OP— I would suggest that you reach out to friends of friends of friends— anyone with ground truth who can give you the scoop on life here to help you make a decision. I’m not going to lie and say that it’s been great, because it hasn’t, overall. The competitiveness and busyness can get to you. I think it’s hardest on kids. Good luck with your plans.

OP==as you can see people either love or hate the DMV. I do not know what category you will fall into. Can you get a job down here and rent for one year and see what you think?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not being cynical and in all honesty it is the least favorite place my family and I agree that we have lived and it’s been many. Would not do it over again easily.

Agree. OP, is there anywhere else you could consider? Besides the job situation, DC isn’t really any better than Philly.

Why?

Anonymous wrote:I would suggest visiting rather than moving. I absolutely regret it and just had a family talk about this last week.

Where did you move from?

Anonymous wrote:Philadelphian here. 30 years in DMV. Here is the deal. Philly public schools are hair on fire bad. But private schools in Philly are cheaper and probably just as good if not better than DMV schools. Here you will pay for a million dollar home in Moco or Fairfax and face private school decision anyways when you realize how poor they are. There is TJ and Blair magnet - think Central and Masterman but no longer a guarantee for smart or cram school smart due to woke politics.

Yep. My perfectly qualified top of the class kid was waitlisted at Masterman Bc it’s a lottery now.

Anonymous wrote:It’s a good time to find an agency job if that’s what you want. All the agencies are bleeding ppl right now due to a booming private sector/great resignation. With big law investigations/white collar you can walk right into SEC or DOJ

I would disagree with this. But I would apply broadly in Philly and DC and see if you get a job. You might have to apply 2 or 3 times at a minimum. It’s very hard to get a good govt job in NYC in my experience

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also add Arlington to your list.

Why would anyone move from Philly to a dull, soulless suburb?

Please rethink your life.

There are dull, soulless suburbs of Philadelphia and interesting and lovely neighborhoods in DC.

We spent enough time in Philadelphia to know we'd have a nice life had we stayed and probably would have bought on the Main Line and commuted to Center City by regional rail. The region isn't the most dynamic region and traffic is a nightmare too. It takes a long time to get around Philadelphia and outside Center City it's a decidedly run down and gritty city and the local politics are dysfunctional with plenty of racial angst. If OP sees much more interesting jobs in DC there is a reason to move to DC for those jobs. She will have to accept trade offs, but I've noticed there's a lot more money in DC and it's easier to build wealth in the long run in DC. Philadelphia is not up and coming and is gliding on past glories. The intellectual capital of DC is genuine and for some people there is an advantage to being part of it.

It’s a good time to find an agency job if that’s what you want. All the agencies are bleeding ppl right now due to a booming private sector/great resignation. With big law investigations/white collar you can walk right into SEC or DOJ

I would move to they City of Falls Church. It has a fantastic small school system and a community feel.

Anonymous wrote:Move to NOVA.

You have one kid already. You might have another. But the public schools in FCPS are worth it.

You forgot the /s

Anonymous wrote:I would also add Arlington to your list.

Why would anyone move from Philly to a dull, soulless suburb?

Please rethink your life.

People in the dmv have no sense of humor like in Philly, are way less down to earth, we have worse traffic, and the food scene is soul less (kind of like the whole area) so yeah I’d say you’d regret it over Philly

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Double edged sword based on what you're saying. You love the lower COL that Philly and the surrounding area offers, but you're bored with your jobs, and the lack of options where your careers are concerned.

DMV is a very interesting area. A lot of Type-A personalities, super intelligent and well-educated people. Good job stability, career options. With that comes the feeling of needing to constantly keep up, or stay ahead - which is exhausting. At first it may feel exciting and invigorating, but after a while you start dreaming of leaving to a slower paced area.

With your budget, you have options - not a ton though unless you want to move outside the beltway (exburbs). You won't be alone though because many folks are now priced out of close in areas.

And you think that's not true of Philadelphia?

OP, I would add: A lot of people here who think DC is the center of the planet, and thus are oddly more provincial than people in other big cities.

Np Yes it isn't true of Philly at least as I remember it growing up there.

I'm in the Philly suburbs. Lots of doctors around my neighborhood! Fewer lawyers than in DC. It's a chiller place, IME. I have not had trouble making interesting fun friends but I think friendship-making gets easier when you have kids in preschool/school.