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I was born and raised in New York and now live in Virginia.
NYC is too big, too crowded, and one of the most hyped places on the planet.
Manhattan is an overpriced island.
DC is cleaner, greener, and much nicer to visit, however DC cannot compete with NYC when it comes to restaurants and entertainment such as the scale of Broadway.
Personally I hate them both, I like the southern charm of Richmond.
The company i work for does business with a DC utility so I'm there from time to time for about a week at a time. I never felt the "Governmental" presence that everybody says permeates the city. I don't agree with this at all. There is diverse industry in DC just like any other east coast city.
What private industries are there that exist in other cities that don't exist in DC?
Just to clarify, my statement that "the government was the only game in town" was a general statement concerning the US economy in late 2008- early 2009. The US economy was in the deepest recession since the great recession. Major US corporations like GE were in serious financial trouble and the US government indeed was really the main driver of the economy during this time period. This has receded in recent years as government stimulus has waned and the government has been unable to pass major economic legislation.
To some extent this is just a natural rebalancing after a very unusual period. But, one of the side effects of this is that private sector centers like SF Bay and NYC have regained some of there economic power.
As to the argument that DC is a government town. I think that is still basically true. Although not everybody works for the government. The federal government is a major presense in the local economy through 3 channels:
1) Direct Government - people who work directly for the government
2) Government related- campaign consultants, lawyers,lobbyists, NGOs, media, think tanks, trade associations and especially the government contractors who often do non-political (IT,HR, gov support staff)
3) Local service providers- the hotels, restaurants, banks, real estate agents, medical professionals, retailers, etc don't work for the government directly or indirectly. But, a larger share of there customers are people from the first 2 categories. If the government weren't in DC this would be a much smaller city with fewer shops, bars, dentists, less local cops, teachers, utility workers etc.
It is true there are some private sector companies that are completely unrelated to the federal government in anyway (particularly in NoVa), but the DC economy would be much smaller than the SF Bay or even Boston economy. DC/NoVa would probably be a 3rd-tier city on par with Pittsburg. Nothing wrong with it. But, lets not deny that DC is still a government centric town.
Just to clarify, my statement that "the government was the only game in town" was a general statement concerning the US economy in late 2008- early 2009.
I would argue that there isn't really a need for you to back pedal. Look, if parts of a city, in particular around the most powerful office in the world, shuts down on a Friday night at 7 pm and doesn't open again until Monday, it's a gumement town. Call it what it is.
I moved to DC earlier this year from NYC. I love DC, life is much easier down here. I do miss the restaurants and entertainment in NY. The food in DC is terrible, it’s like restaurants don’t even try because they don’t have to.
Only thing that immediately hits me about the DMV is the lack of diversity comparatively speaking and I am not used to paying a subway by distance.
Parking in DC is atrocious and surprisingly I find it easier to find parking in nyc overall outside of Manhattan.
What I do like is that it’s a historic place with a strong black culture and black diversity. Great museums and nice walkable areas and a strong job market.
Ghettos there are a bit more rough than NY ghettos tho.
Also the restaurant scene in Dc compared to NYC is def lacking. DC is not a slouch but it can def do better. For food I would easily put Charleston, SC above it.
I moved to DC earlier this year from NYC. I love DC, life is much easier down here. I do miss the restaurants and entertainment in NY. The food in DC is terrible, it’s like restaurants don’t even try because they don’t have to.
What makes life easier in DC proper? The city appears to have the exact same issues as NYC. It’s def not a place I’d consider if I was struggling with money.
What makes life easier in DC proper? The city appears to have the exact same issues as NYC. It’s def not a place I’d consider if I was struggling with money.
It’s easier in terms of living day to day life like grocery shopping, commuting back and forth to work (before the work from home order). Going out socially, walking down the street without tons of ppl in your way. Also, I feel that ppl are friendlier in DC compared to NYC. That’s just been my experience. My quality of living has greatly improved in DC compared to NYC. The building I live in now would cost maybe double or triple in NYC. But of course depending on ones circumstances and economic status, everyone’s experience is going to be totally different. I lucked out in picking the right neighborhood for me. I love the area I live and my building. When I was first apartment searching in DC last year, I wasn’t impressed at first because I didn’t care for the neighborhoods I was looking in. I wasn’t familiar with DC or what neighborhoods were safe & not safe.
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