Move back to DC from Denver (Aurora, Lakewood: movies, high school, camping)

[maciesmom]

Originally Posted by D-town 720

Ever been to Denver? How is it not the big city life? Its way more fast paced than the East bay. Cant see D.C. being so much more of a big city then Denver. I liked D.C. but it lacked highrise development badly and its downtown wasn't too centralized.

Not even close IMO. The Denver Metro area is not anything in size or population compared to the DC Metro area. Haven't seen exact numbers but doesn't even seem close. Then if you consider how close DC is to other well populated cities.....The West is more wide open and laid back, the East tends to be more populated and intense. It all depends on what you want out of life. Neither one is better or worse.

[D-town 720]

Originally Posted by maciesmom

Not even close IMO. The Denver Metro area is not anything in size or population compared to the DC Metro area. Haven't seen exact numbers but doesn't even seem close. Then if you consider how close DC is to other well populated cities.....The West is more wide open and laid back, the East tends to be more populated and intense. It all depends on what you want out of life. Neither one is better or worse.

Really? because I don't see downtown living in the urban sense to be found in D.C. Its a different animal then many other major cities. It has plenty of diversity, food etc and a good vibe but forget about living 30+ stories above ground and having the same experience a centralized downtown offers. D.C. does not have a developed downtown in the urban sense. Its hard to compare it to other cities for this reason.

I don't see the reasoning in suggesting a city is better because other cities are within 4-6 hours. I lived in the SF bay and Sacramento, LA, and SD weren't that accessible. I know that people In Sacramento always brag about their proximity to SF. What is it about D.C. that makes you feel it needs other cities within a day's road trip? How is Denver so laid back compared to D.C.?

[80skeys]

If you want intellectual stimulation, you'd better go someplace else. DC is not an "intellectual" area.

It is 100% a career-driven area.

Originally Posted by maciesmom

Obviously I can't answer for others, but having lived in a variety of places over my lifetime, I think that people who prefer areas like DC etc really miss the "intellectual stimulation" , the fast pace, the career focused (or obsessed depending on your POV) etc etc. Some people thrive on that. Me? I hated it. I do miss a few things (Washington Post Style Invitational), hopping on the metro to be downtown etc but I am a midwesterned/westerner at heart. Whenever I go back to visit I do enjoy it but I have no desire to live like that every day. I like a more relaxed lifestyle (and I really really hate humidity). Others really enjoy that. To each his own.

[80skeys]

The DC metro area population is more than twice the size of Denver.

Originally Posted by maciesmom

Not even close IMO. The Denver Metro area is not anything in size or population compared to the DC Metro area. Haven't seen exact numbers but doesn't even seem close. Then if you consider how close DC is to other well populated cities.....The West is more wide open and laid back, the East tends to be more populated and intense. It all depends on what you want out of life. Neither one is better or worse.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by D-town 720

How is Denver so laid back compared to D.C.?

Because the only thing people care to talk to you about in D.C. (if you can even finagle a conversation out of them) is their career.

[D-town 720]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

Because the only thing people care to talk to you about in D.C. (if you can even finagle a conversation out of them) is their career.

I guess in that sense I would agree. But the several posters here seem to be painting a picture of Denver as being lethargic.

Interestingly, outside of the D.C. metro, the Denver metro has the most federal workers.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by D-town 720

I guess in that sense I would agree. But the several posters here seem to be painting a picture of Denver as being lethargic.

Interestingly, outside of the D.C. metro, the Denver metro has the most federal workers.

Interesting, I did not know.

[DenverCityGirl]

Everything has pros and cons. DC is more of a big city. It has more history, more culture, and more more business opportunities, ...but it is also more expensive, has more traffic, and there is definitely more crime!

[EastBay-NowDCarea]

Originally Posted by D-town 720

Ever been to Denver? How is it not the big city life? Its way more fast paced than the East bay. Cant see D.C. being so much more of a big city then Denver. I liked D.C. but it lacked highrise development badly and its downtown wasn't too centralized.

I don't know if you're aware, but Eastbay is the eastern side of the SF Bay Area. Eastbay is more populated than the entire Denver metro.

Now I'm in DC - moved from the SF Bay area. In CSA Metro population terms, DC has over 8 Million, while Denver has over 2 million: Table of United States Combined Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You claim that downtown DC wasn't centralized. Did you know that when you combine the government buildings in DC it boasts the second largest downtown in America in terms of office space. Only behind NYC. If you take the government buildings out of the picture then it's the third largest downtown behind Chicago.

It's obvious that you have never ever been to DC or SF. For the most part, it sounds like you haven't been outside of Denver.

[maciesmom]

I'm not claiming either one is better....but I HAVE actually lived in both....they are just very different and different things appeal to different people. All I am doing is acknowledging that fact. Me personally? I prefer Denver but I would not assume that it is better for everyone or that everyone should prefer it. That would be a bit narcisistic to assume what I like is what should be for everyone....