New Yorkers migrating to DC? (Washington: transplants, mover, high crime)

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by tech2enable

Maybe, but its still a long drive from new york to D.C when you factor in congestion, I would have to see a study before saying its not a fact though, people from New Jersey may come to Virginia or Delaware to escape high property taxes, keep in mind that New York , especially the new york city metro stretches very eastward.

Yeah but not that long of a drive. Also a lot of people take the bus from DC to NYC its cheaper than driving. DC is still closer to New York than other places. While not closer than say Philly or even Baltimore still closer than Atlanta, Chicago or LA, the list goes on and on. So it still makes more sense that there'd be more New Yorkers in the DC area versus Californians or Texans. People who are considering moving are going to look at places closer to home.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by tech2enable

Not necessarily true, the metro is small fries compared to the new york city subway system, although cleaner due to strict draconian rules that many people think of it, that alone is not necessary to make it better, the crime rate is high, it doesn't have the same offerings as new york city or for that matter other cities have, cost of living is inflated, salaries don't keep up with it, the metro doesn't run at night except maybe on weekends and the stations are far apart and the trains don't arrive and sync as frequent, the metro is more like a secondary form of transit, so it is a big adjustment. Keep in mind D.C is also a bit limited like NYC, although NYC is located in a state. It does have things to offer but its on a more smaller scale and the suburbs are more suburban than many new york city suburbs with much less transit although higher home prices.

Not every New Yorker thinks NYC is the best city for them. So its not a NYC rocks and DC sucks or DC rocks NYC sucks situation. Just like every Washingtonian or every Virginian thinks DC or VA is the place for them. People relocate for a variety of reasons. I love my hometown but I know that this the best area for me right now.

[hiker16]

"Maybe, but its still a long drive from new york to D.C when you factor in congestion"

Amtrak. 3 hrs on Acela.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by hiker16

"Maybe, but its still a long drive from new york to D.C when you factor in congestion"

Amtrak. 3 hrs on Acela.

Yeah that's a point. However, the bus is like $40 round trip and Acela is $200 round trip.

[dcsfanatic]

Originally Posted by tech2enable

Not necessarily true, the metro is small fries compared to the new york city subway system, although cleaner due to strict draconian rules that many people think of it, that alone is not necessary to make it better, the crime rate is high, it doesn't have the same offerings as new york city or for that matter other cities have, cost of living is inflated, salaries don't keep up with it, the metro doesn't run at night except maybe on weekends and the stations are far apart and the trains don't arrive and sync as frequent, the metro is more like a secondary form of transit, so it is a big adjustment. Keep in mind D.C is also a bit limited like NYC, although NYC is located in a state. It does have things to offer but its on a more smaller scale and the suburbs are more suburban than many new york city suburbs with much less transit although higher home prices.

Your whole post kind of validated 14thandYou's comment that you refuted.


Can you tell me what it doesn't have that other cities have?

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by dcsfanatic

Your whole post kind of validated 14thandYou's comment that you refuted.


Can you tell me what it doesn't have that other cities have?

A lot of New Yorkers are conditioned to believe that bigger is inherently better.

For example: Say New York has 20,000 restaurants and DC has 5,000. Do you really think you can't find a really satisfying meal somewhere in 5,000 restaurants?

I love New York for what it is, but I certainly wouldn't support that poster's claim that NYC is inherently superior to DC (especially the transit system). I've always felt DC offers all the amenities of major cosmopolitan cities on a much smaller scale and with a lot more open space thanks in large part to the large concentration of professionals from around the country and world.

But, one can understand why New Yorkers would be drawn to DC. They're both epicenters of power, professionals, and pretty solid cultural offerings (can't say the same of Boston, Philly, Baltimore, etc...), even if they do nauseate the rest of us by complaining endlessly about it.

[hiker16]

I think I'd include Boston in there, too, though. Professionalism: Boston's pretty much a medical and higher-ed mecca. Plently of cultrual/historical attractions from the 1620's on up to the present day. Sports? You can either love or hate the Red Sox.

And yeah. Boston doesn't consider itself better than Noo Yawk...Boston just generally accepts the fact the world ends at I495 (~30 mi west of the city) Everything else is a blank space on the map, with "Here be dragons" written on it

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by hiker16

I think I'd include Boston in there, too, though. Professionalism: Boston's pretty much a medical and higher-ed mecca. Plently of cultrual/historical attractions from the 1620's on up to the present day. Sports? You can either love or hate the Red Sox.

And yeah. Boston doesn't consider itself better than Noo Yawk...Boston just generally accepts the fact the world ends at I495 (~30 mi west of the city) Everything else is a blank space on the map, with "Here be dragons" written on it

I've lived in Boston. Everyone warned me that it wouldn't be what it's marketing pretends it to be. Yes, there are some great universities, but the overall culture is either college students or very blue collar and VERY provincial (as you point out).

I thought it would be similar to DC in terms of the professional culture, but it wasn't at all.

[hiker16]

..it's what I'm used to.(and yeah; I lived in Boston for a decade) Been down here there years, but I'm a New Englander.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

A lot of New Yorkers are conditioned to believe that bigger is inherently better.

For example: Say New York has 20,000 restaurants and DC has 5,000. Do you really think you can't find a really satisfying meal somewhere in 5,000 restaurants?

Yes and no, although more selection doesn't necessarily equate better satisfactions, in this case more selection is not based on quantity v. quality, the city with the most restaurants per ca-pita is dallas, although the food cuisine is well received there, that finding of ratio derived from chain restaurants.

The Monkey Cage: Lamenting Culinary Choices in DC

D.C. cuisine is not ranked on par with cities such as new york, it also does not have as much influence, competition, and reputation as new york , sure its changing for the better though, but this could be in part because of other D.C. issues, and its image problem.

While one can argue that tasting is subjective, you do get much more choices in new york city, also the suburbs of d.c are diverse and more cuisine variety but that's the suburbs and the restaurants are more spread out and less choices and this less competition.

I love New York for what it is, but I certainly wouldn't support that poster's claim that NYC is inherently superior to DC (especially the transit system). I've always felt DC offers all the amenities of major cosmopolitan cities on a much smaller scale and with a lot more open space thanks in large part to the large concentration of professionals from around the country and world.

D.C has a lot of limitations as a district, its crime rate is much much higher, educational system worse despite high spending, tax issues (in part because MD, VA milk it), unfair representation in congress , geographic issues,etc , so yes it is generally inferior but not necessarily just because of a bias that you may allege on my part, but politics also not working in favor of it.

D.C does not have more open space than NYC, look at the square miles, NYC is like 7 times bigger.

Also, the transit system while more cleaner is still inferior to NYC, its designed as a more secondary form on transit. Now , I don't necessarily take a bad opinion towards this, residents may love driving their cars, and using the metro, perhaps residents love that the metro is inferior to NYC because they love their suburban style living and decide to put up with the higher cost of homes. It does not run throughout the night, it runs less frequently , its more as a secondary form of transit, stations are far away from residents, unlike NYC although some people may like that. Its fare structure combined with limited options and less available stations and coverage also make it inferior. I


But, one can understand why New Yorkers would be drawn to DC. They're both epicenters of power, professionals, and pretty solid cultural offerings (can't say the same of Boston, Philly, Baltimore, etc...), even if they do nauseate the rest of us by complaining endlessly about it.

I doubt new yorkers are necessarily drawn to D.C except in reverse, there are government jobs available, and if that's whats available and you decide to put up with the generally low pay vs. cost of living you do that in a recession economy.