You left DC, where are you happier? (Washington: sale, real estate)

[DCTony]

Hi,

I'm a DC native who left town in early September after a job loss. It's way too expensive for what you get, and I'm just completely burned out on the place. Not going to waste time rehashing all its flaws. I thought about moving to Baltimore, but it seems tied in to the DC economy for decent jobs. Also, it can have a depressing vibe. I'm out west now, but struggling to decide on where to call home. I'd like to hear from ex-DC people who have started over in a new place that they prefer to DC. The only other criteria is that it be more affordable than DC. As much as I'd like to live in San Francisco or NYC, that train has left the station at this stage in my life (early 40s).

[Tuneful]

Where did you end up moving and how do you like it so far compared to DC?
I am still in DC and in my mid 50s in a government career. I'm not sure I would rule out SF or NYC, if your career allows, and there are definitely things I like about those cities, but for me, it would be more congestion, high prices, traffic...

[DCTony]

I left DC for good in September but haven't settled anywhere. All my stuff is in storage. I've been traveling around the country. Lately, I wish that I'd been born in France. I ended up back in DC a couple years ago after a divorce to be near my elderly parents. The place has changed immensely. I had a 2br apartment on 14th St downtown in 1987 for $150 a month. Those days are long gone now. I wish I had bought real estate when I had the chance. I could have bought up a large chunk of 14th St on a bike messenger's salary. And it was a really fun place to grow up--extremely lax enforcement of the 18 year old drinking age, great music scene (trouble funk, rare essence, velvet monkeys, crippled pilgrims, bbs, 9353, minor threat), great movie theaters (the Key, the Biograph, the Circle, AFI), always something crazy happening downtown. I never lived anywhere outside the District until I was 20. As an adult without a high-paying career, though, in 2009, it sucks.

[nvared]

I left the DC area in early June because I was the lower paid part of a couple and the relationship went kaput and put me in a bad way with no where to live and a kitty. I either had to get a better job there right away (which I didn't) or transfer to another state where I could afford to get an apartment. I'm currently in Denver. However, I'm having trouble with the altitude, have ear nose and throat issues here, and it is a lot more conservative here. I don't like my office much and plan on this being temporary. I know everyone loves Denver and Colorado, but I don't think it's longterm for me. It's okay in a pinch and I'm glad I have a roof over my head, but it's not a good fit. So, I'm here-I'm happier here than I would be living on the streets in DC or in my car, but there's got to be a better place for me than Denver. I'm a serious tennis player and there's not enough good players who are women and the climate for me isn't great!

I would be interested too in responses. Hopefully you'll become hired soon if that's what you want!

[Bluefly]

Have you considered one of those smaller cities that attract people looking to just make a living so they can focus on the outdoorsy life or the local arts / music / culture scene?

It's not for everyone, but they tend to be the anti-DC. I know a lot people are really happy in places like that: cheap, no traffic, beautiful. They exist clear across the country - Northeast, Great Lakes, deep South, West, Southwest... take your pick.

[DCTony]

Originally Posted by nvared

I'm currently in Denver. However, I'm having trouble with the altitude, have ear nose and throat issues here, and it is a lot more conservative here. I don't like my office much and plan on this being temporary. I know everyone loves Denver and Colorado, but I don't think it's longterm for me. It's okay in a pinch and I'm glad I have a roof over my head, but it's not a good fit. So, I'm here-I'm happier here than I would be living on the streets in DC or in my car, but there's got to be a better place for me than Denver. I'm a serious tennis player and there's not enough good players who are women and the climate for me isn't great!

I would be interested too in responses. Hopefully you'll become hired soon if that's what you want!

I was just in Denver last week, thinking about living there. A few years ago, I lived in Boulder, CO, for a job that lasted 2.5 years. Boulder has nice scenery and hiking but is pretty much just a college town. I didn't spend much time in Denver during that period, although people at work who lived there seemed to like it. I know what you mean about the altitude though. And Denver proper has some character but the suburbs are pretty blah. The lack of greenery is also kind of a bummer. But I looked at a huge apartment near downtown that was really cheap--definitely a selling point.

Before Boulder, I lived in San Diego for several years until the company I worked for went out of business. It truly has beautiful year-round weather--great for tennis or any outdoor activity. There are mountains just an hour to the east for hiking and sometimes even sledding in the winter. Once the economy turns around you might consider checking it out. It's expensive, though, but not as bad as SF. It's definitely a tough time to be relocating given the economy, as I have rapidly discovered.

[BWALDON]

DCTony I was in the same boat as you 2 years ago. I left NC to move to DC in 1987. DC was good to me and unlike others I have no complaints. I had a blast. I lived my dreams out. However, after buying a home in 1998 (silver spring) and starting my own buisness (upper northwest) in 2001 I thought I was their to stay forever. Well, after a substantial increase in home values and the stress of the business I decided to sell, packup and leave the area to see what another city had to offer. I was basically burnt out. I've been to Florida, Atlanta, Vegas, Texas, NC(current) and I have to say I really miss Washington D.C. Its as if I'm looking from outside the beltway instead of inside and the I can see as clear as a sunny day of all the opportunities that exist in DC that I didn't see in those cities listed above. Altough born in NC I've spent all of my adult life in the city and I can't get enough of it. The 2 years away has done the body and mine good. I even pick up good weight along the way, but more importantly I'm mentally prepared to pick up where I lefted off because DC gives me that opportunity to open a business quickly because I know the city so well. I'm going back out to vegas in January for a couple of mths before my return to DC in the spring of 2010 and I can't wait.

[endeavorniche]

My whole family starting leaving DC and the MD burbs in 1990. We all live in Florida now. There's just nothing like wearing shorts and flip flops year round. Not having to put up with traffic, high prices, rudeness, arrogance, COLD, SNOW, ICE, rush rush rush, etc. All of us will definitely live longer now that so much stress is gone from our lives. I live in a 1991 3000 sft 3bd 2 bath 2car garage pool home on the water. It cost me $148,500 in 2006. When I go in the 7 11 or any store here the clerk says hi or hello. Everyone is friendly! No one is in any big hurry to do anything. I can go to most any nice restaurant in shorts and a t shirt if I want. I can sit on my dock with a drink with fruit and little umbrella in a swimsuit in January. The area I live in has a festival for just about any reason or for no reason at all. I do not miss DC at all and have never gone back to visit anyone. I've had numerous visitors come here though! About 75% have never gone back either.
My opinion of DC is that if it was a person, I'd kill it if I could get away with it.

[KT13]

Originally Posted by endeavorniche

My whole family starting leaving DC and the MD burbs in 1990. We all live in Florida now. There's just nothing like wearing shorts and flip flops year round. Not having to put up with traffic, high prices, rudeness, arrogance, COLD, SNOW, ICE, rush rush rush, etc. All of us will definitely live longer now that so much stress is gone from our lives. I live in a 1991 3000 sft 3bd 2 bath 2car garage pool home on the water. It cost me $148,500 in 2006. When I go in the 7 11 or any store here the clerk says hi or hello. Everyone is friendly! No one is in any big hurry to do anything. I can go to most any nice restaurant in shorts and a t shirt if I want. I can sit on my dock with a drink with fruit and little umbrella in a swimsuit in January. The area I live in has a festival for just about any reason or for no reason at all. I do not miss DC at all and have never gone back to visit anyone. I've had numerous visitors come here though! About 75% have never gone back either.
My opinion of DC is that if it was a person, I'd kill it if I could get away with it.

I have relatives who moved to Florida from DC and they also love living in Florida, however, they are struggling to make the ends meet as the job market there is very scarce. The quality of jobs they are able to find is not what was available to them in DC area, where they hardly had any problems staying employed. Now that their kids are graduating high school they are finding that there are better educational opportunities for them in the northeast than in Florida, they are considering returning back, only it's much harder now as they won't be able to afford anything decent here from the sale of their house in Florida. It seems like you might be retired and I agree that for someone who doesn't need to feed the family and doesn't have specific career goals it's probably a better choice than getting stuck in a rather hectic place. But from what I heard Florida isn't all peaches and cream for those who still have quite many working years left.

[KT13]

Originally Posted by DCTony

Hi,

I'm a DC native who left town in early September after a job loss. It's way too expensive for what you get, and I'm just completely burned out on the place. Not going to waste time rehashing all its flaws. I thought about moving to Baltimore, but it seems tied in to the DC economy for decent jobs. Also, it can have a depressing vibe. I'm out west now, but struggling to decide on where to call home. I'd like to hear from ex-DC people who have started over in a new place that they prefer to DC. The only other criteria is that it be more affordable than DC. As much as I'd like to live in San Francisco or NYC, that train has left the station at this stage in my life (early 40s).

You might like Pacific Northwest. I don't recommend San Francisco as it's slightly more expensive than DC area, so it will not be any relief for you in terms of cost. There are some areas of California that are very affordable, but it's a personal taste whether you will tolerate living there after living in DC, the job market in affordable California places is also pretty depressed.

If you are set on the West Coast try Portland. It's a very affordable city and it has a rich culture and beautiful nature with mild weather. If you are set on something much warmer and sunnier I would recommend areas around San Diego, the prices have fallen around Southern California and San Diego was always much more affordable than San Francisco. If you don't insist on living by the water in some expensive beach town you can find some inexpensive places in the hills further from the water.

Seattle is also a good contender although it's not a cheap place to live, but depending where, you can find affordable neighborhoods around Seattle area, more affordable than DC metro. Rents in Seattle even in the city proper are much cheaper than in DC. The city has a good job market and infrastructure and the nature is just something to behold, IMO, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world and has access to the most amazing nature drives and hikes. Not to mention skiing is only 40 min drive from the city. In summer it gets very warm without the mugginess of DC, it really has most beautiful summers, you can even swim in lake Washington. If you are ok with some rain and overcast skies, you will love it there or in Portland.

Good luck