Loving it in the DC area!

[mariesworld]

I love you Alexandria, VA!! You've changed my life in so many ways, we no longer use our cars, we feel respected for differences and people are really smart out here!! Education is truly respected out here - not movie stars or pop culture. People really get that those people fade away, Govt. will keep going no matter who is in office or what policy changes. One other big plus - Museums...good golly, we spent - $100's of dollars on museum memberships...for tickets..blah, blah...All FREE here. It's such a warm feeling to know I'm going to see an exhibit for free, that my family would normally have to pay $10 - $20 a piece...to go see. You can't get more than a few major museums in some cities...here it's totally endless:Smithsonian: Museums

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by CaseyMac

To the folks moving from the Bay Area, just focus all of your energy on Arlington. You can't beat the close proximity to DC without having the ineffective city government politics that DC has. Metro, sidewalk cafes, working roads and an effective County Board make Arlington a great place to be!

Nothing against Arlington, but you can get all of that and more in Bethesda without the hassle and horrible traffic snafus of trying to get in and out of DC by bridges and tunnels.

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by mariesworld

I love you Alexandria, VA!! You've changed my life in so many ways, we no longer use our cars, we feel respected for differences and people are really smart out here!! Education is truly respected out here - not movie stars or pop culture. People really get that those people fade away, Govt. will keep going no matter who is in office or what policy changes. One other big plus - Museums...good golly, we spent - $100's of dollars on museum memberships...for tickets..blah, blah...All FREE here. It's such a warm feeling to know I'm going to see an exhibit for free, that my family would normally have to pay $10 - $20 a piece...to go see. You can't get more than a few major museums in some cities...here it's totally endless:Smithsonian: Museums

One of my transplanted L.A. friends is famous for the following bon mot: L.A. is below the neck, D.C. is above the neck.

[cpterp]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Nothing against Arlington, but you can get all of that and more in Bethesda without the hassle and horrible traffic snafus of trying to get in and out of DC by bridges and tunnels.

Yeah, but it'll cost you some serious coin, not that Arlington is that much cheaper. Silver Spring, which is more diverse and "culturally enriching" is cheaper than both areas, although that's quickly changing with the numerous high rise condo/apartments going up and the downtown "revitalization."

[krock1dk]

I lived in northern Virginia--Sterling--for a while in 2004. Ideally, the best place in the area I would want to live in is Leesburg. Its further away, but close enough to DC--an hour--that you can easily see all the sights of DC and be away from its hustle and bustle, not to mention being near the mountains and horse farms. Rural northern Virginia is beautiful.

[JL2010]

I thought I would contribute. I live in downtown DC. For renting, it's a great place!! I started to be a homeowner since the age of 26, and I didn't think I would want to rent again. But I did it last year when I moved to DC, and life has been great! I don't even miss my car. My area is very dog friendly, and I am 10 mins walk from the first official DC dog park. I walk so much, and I don't need to get a gym membership now!!