Any Transitioners from San Francisco to DC? (Washington: best city, apartment)

[nasridian]

hey...just wondering if there's anyone who has moved from SF to DC and how they like it. What do they like or hate about DC compared? I'm thinking of making a transition from DC to SF...so just wondering.

Thanks.

[killabunnies]

HA yes. Made the move almost two years ago. How long have you been in SF?

It is a HUGE adjustment. COL is close rent-wise - although at least in DC you can live in a "less desirable" area like I do for cheap unlike SF where even the Tenderloin will cost you. Overall COL is lower though - I pay more in car insurance but groceries/gas etc are still lower and rent is manageable.

I was completely over SF by the time I left so DC's differences were welcome. The racial hostility takes a lot of getting used to (that's exactly what I walked away from in Milwaukee over a decade ago) and you'll crave good restaurants (DC has good ones but nothing like SF where I could walk out of my apartment and find Russian bakeries, dim sum, sushi, BBQ and Indonesian within a few blocks) but I don't regret making the move.

I always tell anyone coming from California to manage their expectations. DC is DC, not SF. Personally I craved the awareness of current events and didn't feel my friends in SF got that part. I like that people here flaunt their degrees and knowledge and connections, where I didn't feel they did that in SF.

[nasridian]

hmmm...thanks killabunnies (nice name). I'm actually in DC right now looking to move to SF (going to choose b/w SF and NY, but leaning more towards SF, already did NY once).

I actually don't like the fact that people flaunt their degrees and connections here (but I haven't noticed this too much). What was it about SF that you were "completely over"? Was it that you just wanted a change in scenery or particular things about SF?

[Fundman]

Ignoring the obvious difference in the weather and topography, San Francisco and Washington are similar in many respects. Both are relatively small dense cities, very liberal politics, cultural and intellectual elites, white minority population, mecca for tourists, large single and gay population.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by Fundman

very liberal politics.

Very false. This area isn't close to liberal or progressive like San Francisco is. DC=statist, SF=liberal, and there is a difference.

[BigCityDreamer]

I haven't lived in SF but I've stayed in the city a few times. It's probably the best city on the west coast and one of the most scenic in the U.S. If you like year-round cool/mild weather, urban density and skyscrapers, and being close to the water, then SF is your place.

However, I feel that I would miss DC a lot if I moved to SF. DC has so much significant U.S. history and so many great museums that SF can't match. DC is also in a fast-growing and dynamic region. The fact that DC is an east coast city and close to all the major cities here is also a big deal to me.

So in short, SF is good - there are a many things to see and do there. But DC is better. That's my personal take on the matter.

[Fundman]

VTHokieFan - You are confusing the Congress with the District. The politicians on the District Council are as liberal as they come. Not a single Republican.

[clb10]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

Very false. This area isn't close to liberal or progressive like San Francisco is. DC=statist, SF=liberal, and there is a difference.

If someone says that D.C. is as liberal as San Francisco then they don't know anything about San Francisco.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by Fundman

VTHokieFan - You are confusing the Congress with the District. The politicians on the District Council are as liberal as they come. Not a single Republican.

That may be, but this area, as in the population, are far from liberal.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

That may be, but this area, as in the population, are far from liberal.

You wish. This isn't Tidewater anymore.