Atl to DC ... Advice (houses, theatres, school) - Washington, DC - City-Data Forum

yankeesoutherngirl · 12-15-2007, 10:29 AM

Hi All. I'm a late-20's (single) professional looking to attend grad school in the DC area. However, the posts on this site are, to be blunt, freaking me the h*** out! I'm a yankee originally, but I love Atlanta and am a little scared to move to DC.

So, any advice? I'm not sure where I'd be attending for G-school yet, but I went to a state school undergrad, and am very cultured and come from a good family but am not "pretentious" if that makes sense. That probably sounded pretentious. Heh! Anyway, what I mean is that I'm not into a glut of self-important trust fund babies attempting to have power trips. (already did the NYC thing, thanks). But well educated, conscious people trying to change the world is a different story.

I do have a friend or two and some family connections in the area, but I'm terrified of not being able to "make it" or that it will be hard for me to re-establish a social network in DC given my late-20s-single-girl status, despite being outgoing. I have a great group of friends in Atl and an active social life, and am worried DC will be a big change with no indie music scene, cool coffeehouses or art galleries, etc.

Has anyone else had this experience? Is the high cost of housing, commute, and change in culture worth the tradeoff of a cosmopolitan, cultured city with lots of opportunity?

Thank you!

hurd300403 · 12-15-2007, 05:38 PM

hey there,
DC certainly has an indie scene...and it's growing. I also frequent coffeehouses and art galleries as often as i'm able to. if it's that kind of an atmosphere you're looking for I wouldn't worry too much...it's certainly around, but you just have to find it!

I record indie bands all the time, and am coming from the va beach area. DC/northern VA has a much better scene than most places and it's where any band in the central east coast area tries to play most shows.

--good luck

dullnboring · 12-16-2007, 05:28 AM

Don't be scared. I read in your other post that you lived in Manhattan for awhile earning 25K/year and managed to get my just fine and had a blast. DC will be cake for you.

DC may have a bit of a stuffy blowhard reputation, but there are plenty of like-minded folks such as you who enjoy art galleries, coffeehouses, indie music and theatres and that sort of thing. Maybe not in Georgetown, but in parts of the city like Shaw, U Street, Eastern Market and Dupont Circle you'll find a high concentration of such things and the people it attracts. I've lived in Atlanta and I have to say that in my opinion, DC has MUCH more of that sort of scene than Atlanta does.

As far as whether it's worth it, well, that's a tough call for someone else to make. It's a risk, as is any move, especially when you're happy where you are as you are in Atlanta, but if it's one that will benefit your career and education in the long run, I say it's one worth trying. Plus, worse comes to worse, you're just here for grad school and will be out in two years.

yankeesoutherngirl · 12-19-2007, 07:05 AM

Thanks. Yeah, I'm just leaning towards DC as it seems a lot more "cosmopolitan" than Atlanta overall. It's just re-establishing the social network that will be daunting...but I guess that can happen anywhere.

fudgy · 12-19-2007, 09:33 AM

If you're interested in dating decent men, go elsewhere. DC is overflowing with attractive, intelligent, and interesting women.

yankeesoutherngirl · 12-20-2007, 08:14 AM

Thanks, but I'm pretty confident in being an attractive intelligent woman myself, and I don't really want to move somewhere to "find a man". In fact that whole outlook sort of frightens me.

Ncruze · 12-21-2007, 04:48 AM

All I have to say is..DC is a power house city..its the center of the world..well considered by many..therefore it poses new challenging barriers like any other major city(cost of living) but once u find ur own trend, u wouldn't want to leave. in advance..WELCOME TO THE NATIONS CAPITOL!