Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 16:09     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Best friend just moved to DC from New England and is having a really tough time adjusting. We are both born and bred New Englanders. I moved back from DC to New England a few years ago after a long time in NoVA. Work just took her there and she's really having a rough time. Been a while since I lived there, so - ideas?

Criticisms are - lots of bland condos and not a lot of "neighborhoods" with their own little town squares and small shops. Up here most towns have a main street with independent shops, not planned communities build around retail. She went to Reston Town Center the other day and felt deflated. She is living in Bethesda but feels like it is very homogenous. I suggested looking more in Del Ray area for things to do. It has truly been a while since I lived there and I'm wondering how to help - anyone here know? Looking for charming little towns, stately architecture, sidewalks, etc. Think Concord or Lexington Massachusetts. Not sure what may be comparable. McLean?



Sorry OP, I totally sympathize with your friend. Bethesda is nothing like New England towns and it’s really one of the better centers in the DMV orbit. She’s not going to find a Lexington or Concord here.

DMV suburbs/surrounding towns don’t have that Main Street layout or the charming New England architecture. If it’s density and life she misses she can get some of that in DC, but it won’t be like Boston.

Signed - another reluctant New England transplant.


+1

Signed, a New Englander who couldn't take it anymore and moved back to New England


+2 a New Englander counting the days till I can leave. I was just back for Thanksgiving and everyone is so much nicer there - it’s jarring.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 16:07     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Best friend just moved to DC from New England and is having a really tough time adjusting. We are both born and bred New Englanders. I moved back from DC to New England a few years ago after a long time in NoVA. Work just took her there and she's really having a rough time. Been a while since I lived there, so - ideas?

Criticisms are - lots of bland condos and not a lot of "neighborhoods" with their own little town squares and small shops. Up here most towns have a main street with independent shops, not planned communities build around retail. She went to Reston Town Center the other day and felt deflated. She is living in Bethesda but feels like it is very homogenous. I suggested looking more in Del Ray area for things to do. It has truly been a while since I lived there and I'm wondering how to help - anyone here know? Looking for charming little towns, stately architecture, sidewalks, etc. Think Concord or Lexington Massachusetts. Not sure what may be comparable. McLean?



Go back to New England.
You won't be missed.


Why so defensive PP? It's like they directly insulted YOU but they DIDN'T. Maybe, just maybe, this isn't about YOU.


+ This. There are some crazy posters on here. Such a weird reaction. I guess a variation on the Trumpy “go back to where you came from?”
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 16:01     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Best friend just moved to DC from New England and is having a really tough time adjusting. We are both born and bred New Englanders. I moved back from DC to New England a few years ago after a long time in NoVA. Work just took her there and she's really having a rough time. Been a while since I lived there, so - ideas?

Criticisms are - lots of bland condos and not a lot of "neighborhoods" with their own little town squares and small shops. Up here most towns have a main street with independent shops, not planned communities build around retail. She went to Reston Town Center the other day and felt deflated. She is living in Bethesda but feels like it is very homogenous. I suggested looking more in Del Ray area for things to do. It has truly been a while since I lived there and I'm wondering how to help - anyone here know? Looking for charming little towns, stately architecture, sidewalks, etc. Think Concord or Lexington Massachusetts. Not sure what may be comparable. McLean?



Sorry OP, I totally sympathize with your friend. Bethesda is nothing like New England towns and it’s really one of the better centers in the DMV orbit. She’s not going to find a Lexington or Concord here.

DMV suburbs/surrounding towns don’t have that Main Street layout or the charming New England architecture. If it’s density and life she misses she can get some of that in DC, but it won’t be like Boston.

Signed - another reluctant New England transplant.


+1

Signed, a New Englander who couldn't take it anymore and moved back to New England
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:48     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:I honestly do not know how people deal with the lack of creativity and beauty in the DMV, seriously. If you've ever been to NYC, Chicago, New Orleans, SF, the entire of Europe and even Mexico City, and many more countries, you will realize how bad it is here. Concrete is not pretty. The architecture is not interesting.


Agree completely but if you’re stuck here it’s your job to make the most of it!!!
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:46     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:Best friend just moved to DC from New England and is having a really tough time adjusting. We are both born and bred New Englanders. I moved back from DC to New England a few years ago after a long time in NoVA. Work just took her there and she's really having a rough time. Been a while since I lived there, so - ideas?

Criticisms are - lots of bland condos and not a lot of "neighborhoods" with their own little town squares and small shops. Up here most towns have a main street with independent shops, not planned communities build around retail. She went to Reston Town Center the other day and felt deflated. She is living in Bethesda but feels like it is very homogenous. I suggested looking more in Del Ray area for things to do. It has truly been a while since I lived there and I'm wondering how to help - anyone here know? Looking for charming little towns, stately architecture, sidewalks, etc. Think Concord or Lexington Massachusetts. Not sure what may be comparable. McLean?



None of these places are DC. She didn’t move to DC but the suburbs and you’re recommending other suburbs.
Go to dc and explore different neighborhoods for fun things to do. They all have uniquely different things about them. If she needs places outside of DC to visit for day trips: Go to Alexandria, Frederick Maryland, Harper’s ferry, middleburg, Kent island, Virginia countryside like Purcellville, and more. Quit sending her to “reston” and “del ray” vapid little places with no soul and no interest, just pretentious fools preening around in their fake enclave ir bland suburb. Choose history and presence. I am deflated on her behalf at your terrible choices!
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:46     Subject: Re:"Nothing is unique in DC"
I think the sentiment "nothing is unique in DC" is too kind. My sentiment is actually, "everything is blah in DMV and it's so depressing to live in this city that's crazy expensive and butt ugly and without soul."
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:43     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
^ Any other major metro city is more architecturally sophisticated than the whole of DMV, incl Philly, Boston, NYC. I mean for how metropolitan and $$$ it is, DMV is beyond soul less. It's empty, ugly and ugh. I hate it here but alas, I'm bound by DH's job to remain. If I were in Kansas or a place without expectations, that's one thing but to be in the capital of the US and have to look at concrete strewn around d'town and to even in Old Town where I am, it's truly not all that. I lived in Old Town Chicago for years and good god the architecture is delicious. The ugly is on another level here and is so depressing when you figure the cost of housing here.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:41     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Uh... none of the places you mentioned are in DC despite your title. It's like going to Jersey and saying you don't like New York City.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:40     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
I agree most of this whole area is junky. I live in Bethesda.

Neighborhoods within DC are more organic with more character though most are less uniformly upscale than Lexington, Concord etc. Parts of Chevy Chase are pretty cute too.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:39     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
I live in Del Ray and no - I would take Chicago or any place in Europe in a New York minute LOL
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:38     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
I honestly do not know how people deal with the lack of creativity and beauty in the DMV, seriously. If you've ever been to NYC, Chicago, New Orleans, SF, the entire of Europe and even Mexico City, and many more countries, you will realize how bad it is here. Concrete is not pretty. The architecture is not interesting.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:26     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
City of Falls Church, Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 15:14     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
I grew up in nova (Fairfax) and 30 years ago there were pockets of uniqueness like fun hole in the wall restaurants etc. Now it is just an expanse of close together homes and fake town centers. It is soulless.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 14:58     Subject: "Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry, OP, there is nothing this area can offer to your friend that will make it feel like the places she knows. Any D.C. area neighborhood or town is going to be different than a Boston suburb.

If she's unable to find enjoyable things about a different place, she realistically should start planning a return. That's why the few people I know who moved from MA still wax poetic about it and play the comparison game until they can get back.


+1

Came here for work. I had an open mind but after a year of exploring different areas in and around DC, I realized it's just not the same as New England. More specifically I'm comparing the area to Cambridge/Somerville where I used to work and live - there's nothing like it here. But I am also familiar enough with towns like Lexington and Concord to agree with your friend that she won't find towns like that here. And wait until she experiences DC summers if she hasn't already. After three years I realized if I didnt take action I would be bitter and always regret it, and the negativity about where I lived isn't helping anyone. Took some effort and planning 8but I'm so happy to be moving back soon. And once I know my time here is finite, I was able to enjoy the positives more (yes to milder winters)!



Why would you think it would be?? Would you move to Kansas or LA and expect it to be the same as New England? What a weird way to approach a new city.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2024 14:30     Subject: Re:"Nothing is unique in DC"
Anonymous wrote:OP, most people don't think Concord or Lexington as reference for anything. Get over yourself!


the good thing about the internet is those who have relevant experience can choose to respond and others can (should) ignore. Plenty of people have lived in Boston area or New England and DMV, and can offer their actually helpful perspective.