Washington DC is for young Interns, High Paid Professionals and Immigrants ONLY

[TrippingJay]

It's also interesting to note that a lot of people living in DC are those who continue to live where near where they grew up. I cannot even count how many people I have met here who grew up in NOVA/MD/DC when to GW, UMd, UVA, GW, Georgetown and then decided to stay and work in this area. So really there's nothing bad about it.

However; I think it would be extremely beneficial for people everywhere to break out of their comfort zones and experience a different region of the country or world.

Originally Posted by mnmarty03

Here's a question..

If someone chooses to continue living near where they grew up after high school, gets a job that pays their bills, and continues on living that way for the rest of their lives - why is that bad?

A lot of people here have made these type of people (which are quite common I think) sound like they are worse people than those who choose to move away from their hometowns.

Case in point:

- My sister and her husband live within 20 miles of their parents. They are both nearly 30 and work your typical working class jobs -- which they both absoluately LOVE. In addition my sister is starting up her own business, and doing well at in the first 2 months. They have been married happily nearly 10 years, are active in their communities (he is a member of Knights of Columbus. she is a member of Women of Today) and get all of their bills paid each month. The only debt they have is for their trailer, which will be paid off in 3 years.

- I graduated college in 2007. I have experience in my field (which is very competitve), have studied abroad for one year while in college, and am $30,000 in debt from school and credit cards. I can't get a job in my field right now and am currently living with my parents (I'm 23). It took me a month just to find a production job to pay my bills while I try to find a position in my career. Now I'm planning on moving to the East Coast to work and volunteer in my field in the hopes of getting my foot in the door and increase my job chances in the future. Washington DC is one area I'm considering.

Which in your opinion is better? A lot of people would say me, because I am going after my dreams and am ambitious. I say NEITHER!!! I'm so proud of my sister and brother-in-law for all they have done and continue to do. They too have plans for their future, but none of them include moving to a large city someplace. I have accomplished some dreams and will do more of that.. but I'm also WAY in debt and have plenty of my own problems/issues.

The point I'm trying to make is that everyone is different. Not everyone can be ambitious and move to a big city or have a neighbor who speaks another language. Not all people want that. Some people genuinely love where they grew up and want to stay near their families. Some people love their working class jobs. Some other people would never be content staying near their families. Everybody is different and that difference should be embraced, respected, and praised. The world runs because of all the different people in it - we can't all be the same.

[mnmarty03]

I agree that there are probably more "smart" people in DC than in other areas.. particularly because of all the government jobs.

And TrippingJay I also agree whole heartedly with you that it's good for people to break out of their comfort zones and experience another region or country!

It had just seemd that people were saying that staying near your home town makes you a horrible person or something - and I wanted to clarify that.

[LIS123]

People do not think that those who live as adults near where they grew up are horrible or lacking in success.

It's just that there are a lot of people who live as adults near where they grew up b/c they don't have the qualifications (education, experience, contacts, etc) to leave their native area. Many such people are viewed as 'losers.' Staying local is the much safer bet, b/c friends and family can back you up in ways that they can not when you live far away. It's very common for people who have children unexpectedly to stay in the area. Many such people live at home indefinitely.

[Good_Teacher]

I looked up the demographics of the greater DC area on people search birth certificates data at census.com after reading this posting. The DC area is completely different than most of America. Incomes are higher, cost of living is higher, there is more ethnic diversity than almost anywhere else with people from 160 countries, and people are some of the most educated in the country. An incredible number of MBA's and PHD's. Seems like a poor place to live if you want to be a shoe clerk or receptionist.