Bohemian lifestyle (Washington: apartments, condos, crime) - City-Data Forum

Vaunderer · 12-03-2008, 10:04 AM

I'm not a newbie to this forum and I'm actually living in Baltimore.

DC and surrounding areas are still somewhat of a mystery to me as I don't get out that way much.

I have not pursued job opportunities based on the assumption that I wouldn't be able to afford moving to the area and my quality of life would decrease.
Specifically, there seems to be a lot of opportunities in Rockville that I'm missing out on.

To me, having a good quality of life includes not having road rage, living in a relatively safe area for a fair price, and having the least amount of restrictions to my daily life, apartments with character. What's with the no pets rules and beige carpeting?

Don't get me wrong, I'm attracted somewhat to the cultural amenities and the diversity of DC. It seems hands down better than Baltimore's limited range.

But, I'm more of a Bohemian than a Yuppie.

I'd miss being able to walk to the farmer's market, go to hole in the wall bars and get to work in 20 mins, riding my bike to local small businesses. Can this be found in the DC area, really?

The areas that have been suggested (Mt. Rainer, Takoma Park) seem crime ridden. Living inside DC seems not likely.

But, tell me if I'm missing something.

claremarie · 12-03-2008, 11:37 AM

What you're missing are the deep pockets that enable people with your aspirations to live them out in DC. If you want the DC bohemian equivalent of Mayberry (Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, etc.) you have to be prepared to pay dearly for the privilege.
Or else move to a college town.

smithy77 · 12-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Vaunderer, meeting your criteria in the Mid-Atlantic area isn't easy. The Bohemian life has taken quite a hit in the last 15 years or so (a victim of the information age, maybe?). If you're serious about pursuing the Bohemian life on a budget, you need to expand your geographical reach. For the budget conscious alt-lifestyle, check out places like Madison, Wisconsin/Portland, Oregon/Ann Arbor, Michigan/Austin, Texas, and even a place like Omaha (no kidding, it's a big indie-rock mecca and arts magnet). Housing in all of these places is cheap and the people are friendly and fairly liberal. These places meet most, if not all of your criteria. The East coast has pretty much priced itself out of the Bohemian market.

firefightermom · 12-03-2008, 06:51 PM

[quote=Vaunderer;6405797]
To me, having a good quality of life includes not having road rage

If you don't like road rage, then don't move to the Metro DC area. It seems like even the people I knew personally turned into crazed freaks in their cars. Perhaps it's b/c of the high levels of traffic and terrible congestion.
When I first moved there, I was never tailgated more in my life, especially since I was already going 10 miles over the limit!

I just remembered something else...I had a Jeep Cherokee try to block me in and play chicken once b/c he didn't like that I was in the left lane (to turn left at the next intersection) and wasn't going as fast as he was! Scared me to death!

DCart · 12-03-2008, 07:21 PM

Earlier American and for that matter European bohemians were not necessarily lefties or liberals. There's nothing in La Bohème (from the book Scenes from Bohemian Life by Henri Murger) that is particularly political either left or right. Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs were rather right wing politically. My advice if you want to be a good artist or writer is to avoid liberal enclaves. They are too whiney. Bad form really.

mettler · 12-03-2008, 08:03 PM

forget all that hippy stuff..just listen to metal..you can do that anywhere..

...ha..that made me laugh

DCart · 12-03-2008, 08:49 PM

On further thought, since the Left is now the Establishment more than ever, and especially in Washington, DC, you should be doubly wary of liberal enclaves. After all, aren't bohemians supposed to be anti-establishment? If not, why call yourself bohemian in the first place.

juniperbleu · 12-04-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaunderer

To me, having a good quality of life includes not having road rage, living in a relatively safe area for a fair price, and having the least amount of restrictions to my daily life, apartments with character...

I'd miss being able to walk to the farmer's market, go to hole in the wall bars and get to work in 20 mins, riding my bike to local small businesses. Can this be found in the DC area, really?

Really, the only part of your description that would be tricky is the price (or alter your perception of a "fair" price, it's all relative). If you don't like road rage, live & work in the same town (be it DC, Arlington, or wherever, though further out you'll need a car regardless). If you plan it right you don't even have to have "Metro rage" and just walk to work. There are some deals in fairly safe areas, and often the older buildings (which have character) are cheaper than the newer condos. There's farmer's markets all over, most people I know in DC don't have cars and just ride their bikes. Pets/carpeting are something you can work out with your landlord. Mine is pretty flexible, so as long as I don't do anything crazy (or will fix it if I do), she's fine with it. So, in other words, it's possible.

The one neighborhood that struck me from reading your post was Eastern Market. Unfortunately, it can be pricey, but if you look hard you might be able to find a small studio or English basement that's affordable.

JimGriffith · 12-04-2008, 07:24 AM

Speaking frankly, DC is not suited for you. You have a lot of criteria, and that's fine, but it's just a terrible fit.

Try Asheville, North Carolina.

MacUser85 · 12-05-2008, 04:33 AM

I agree with Jim, DC may not be the best fit for you. While this does not describe everyone here, DC is very much composed of yuppies and immigrants speaking a multitude of languages from every walk of life. So in other words, people eating at the latest restaurants and getting the finest fashions from Tysons next to folks working three jobs and piling up 15 people in 2 BR apartments is a good portion of the population here. Again, that is not everybody of course, but certainly a good few. I think the rich/poor concept going on here would not suit you as well. Check out Madison, Wis., it really is a great town, very liberal and much more suited for you I think. That is if you can handle the cold. If not, check out Austin, Santa Fe or Berkeley. Hope this helps you and good luck.