking into Cap Hill Day School, not to mention who knows what childcare arrangement we'd be trying to afford). Things are just so - easy here. Drs appts are easy to get, the waits are shorter, the customer service people work harder, services are better - and the grocery store on a saturday is busy, but it won't take you 45 min to check out. And living near family is a DREAM come true!

16:03 again. I want to be in a nicer city. I'm tired of being surrounded by a bunch of rude, type A's (especially DC drivers who seem to be perpetually pissed off) and I feel weary over the thought of how much it will cost for childcare in this city.

Anonymous wrote:Leaving DC is my daily day dream. Had thought we'd go to Philly to be near family, but now leaning towards Charlotte. DH and I are in finance so it has decent job prospects, nice weather, affordable everything and friendly southerners!

I am a PP from 01/25/2011 20:52. We moved to the Philly burbs. It is so...amazingly...different than DC. We can't imagine what life would still be like in DC (well, I do know, we'd be freaking out over preschools and looking into Cap Hill Day School, not to mention who knows what childcare arrangement we'd be trying to afford). Things are just so - easy here. Drs appts are easy to get, the waits are shorter, the customer service people work harder, services are better - and the grocery store on a saturday is busy, but it won't take you 45 min to check out. And living near family is a DREAM come true!

16:03 here. I'm thinking of moving southward too. The only hesitation is being surrounded by a bunch of fundies (I'm from there and know how it is), but in a major city we should be fine.

We're considerinig making the move to Charlottesville or Salem/Roanoke in the next year.

Leaving DC is my daily day dream. Had thought we'd go to Philly to be near family, but now leaning towards Charlotte. DH and I are in finance so it has decent job prospects, nice weather, affordable everything and friendly southerners!

18:03 - there are days when I think I can not take it another day. Ex: the whats in it for me attitude; friends of a different caliber, so to speak.

Bumping this thread because I'm feeling after nearly a decade in DC, I'm over it and ready to move somewhere where the cost of living is cheaper, family is closer, and I'm not surrounded by workaholics (because I'm becoming one).

Anonymous wrote:The commute to NOVA from southern MD is much, much better after the new Wilson Bridge was put up and the fixes to the exits to Route 1. I live in Alexandria and I do not forget the epic backups to get over the old bridge. It's night and day now and a more attractive option for someone who wants to buy a house for a good price but still work in NOVA.

but then you are in your car as there are no good public transportation options in that direction...and doomed to pay a fortune in gas. Cheap housing doesn't compensate for that.

Still doubtful about Prince George's.

Surely there must be some areas to avoid in that county. Or, do the crime and bad schools come ex nihilo and every DCUM poster that lives there manage to avoid them?

Buy a $300k home, take on a $270k mortgage at 5%:
$1449.42 principal/interest
$300 insurance/taxes (assuming $1/$100 tax rate)
$1749.42

One kid's Catholic school at $800 a month puts us in the range of what I was paying to live in Vienna on a $500k home.