Where would you go and why? D.C. area or NYC?

[Shani NC]

Originally Posted by CelticGermanicPride

dc isn't really smaller than philly. it's msa is about philly's msa size and its csa is bigger than philly's although i think ny/philly will become one csa next census.

i was talking about compared to nyc

[adreana]

DC has a high crime rate, higher even than New York. Per capita. Outlying areas of MD and Va are a good possibility. NYC has a very high cost of living. So does Georgetown in DC, and that is the only place in DC I would live in. Why not live in an outlying town, there is usually good mass transit into the city.
On a scale of 1 to 10, the violent crime rate for DC is 9, property crime is 6. On same scale for nyc, violent crime is 6, property crime 3. The national average for violent and property crimes is 4.
Adreana

[killermoose23]

DC is a fun area and very beautiful and so is NYC. Weather wise DC is a little more forgiving.

I love NYC and have been there countless times, mostly as a kid and even spent a quick year of my life just outside the city in Stamford, CT. Personally, I think it is getting a little too crowded. If you want to live in the city itself, make sure you can spend money and lots of it. It is an expensive city to live in.

I go to DC at least a weekend every year and love it every time. If I had to choose right now, I would pick DC area and live in Virginia. I love the red brick and slightly warmer temperatures and have yet to explore the whole area.

You can't go wrong with either choice!

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by JKFire108

DC could be a good city but it doesn't have the critical mass needed I think in order to be a truly pen-ultimate urban experience. DC has lots of great things like great museums, great theatre, great a lot of things but NYC has all of that and more if you like bars and venues it is great.

I think NYC would be safer because DC is the Capital of all government stuff in America and it would a target for terrorists, and while NYC also would be a big target I think it would be less even though 9/11 happened there.

However, if you want more for your money then DC would be better. However if you're very rich or somehow you can provide well for yourself and your family financially (like if you make $200,000 or more a year) then NYC is definitely for you. It really depends on what you want. However I think if you want to raise a family then DC would be better unless your very rich then NYC would be a good choice.

Just FYI: penultimate means "next to last" so I really don't think you meant to describe NYC that way. Scratch off the "pen-" and you've got it right.

I agree that DC gives more for the money as well as smaller crowds and cleaner. But on the other hand, it doesn't have that energy that NYC has.

Originally Posted by adreana

DC has a high crime rate, higher even than New York. Per capita. Outlying areas of MD and Va are a good possibility. NYC has a very high cost of living. So does Georgetown in DC, and that is the only place in DC I would live in. Why not live in an outlying town, there is usually good mass transit into the city.
On a scale of 1 to 10, the violent crime rate for DC is 9, property crime is 6. On same scale for nyc, violent crime is 6, property crime 3. The national average for violent and property crimes is 4.
Adreana

There are a lot of areas in the District besides Georgetown where crime is not such an issue. Northwest DC along Wisconsin Ave, Connecticut Ave, Massachusetts Ave for example.

The concept of "outlying town" in the DC suburbs (MD and VA) is different from the northeast. There aren't that many true towns with an urban or semi-urban feel. Virginia especially is lots of suburban sprawl and traffic-choked roads. Probably not what someone who's ideal lifestyle is urban DC or NYC would care for.

I've lived in DC, live in Alexandria VA now, and have only visited NYC. I really like NYC, but man, there are so many people and it's definitely more expensive. I know a lot of people in the DC area who take trips to NYC several times a year for shows, galleries, shopping, etc. I think that's how I would do it.