New grad. trying to decide.... (neighborhood, to buy, law school)

[livinlife7]

Hi! I'm graduating soon with my doctorate in physical therapy, and am exploring where in the country I'd like to live. I'm pretty set on living in a larger city (i've always lived in a small one, and need to get out!). I've not spent an extended period of time in any city other than Pittsburgh, so what I really need to figure out is what city would suit me the best... I was hoping someone here could offer some kind thoughts in this arena...

Basically, I'm a self-reflective, socially-conscious, independent gal looking for a fairly liberal place with a diverse variety of interests to explore. I'm not completely sure who I am or who I want to be, but I think I've got a pretty decent start in that I'm actually beginning to take a deep look.... I also LOVE the new administration and like meeting people who can talk intelligently about the world....

All this said, I'm also a fun-loving, spirited individual who really likes to laugh, have a good time, be silly.... you get the idea...

My question then is this: Does DC sound like it would suit me well?

*Also career-wise, would anyone know anything about the market for physical therapists, especially in orthopedic outpatient, in DC?

Thanks!

[AeroGuyDC]

I have found DC to be very liberal, in good ways and bad. Whatever your politics, you can certainly find a crowd to associate with. I have lived in 5 states (medium to large cities) in the past 11 years and DC has more to see and do than any city I've ever lived in or visited. The cost of living is high and the traffic sucks, but it's an eclectic town with a large population of young professionals, which I personally find appealing. Whether you like the "keeping up with the Jones's" crowd or if you march to the beat of a different drum, you should have no problem finding your way in DC. I'd recommend taking some time to come take a look! I like it here.

[PenguinSix]

Of course, it's a big city and you can find your niche, but in a general sense:

Politically, DC is considered Liberal
Socially, DC is considered conservative (in fact, quite so).

In this sense. You'll have two gay men tell you about why we should nationalize the banks or do away with the death penalty or socialize medicine, but they'll do so wearing J. Crew's latest fashion while having an afternoon 'social' with some gourmet foods they bought at one of the many fancy or organic stores in the area. The party guest's kids are at a private school and dreaming of a lacrosse scholarship to Duke or Hopkins before they go to med or law school. Going casual is when they wear their college sweats with some khakis and loafers and head out to buy some fresh bread at a local bakery. DC is not a place where people with facial tattoos, multiple piercings, purple hair, playing in a band and living on someone's couch will necessarily find themselves 'at home'.

The DC area is filled with a number of 'two income, professional' couples which attracts more of their kind.

[AeroGuyDC]

PenguinSix...your assessment is dead-on! I concur completely. What I had generalized as the "keeping up with the Jones's" crowd, you expanded on with accuracy! Just last Saturday afternoon I noticed while down in Adams Morgan that "Going casual is when they wear their college sweats with some khakis and loafers and head out to buy some fresh bread at a local bakery." Funny how you mentioned that! Great assessment.

[leighland]

Why limit yourself to the East Coast? Have you thought about San Francisco?

[livinlife7]

Interesting obserations penguinsix... So, would you say that people in DC are less tolerant of diversity?? I am politically liberal, but I suppose I also meant that I really like to be surrounded by a diverse culture of people (in religion, race, culture, ideology.. etc.). I'd like to hear your thoughts..

And leighland, actually yes! I'm definitely considering west coast, San Francisco, LA, even a Portland, OR maybe? The only problem with all that is the logistics of settling into a job. I would probably need to have the job in order to decide to move that far away, which I'd assume means some interviews. Not really having any connections or the finances to fly out and stay in some of these places seems to make them less feasible.. (Please correct me though if i'm missing an option or perspective here!)

I do have a relative in LA who has said she'd love it if I'd want to come visit or set up some interviews. (I guess come to think of it, I also have a friend in Portland....)

Anyway, I was just starting the search on the East coast. DC is 4 hours away and I can drive to and make a couple interviews probably in one shot.

[JimGriffith]

This is only my personal anecdotal evidence, but . . .

I know people who moved here, proclaiming themselves big-hearted, open-minded liberals who worship diversity in all its forms.

Turns out, they just wanted to see the occasional black, hispanic, gay or asian person around the neighborhood in order to feel better about themselves.

They were most certainly NOT interested if diversity meant that some of those neighbors were (shudder) working class, (double shudder) churchgoers, or (gasp and shreik!) Republicans.